part 18: He, the Most forgiving

She had set limits, but what were those limits for?

After three months of the accident, when she recovered from her injury and had her plaster removed, she started praying namaz. Sometimes she cried her heart out in prostration and Dua, repenting for her wrongdoings. She thought that God would never forgive her, even though Allah is Al-Ghaffar, "الغفار," the Most Forgiving.

He always listens to His servants' yearnings and tobah, forgiving those who seek forgiveness sincerely and never letting them go empty-handed. Despite her feelings of guilt as a Muslim, she forgot that Allah is Greater indeed.

It was 1 in the midnight, when she went to bed, she felt distressed and tossed and turned, making sure that Fatima couldn't sense her turmoil. Her heart suddenly felt heavier, and she felt suffocated. She stood up from her lying position and poured some water into a glass from the jug on the nightstand. She drank it, hoping to relieve her troubled mind, and went to her small backyard to get some fresh air. She continued to feel distressed and couldn't fall asleep.

She sat on a chair, looking at the starry sky. Her eyes filled with tears and streamed down from the eyes, she said while looking up at the sky, "I miss you so much, Mama. Where are you? Why did you leave your fragile daughter? I yearn to feel your embrace, Mama." Then she lowered her head, resting both elbows on the table, and the tears streamed down from the corners of her eyes. She didn't realize when she fell asleep.

She had a dream in which she found herself in a garden filled with flowers and trees, she was laying on her mother's lap, and her mother was running her fingers through Helena's hair while talking to her. She said to her.

"My delicate child, o my precious Helena , I'm sorry my little baby for leaving you but it's Allah's will and we must accept his decisions , He is the greatest and He knows everything better than us and knows what's the best for us, I watch over you from here your mama is in a safe and beautiful place, look."

She sat back on her knees and placed her both palms on her knees while her eyes were filled with tears. Helena's mother placed both palms on her cheeks and kissed them gently then helena started crying and pleaded, "Mama let me come with you I want to stay by your side I promise Mama I'll never tease you or disturb you ,"

Her mother replied, placing her index finger on her lips, " shhh no my child, it's not in my hands also I don't want it."

"But why mama? why ? I just want to be near you , please let me go with you mama."

She insisted and tears started streaming down from her eyes while saying.

Her mother cupped her face while wiping out her tears then she said.

"Listen my child, this is a place where we can't live on our own it's Allah's will for us to be here , I promise we'll meet soon my child."

She nodded and looked down, while wiping her face then she said.

"Ok mama I'll come and meet you soon I'll plead Allah and begged in front of Him to reunite us soon even in dreams. and until then you have to take care yourself."

Right then, she woke up, rolling her eyes a little before sitting back and then sat straight. She looked around her surroundings, forward and backward in shock, while calling out, "Mama, where have you gone? You were here just a moment ago. Mama." Then she realized that she had been dreaming. She cried out loud, placing both palms on her face, making sure not to let anyone hear her crying.

She looked up at the sky again, then recited Surah Fatiha and made a prayer for her mother. Afterward, she opened her eyes, staring at the sky , tears started streaming down from the corners of her eyes, she said, "Mama, wherever you are, just take care of yourself. Mama, I miss you a lot. I love you so much. I wish you were here so we could have dinner together, hang out together, and I could sleep next to you in your embrace. I really miss your embrace, Mama. Why did you leave me so early? It's not that stepmom isn't good;

she is very kind and gentle with both of us, and she loves us so much. Like Fatima, she understands us like her own children. But Mama, no one can take your place in my heart. You are my Mama, and I can't let anyone take your place. Mama, I wish I'll meet you in JANNAH. I'll ask Allah to set up our meeting in JANNAH."

She kept staring at the sky for a while, then cried her heart out.

Meanwhile, her father was standing there, listening to her talk. His eyes grew wet upon hearing her words. He intended to come near her, but then he stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide open when he heard her continue talking to her mother.

