Chapter 102 : "Seems your clumsiness extends beyond spilled wine, Mrs. Lim."

After the phone call with Yusuf, Ibrahim rose from the bed. Taking a deep breath, Ibrahim extended his arms above his head, feeling the gentle pull and release of his muscles. Then he slowly leaned to one side and repeated the motion on the other side. Now he was feeling fresh. 

As he completed his stretches, Ibrahim murmured softly to himself, "Where's my baby girl?" 

He opened the door and made his way to his study. Expecting to find his wife there but the study room was empty, "Where could she be?" 

Ibrahim strode out of the bedroom, his bare feet gliding silently across the plush carpet. His first stop was the study. But Ava wasn't there, her chair was vacant. Then he went towards the grand dinning hall. 

And There, he found his mother, sitting on the sofa completely observed in a magazine. She sat with poise, her back straight and her posture exuding an air of elegance. Approaching her, Ibrahim asked, "Where's Ava, mother?" 

Aliya looked up from her reading, "She went to the vet, son. Tasha, her kitten, injured its leg while playing."

Concern flickered across Ibrahim's face. "Ava went to vet with whom?" 

Aliya chuckled, "Don't worry, Ibrahim. Your mother wouldn't send Ava out alone. Samir went with her."

He nodded, the tension easing slightly, "I'll go and check on them." 

He already turning towards the hallway but Aliya's words stopped him, "Don't go. She has a life too, you know. Don't interfere in every little matter. Ava is safe, at least let her breathe."

Ibrahim looked towards Aliya and sighed, sinking onto the sofa opposite his mother. The truth of her words stung, though he wouldn't admit it. He felt the need to know every step she took, every thought that crossed her mind. Ava had become his world, and the thought of losing her control even for a moment fueled a quiet panic within him.

"But I have every right, Mother," Ibrahim argued softly. "After all, I'm her husband."

Aliya's eyes softened, "Marriage, Ibrahim, is a partnership, not a cage. It's about two souls intertwined, yet independent. Give Ava the space to grow. Let her have her moments, her independence. Don't follow her every step."

Ibrahim felt a prickle of resistance. "There should be no secrets between husband and wife, Mother."

Aliya shook her head, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "You're so much like your late father, Ibrahim," she sighed, "But trust me, son, too much obsession can turn the sweetest flower into a wilting weed."

Ibrahim's gaze fell to his hands, clenched into fists, "What should I do, Mother? Ava... she's so lovely, so perfect, that I can't bear to be away from her for a minute."

Aliya smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Who would have thought my stoic, unyielding son would be reduced to this by love?" she teased, her voice laced with amusement. "I remember the days when you wouldn't even look at a woman twice."

"Ava fills a void I never knew existed, Mother," he confessed with smile, "She's the sun that melts the ice in my soul. I just... I want to hold onto that light, to keep her safe within my embrace."

...

The veterinary clinic is filled with the soft hum of medical equipment and the scent of antiseptic. Sunlight filtered through the window, casting soft squares of light on the examination table where Tasha lay, tiny and trembling. The doctor, a woman with kind eyes framed by wire-rimmed glasses, carefully parted Tasha's fur, revealing a small gash on her tiny paw. A small crimson stain of dried blood marred the white fur. 

 Ava's heart mirrored the tremor, her fingers twisting in the folds of her dress. Samir was also stood beside her.

"It doesn't look too deep," the vet said, "No worries, there are no broken bones or deep punctures."

Relief flooded over Ava, washing away the worry that had gnawed at her since finding Tasha limping, "Thank goodness. Is she going to be okay?" 

 "Of course she will. Just keep an eye on the leg for any swelling or redness, and bring her back if anything seems amiss." The doctor replied.

"Good," Samir asked, "Can you give us the prescription, doctor? I'll go get the medication."

The doctor nodded, writing on a small pad. "Antibiotics and painkillers should do the trick."

Samir took the prescription and assured Ava, "I'll be back quickly. Just wait here."

Ava gave a small nod, her eyes glued to Tasha as the doctor began wrapping her paw in a neat bandage. The vet's deft fingers moved with practiced ease, transforming the raw wound into a neatly protected package.

"There we go," the doctor said, "Tasha's all set. Just keep an eye on the bandage, and make sure she doesn't lick it."

Ava thanked the vet and proceeded to make the payment. Ava cradled Tasha in her arms and left the clinic. There were other clients who waiting in clinic so it was better to wait outside. 

