Episode 04: Master's secret
In the evening, after the poolside adventures, Jerony called all his puppies to gather in the spacious living room for dinner.
"Time for a dinner, puppies" Jerony called out from the kitchen, the delicious aroma of cooked meat wafting through the house.
The puppies, who had dried off and were now lounging on their designated couches, perked up at the sound of their master's voice.
Maxtone, Svara, Seca, Lynna, Anna, Luna, and Hershell all trotted into the kitchen, their tails wagging in unison. Each pup had their own bowl with their name engraved on it, filled with a gourmet feast of chicken, veggies, and a special treat.
The sight of the food brought forth a collective growling from their stomachs, a sound that made Jerony chuckle.
"Alright, alright, let's not get too excited," he said, placing the bowls down one by one.
The puppies sat obediently, their eyes glued to the steaming mounds of food in front of them.
"That's looks so delicious, Master," Hershell couldn't hold his drool back as he eyed the food in his bowl.
The other puppies nodded in agreement, their mouths watering.
"Hehe, yeah... Enjoy your meal, puppies. And this time, don't disturb me, I have something to do," Jerony said with a wink as he turned to leave the kitchen.
The puppies watched him go before diving into their food with gusto. The sound of chewing and the occasional yelp of pleasure filled the room.
Jerony made his way to the main bathroom, feeling the comfort of the plush carpet beneath his bare feet.
As he stepped into the bathroom, the soft lights automatically turned on, revealing the gleaming marble and chrome surfaces. The room was designed with a modern yet calming aesthetic, a stark contrast to the high-tech gadgets scattered throughout the house.
He knew he needed to clean up before his evening prayer, a ritual that brought him peace and grounded him in the chaos of his double life as a CIA agent and puppy dad.
"Well, this is my life... I have puppies but I still remember my duty to Allah," Jerony murmured to himself as he turned on the faucet, the water cascading into the sink.
He began to perform his wudu, the ritual ablution that Muslims do before praying. His movements were precise, a dance of water and intention that he had performed countless times before.
The cool water washed over his hands, his face, and his feet, cleansing him both physically and spiritually.
After that, Jerony came out of the bathroom and walked towards the living room and then he entered a hidden room that was his private sanctuary for praying.
It was a small but serene space, with a plush prayer rug in the center and a compass embedded in the wall to indicate the direction of Mecca. He took a deep breath and rolled out the rug, aligning himself with the compass. His heart filled with a sense of peace and purpose, Jerony began his maghrib prayer, his voice a gentle murmur that echoed in the quiet space.
Jerony, actually he is a Muslim teenager, but he knows that the work he does requires him to have a low profile. So he keeps his faith private, sharing it only with his closest confidants. He never told his pups who he really was in a religious sense, they only knew him as their master and friend.
The house was equipped with a secret room, accessible only through a hidden panel behind the bookshelf in the living room. This was his space, where he could be himself without the fear of being judged by his furry companions who might not understand the human world's complexities.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, the puppies were busy devouring their dinner, their tails occasionally thumping the floor with excitement.
"I still don't understand... Why does Master always disappear at certain times? It's like he's hiding something," Hershell whispered to Anna as they still licked their bowls clean.
"Yeah you're right... In one day, Master... He mysteriously leaves us five times, and he always reappears after half an hour of disappearance," Anna mused, her voice low enough not to carry beyond the kitchen.
Maxtone and Svara exchanged glances, both of them had noticed their master's strange disappearances but had never thought to question it.
Meanwhile, inside the hidden room, Jerony completed his prayers and took a moment to reflect on the day's events. He had always kept his faith a secret from the pups, not out of fear but out of a desire to protect them from any potential judgment or misunderstanding.
It was a delicate balance, being a CIA agent with a secret identity and a Muslim man with a heart for his furry companions.
Then, he started to read the Quran, the holy book that had been a source of comfort and guidance since he was a child. His eyes scanned over the familiar verses, each word resonating with him as it always did.
Jerony knew that his faith was a part of him that he could never truly hide, especially not from his loyal companions. But he also knew that the world was not always kind to those who were different, and he didn't want to burden them with his own struggles.
His voice when he read the Quran was a soft whisper, the words a gentle caress against the silence. The room was a sanctum, a place where Jerony could find peace in the midst of their chaotic life. Jerony feels so calm as he recites the verses, each syllable a balm to his soul.