"I really loved him, Mama, with all my heart, knowing that it's forbidden for me to have any feelings for any na-mehram, and he deceived me. I made my Allah disappointed. I'm shattered, Mama. My heart aches a lot. I'll never forgive him for what he did to me. I hate him, Mama. For the first time I ever trusted any guy, but he betrayed me, hurt my feelings, and Hurt my honor. I know my Allah will never forgive me. I'm restless, Mama. See, your delicate child is all alone."

Then he came near her, caressing her head. She turned her head towards Mr. Ahmed, but he decided not to talk about it at that moment. She stood up from her chair and stared back and forth into her father's eyes with tears in her eyes, shock was evident on her face. For a moment, she was scared that Mr. Ahmed might have heard her conversation. However, Mr. Ahmed placed her head against his chest, caressed her side head, and rested his other hand on her back. He kissed her hair and said in a low, comforting voice,

"My dear child, my precious Helena, I can feel your pain. But you know we have to accept Allah's will. Don't get upset, my child. Your mom is in a higher place, I'm sure. She is watching over us from there."

At that moment, she cried out loud while grabbing his waist and said, "Why, Baba? Why my mother, huh? Why did she leave me? I'm grateful to Allah that He blessed me with you and Aisha Mama. She loves me a lot, but Baba, I feel alone. You can understand my pain, right? I miss her so much since she birthed me, but I couldn't feel her embrace, I couldn't smell her scent. how unlucky I'm baba."

Mr Ahmed continued to caress her back head and then he said, "It's Allah's will my child, and what Allah does is far better than our thoughts, you know, right? So, don't be a reason for Allah's anger." He then pulled her from his chest and wiped her tears with his thumbs on her cheeks.

°°°°

It was asar time when Ayesha was folding clothes and keep them in the cupboard.

Ayesha, there's something bothering Helena," Mr. Ahmed said, his voice laced with worry.

Ayesha looked at Ahmed who was coming towards Ayesha after locking the door "The doctor was right; there's something significant on her mind that she's hiding. I wanted to talk to her a week ago, but I couldn't bring myself to ask."

Ayesha listened intently, concern appeared on her face. "What is it, Ahmed?" she asked while placing clothes inside the cupboard. "I did sense that Helena seemed lost in thought whenever she was alone." She turned to Ahmed after closing the door of the cupboard.

Mr. Ahmed sighed, grabbing his temple and responded in a worried look on his face. "I think she was involved with someone who betrayed her, leading to her accident. It worries me, Ayesha. My pious Helena... with a boy? It's hard to believe."

Ayesha came near him and caressed his back as she understood because she also sensed Helena's changing behavior.

Helena needs us now more than ever. Being betrayed must have shattered her. We won't get angry with her; instead, we'll offer her our support and bring her back her to life hmm.

Mr ahmed kept looking at her then he hummed in response.

°°°

They were in a bar, Everything was in disarray, with Helena's family on one side and Zaim and his friends on the other. While Helena's condition deeply troubled her family. John and Mia were very worried about him because Zaim's mental state was not much better. Zaim was losing himself over Helena Without caring for his future or his own well-being, he was unaware of what he was doing. He wasn't in his senses at all.

Till when will it go on, huh? Look at yourself; you are destroying yourself by being like this," Mia exclaimed, concern was evident in her voice, as she and John sat with zaim. Zaim was not in a good state, going through a lot as he missed Helena, who had stopped coming to the university. He yearned to see her again, but after the encounter at Helena's house and Mr. Ahmed's words, he hadn't gone back there.

Zaim looked up at them both but didn't respond, pain reflecting in his eyes. Mia, said while her hand placed on Zaim's shoulder, "Forget h—"

Zaim lifted his head, his eyes blazing with a pain they hadn't seen before, and cut her off abruptly, his rage palpable as he looked into her eyes, "Don't ever dare to say that again, he gulped down the drink, placing back the glass on the table and said while looking deep into Mia's eyes,

"I can forget myself but not her, she is the reason of my living, I'll die by forgetting her and if you want me to live so never try to say these shits Infront of me."

He then poured another drink in his glass, gulping down his drink again and stormed off. John and Mia tried to stop him but failed. They watched his retreating figure with a worry appeared on their faces.

