love by chance

chapter 32

Irfan sat at the bar, surrounded by the pulsating music and girls dancing around him. He raised his glass, ready to take another sip of the amber liquid, when a hand grasped his wrist.

"Irfan, what are you doing?" a voice asked, laced with concern.

Irfan turned to see Nouf standing beside him, her eyes wide with worry. "What's it to you, Nouf?" he slurred, his words dripping with intoxication.

"You're destroying yourself, Irfan," Nouf said, her voice firm but gentle. "And what about Amaan? He's just a kid. He needs his father's love and guidance."

Irfan's face twisted in anger, and he pushed Nouf to the ground. Fortunately, Safwan was nearby and rushed to help her up.

"Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?" Irfan spat, his eyes blazing with fury. He lunged at Nouf, grabbing her by the neck and strangling her.

Nouf's eyes widened in terror as she struggled to breathe. "Irfan, please...let me go," she gasped.

Safwan tried to intervene, but Irfan was too strong. "Let go of her, Irfan!" Safwan shouted, trying to pry Irfan's fingers off Nouf's neck.

Just as it seemed like Irfan was going to hurt Nouf seriously, a group of nurses burst into the bar and restrained him. One of them quickly injected him with a sedative, and Irfan's grip on Nouf's neck relaxed.

As the nurses dragged Irfan away, Nouf stood up, brushing herself off. She turned to Safwan and said, "You're his friend, you know that he despises alcohol. I don't know when he got so addicted to drugs and alcohol."

Safwan shook his head, looking concerned. "I've been trying to reach out to him, but he's been pushing me away. I had no idea it was this bad."

Nouf's eyes welled up with tears. "He's not the Irfan we used to know. He's changed, and I don't know how to help him."

Safwan's eyes clouded over as he thought about Irfan's situation. "You know, Nouf, I think Irfan's addiction is more than just a coping mechanism for his stress. He's still heartbroken after Nadiya's demise."

Nouf's expression turned somber. "Yes, I know. He was devastated by her death. But what's worse is that he's been investigating her accident, and he's become convinced that it wasn't an accident at all."

Safwan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What do you mean? He thinks it was a murder?"

Nouf nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, he's been digging deeper, and he's found some evidence that suggests Nadiya was murdered."

Safwan's eyes widened in shock. "That's horrific. Poor Irfan, he must be going through hell."

Nouf's eyes filled with tears. "He is, Safwan. He's consumed by grief and anger. He feels like he's failed Nadiya, and he's determined to find out who killed her and bring them to justice."

Safwan's expression turned grim. "We need to support him, Nouf. We can't let him go through this alone."

Nouf nodded, her jaw set in determination. "I agree. We'll stand by him, no matter what. We'll help him find the truth and bring closure to Nadiya's memory."

As they walked out of the bar, Nouf's mind suddenly shifted to a different concern. She remembered the disturbing thought that had been lingering in the back of her mind - Noor's involvement with a questionable character.

"Safwan, I need to talk to you about something," Nouf said, her voice low and serious.

Safwan looked at her curiously. "What is it, Nouf?"

Nouf hesitated, unsure of how to broach the subject. "It's about Noor. I think she's in a relationship with someone who's not good for her."

Safwan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Who is it?"