"He who envies other does not obtain peace of mind".
Anonymous.
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Shabbar tried to force himself on Nafisa and that's when Aisha decides to intervene.
"Get away from her you pedophile"... Aisha pulled Shabbar away from Nafisa and tore a slap across his face.
"Get out!"... she ordered as she pulled him and threw him out of the gate, then locked it with all the locks
"Nas?"... Aisha called out as she went back inside. Concern laced in her voice.
"What was that all about? Who is he?"... she asked when she spotted Nafisa sitting on the couch. Still shocked from everything.
"He is..." Nafisa stopped , she was so confused at the moment.
"Who is he?"....Aisha walked closer to Nafisa.
"My husband's step brother".
"What?! How? He looks like he is Asad's age".... Aisha said, it wasn't making sense at all.
"I don't understand, 22 years ago he wasn't like this. He is older then all three of them, Karima , Najib and Suhail but how?"... Nafisa's head began to hurt.
"Maybe it's not him"...That was what Aisha concluded.
"It can't be, it's him. The eyes , the way he talks , the way he walks with his creepy yet arrogant demeanor . It just has to be him"... Nothing was making sense to Nafisa at the moment.
She remembered back then when she was dating Najib, She was told that Umma (Najib's mother) disowned Shabbar because he was a bastard. He didn't know his father.
Umma was raped by an armed robber before she married Najib's father. She was heartbroken and traumatized after the rape scene and her mother did not let her abort the child so she had no choice but to keep the child.
Umma considered Shabbar a curse and always said it to his face. She always taunted and insulted the poor boy since from childhood yet he loved his mother so very dearly.
When Umma got married, she told Shabbar not to follow her to her husband's house. It took a lot of convincing for Umma to finally agree but she never showed Shabbar the love he yearned for, instead he saw her feed her other children with the love he never had. Nevertheless, he still loved his family.
It even got to the point that Umma stopped her children from talking to Shabbar. She ordered them to treat him like trash in which they didn't, well except for Karima who was almost heartless. So growing up for Shabbar was literally hell.
He began to envy his step siblings and wanted to be like them so he started doing things to impress his mother but nothing was working. Her hatred for him only increased.
A faithful day came when Shabbar came home late with a gift he bought for his mother. It was a small shortcake in which he knew his mother loved but Karima poured some poison in it and waited for some drama to happen .
Umma fell unconscious after eating it and was immediately taken to the hospital.
It became aware to everyone that she was poisoned and Shabbar was to blamed. Lucky Umma survived it but the minute she recovered, she disowned and cursed Shabbar, then drove him out of the house.
Shabbar left the house, feeling heartbroken and feeling shattered. He felt like his whole life came crashing down and he couldn't do anything about it.
Soon hatred began to fill Shabbar's heart and he yearned for vengeance. Karima later on confessed to him that she was the one that poisoned Umma's cake but he couldn't do anything about it at that time . Umma would never believe him at that time.
With time he learnt to fend for himself and he met some friends who were into this kind of Jaaz and black magic and he let them influence him. They fed him with the need of vengeance, the need to kill those who rejected him and those who wronged him.
Soon he started getting money from the rituals he performed and he drank animal's blood to keep him looking as young as he wanted and that's how he continued to live his life.
He would often come for the get togethers that the family hosted and spoil everything then leave and that's how his siblings started hating him.
When everyone began to grow and get married , Shabbar met Suhail and Najib's girlfriends.... Aneesa and Nafisa.
They were so beautiful that he wanted both to himself but could never have any, so he concluded that he would kill his brothers after they are married and both their wives.
Soon , both his brothers were killed but by his sister and now he wanted to head for his mother....then his sister but before then he wanted to accomplish his task and make Nafisa his ...only to fur filled his desires.
Shabbar walks through as he makes it to his next destination. To the so called Big boss' mansion.
He makes his way in and makes himself comfortable in the living room by sitting on the couch.
Big boss walks in with a drink in his hand but stops midway when he notices Shabbar.
"Hello Big boss"... Shabbar grins and big boss jaw drops wide, releasing his drink and letting the glass fall and shatter into pieces.
Big boss freezes and goes into shock for a moment. The eyes, the hair, the smile... he looks like Asad but how?
At first big boss thought it was Asad. He had to rub his eyes with his hands to makes sure his eyes weren't deceiving him.
"Sha..Sha...Sha..bbar".... The whole high and arrogant big boss slurrs.
"Look , I need Asad dead and you need him alive so let's strike this deal"... Shabbar went straight to the point.
Due to the magic he was performing, he could sense that big boss was the mastermind behind Aneesa and Suhail's death and knew how to find him.
***
Asad woke up the following morning feeling like he could do anything he puts his mind to.