As Zaim walked out of the bar, he felt a rush of emotions overwhelming him. Memories of his time with Helena flooded his mind, and he couldn't shake off the feeling of longing that consumed him. He decided to take a walk, hoping that the fresh air would clear his mind.

He kept walking through the path and didn't realize he reached near the beach , he looked everywhere in his surrounding and then sat on a bench, taking out the cigarettes from his pants pockets and lighted his cigarettes and started inhaling and exhaling the smoke, releasing puffs that swirled and drifted into the air. He began to remember the moment he spent with Helena on the beach at Jeju Island. The only difference was that he was with Helena then, and now he was alone.

°°°°

In the small room of Ahmed's house, Helena had just finished her prayers. She raised her hands to make Dua, tears streaming down her face as she began her dua.

"Ya Allah," she whispered, "I confess that I am a sinner. I know I don't deserve anything, yet my heart aches so deeply. My beloved Allah, please help me heal from the things that only you know I'm struggling with, i want the world swallow me, I did what you always deny to do, I lost my path and my Deen for a while I seek your forgivess my beloved Allah Please, don't let my anxieties kill me The pain is relentless, Ya Illahi

I'm facing a lot at this young age, I know that was my fault but You are the Most Glorious, who has a command of everything, the One who controls all. please forgive me and ease my trouble heart, I'm not feeling peace, I'm distress and restless Allah protect my heart with you blessings. This world is literally tiring me Allahh. Grant me healing ya Rabbi."

Meanwhile, Zaim found himself standing outside Helena's house, hesitating to knock on the door. He wrestled with his emotions, torn between wanting to see her again and fearing the pain it might bring. He saw Helena's balcony and said with a desperate look,

"Please come outside Helena, I wanna see you for once, please come outside I'm restless Helena, please girl come outside."

After a while of failing, he turned away, not wanting to create any trouble for Helena. Meanwhile After completing her Salah Helena went to her balcony to get in the fresh air, her gaze fell on a man who was going from the street all alone however there was no one in the street and the area was completely dark and silent.

Ayesha came in Helena's room , Helena turned her head and saw Ayesha, she came towards Ayesha and sat beside her, Ayesha caressed her back gently with a slightest smile on her face.

"What happened my precious baby?" She asked,

"N...nothing Aashi mama." Helena replied while her eyes puffed and filled with tears.

Ayesha's gaze softened further, she began, "You know I'm your mother, don't you?", stopping to gently place a hand over Helena's heart. "Mothers have a way of knowing what goes on within their children's hearts. they can listen and feel unknowingly. That's what a mother called, You can't hide anything from your Aashi Mama. Open your heart to me, my love."

Helena couldn't hold her tears back and her tears streamed down her face as she buried her head in her hands.

"I'm---- s... sinner------m....mama----- I....i'm----- a---- b..big--- s....sinner." she choked out, her voice broken by sobs and hiccups.

Ayesha pulled Helena into a warm embrace. "Shh, my child," she soothed. "Don't cry like this, it's hurting me my precious baby, I'm here to listen, after Allah hmm."

Helena hugged her back tightly and cried her heart out, her sobs echoing in the room.

"Whatever it is, just share with me , I promise I won't judge you."

Helena pulled away, wiping her tears with trembling hands. She tried to speak, but stammered and choked back more sobs.

"M...m... mama." she couldn't say further and tears still streaming down her face,

Seeing her daughter's distress, Ayesha rose and brought a glass of water from the nightstand and made her drink with her hands.

"I've committed such a big sin. I feel I've let my Allah down whom I love the most more than anything.

How could I have been so blind and let myself to listen Satan's orders? How could I do this, knowing it's completely Haram as a Muslim? i have disappointed my Allah."

Overcome with guilt, Helena confessed to Ayesha.

"I let him near to me mama, I can't get these thoughts out of my head. It's haunting me day and night. I committed a sin knowing that Allah would be displeased with me. I feel like I can't escape from this torment, even I repent a lot , I keep praying and seeking forgiveness, but still I'm restless mama I'm distress. I can't find peace. My heart aches so much and feel that I'm not worthy of His mercy. Why Allah didn't stop me to go beyond my boundaries."

