Hidden bonds of love

6.

Later that evening, after a delicious dinner Maryam cooked, the doorbell rang, and Mrs. Fatima gracefully went to open it. With a warm smile, she invited the man standing at the door inside. Maryam had been trying to reach her brother Ahmad since morning but couldn't get through to him. As she stepped out of the kitchen, hoping it might be Ahmad at the door, she was surprised to find a stranger instead.

Mrs. Fatima noticed her daughter's puzzled expression and introduced the man as Khalid, one of her esteemed clients who had traveled a long way and would be staying the night. Maryam, not entirely comfortable with the idea of a stranger staying in their home, requested her mother to talk privately in the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen, Maryam expressed her concerns to her mother, questioning why she had brought a stranger home instead of suggesting a hotel, and worrying about their safety. Mrs. Fatima tried to reassure her, explaining that Khalid was a special client, and they had plenty of rooms to accommodate him.

Maryam, still apprehensive, felt a deep unease in her heart. Despite her reservations, she tried to conceal her emotions and glanced at her mother before retreating to her room. The decision to host a stranger weighed heavily on her mind, but she chose not to make a scene.

Khalid, seated at the dining table, noticed Maryam heading upstairs and sensed that something was amiss. However, he decided not to pry and focused on making himself comfortable.

As Mrs. Fatima returned to Khalid, she politely inquired about his journey while taking his suitcase, ready to show him the guest room. The rain started pouring heavily outside, adding a soothing rhythm to the atmosphere. Maryam, feeling lonely and upset, lay on her bed with only a towel wrapped around her chest, yearning for a comforting hug from her brother, Ahmad. His presence had a way of calming her like no one else could.

The inability to reach Ahmad intensified her feelings of loneliness, anger, and hurt. Her emotions mixed with the scent of the rain, and she went to the window to gaze at the pouring drops. With a sigh, she closed the window and crawled back under the blanket, reciting her prayers before drifting off to sleep.

❀

The following morning, the bright and radiant sun illuminated the surroundings, bringing a sense of peace to the weather. Ahmad and Mustabshira were seated under the backyard hut, engrossed in conversation.

"Mustabshira, you must understand that Maryam is your sister, and she loves you deeply. Don't let her mother's behavior affect your feelings towards her," Ahmad said with a warm smile, always ready to diffuse tension with his infectious grin.

"I can't help it, Ahmad. Maryam's mother and my father are no longer together, so I don't see why she keeps coming here. Honestly, I can't hide it; I dislike her so much," Mustabshira retorted defiantly, her face showing clear displeasure with the discussion.

"Mustabshira, that's not the right attitude. Just because her mother and our father aren't together anymore doesn't mean we should exclude her from our lives. And who even told you they are not together? The next time she visits, try to be more understanding. You wouldn't like it if someone treated you like that," Ahmad urged, hoping to instill empathy in his sister.

Ahmad was protective of his family and believed in fostering a strong bond among siblings, regardless of the circumstances. Mustabshira, recognizing her brother's sincerity, decided to reflect on her behavior and attempt to find common ground with Maryam in the future.

❀

Maryam left her room, feeling uneasy about her mother's absence. She made her way to her mother's room, hoping to find her there, but it was empty. Mrs. Fatima had already left for work early in the morning. Disappointed, Maryam decided to return to her room.

On her way back, she unexpectedly encountered Khalid. He greeted her with a smile, but Maryam's discomfort was evident as she asked him about her mother's whereabouts. Khalid casually informed her that Mrs. Fatima had already gone to work.

The young girl couldn't understand her mother's behavior. Why would she leave her alone at home with a stranger? The situation was starting to make her anxious.

Khalid's demeanor, however, was far from comforting. He wore a seductive expression that made Maryam uneasy. As he bit his lower lip, she felt a shiver down her spine. She quickly brushed past him, hurrying back to her room.

In her haste, Maryam forgot to lock the door behind her. She grabbed her phone and attempted to call Ahmad, but his number was still unreachable. Worried and upset, she decided to take a bath to calm her nerves.

After her shower, while applying body cream, Maryam was startled to find Khalid standing in her room. Shocked and vulnerable in only her underwear, she hurriedly used a towel to cover herself. She demanded to know how he had entered her room, forgetting that she had left the door unlocked. Fear gripped her as Khalid refused to leave, smirking and moving closer to her.

Frightened, Maryam screamed, hoping the gateman outside would hear her cries for help. However, Khalid paid no heed to her pleas, forcibly taking away her towel and pushing her onto the bed. She pleaded with him not to touch her, trying to shield herself with her hands.

In the midst of this terrifying ordeal, Maryam heard the downstairs door opening, which only intensified her screams. Unbeknownst to her, Ahmad had come to the house and rushed to her room when he heard the commotion. Furious at what he saw, he immediately pounced on Khalid, pulling him away from Maryam and delivering blows.

Ahmad's eyes burned with rage as he demanded to know who Khalid was. The intruder tried to escape, but Ahmad relentlessly pursued him. However, Maryam, still shaken and frightened, begged Ahmad not to follow Khalid, afraid that things might escalate further.

With Khalid gone, Ahmad turned his attention back to Maryam. He comforted her, using a towel from the floor to cover her exposed body. Concerned, he asked if Khalid had harmed her, and she reassured him that she was physically unharmed but emotionally traumatized.

Ahmad then took her away from the house, back to their home, where his mother, Mommy Beauty, sensed that something was terribly wrong. However, Ahmad refused to disclose the details of what happened, not wanting to burden her with the distressing situation.

He decided to drive to Mrs. Fatima's office urgently. Upon reaching there, he didn't bother waiting and forcefully entered the meeting room. The tension was palpable as everyone turned their attention to him.

Ahmad, with a stern gaze, insisted on speaking with Mrs. Fatima immediately. Despite her attempts to dismiss him, he was determined to address the gravity of the situation. Recognizing his resolve, Mrs. Fatima reluctantly dismissed the others, leaving the two alone.

Ahmad's voice trembled with anger and concern as he confronted Mrs. Fatima about leaving her daughter alone with a stranger. The revelation that Maryam was almost assaulted under her care shocked her to the core. Ahmad made it clear that he was taking Maryam away from her home, and that she would not be returning.

Emotions ran high as harsh words were exchanged between the two, leaving Mrs. Fatima stunned and bewildered by the situation she had unknowingly created. The meeting that was once significant seemed insignificant now, and the office was filled with an uneasy atmosphere.

As Ahmad left the office, he couldn't help but feel the weight of the responsibility he had taken on. The events of the day had shaken him to the core, but he knew he had to protect Maryam at all costs.

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