Nawal's words really had a positive impact on him because it got him thinking about his life and wanting to change.
Asad rose to his feet and heads straight to the bathing suite. Nawal said she will be waiting for him in the gym and he didn't want to keep her waiting.
When he was done taking a shower, he wore on a pair of joggers and let his hair fall against his face ... as usual.
He felt the need to impress her as he stares at himself in the mirror, not sure why.
He heaves a sigh, suddenly start feeling nervous.
'What if she doesn't like the way I dress?'... he thought.
'What if she doesn't come?'
'What if....'
"Asad , quit staring at the mirror like that . You will be fine".... Kamal interrupted Asad's thoughts. He assured Asad everything will be okay while Anas watched Asad with pity.
He has to remove Nawal out of Asad's life but he was feeling bad . Watching Asad grow made him care for Asad in a certain way in which he shouldn't.
'I am the enemy'... he reminded himself.
He concluded he won't kill Nawal, he will just frame her and make her move far away from Asad if not big boss won't hesitate to do the Job himself by eliminating both him and Nawal.
He felt a lump in his throat due to the thought.
"Anas you're oddly quiet today, unlike yesterday".... Kamal said bringing Anas back to reality.
"It's better if he stays like that"... Asad spoke as he walked out of the room, taking deep breaths in and out.
He doesn't know why he was nervous, it is not like it is the first time he was going to see her.
'But it is the first time you are putting efforts in how you look while going to see her'... A small voice in Asad's head says.
"Right"... he replies himself as he enters the gym.
She was already seated on a chair , beautifully clothed in a pair of white joggers that makes her look like an angel while him.... Well he was clothed in black so that made him the devil.
"You came"... She smiled as she walks up to him.
"Ye..yeah"... he slurs and gives her a shy smile.
"Oh my God"... she gasps as she looks at him.
He becomes scared thinking he did something wrong.
"Look!"... her eyes widened as she points at his cheek.
He slowly touches it , thinking there is something there but he feels nothing.
He gives her a questioning look.
"You.. you have dimples"... she instantly becomes excited as she moves closer to him.
Asad sighs out in relief but soon started feeling suffocated when she neared him, all he could smell was her scent . Her sweet scent. She smelled like herbs, like plants , like flowers more than ever ... she had an oddly strong scent of the rain.
He felt the urge to hug her and inhale her sweet intoxicated scent but he couldn't.
Nawal gently placed her hand on his cheek and caressed it . Asad felt the heat from her hand burn through his skin but he acted casual.
She steps back and smiles again making Asad's heart beat with Joy.
'Why does your smile affect me like this?'.... He wanted to say.
"Have you prayed?"... she shocked him by asking .
He shook his head in a manner indicating 'no'.
"Hmmm.... Pray and come back then we will start training"... she instructed in which Asad obeyed.
He went out of the gym to look for water and perform ablution. He stared up and notice the clouds were cloudy.
He sighs as he walks up to a tap and start performing ablution.
When he was done, he headed towards the mosque and pray then headed back to the gym , where Nawal was.
They did some basic exercises together then chatted for awhile.
"Asad... look" she pointed at the door. It was raining outside.
Asad only stared at the door but he didn't say anything.
"Come let's go dance in the rain"... she held his hand causing that burning sensation and pulled him up.
Asad refused but Nawal pleaded with him.
As a kid he use to be afraid of the rain but growing up the rain became one of the things that calmed him down.
'How strange'... he thought.
But dancing in it... No way. That's not something Asad ever saw himself doing. He doesn't even know how to dance.
"Asad".... She playful hit his hand as she pouted.
She looked so cute at the moment in his eyes and he found himself giving in to her demands.
"Yayyy, come let's go".... She dragged him into the rain.
At first he was shy but Nawal made himself comfortable and they both enjoyed themselves...under the rain.
Anas stood at the corner of the mosque with an umbrella over his head as he watched Asad and Nawal.
His eyes held pity as he watched them enjoy themselves in the rain. If he execute his plan, Asad won't be the only one that gets hurt, Nawal also will. Her eyes shows her affection towards him and Asad is not helping matters by reciprocating it.
Anas heaved a sigh as he stares at them .He will allow Asad enjoy himself for a while then take Nawal away. The boy's life can't be filled with hatred all through, can it?
When Asad and Nawal were done , they were all soaked with water but the duo couldn't care less.
They both took a stroll through the campus before taking their leave.
"So?"... Kamal who was still in the hostel asked Asad about his day with Nawal.
"It was heavenly"... he smiled at Kamal who was surprise to see Asad smile.
"Why are you still inside?"... Asad asked , wondering why his cousin didn't go out today... It was unlike him.