Helena said while crying.

"Oh my precious baby, hold yourself and listen to me hmm."

Ayesha pulled her and rested Helena's head over her chest, Helena wrapped Ayesha around her waist while tears started to stream down her face then Ayesha continued,

"Don't think like that, my dear. If you feel guilty and ashamed and have asked for forgiveness, then know that Allah wants you to seek forgiveness. If He didn't, He wouldn't have put that feeling of guilt in your heart. He's giving you a chance to come closer to Him."

She stopped for a while and caressed her back then she continued again,

"Listen my baby If these thoughts persist, then pray as much as you can. Remember, Allah is Al-Wahhab, the Giver of Gifts. He wants to give, but you have to ask.

"No matter how low your imaan, never give up on your Allah. The prayer mat is your sanctuary in this worldly life (dunya). My baby, Allah can change your situation in unimaginable ways. You just need sabr."

Helena's sobs intensified. "Yes, mama but I know He will never forgive for what I attempted, Sabr is not easy Mama. It destroys me apart mentally and physically, it leaves me on the edge, and breaks me down., I know it will pass but it's heavy Mama."

Helena said while her eyes still filled with tears.

Ayesha cupped Helena's face, wiping away her tears. "My pious and pure child, Mama's strong baby, a piece of my heart, Allah is the Most Merciful and the Most Forgiving. He understands your pain and sees your sincere repentance. Everyone makes mistakes, and what matters is that you turn to Him for guidance and forgiveness.

If Allah chooses to teach you through pain, it's a lesson you're never meant to forget." Ayesha reassured her.

Helena, her voice trembling, continued, "He made me believe he loved me. It was all a lie. I hate Alex, Mama. I hate that man! I hate every man in this world. It's all my fault. I broke boundaries and let him near me, blind to his impure intentions, he used to say that he would marry me but that was all a lie."

Ayesha's voice softened. "My sweet girl, listen. It's not your fault. Alex's actions were deceitful, and you trusted him because you believed in love. He didn't leave you; Allah removed him because you deserve better. Trusting someone is not a sin, my child. But you learned a valuable lesson. Sometimes, Allah breaks your heart to save your soul. Just keep your heart attached to the Almighty, hmm? Remember, after every hardship comes ease. And you know Allah says to His beloved servants in the Quran..."

"يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ"

"Indeed I am with the patient."

(Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 153)

And you know what Allah says in surah Anfal? Helena kept looking at her mother with teary and puffy eyes.

وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمۡ وَأَنتَ فِيهِمۡۚ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمۡ وَهُمۡ يَسۡتَغۡفِرُونَ

"And Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness"

(Surah Anfal, verse 33)

"He further says in surah Ta'ha."

قَالَ لَا تَخَافَاۤۖ إِنَّنِی مَعَكُمَاۤ أَسۡمَعُ وَأَرَىٰ

"Do not be afraid, I am with you, All Hearing and All Seeing."

(Surah Ta'ha, verse 46)

"And in surah Al furqan and other surah he says,"

وَجَعَلْنَا بَعْضَكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ فِتْنَةً أَتَصْبِرُونَ

"And we have made some of you as a trial for others; will you have patience?"

(Surah Al-Furqan, verse 20)

لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا

"Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear" (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 286)

فَٱذْكُرُونِىٓ أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِى وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ

"So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me."

(Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 152)

وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمْرِهِۦ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدْرًۭا

"And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent"

(Surah Al-Talaq, verse 65)

Helena hummed in response as she felt peace settling over her for a while however she didn't know that her sin will stick with her.

Ayesha, sensing Helena's unease, gently said,

"Remember whatever happens you have to trust Allah, hmm.? Now, stand up and fold your prayer mat. Come to bed, my love. Tonight, Aashi Mama will sleep beside her baby girl, hmm?"

