Chapter 91 : The "not yet"

"Finally, some normalcy amidst this chaos," Farah sighed, stirring the simmering pot of curry, the gentle aroma filling the small kitchen. Beside her, Zeba kneaded dough with practiced hands, her brow furrowed in concentration.

 "These past few days, I swear my stomach churned more from Prof. Syed's threats than actual hunger." Zeba muttered. 

Farah chuckled, shaking her head. "Honestly, girls, if you'd just told me sooner, we could've tackled this hydra-headed monster together. No need to face his slimy tentacles alone."

Zeba stopped her kneading, "We… we thought that by… by giving in, succumbing to his demands, somehow the videos would remain buried, his slimy claws wouldn't reach further."

Farah's smile faded, replaced by a steely resolve. "Giving in? Sacrificing your bodies? Zeba, That's never the answer. It gives him power, feeds the darkness within him. It's like pouring blood into a shark-infested ocean, inviting more predators."

Zeba's shoulders slumped, flour dusting the worn carpet like a silent confession. "We were scared, Farah. The thought of those videos… of everything exposed, plastered across the internet… it felt like the end."

Farah reached out, squeezing Zeba's hand. "I understand the fear, honey. This whole ordeal, it's a monstrous web designed to trap, to suffocate. But giving in only strengthens its hold. We fight back, together. 

A hesitant hope flickered in Zeba's eyes. "But… what about Mahi? The one he recorded while…"

"He won't dare release it," Farah said, "If that video gets leaked, it'll be his downfall, not Mahi's. His face will be plastered alongside hers, the world will see him for the predator he is. And let's not forget, Mahi wasn't a willing participant. He forced himself on her, that's rape, plain and simple."

Zeba's eyes widened, "You really think so? You think he wouldn't use it to hurt her more?"

"I do," Farah stated, her conviction unwavering. "And besides, we have Professor Siti on our side. I haven't told her everything, but if Professor Syed does anything, I'll expose him completely. Then, we can think about legal actions..."

The doorbell rang.

Farah took off her apron, "Probably Ava. She messaged saying she'd drop by, but please, not a word about Syed. Her marriage is already stressing her out."

Zeba nodded slightly, "I can take care of Kitchen. You two enjoy."

And Farah reached for the door, the smile on her face faltering slightly. As she opened it, her eyes widened. Ava stood on the doorstep, a bright smile radiating from her face. But behind her, stood Samir. 

"Farah!" Ava pulled her friend into a warm embrace. "It feels like years."

Farah returned the hug but her gaze was fixed on Samir. Fara couldn't help but inquire, "Why is he here?" 

Ava pulled away from the embrace and introduced Samir to Farah, "Samir is my brother-in-law. He came to drop me off." 

Samir asked, "Nice to meet you again. How are you, Ms. Farah?" 

Ava seemed surprised by Samir's question. Because, infront of her they never met, "I didn't know you too knew each other."

Farah nodded and forced a smile, "Yes, We met. So..... Mr. Samir Rahman. Thanks for dropping off my bestfriend. I'll take care of Ava from now on." 

"Just doing my brotherly duty..." Samir tried to say something more, but was cut off abruptly as Farah closed the door with a thud, making her attitude towards him unmistakably clear. After meeting Samir at the restaurant, She felt a pang of annoyance, a prickle of something she couldn't quite place.

"Is everything alright?" Ava asked with a furrowed brow. 

Farah, eager to steer the conversation away from Samir, ushered Ava into her room. "Everything's perfect, darling. Now, spill the beans about Malacca! Elara told me you and Ibrahim…"

Ava sank onto the bed, a wave of exhaustion washing over her, "Malacca was… good. It's such a beautiful place." 

Farah arched her brow and took a seat opposite Ava, "You know? Elara seems to be quite tense lately for you?"

Ava nodded and lowered her head. Only she knew how she was managing all the things. Ava decided to divert their conversation by taking out a small maroon purse from her bag. She handed it to Farah, hoping to shift their focus. "I got this for you in Malacca. It's a little gift." Ava said, trying to brighten the mood.

Farah's eyes softened. "Oh, Ava, you shouldn't have! But thank you, darling. It's beautiful." The purse, crafted from smooth leather, gleamed in the afternoon sunlight which was coming from the window.

Farah set it aside, her gaze fixed on Ava, waiting for her to share what was truly on her mind. "Now, spill all the beans," Farah urged. "I know you didn't come here just to gift me this purse."

Taking a deep breath, Ava mustered the courage to address her inner turmoil, "Farah, will you believe me if I tell you that.....that my heart is not in my control?"

Farah's eyes narrowed with curiosity as she inquired further. "What does that mean, Ava? Are you saying you… you're in love with Ibrahim?"

The words hung heavy in the air, a loaded question that echoed Elara's worst fears. Ava sighed, her voice a mere whisper. "Maybe… or maybe not."

Farah's brow furrowed in confusion. "Maybe or maybe not? Ava, please don't be cryptic." 

Ava traced her fingers along the fabric of her trousers, her eyes filled with a turmoil Farah had never witnessed before. "I don't even know anymore," she confessed, her voice breaking. "Everything feels… out of control. Like my hand is empty, grasping at nothing."

Farah's heart clenched. She reached out and took Ava's hand, her touch warm and comforting. "Hey, look at me," she said gently. "Do you remember how much you… disliked Ibrahim? When he..." 

"I remember," Ava squeezed her eyes shut, the memory of her forced marriage, the bitter anger towards Ibrahim, still raw and fresh. "I haven't forgotten anything," she said.

"But you're… in love with him now, aren't you?" Farah asked gently, "That's where the confusion is, right?"

Ava looked away, "I don't even know," she whispered, her voice broken. "It's like… a storm inside me, and I don't know which way the wind is blowing."

"Listen to me, darling," Farah said while gently shaking her hand. "Elara is not the problem here, not right now. What matters is figuring out your own feelings. Are they genuine? Are they fleeting? You need to be honest with yourself, Ava, before you can be honest with anyone else."

Ava bit her lip, tears stinging her eyes. "Elara won't understand," she choked out. "I promised him… I promised I wouldn't fall for Ibrahim. How can I face him now?"

"Have you told Ibrahim?" Farah asked. 

Ava shook her head, a sob escaping her lips. "No, but… he can read my eyes. He knows… I don't need to say anything. He knows every thought that dances in my head, every desire that burns in my heart. He knows… he doesn't need me to say anything. My heart… it's an open book to him."

Farah sighed, "It's so confusing, Ava. This whole situation… it's a mess." 

Farah got more confused. She was trying to help Ava but she didn't know how. Then suddenly, Farah's eyes caught a glimpse of something hidden beneath Ava's scarf. A faint purplish mark, nestled snugly in the crook of her neck. A girl knows another girl's secrets, especially when they are hidden in plain sight. 

Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Ava, there's something else I need to ask… and I need you to be honest with me." 

Ava, could only nod silently.

Farah inhaled deeply, bracing herself for the answer, "Did… did you ...did you two use protection while doing, Ava?"

Ava's eyes widened, a flicker of panic crossing her face. "Not yet… not yet… we didn't do it… it's just…" her voice trailed off, her hand instinctively going to the scarf, as if to shield the evidence beneath.

Farah understood. The "not yet" hung heavy in the air, a loaded silence that spoke volumes. It meant they were on the precipice, a breath away from consummating their desires, and Ava, despite her conflicting emotions, wasn't entirely averse to it. She held a secret desire in her heart.

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. To be continued in the next chapter.

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