After the truth

~36~

It had to be him. It had to be him.

That had been the chant in Zayn's mind. He was the first son of the family and had the responsibility of making things right. Seeing his father go down without putting up a fight made him face reality. He wouldn't have been able to pull the bullet. Despite how much he thought he despised his father, seeing him lifeless triggered the little Zayn in him. He was conflicted, not knowing if he was to move towards him or go after Marwa.

Aaron shook the man next to him. In that moment, he resembled a little child awaiting instruction. It was sad to witness. Although Zayn had come up with a plan, Aaron knew not to follow. He knew that while rescuing Marwa was a priority, her brother going to jail would break her all over.

"Stay with him. I called the police before we got here." That got Zayn to snap out of his conflicting thoughts. He nodded his head in understanding and moved towards his father who laid unmoving in his own pool of blood.

Zayn stared hard at the lifeless man. Ever so slowly, he fell to his knees and for minutes, he only watched his body, hoping that he was still alive. He couldn't do all of those evil things only to die that swiftly. He had to suffer. Zayn thought.

Astagfirullah. He was a Muslim and he almost forgot in that moment of weakness that Allah was al-Hakam, the God of justice. The just one with the knowledge of all that happens in the universe.

"May Allah grant you a punishment that is worse that the pain you've caused us." Zayn cried. "Allah is so merciful but I pray he shows you no mercy baba. You're evil and you died evil." His body shook with his sobs as he knelt before the man who was once his hero.

**********
Imran grinned, looking to his side. He loved how Marwa squirmed, trying to loosen the tight hold of the ropes around her hands. She was stunning. Her hair had grown longer since the last time he saw her without the hijab.

He had always loved her. Ever since she was little. She would always focus on whatever task she had, absolutely ignoring him and doing an effortless work. She was smart, small and dainty. She was like a damsel who wasn't in distress. He loved how difficult she made it for him to befriend her, despite them being cousins. And he was over the moon when his male friends couldn't even last in her presence because of her intimidating aura and silence. She was absolutely beautiful and enchanting.

He had always wanted her to himself. And when he finally got to be close to her, he had won her heart. They had talks of the future. Just as he knew he loved her, he was also aware of her love for him. That was what he thought until the day he caught her talking to Aaron. She acted holier than thou but upon meeting his best friend, she was always talking to him, finding interest in the same thing as him. The connection was almost instant and more perfect than theirs.

He was envious. His rage was murderous and all he could see was red. He wanted to hurt Marwa for betraying his trust but most importantly, he wanted to break Aaron for his audacity to breathe around his person.

He didn't mean it at first when it happened and for a long time he dissociated from his person, the murderous Imran that hated Marwa. He blamed Aaron to the point where in his memories, Aaron had raped Marwa. He had left Missouri, never imagining that he would cross paths with Marwa again. Until the park incident. Seeing Marwa with Aaron and Mukhlisa being so comfortable and 3 of them looking like a family angered him. She was happy despite the lesson he had taught her.

He wasn't going to let Marwa go this time. He wasn't! This time, he'd have her with no one in his way. In the rearview mirror, he could see Aaron trying so hard to catch up to him. Imran loved challenges and he was going to teach the entitled son a gun not to mess with him.

He stepped on the accelerator and went as fast as he could. He lost him when he suddenly made a turn. His laughter came out in barks and out of breath. It was exhilarating racing this way with his best friend and his woman by his side. He turned to see Marwa crying and that made him laugh loudly.

"Let's take a break." He told her. "Remember, it's cos I love you."

He made a turn towards a cliff side and parked the car. He adjusted the gun in his pocket and took a cigarette.

"Rest up a bit. I'll take a smoke and we'll be on our way."

Imran smiled at her and for a few seconds, she saw the little Imran with his one sided dimples. Her tears intensified and her body shook. She couldn't believe she went through all of this only because he was crazy. She watched him walk towards the edge of the cliff with a swagger that only a mad, audacious man could flaunt without a care in the world.

"Ya Allah!" Marwa screamed. "You're watching this happen!" She could barely hear her own voice. Her energy was depleted. Her nose burned from her own smell but somehow, the tears kept pouring. It seemed that all those tears from the past year that she had repressed, in hopes of being strong for Lisa was coming back.

"Ya Latif! You know what I'm doing next. Have mercy on me." She whispered. "And on the day that you'll gather us all, I hope your encompassing mercy will admit me into your paradise. That you comfort me because this pain is unbearable."

Marwa watched Imran take a puff and spread his arms, his head thrown back as he took in the high of his cigarette. Without second thoughts, she struggled to move from the passenger seat to the driver's seat, with tightly tied hands and loosely tied legs. She glared at the monster in front her. He had noticed her now since her hands had pressed on the horn.

He let out a laugh. He was probably wondering how she planned on running away with the car when her hands were tied.

"What do you think you're doing? Running away?" He yelled out, mocking her.

Marwa stuck her head outside the window and yelled back, "think again!" She turned on the ignition. Her heart was pounding so loudly in her chest but she couldn't allow this maniac to ruin her anymore.

"Inna lillahi wa inna illahi rajiun." She looked at her piercing dark eyes with dark circles around it, in the rearview mirror. She couldn't recognize herself anymore. "astaghfirullah wa atubu ilaih la hawla wala quwwata illa billah (I seek forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance. There is no power nor strength except with Allah). Laa illaha ilallah." With a sad smile, she stepped on the accelerator and headed straight for Imran.

Perhaps it was her time. But she was scared. Very scared. In fact, she didn't want to do it. Why was she even doing it? Right! He had said he wouldn't let her go unless they both died. 

'lets die then.'