Helena managed a small smile. Rising from the floor, she jumped to bed and nestled in Ayesha's embrace. Ayesha continously caressed her head gently until she drifted off to sleep, With a loving gaze upon her daughter's peaceful face, Ayesha whispered a prayer,

"Oh my dear and beloved Allah, please have mercy on my precious child and forgive her. Free her heart from pain, ya Illahi."

She kissed on Helena's side head and then closed her eyes and slept.

~Six months have already passed since the accident.~

Zaim and his friends were at a wedding for one of their close friends held on a cruise ship.

As the evening sun began to set, the sky turned beautiful different shades of orange, purple, and pink. Guests, dressed in their best clothes, stood on the deck, enjoying the view and soft music. Some were dancing to the slow and soft tunes, while others were gossiping. The sun slowly sank into the sea, creating a golden glow that made the moment feel even more special. It became dark and turned into a starry sky.

Zaim had been reluctant to go, having been through a lot in the past six months. He hadn't seen Helena for six months, and they hadn't been able to meet. John, hoping to take Zaim's mind off things, decided to take him at the wedding. Unfortunately Olivia was also there.

Zaim stood at the edge of the cruise ship, gazing out at the deep sea with a lost look in his eyes and was thinking something. A glass of Cabernet Sauvignon hung limpy in his hand, he was missing Helena as Tears welled up in his eyes as he missed her terribly.

Olivia approached him, her voice breaking the silence. "Zaim?" she called softly, holding a glass of wine. He slowly turned his head towards her, then back to the vast ocean, a deep sigh escaping his lips.

"Zaim, don't you feel sorry for me?" she pleaded while looking at his side profile deeply.

Zaim scoffed, a humorless smirk playing on his lips. Olivia continued, "I really love you, Zaim. More than anything. Look at me for once. Can't you give me a chance to prove myself ?" She reached out and grasped his wrist. "Forget Helena," she urged. "I'll love you more than her. She doesn't suit you."

Zaim's anger flared. His eyes blazed with fury as he glared at her. With a jerk, he pulled her hand away from him. He threw the wine glass on the floor anywhere with full force and shouted with a loud voice which made Olivia scare to death.

"Just shut the fuck your mouth!" he roared And His voice was laced with rage.

He held his index finger in front of her eyes, his voice a low growl. "If you ever dare to speak of Helena like that again, I swear..." The threat hung heavy in the air, unspoken but terrifyingly clear. "I'll dig your grave, grab you by your hair and bury you in that for forever."

Everyone looked at him in confusion then John approached him and tried to intervene but Zaim held his hand to him not to interfere in this matter while his gaze fixed at Olivia then he said to her,

"Listen the fuck to me with your open ears, I love Helena more than myself.

She runs through my veins like blood. My breaths begin and end with her. She is my entire universe. You are just a piece of trash for me nothing else, no one can take her place in my heart ever not even you."

He stared deep into Olivia's eyes and said with the same tone. "Do you even know what love is huh? Let me tell you, The love I have for Helena is real, I can't touch her without her consent, unlike yours, who is only about wanting a man in bed without letting them know, and takes full advantage of their intoxicated state."

He frowned his eyebrows in anger and continued,

"Listen Olivia I'll not go easy on you If you get in my way ever again, I will make you sure won't be able to face anyone. Stick that in your mind you damn girl."

With that he left from there, and everyone started gossiping about Zaim's words that Olivia took advantage of his intoxicated state.

°°°°°

It was a morning like any other, but it wasn't the peaceful morning of her life when she felt calm. She was restless, pleading before Allah. Today was just another day when Helena woke up for Fajar prayers. After completing her tasbeeh and supplications on rosery, she reached for her phone. A gasp escaped her lips as she saw a notification. "Astagfirullah!" she exclaimed after opening the message, a look of shock crossing her face. "Disgusted."

She said again. It was a short video clip, seemingly unfinished.

Olivia sent this video and this video showed that Zaim at the bar with Olivia from the other day. Helena furrowed her brow, muttering to herself, "Why did she send me this? This has nothing to do with me."

