Love And Revenge✔️

Seven

Fuad sat across from Rumaisa in the small gazebo behind her house, the late afternoon light softening the sharpness of her expression. Her sudden call still lingered in his mind. He didn't know what she wanted from him this time, but strangely, he wasn't anxious — he was relieved. At least he would finally hear whatever she had been circling around.

Rumaisa gave him a bright smile as she settled back in her seat.
"So... you actually came."

"I did," Fuad replied, keeping his tone light. "I would've come earlier if work hadn't piled up, but I carved out a little time. I can't stay for long, though."
He said it deliberately — he refused to appear desperate again.

Rumaisa tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, I've been thinking. Jabir talked to me, and... he's right. We've been holding onto old anger for too long. Maybe it's time to forgive and forget. Don't you think so?"

Forgiving was reasonable; forgetting? That was another matter entirely. It wasn't impossible — just unrealistic. Still, he nodded.

"That's... good news," he said simply.

Rumaisa's smile widened. "Mama's hosting a dinner next Friday. I thought maybe I could invite you. If you don't mind."

Fuad studied her quietly, letting the silence drag. He knew her too well. Rumaisa never extended kindness without a reason. Whatever she was planning, it wasn't innocence.

"What is it?" she asked, her voice tightening. "You don't want to come?"

"Do you mind if I bring someone with me?" he asked.

The shift was immediate. Her smile froze, then slipped. A thin line of irritation appeared between her brows.

"Why would you need to bring a girl?" she asked.

"I never said it was a girl," he replied, leaning back. "But since you guessed... you're right."

"No," she said quickly, pasting on a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You can't."

Fuad's expression stayed calm. "Is your boyfriend coming?"

"Of course. He's my boyfriend." Her tone sharpened, defensive.

"Then I'm coming with Hadiza," he said casually. "She is my girlfriend, after all."

Rumaisa exhaled and looked away, trying — and failing — to hide her frustration. "Is she the same girl I saw the other day?"

"Yeah. Pretty, right?" He allowed a faint smirk to touch his lips.

"I don't like her," Rumaisa murmured.

He shrugged. "That's the thing with exes. They never want to admit you've moved on to someone better. They hate the idea of someone else making you happy. Zubair didn't like it either."

Her eyes snapped to him, but she said nothing.

Fuad stood, dusting off his trousers. "I should get going. Busy schedule."

They exchanged brief goodbyes, and he walked away, leaving Rumaisa sitting alone in the quiet gazebo.

And she knew — painfully — that he wasn't wrong. She didn't dislike Hadiza just because she was new. She disliked her because Fuad had once lied, cheated, and broken Rumaisa's heart for her.
And now, if life was fair — or cruel — maybe Hadiza would learn what it felt like to lose him too. Rumaisa wasn't sure yet. But revenge had a way of tempting even the softest hearts.

•

"I doubt you even know what you're saying," Salam said, giving Sarah a long, unimpressed stare.