The Price Of Revenge

Eighteen

Flashback

"Look, you better tell me what you and Saratu are planning, or so help me God, I'll end you," Mutassim said.

Jabir stared at him, visibly shocked.

"No... it's nothing."

"If it is, then I hope it strengthens their marriage instead of ending it, alright?"

"And why does that matter exactly? Why do you want your sister to marry someone she despises?"

"Like you said, she's my sister, and I don't want you or anyone else interfering with it. I'm warning you because you won't like the consequences if you do."

"Except Hamida, right?" Jabir asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You don't care about anyone else but her. You're practically obsessed."

"You better shut your mouth."

"If Fuad finds out, he'll never look at her the same way again. And if she finds out you're behind the change in her crush, she'll never forgive you or want to be with you."

"Isn't that the same with you?" Jabir shot back. "You knew what I was planning for Rumaisa and Fuad. How would she feel if she found out you knew about it? I don't care if she hates me, but I'm sure you would."

Jabir fell silent.

"Exactly what I expected. Don't try anything stupid."

"I won't interfere with your plans, okay? And I won't tell anyone about Hamida."

"Who else knows?"

"Just me."

"Better. Leave."

Jabir hurriedly got up and walked out.

⸻

Flashback

"Rumaisa, tell me what our next move is."

"I don't know. I'm not thinking straight."

"You're not thinking straight? Things are getting messed up."

"What do you mean? They're as smooth as they'll ever be."

"Look, I can't stand this anymore."

"Excuse me? Is this the part where you leave me to my fate?"

"No. This is the part where I tell you to stop this whole revenge shenanigan."

"What?!"

"Maryam was right. You're going to suffer more than anyone if Fuad finds out."

"When we get to the bridge, we'll cross it."

"And where will you go? Back home as a divorcée?"

"Yeah, exactly."

"Baba won't take that, and neither will Mutassim."

"Just calm down. Let's meet up first."

"If you aren't cancelling this, then there's no reason for me to meet up with you."

"You know what? I don't need you or Maryam. You were the one who told me to start this whole revenge thing, and now you want me to end it because you say so?"

"It's for you, not me."

"From now on, if you're not going to call and talk to me about the revenge, then don't call or talk to me at all. I have Sarah, after all."

"Let's see where that dumb girl can take you."

"You are seriously unbelievable."

"I guess so. At least when things go south, I know I warned you. But if you need anything, I'll gladly help you with it. Just be careful about what you do and who you tell. One wrong move and you're ruined."

The call ended.

Rumaisa stared at her phone, unable to believe that was it.

First Maryam had walked away from the plan.

Now Jabir was doing the same.

She knew things were getting seriously messed up, but it was too late to turn back.

At least, that was what she thought.

⸻

Flashback

"I heard him talking on the phone," Sarah told Rumaisa. "He said, 'Stop freaking out. It's not like he knows. Stop worrying about him. I thought you didn't care about him. I'll talk to you later.' Then I walked in."

"That's really odd. But who was he talking about?"

"I don't know. If I did, I would have told you."

"But why were you there?"

"He asked me to get something from his car."

"He was talking to someone who was probably freaking out, that's for sure."

"Anyway, get your evidence. I have somewhere I have to be."

End of Flashback

⸻

Found in Chapter 10

"So, what do you want me to do exactly?" Rumaisa asked.

"We have to end the whole thing as soon as possible," Mutassim replied.

"Things are getting really messed up."

"Look, Rumaisa, I know you, and I know something is bothering you."

"When I told you to do it, I didn't think the whole thing would get this messed up."

"Believe me, I'm as confused as you are. But I still want to know one thing."

"What?"

"Why did you want it this way?"

"What do you mean?"

"When you told me to convince Baba to hook you up with Fuad, why did you do it?"

"I think I might still have feelings for him. He still makes me feel like I matter."

"I just want to know your real reason."

"I just told you."

He shook his head.

"No. I want your sincere reason because that's not true. I know you still hate him. I know you well enough to know that you won't just forgive him, no matter how much you loved him."

"Okay, fine." She sighed, finally defeated. "It's because I think that, at the end of the day, if he's the one I marry, people will judge me less. I wouldn't be so ashamed of the man I marry."

He nodded slowly.

"I get your point."

Internally, he didn't care whether she had a good reason or not.

All that mattered to him was that she had come up with an idea that could benefit him immensely.

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