Helena was unaware that Zaim was in love with Helena, while Olivia reciprocated feelings for Zaim. Olivia likely intended for Helena to hate Zaim, even though Helena already hated him.. However, the video only served to intensify Helena's hate towards him. After a while when Helena was getting ready for going university.

She went to the university to inform them of her withdrawal. Along with her, she had a few bags that Alex and Zaim had gifted her on her birthday and other occasions. As she walked inside the university, everyone looked at her from head to toe and started gossiping about her regarding her abaya because she started taking abaya to cover he up after the incident.. One of Zaim's classmates approached her and asked something. Instead of answering, she handed the bags to her and said, "Would you mind delivering these bags to Zaim and Alex, please?" Helena explained which bags belonged to Zaim and Alex.

The girl received them with a thoughtful expression and then hummed in response, intending to say something to Helena about the situation but Helena excused herself. She ignored everyone and made her way to the principal office. After a while As she finished her work and walked away, her eyes were down, she felt someone's shadow was coming towards her, Zaim stopped her in her tracks. Desperation appeared on his face.  She raised her head.

He spoke while his voice strained. "Helena," he pleaded, having yearned to see her for a long time.

Helena stopped and met his gaze with disgust but ignored him. His entire appearance made him look like the dirtiest and filthiest man in the world. She tried to continue walking. Just then, Zaim stopped her again, saying, "Helena, listen to..."

Helena cut him off, turning towards him. "I'm not here to listen to you," she stated firmly. "And I'm not interested in who is connected with Alex, so please don't bother me and get out of my way." She spoke straightforwardly, without wasting any time, because she knew that whatever Zaim was about to say might involve justifying Alex. Obviously, Alex and Zaim had been best friends since childhood, but Helena didn't know the reality.

Everyone kept looking at them, their curiosity surging as they waited for the new drama to unfold at the university.

"Helena," Zaim persisted, his voice filled with desperation, "I ended my ties with Alex after what he did to you. He hurt you."

At first she shocked a little at his statement then looked at him with neutral expression.

"Did I ask you to do that?" Helena countered, her voice unwavering. "No but..."

"So why are you trying to convince me you're better than him? She stopped, taking a deep breath, "listen Zaim I don't want a relationship with anyone outside my family right now," she declared, her eyes locked with his.

"I've seen your true colors more clearly now, more than I ever expected. "I thought you were different, but now I see that was a mistake too. Your actions have shown me who you really are so please try to maintain a long distance from me."

She said while gesturing by her hand as she was warning him.

Zaim stared at her but said nothing as Helena's words made him speechless.

She passed by him, just then Zaim said again, desperation creeping into his voice.

"I love you, Helena. I truly love you. More than anything. I don't care about anything else, just know that I love you deeply."

Everyone were shocked by this unexpected declaration, and started gossiping about them because they didn't supposed this from Zaim.

Helena halted in her tracks, momentarily stunned but she tried to be neutral, turning her head towards, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips, then she said.

"You love me really? she scoffed, crossing her arms, "And when did you start loving me? she was about to say something else but stopped as her gaze fell upon Alex, standing nearby. Shifting her attention back to Zaim, she started to say,

"You're just mocking me in front of everyone. You're no different from others, Zaim. Her gesture was towards Alex. "I can't believe on a playboy like you all."

She forced the word "playboy" but she continued, her voice surged with anger and a hint of regret. "I don't believe in love stuffs or men anymore. I hate you, Zaim, and all men. You're nothing but a playboy who only cares about sleeping with girls. Stay away from me and don't ever bother me again!"

After that Helena walked away and noticed Olivia standing nearby, observing the entire scene. Helena stopped, tilting slightly towards Olivia, and spoke in a low voice in her ear. "I wasn't even interested in your Zaim for a second, and I still am not. You can keep him, and Alex too, since you're both the same."

With a pointed wink and a pat on Olivia's shoulder, Helena continued on her way.

Everyone watched the exchange, and Zaim realized Olivia must have said something to Helena, causing her to call him a playboy. The full extent of Olivia's actions remained unknown to him.