"Well ... it's raining and I hate the rain".... Kamal hissed as he stared outside.
Asad just stared at him.
'How can someone hate the rain?'... he thought. He loved the rain, it began to remind him of her.
Asad waited like an eager child for morning to arrive.
Nawal said they should meet up in the library and he couldn't wait to see her again.
He was so eager but when it was time to head to the library, he instantly became nervous.
He heaved a sigh as he walked in.
He met Nawal , beautifully adorned in a pink dress which made her look like a flower.
She takes notice of his presence and smiles ,in which he reciprocated.
Hers was a friendly smile but his was a shy smile.
"Come sit".... She patted a space besides her.
Asad took a deep breath before obeying. As soon as he sat down, the strong scent of rain caught his nostrils.
"Soo, I brought a few books in which I felt you might like.." she stated and Asad simply nods in response.
Whenever he is around her , it feels like he is under a spell... his lips becomes seal making him speechless.
"Which one should we start with?"... she asked and he pointed at a specific book. It was the continuation of that book he was reading 'Return of the devil'.
"Okay..." she replies as she picks up the book.
"Will...will you read for me? "... he manages to ask and Nawal simply smiles in response.
"Why not"... she states as she began to read.
Asad listened intently to her angelic voice as she read, he unconsciously moved closer to her and soon drifted away into another world.
His head on her laps as he slept peacefully.
Nawal didn't mind, she kept the book on the table and lightly stroked Asad's hair.
Asad's dream started syncing with Nawal's action but in his dream... he saw his mom. He was lying on her thighs as she stroke his hair the way she usually does, in a calm and gentle manner.
The dream felts so real to Asad, he felt like he was with his mother and he was happy. His dreams began to feel better than reality at this point...
Days started going by and Asad filled his days with cute and joyful memories and moment, Nawal and him shared.
He started spending all his free time with her. As soon as classes were over , he would rush to see her and she will happily welcome him in.
The duo got closer as time began to fly. Nawal showed Asad all her favorite places and they instantly became his favorite places as well.
She began to accomplish her task of removing the darkness in Asad's life and replacing it with nothing but pure light.
She would usually push him to go and pray , sometimes fast and she even started teaching him how to read the holy Qur'an (the holy book recited by Muslims).
Sometimes , she would study with him even though her course wasn't related to his, she will still help him out .
She was able to go through him in which she was glad for. Unknown to her , she was slowly falling for him
On the other hand, Asad started a small business with the aid of Nawal and he would usually take her to nice restaurants and buy her lovely gifts.
He even bought a small house phone for himself and one for her.
He always told himself that he need to make her feel special because she truly was.
He started feeling the need to live, not for himself but for her. He felt like he was slowly recovering from the darkness and was coming into the light.
His Aunts saw the change in him when he came to visit them and they couldn't be more happier.
Asad felt safe around Nawal. He felt like he was at home. He felt like she was his home.
All this while, Anas watched the duo as they grew closer and their love for each other only grew stronger.
Fear washed over him as he thought about what was going to happen now.
He wanted Asad to have fun a little bit but he didn't think things will escalate like this.
'If big boss finds out...' Anas felt a lump rise in his throat.
He had to do something.
***
Asad and Nawal both sat on the grass , watching the beautiful sky. The moon gleamed and the stars twinkled. It was indeed a starry night.
Asad reached out for Nawal's hand and gazed at her.
He could feel his heart pound with joy as he stared at her beautiful face. The heat slowly creeping in from the touch of her skin.
"You look enchanting, so beautiful like the sky yet so innocent like an angel"... he commented , making her blush.
Her eyes glowed due to the stars and the sky . She stared back at him intendedly.
"Asad.."... Nawal gently called out.
"Yes mine?".. Asad addressed her with the name he started calling her with.
"What will happen if we eventually stop talking to each other"... Nawal asked .
Asad pretend to be in deep thoughts for a while.
"I don't know but I know one thing is for sure"... he smiled at her.
"And what is that?"... Nawal looked scared for a moment.
This was so lovely and beautiful... she did not want it to end.
Asad placed his hand on his heart and gave Nawal a warm smile.
"You will always be in my heart. Today , tomorrow and always my Nawal. You are my landlord and I am your tenant in my very own heart"... Asad's words made Nawal tear up.
She wanted to give their love a chance and see what will happen.
Asad moved closer making her stiffen. He was so close that he could feel her breathing fanning his skin, their lips ... inches away from each other.
He cupped her cheeks and was about to kiss.
It felt like a dream to him.
He felt so peaceful and happy . So calm and sane.
It felt to good to be true.
He leaned in and kissed her.
An enchanted kissed that took him to another world.