The sidewalk was a blur of activity. People of all shapes and sizes hurried past, each with their own destination. As Ava stepped out into the sunlight, she scanned the surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of Samir. However, he was nowhere to be found. She didn't even know which pharmacy he had gone to.

Ava looked around and saw there were some stool infront of the clinic. So she sat down on a stool. The warm sunlight casted a glow on her face and illuminated her long, flowing hair. Ava ran a gentle hand over Tasha's fur, her voice a soft murmur. "Don't worry, little one. You'll be alright soon." 

She was minding her own business, suddenly she heard a voice, "Mrs. Ava Lim?"

Ava's head snapped up. A man, tall and imposing in his tailored suit, stood before her. Behind the man there were two guards. 

"Do you recognize me?" the man asked, "I'm Rafi."

The name tickled at the edges of her memory. Ava furrowed her brows, recognizing his face but struggling to place him in her memory, "I'm so sorry, your face seems familiar. But I can't recall where we met."

Rafi smiled, a flash of white teeth in his tanned face. "I was at your husband's party. Where Ibrahim announced you as his wife."

Aba stammered, "I .... I met so many people that night. I don't quite..."

Rafi's smile widened, "Ah, yes. Perhaps you remember... the unfortunate incident with the spilled wine on my coat?"

Ava's mind raced. Now, she recalled Rafi and how accidentally the crimson wine spilled in Rafi's white coat, "Oh yes. I'm so sorry about your coat. I was clumsy that night.You're Ibrahim's friend, right?"

It wasn't Ava's fault to address Rafi as Ibrahim's friend. Ibrahim was the one who introduced Rafi as friend infront of Ava. But she felt a little uncomfortable. Why was Ibrahim's friend staring at her with such intensity?

Rafi's smile softened. "Please, call me Rafi. And of course, I'm Ibrahim's friend," he confirmed, his gaze flickering to Tasha in Ava's arms. "Is this the little culprit who injured herself?"

"Yes, she got a bit of a scratch while playing," Ava nodded.

Rafi's eyes narrowed as he noticed something else – the loose shoelace dangling from Ava's sneaker, "Seems your clumsiness extends beyond spilled wine, Mrs. Lim."

Ava was confused by the teasing remark. Was he referring to Tasha? Before she could decipher his meaning, Rafi surprised her by bending down. His tanned fingers brushed against her sneaker as he knotted the lace.

And Ava felt uncomfortable with the sudden gesture, unsure of how to react or what it meant, "Oh no. You really didn't have to do that." 

Not only Ava, but Rafi's guards were shocked too, their eyes widening at the unexpected action. In the blink of an eye, the lace was secured, a neat bow tying the knot. Rafi stood, "Now you won't tumble again, Mrs. Lim."

While Ava grappled with her unease, Samir returned from the pharmacy, his eyes immediately capturing the scene unfolding before him. A surge of anger coursed through Samir's veins as he muttered curses under his breath, unable to fathom how Rafi could have the audacity to act in such a way.

"Sister-in-law, take the key and get in the car," Samir said, his voice tight with barely suppressed anger. Samir extended the car key to Ava, silently urging her to retreat to the safety of the parked car on the roadside. Rafi looked at Samir when he heard Samir's voice.

Ava nodded in agreement and made her way towards the waiting car after taking the car key. The situation was so awkward for her - too disturbing.

As Samir closed the distance between him and Rafi, the two guards instinctively stepped forward, their hands hovering near their concealed weapons. But Rafi held up a hand, a sardonic smile playing on his lips.

"Easy, boys," he drawled, his voice devoid of fear. "No need to get dramatic. We're all friends here, aren't we?"

Samir's gaze bore into Rafi, "What the hell were you doing with my sister-in-law, Rafi?" 

"Just being a gentleman, Samir. Isn't that what you do with your sister-in-law?" Rafi replied. 

Samir snarled, "Don't you know whose wife she is?"

Rafi's smile widened, taking on a dangerous edge. "Oh, I know very well, Samir. The great Ibrahim Rahman. But do you know what?" He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Mrs. Lim is too innocent, too trusting. Too good for this world Ibrahim have dragged her into?"

Samir's grip on his anger faltered for a second, "Stay away from her, Rafi. One more time around my sister-in-law, and you'll face the consequences. You know how Ibrahim is. Don't you remember what he did to your brother?"

Rafi's laughter was harsh, devoid of humor, "I remember every detail, every cruelty, Samir. And I also remember how your precious brother turned me into a pariah, stripped me of everything I held dear. It's my turn now. This game has just begun."