A violent pounding began in Fatuu’s chest, as though blows were raining down on her heart, when she saw what was happening through the car’s glass. Her hands trembled uncontrollably from sheer confusion and fear, because this was something she had never seen Haisam do to any woman since she had known him. At the same moment, she asked herself: Who is this woman?
Unable to endure it, she opened the car door and stepped out, standing by the door and staring intensely. Then she cried out in terror, “AUNTY FANAN…!”
Her legs felt like they could no longer support her body, shaking violently, while her chest throbbed painfully from fear. The question that kept echoing in her heart was: What kind of relationship exists between Ya Handsome and Fanan for him to treat her this way? Even his siblings—born of the same parents—had never received such affection from him, yet this cousin of his did. Or were they secretly in love?
Her heart gave another brutal thump at the thought, and suddenly she felt urine rush down her spine, threatening to spill. In panic, she hurried into the house without even closing the car door. Darkness clouded her vision; she barely managed to enter the house, dizzy with fear and confusion. She rushed into the toilet to relieve herself, then went straight to her room without checking on her aunt. The moment she entered, she collapsed onto her bed, curling herself into a tight ball, staring blankly.
Encounters, Revelations, and the Unanswered Question
Out in front of the car, their hands entwined, Fanan looked at the woman sitting in the driver’s seat. The woman appeared calm; though not very fair, her skin could be described as chocolate-colored. Her face was soft and pleasant—she was beautiful in her own way. Smiling, Fanan said, “Khairat, meet my babe.”
Khairat smiled too, stretching out her hand and saying, “Hi Haisam, it’s nice meeting you.”
Quickly, Fanan pulled his hand back and said jokingly, “He doesn’t do that.” Khairat laughed loudly—it was only teasing. She knew how deeply Fanan loved Haisam and how jealous she could be.
They exchanged greetings, and Haisam smiled. Fanan teased him, saying she had brought his “heartbeat” and deserved a reward. He told her to say what she wanted. She replied lightly that she wanted him to bring his baby to spend the night at her house, but she had refused. He glanced at Fanan; she shook her head slightly and rested it on his shoulder, signaling she wouldn’t go. Khairat joked about returning to India, smiling sweetly. Fanan assured her Haisam would bring her later.
They parted, exchanging looks full of unspoken meanings. Haisam asked why she hadn’t told him she was coming. In a playful tone, she said she wanted to surprise him, winking teasingly. He pulled her nose lightly and told her they should go inside.
They drove home together, hand in hand. At the gate, the security officers noticed them and whispered among themselves, recognizing her as one of Hajiya’s granddaughters, remarking on her beauty and how rarely she visited.
Inside, they greeted Hajiya, who welcomed them warmly and spoke at length about Fanan’s surprise visit and how she had refused to eat until Haisam returned. He lifted Fanan affectionately and led her to the dining area. She insisted he feed her by hand, which he did with care. After eating a little, she claimed she was full.
Later, they returned to the living room. He told Hajiya he was going to bathe. Fanan insisted on choosing his clothes for him, and Hajiya laughed, wishing them well. Fanan admired the house, teased him playfully, and prepared his outfit while he bathed. When he came out dressed, he smiled appreciatively. They later went out together, and he escorted her before heading to the mosque for prayers.
Meanwhile, where was Fatuu?
She had not risen from her bed, lying there consumed by fear and turmoil. Her aunt noticed her shoes at the door and went to check on her. Finding her lying down, she asked what was wrong. Fatuu weakly replied that she wasn’t feeling well, as though fever was coming on. Her aunt advised her to eat and take medicine, then left her to rest.
Later that evening, after prayers, everyone gathered in the living room chatting. Hajiya noticed Fatuu had not come out to greet Fanan. They decided to send food to her house. Fanan volunteered to go along so she could greet her grandmother. After some playful persuasion, Haisam agreed to accompany her, and together they prepared to leave—while Fatuu remained unseen, her pain and questions unanswered.