He approached her in anger and grabbed her hair from back,

"What did you say to her huhh ?!" he roared. "Why'd she call me a playboy? Speak up right now, you filthy bitch!" He tightened his grip and shouted with much force. Olivia groaned in pain suddenly John reached near and pushed Zaim away while shouting.

"Are you out of your mind huh? What has gotten into you?"

John demanded.

Zaim stepped closer to Olivia to confront her and said angrily, but John intervened, blocking him with his body as Zaim was losing control. He couldn't careless the thought of putting her to the hands of death,

"I told you to stay away from me and her!" he yelled. "You really want to call your death from my hand huhh?! Just speak up na? I warned you Olivia don't mess with me or else you had to face the consequences." His voice echoed than before.

Everyone looked at him in wonder that how Zaim could go at this level for Helena.

Just then, Principal Kim Taehyung arrived at the scene, observing the whole scene. He gestured towards Zaim, his voice firm. "Zaim, come to my office now."

Zaim looked at him then crowd with a scoffed look, Walking steadily, he reached the principal's office. There was intense anger in his eyes for Olivia and pain in his heart from what Helena had done to him. He knocked on the office door.

"Come in." a voice responded.

The atmosphere inside the principal's office was tense. Principal Kim Taehyung sat behind his desk, a stern expression on his face. Zaim entered, his eyes still red with anger. He stared at him, already knew the principal's words.

Principal Taehyung's expression hardened as he delivered the news. His tone left no room for debate. "Zaim, you are suspended for a semester. There's no room for negotiation. I really didn't expect such behavior from you. Your behavior was unacceptable and required consequences.

You're dismissed, Zaim. Make sure to change your behavior than before."

Zaim smiled sarcastically, leaving the office quietly, without a word, simply letting out a low hum in response.

As Zaim walked away, Alex suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path. "Zaim," Alex said, likely trying to explain everything.

Zaim's eyes squeezed shut in a futile attempt to control his rage. But anger surged through him, and he lashed out. With a clenched fist , he punched on Alex's face as hard as he could, Alex fell on the ground with a groan of pain. Without waiting for Alex to rise, Zaim went off, sitting in his car Porsche 911 Cabriolet and drove off.

°°°°

"Ayesha, I've been transferred to Yokohama City in Japan," Mr. Ahmed announced as they all sat down for dinner. Ayesha was placing a white karahi on his plate.

He turned to Helena and asked, "Won't you have trouble staying here with your studies going on?"

Helena didn't look at him. Keeping her gaze down, she said softly, "I've decided to come with you and enroll there. I want to restart my studies from the beginning."

Before Mr. Ahmed could ask further questions, Ayesha held his hand, silently gesturing with her eyes for him to drop the subject. He simply nodded and said, "Okay, my child, as you wish."

Standing on her balcony, Helena reminisced about their upcoming move. A tear welled down her cheek as she remembered they were leaving Korea forever. Her father's transfer to Yokohama meant they had to depart within a week. Korea was not just her home country; it was the place where she was born and had lived in the same house since childhood and made memories. The thought of leaving it all behind filled her with a deep sadness.

She walked inside her room and reached for her bag, where she kept her diary. Reaching in, she searched for it, but it was missing. Panic surged through her. She always kept her diary close. She frantically searched her room, but it was nowhere to be found. A worried expression appeared on her face, she whispered to herself, "I hope it's safe. Ya Rabbi I don't want anyone to read it."

Meanwhile, Zaim sat in his huge backyard, gazing up at the starry sky. He suddenly remembered finding Helena's lost diary. He stood up from his chair, and went inside, retrieved the diary, and returned to his spot. Settling back down, he caressed the diary from outside then he opened it to the first page, where quotes and other things were written.

The inscription at the top read: "THE BELOVED SERVANT OF ALLAH, HELENA AHMED"

Zaim caressed her name with his hand.

________________________________________

                        A/N

ALLAH, the eternal friend of every soul, In His grace, every heart finds its console. Through trials and joys, His presence stays, guiding us through life's winding ways.

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