A walk on thorns

Chapter 32|This Is Unfair

Sabrina's POV

Anisha gasped, her wide eyes and parted lips betraying her utter shock. She clearly hadn’t anticipated that I would spill everything so openly.

“What did you just say?!” Mama’s voice was sharp and incredulous, her eyes narrowing in disbelief as her fingers clutched the armrest of her chair.

“Yes, Mama, you heard me correctly.” My voice was steady and firm, refusing to waver. “His mistress is living in this house with Anisha. It’s an abominable triangulation because that woman holds more power than Mukhtar himself. He obeys her, and...”

“She is lying, Mama!” Anisha cut in abruptly, jumping to her feet in a burst of panic. Her face flushed as her voice rose, trembling with desperation. “Nadeera is Mukhtar's marketing manager! She’s the woman I was telling you about yesterday.” She glanced nervously around the room, her lips quivering as though even she didn’t fully believe her defense.

“What a shameless liar you are, Anisha!” I snapped, stepping forward as my anger surged. My tone was icy and unrelenting, my voice resonating with indignation. “We both know you’re spouting untruths. This isn’t a simple misunderstanding; it’s a massive lie! Even Rubina knows who this woman is. I saw them with my own eyes, making out in the dining hall the other day! And Mukhtar? He made you tell me that if I want peace, I must obey Nadeera. This woman even slapped you yesterday in front of everyone! She went as far as forcing you to sleep outside after Mukhtar gave you a brutal beating. Just look at your head and palms! You fell on broken glass because of their torture!” My voice broke slightly as I pointed toward her hands, my eyes burning with anger and unspoken sorrow.

“Who broke the glass then? Who started the fight?!” Anisha screamed, tears streaking her flushed face. She clenched her fists tightly, her body trembling as though the weight of the room had descended solely on her.

“That’s the point,” Aunt Haseena interjected. Her face was a mixture of bitterness and pride, her lips curling into a sardonic smile. She leaned slightly forward, her dark eyes flicking between me and Anisha as though reveling in the tension.

“For goodness’ sake, how long will you keep believing Anisha when you can see in her eyes that she’s lying?” My voice was loud and defiant as I shifted my gaze toward Mama, who sat motionless, her expression darkening with every word I uttered. The tension in her jaw betrayed her frustration as she clasped her hands tightly in her lap. “As for the fight you’re claiming I started, yes, I did. I was harassed by one of Mukhtar’s drunken friends. He touched me inappropriately while I was trying to stop Anisha from serving at her husband’s mistress’s party! And when I defended myself, I struck back impulsively!” I declared passionately, my voice breaking as I struggled to contain the emotions bubbling inside me.

Mama’s face turned even darker, her brows furrowing in visible anger as though torn between chastising me and defending her position. Aunt Saudah, seated comfortably, wore a sly smile, her eyes gleaming with a hypocritical sort of amusement. She folded her arms smugly, clearly enjoying the chaos.

“What a lie!” Anisha exclaimed, her voice rising with indignation. She stood rigidly, her chest heaving as she stared me down with blazing eyes. “Wallahi! It wasn’t the way she explained it. This is such a solipsistic distortion of the truth!” she shouted, her hands trembling as she gestured animatedly, her tone desperate and defensive.

“Nothing I’ve said is a lie,” I snapped, taking a step closer. “If anyone here is being solipsistic, it’s you! Despite your rejection, despite the abuse and blame I face daily, I’m still fighting for your liberation. Yet, when I was harassed, you didn’t support me. Mukhtar’s drunk slapped me before your very eyes, and I retaliated. And here you are, shamelessly denying it! Anisha, you’ve forfeited my respect.” My voice trembled with rage as I pointed an accusing finger at her.