TREASURES AND THORNS

Chapter 73

<Discoveries>

OMNISCIENT

UNEDITED

The unsettling feeling refused to go away. It felt like a dark cloud hung above him. So, gradually and with persistent determination, they continued to frequent the mansion. Just as Rukkayya had predicted, Mammy softened towards him with every visit.

On that faithful day, he had just greeted her, he was almost out of her room when she called him back.

“Na’am.”

She tapped the spot close to her on the couch. Ahmad’s heart melted like ice under blazing hot sun. He did as she had asked.

She took his hand in hers, stroking it gently. “I am proud of how far you have come even more proud of how hard you strive to be better,” She pauses a small smile on her face. “I know I have been hard on you, It is because I want you to realize how much you erred. You are not a child, you are no longer a bachelor. You are the head of a family now. Rukkayya is here, in this house solely because of you, that’s a huge responsibility that I do not want you to take lightly. When you do things like that it isn’t just an offense against her but against your creator too. I won’t say more because I know you have learned your lessons."

Wordlessly, he lay his head on her laps, she felt warm trickled that fell from his cheeks. He didn’t have to say a word,  she knew what his tears conveyed.

****

Salim paid Ahmad an unexpected visit at Attic. They exchanged pleasantries. They dabbled in to politics later ending up in sports. Ahmad had just lifted his cup of tea to his lips when Salim says

“I met with Hafsat.”

Ahmad slowly lowered the cup turning grim.

“Why?”

“I had questions as I am sure you do.”

“I want nothing to do with her. I would prefer if her name isn’t mentioned in my presence.

Slim ignores him. “Who was responsible for sending the messages and pictures to your wife?”

“Who knows who the psychopath hired? I don’t want to get in to her twisted head.”

“What if its someone you know?”
Ahmad taps the table. “What does that matter?”

“You may have a point but I still think it’s worth investigating.”

“It looks like you are already two steps ahead. What did you discover?”
“The phone used has a tracker in it.” Salim hands Ahmad the tablet he had been holding. “Click on the blinking dot."

A map showing directions on it. The blinking dot was at the epicenter of the map. “Where is that?”

“Click on it?”

Ahmad reluctantly clicked on it, he jumped up immediately. “wow__ wait__is that__?” Ahmad raises questioning glance at Salim.

He nods in response.

****

After completion of Rukkayya’s photography class the graduation was just a few weeks apart from her first ever exhibition. The combined knowledge from the classes and Umar. He had been nothing short of a gentleman, patient and tolerant. Sometimes she wondered if it was because of her status or if he was just simply that wonderful. She had often wondered about him, his story, how he ended up there but he was never one for small talk. She also had her status as a married woman to respect.