Description
Shock, Jealousy, and Emotional Breakdown
A violent pounding began in Fatuu’s chest, as though blows were raining down on her heart, when she saw what was happening through the car’s glass. Her hands trembled uncontrollably from sheer confusion and fear, because this was something she had never seen Haisam do to any woman since she had known him. At the same moment, she asked herself: Who is this woman?
Unable to endure it, she opened the car door and stepped out, standing by the door and staring intensely. Then she cried out in terror, “AUNTY FANAN…!”
Her legs felt like they could no longer support her body, shaking violently, while her chest throbbed painfully from fear. The question that kept echoing in her heart was: What kind of relationship exists between Ya Handsome and Fanan for him to treat her this way? Even his siblings—born of the same parents—had never received such affection from him, yet this cousin of his did. Or were they secretly in love?
Her heart gave another brutal thump at the thought, and suddenly she felt urine rush down her spine, threatening to spill. In panic, she hurried into the house without even closing the car door. Darkness clouded her vision; she barely managed to enter the house, dizzy with fear and confusion. She rushed into the toilet to relieve herself, then went straight to her room without checking on her aunt. The moment she entered, she collapsed onto her bed, curling herself into a tight ball, staring blankly.
Encounters, Revelations, and the Unanswered Question
Out in front of the car, their hands entwined, Fanan looked at the woman sitting in the driver’s seat. The woman appeared calm; though not very fair, her skin could be described as chocolate-colored. Her face was soft and pleasant—she was beautiful in her own way. Smiling, Fanan said, “Khairat, meet my babe.”
Khairat smiled too, stretching out her hand and saying, “Hi Haisam, it’s nice meeting you.”
Quickly, Fanan pulled his hand back and said jokingly, “He doesn’t do that.” Khairat laughed loudly—it was only teasing. She knew how deeply Fanan loved Haisam and how jealous she could be.
They exchanged greetings, and Haisam smiled. Fanan teased him, saying she had brought his “heartbeat” and deserved a reward. He told her to say what she wanted. She replied lightly that she wanted him to bring his baby to spend the night at her house, but she had refused. He glanced at Fanan; she shook her head slightly and rested it on his shoulder, signaling she wouldn’t go. Khairat joked about returning to India, smiling sweetly. Fanan assured her Haisam would bring her later.
They parted, exchanging looks full of unspoken meanings. Haisam asked why she hadn’t told him she was coming. In a playful tone, she said she wanted to surprise him, winking teasingly. He pulled her nose lightly and told her they should go inside.
They drove home together, hand in hand. At the gate, the security officers noticed them and whispered among themselves, recognizing her as one of Hajiya’s granddaughters, remarking on her beauty and how rarely she visited.
Inside, they greeted Hajiya, who welcomed them warmly and spoke at length about Fanan’s surprise visit and how she had refused to eat until Haisam returned. He lifted Fanan affectionately and led her to the dining area. She insisted he feed her by hand, which he did with care. After eating a little, she claimed she was full.
Later, they returned to the living room. He told Hajiya he was going to bathe. Fanan insisted on choosing his clothes for him, and Hajiya laughed, wishing them well. Fanan admired the house, teased him playfully, and prepared his outfit while he bathed. When he came out dressed, he smiled appreciatively. They later went out together, and he escorted her before heading to the mosque for prayers.
Meanwhile, where was Fatuu?
She had not risen from her bed, lying there consumed by fear and turmoil. Her aunt noticed her shoes at the door and went to check on her. Finding her lying down, she asked what was wrong. Fatuu weakly replied that she wasn’t feeling well, as though fever was coming on. Her aunt advised her to eat and take medicine, then left her to rest.
Later that evening, after prayers, everyone gathered in the living room chatting. Hajiya noticed Fatuu had not come out to greet Fanan. They decided to send food to her house. Fanan volunteered to go along so she could greet her grandmother. After some playful persuasion, Haisam agreed to accompany her, and together they prepared to leave—while Fatuu remained unseen, her pain and questions unanswered.