Echoes of Agony

Chapter Twenty Nine

The week had been nothing but a constant search for Zaytun by AbdulJalal, and it seemed like he wouldn't stop anytime soon. News of their divorce had spread like wildfire across all media platforms. Numerous articles from various newspapers were published, some of them gaining millions of views. The vast majority of the public sympathized with Zaytun and everything she was going through.

Despite the intense media attention and the questioning of his image and reputation as a Casanova, AbdulJalal seemed unbothered. His father's threats and the possibility of losing his inheritance and the conglomerate were the least of his worries. Instead, he had become pathetic and desperate, going to Zaytun's house for days, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. However, Sadeeya, who was also living with her, was not happy to see him and even tried to hit him multiple times. Asma had also said some hurtful words to him, but he was numb to it all, knowing he had hurt Zaytun more.

But one day, AbdulJalal received a phone call from his father, demanding an urgent meeting. Still angry, he took a U-turn towards his childhood home. He drove into the house through the underpass, avoiding the people outside. When he entered the underground parking lot, he saw Usman and Zahra leaning against their respective cars.

Usman spoke up, breaking the silence, "Seems like a family reunion."

AbdulJalal didn't respond, passing them and heading to the staircase. His two cousins joined him, and he didn't even look at them.

He could sense the tension in the room as soon as he walked in. Alhaji Sani's face was contorted with anger, and he kept running his hands over his forehead, a tell-tale sign of his anxiety. AbdulJalal's father was clearly furious, and he seemed ready to take out his frustrations on him. Everyone in the room, including Usman, Idris, Zahra, Ibrahim, AbdulJalal's mother, their PR management, their professional trackers, and their lawyers, remained silent, waiting for Alhaji Sani to speak.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Alhaji Sani spoke, his voice laced with anger. "Care to explain what's happening?" he demanded.

AbdulJalal had dreaded this conversation. He knew that his father was not going to like what he had to say. "It's what's on the news," he replied tersely.

Alhaji Sani glared at his son, clearly not impressed with his attitude. "You're so ungrateful," he spat. "You went behind my back and divorced your wife without my consent. I warned you, but you went and did the stupid thing. Now everyone knows you divorced her. Yaro mara hankali!"

AbdulJalal's mother looked horrified, but she didn't say anything. AbdulJalal could see the disappointment in her eyes. He knew that he had let her down, but he couldn't help it. He had fallen in love with someone who was not approved by his family.

"Do you know how much I've suffered to get you where you are?" Alhaji Sani continued, his voice rising with each word.

"Do you know that I don't care?" AbdulJalal retorted, his patience wearing thin.

"AbdulJalal!" his mother exclaimed, looking at him in shock. "You shouldn't talk to your father like that. I've educated you better than that."

"What about him?" he said, pointing to his father. "Did he apply my grandmother's education not to treat his children like that?"

Alhaji Sani was clearly losing his cool. He got up from his chair and slapped him across the face. "You're going to respect me, whether you want to or not. I can finish you right here, right now."

AbdulJalal felt the tears welling up in his eyes, but he refused to show his father any weakness. "Go ahead and do it," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're ready to humiliate me in front of everyone anyway. When were you ever an exemplary father to me? I can't remember the last time you gave me a hug or said, 'I love you, son.' If I'm like this, it's because of you. But you know what? For the first time in my life, I'm going to say thank you, Father. Because thanks to you, I was able to meet an exceptional woman. A woman, a wife, who taught me to be human. A woman who supports me, who is there for me. But alas, I made the mistake of being the monster you raised. Now I've lost her. For good. So I don't care what happens to the Sani's Conglomerate, to the companies. Nothing scares me."