The Price Of Revenge

Nineteen

"I'm coming, I'm washing the dishes," Rumaisa shouted from the kitchen.

"Alright, hurry," Fuad called back.

A few moments later, she joined him in the living room, wiping her wet hands with a rag.

"So, what's up?" she asked.

"Can you make me ginger tea? This harmattan has really gotten to me."

"I told you, even if you're wearing the thickest sweater and the thickest cap, as long as you're bathing with and drinking cold water, getting a cold is inevitable."

"I should have listened, right?"

"Yeah, you should have," she replied before heading back to the kitchen.

She returned with a small mortar, a plate of fresh ginger, and a knife.

She sat down and began peeling the ginger.

"I'll smash it. You peel it," Fuad said, taking the mortar from her.

"Do you even know how to do it?" she asked, giggling.

"Come on. It's not like I hired a maid when I was in university or when I went for my master's degree," he said proudly.

"Here, start pounding this one."

She handed him a piece of ginger she had already peeled and cut into smaller pieces so it would be easier for him to pound.

"Okay, then."

He began pounding the ginger.

"So, what should we do tomorrow?" she asked.

Fuad didn't answer, too busy smashing the ginger.

"Oh, you're going to work, right?"

He still didn't respond.

Rumaisa went quiet.

"I hope I get better after taking this," he said once he was done.

⸻

The Next Morning

5:20 a.m.

"Why?" Fuad groaned from the bed.

"Don't blame me. It's all you. You have to face the consequences."

He groaned again.

"How are you feeling? Should I get you anything?"

"My voice is cracking badly, and I think I'm coming down with a fever."

"Just stay home today," she suggested.

"That is what you wanted," he replied.

Fuad was wearing a thick cashmere sweater, a cap, thick socks, and a hoodie over everything. He was also buried underneath his duvet.

"Where is my cap?" Rumaisa asked.

"Two. In case of necessity."

"Let me get you more hot ginger tea, then you can go back to sleep."

She left the room and returned with a large mug and saucer.

"Here. Take it before it gets cold."

"How am I supposed to drink everything in this pot before it gets cold?" he asked, staring suspiciously at the mug.

"The more you drink, the better. You might feel less feverish too. Plus, I made sure I added lemongrass, lemon, lots of ginger, and mint leaves."

"I'm not drinking all this."