The Price Of Revenge

Thirteen

Maryam and Rumaisa sat side by side, Rumaisa idly playing with Kamal.

"You have to end it now," Maryam warned.

"What do you mean, end it?" Rumaisa asked, glancing at her.

"You said it yourself. Everyone keeps telling you that you'll be the one who suffers most if you don't fix your relationship. This revenge plan is going to ruin you."

"Look, it's not all about revenge anymore." Rumaisa smirked. "It's about hitting two birds with one stone."

"And by that you mean?"

"I get my revenge, and at the same time, I ruin whatever pride he has left."

"I never knew you were this daft," Maryam muttered.

Rumaisa turned sharply and glared at her.

"Maryam, don't turn this conversation into a fight."

"How many men would want a divorced, spoiled, rude woman whose private pictures were leaked as a wife?" Maryam asked bluntly. "I'm not insulting you. I'm telling you what people will think. No one would want that. I know I wouldn't want it for any of my brothers, not even my stepbrothers."

"How is that not an insult?" Rumaisa snapped. "Look, if you don't want to support me, then shut your mouth, pick up your son and leave."

"I started helping you with this revenge plan when you first told me what happened." Maryam stood, reaching for her bag. "Even then, I told you that when things got serious, I wasn't going to be part of it. Imagine if Fuad finds out. He'll either divorce you or marry again, and we both know he'll probably marry Hamida."

She picked up Kamal.

"I'm married, I have a child, and I'm proud to say it. Of all the things you've done in your life, what can you proudly point to? Nothing."

Rumaisa stared at her, hurt and angry.

"When you need a friend, you can call me," Maryam said.

"Who says I'll need you?" Rumaisa shot back.

"Only time can tell."

Maryam walked out, leaving Rumaisa alone.

She sat quietly, replaying their conversation in her head.

Maybe Maryam was right.

Maybe this entire revenge plan was a suicide mission, and she was too stubborn to see it.

Just then, Sarah walked in and sat beside her.

"What are you thinking about so deeply?" she asked.

"Well..." Rumaisa hesitated. "Maryam and I just had a huge argument. I think we might have ended our friendship."

"What did you argue about?"

"She wants me to stop my revenge plans immediately."

"Oh, wow." Sarah raised her eyebrows. "She has guts."

"But she has nothing to lose if I stop." Rumaisa looked down. "Maybe in the end, I'll be the one who regrets the whole thing. I could lose Fuad, lose myself, and now I might lose my best friend too."

"Look, just do it." Sarah leaned closer. "If you give up now, you're giving him exactly what he wants."

"I don't even know what to do anymore," Rumaisa admitted.

"What do you want to start with?"

"I'm not sure."

"Easy." Sarah smiled. "First, push him. Do things he dislikes or hates until you cross the line and he lets you go. Then show him exactly what he missed by letting someone like you slip away."