The Price Of Revenge

Seventeen: Flashback

Flashback: Hamida and Fuad.

Hamida walked down the street toward her sister's friend's house, where she was supposed to pick up her.

Suddenly, a car pulled up in front of her.

She recognized it immediately.

Fuad stepped out, locked the car, and walked toward her with a smile on his face.

"What are you doing walking on the street alone?" he asked.

"Don't talk to me," she replied, continuing to walk.

Fuad caught up with her, falling into step beside her.

"Tell me what I did this time."

"I haven't seen you for over two weeks."

"But we talk every day."

"It still isn't the same," she said, pouting.

"Really?" he asked sarcastically.

"Yes. It's true."

"Okay, then. I'm sorry for not coming to see you. Forgive me."

Hamida stayed quiet.

"So, is that a yes?" he asked.

"Yes. I just wanted you to apologize," she said, finally laughing.

"So where are you going?"

"I'm picking Zainab up from her friend's house."

"Why didn't Kamal do it? He's a guy. I don't like you walking around the street alone. At least he should have escorted you."

"Yeah, but I wanted to exercise my legs. Besides, it's only about six hundred feet away."

"At least you wore a long hijab."

"And I don't think walking around in something tight would be advisable anyway."

"Yeah. Let me take you there with my car, then I'll drop you home."

"Oh, that would be better."

"I thought you wanted to exercise your legs," he teased.

"I can do that at home."

They turned around and walked back toward his car.

"But Fuad, when are we going to make things official with our families?"

"I thought you didn't want that yet," he said, looking slightly perplexed.

"Well, I'm getting older, and all my friends are getting married."

"Okay, then. Don't worry. Just give me the date and time."

"Baba isn't around, but he'll be coming back in two weeks. All I know is that he'll be back on the thirteenth."

"Alright." Fuad smiled.

"I can't believe it," she said excitedly.

Fuad stood there for a moment, watching her.

Maybe it was time to get his life in order, and marrying someone like Hamida might be the best way to do it.

She had always been steady.

She had a way of making him feel settled.

Perhaps that was exactly what he needed.

End of #FUDIZA Flashback

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Flashback: Sarah and Jabir

"Do we really have to keep pretending we aren't together?" Sarah asked, pouting.