FOREVER WITH YOU

Chapter 44: Fainted

Mama paced around the house, phone in hand, her fingers flying as she dialed Amra's number for the tenth time. When it went unanswered again, a sly smile spread across her face. "City folks think they can fool me?" she chuckled to herself, "but I'm coming for you Amra, and I'll expose you for what you are."

She entered her room, closed the door, and began packing some of her clothes. Once she finished, she picked up her phone and dialed Asabe's number. It rang twice before Asabe answered. "Asabe, get ready," Mama said. "We're heading to the city tomorrow."

Asabe's voice came through the line, "To do what in the city?" 

Mama responded, "That city girl and her foolish mother betrayed me. They promised to bring my money, but they refused to come and now they're not picking my calls."

 Asabe's tone turned indignant. "They think they can play with you like that?" 

Mama's voice grew firmer. "I'll show them. Get ready, we're going to pay them a visit tomorrow."

Asabe replied, "City people think they're above us, but I'll set them straight if we go there."

"I'll come pick you up by 6 am," Mama said.

"Okay, see you then," Asabe replied.

"Yes." Mama said, and the call ended.

Mama lay on her bed, counting down the hours until tomorrow. Her mind swirled with thoughts of what she'd do to Amra, a sly smile spreading across her face. She laughed softly and closed her eyes. Ten minutes passed, and she drifted off to sleep.

****

Tasleem was in the living room, watching her favorite TV show as the sweet scent of bakhoor wafted through the air. Her phone rang, shrill in the silence. She picked it up, answering the call and putting it on speaker. Khalid's deep voice filled the room. "Habibty."

Tasleem seemed surprised at his words. She paused in shock, then looked down at the mobile phone, as if wondering if she'd misheard. "Ya Khalid, is that you?" she asked, confusion etched in her voice.

Khalid's voice trembled slightly. "Yes, it's me, why are you surprised? I'm just joking." Khalid has decided to make his move, he doesn't care about Rayyan anymore. All he knew was that he loved Tasleem and wanted to be with her. 

Rayyan had just gotten back from the office. As he entered the living room, he overheard Tasleem mention Khalid's name. His eyes widened.

"TASLEEM!" Rayyan called out, striding angrily toward her, his eyes blazing with fury.

Rayyan already had an overpowering presence on usual days, yet at that moment, the fear he instilled was enough to make people subconsciously want to escape. 

Startled, Tasleem's phone slipped out of her hand and fell on the carpet, she felt her heart almost slip out of her chest. she backed away slowly with her shaky legs. Yet how could her speed compare to his? She could only watch him approach her, and finally stand before her.

As Rayyan loomed closer, Tasleem's breath caught in her throat, intensifying her fear. She was scared of what he was going to say or do. She didn't dare to look at him nor utter a word.

She doesn't know what she did wrong.

She was much shorter than him, and his towering presence seemed to suffocate her. His gaze lingered on her bowed head, his eyes narrowing in anger. Then, in a sudden motion, he grabbed her jaw, his fingers wrapping tightly around it. 

Tasleem's eyes flew up to meet him, the pain and shock rendering her speechless for a moment. She couldn't manage to hold back and blurted out, "Ya Rayyan..."