“One spark, and everything will burn…”

#"One spark… and everything will burn. There's no escape from the consequences."🥃🔥

Written by : Af_ofa

The morning broke. Jihan entered the house and fell asleep in her room, waiting for Marwa.

Suddenly, the door opened, and her mother appeared before her.

Jihan: (Sitting on the bed, staring at her in silence): "Mom…"

She stared at her for a moment, unable to say anything.

Her mother: "When did your sister get back? I checked on her, and she was asleep."

— Jihan: "What?" (After a moment of silence) "She came back early. You didn't notice. You were all asleep…"

Her mother: "Don't let her get used to this. If she does, she'll start pushing boundaries. Come on, breakfast is ready."

Jihan: "Alright…"

Her mother left, and Jihan stood up angrily. She quickly gathered her blanket and walked out of her room, heading to the room that Marwa shared with Nihad.

She stood beside Marwa and gently tried to wake her up so Nihad wouldn't hear.

Marwa suddenly woke up, her eyes staring at Jihan in silence, as if confused.

Marwa: "What… what's wrong?"

Jihan: "Where have you been until now? All this for a birthday party? You'd better tell me now, or I'll go straight to Mom and tell her everything!"

Marwa: "No, please! I was at a birthday party, we just stayed a little late…"

Jihan: "Late? It's already morning!"

Marwa: "Please, sister… Lower your voice. Mom might hear you, and if Nihad hears anything, she'll tell her. Let's talk later, please…"

Jihan: (Shaking her head in great anger) "This is the last time I get involved in your mess. Do you hear me? I pray this problem passes peacefully…" (She left the room).

Although Nihad had her eyes closed, she heard everything.

As for Marwa, she began to cry silently, covering her mouth with her hand to prevent her sobs from being heard.

She quickly fled to the bathroom.

She turned on the water and sat down, crying quietly.

Marwa (drowning in her tears): "What have I done?" (She pulled at her hair in despair) "I've ruined myself…"

Jihan returned to her room, got ready, and then they all gathered for breakfast.

Jihan and Marwa exchanged glances, while Nihad silently observed them.

Father: "What's wrong with you two? Are you fighting?"

Mother: (Looking at them in surprise): "Since when?"

Jihan: (Smiling slightly): "No, Dad, we're not fighting. I just remembered that Marwa and I need to stop by the library, so I was reminding her."

Father: "Alright then. Study well and make me proud. Don't make me hang my head in shame."

Suddenly, Marwa choked and began coughing violently.

Nihad handed her a glass of water, while Jihan silently watched her.

Mother: "Take it easy, my dear… drink slowly."

Marwa: (Quickly gathering her things): "I'm late, I have to go."

Jihan: (Looking at her from the corner of her eye): "And the library?"

Marwa: "We'll go later."

—————————

Marwa left the house angrily. She stopped the first taxi she saw and gave the driver the address.

Minutes later, she arrived at a luxurious villa that looked like a palace.

She approached the gatekeeper.

Marwa: "Please, I need to talk to Diab…"

Gatekeeper: "Who are you?"

Marwa: "I study with him at the same university. It's about something important."

Before he could reply, Diab drove out in his car. When he saw her, he stepped out.

Diab: "What's going on?"

She rushed toward him, about to slap him, but he caught her hand firmly and pulled her aside.

Diab: "This is the first and last time you raise your hand at me. Next time, I'll break it."

Marwa (crying): "You bastard! You used me, did whatever you wanted, then left me!"

Diab: "Used you? If you've forgotten, you came to me willingly."

Marwa: "Liar! I would never do something like that…"

Diab: "Listen, I don't have time. The time I had, I gave you yesterday. We're done."

She raised her hand again to slap him, but he caught it and pushed her.

Marwa: "You'll regret this… you bastard."

Diab: "Let's cut to the chase. What do you want now?" (He looked her up and down) "Hmm… I get it. (He pulled out a wad of cash from his wallet) Is this enough for you?"

Marwa (swallowing hard): "You dog! What do you think I am? A prostitute? I come from a respectable family!"

Diab (laughing): "Daughter of a respectable family? Girls from good families don't go clubbing in the middle of the night! Get out of here—I never want to see your face again… Pathetic!"

Diab walked away, leaving Marwa standing in shock, tears falling from her eyes like stones. She felt dizzy, grabbed a nearby tree, and collapsed beside it, sobbing and gasping for air.

————————————

Jihan had just arrived at the university, about to enter her lecture when she saw the guy who had warned her the day before not to get involved with Diab. She was shocked to see his face covered with bruises and cuts. She approached him, and as soon as he saw her, he stepped back, as if he was afraid of her.

Jihan: "What happened? Who did this to you?"

Osama was about to respond when he quickly looked behind her, then rushed into the lecture hall. Jihan stood still for a moment, her eyes following him in confusion. She turned around to see Diab and his friends standing there, their eyes filled with indifference.

Jihan: (Standing in front of Diab, staring at him with a sharp look): "Were you the one who did this to him?"

Diab: "Me? Ha, of course not… I told you before, you still don't know who I am."

He walked away, leaving Jihan frozen in place for a few seconds. She felt a rush of anger and pain filling her heart, but she forced herself to stay composed. She entered the lecture hall after him. When the lecture ended, she tried to talk to Osama, but he was completely avoiding her.

Shaimaa (hurrying toward her, her face full of concern): "I found out what happened!"

Jihan: "What?"

Shaimaa: "I heard that Diab and his friends beat Osama yesterday. After the classes ended, they caught him near the university and beat him badly."

Jihan: (in a barely audible voice, shocked) "Oh my God! Why? Are we living in a jungle?"

Shaimaa: "What could he do? The poor guy crossed the wrong person…"

Jihan: "I don't understand anything anymore… But why is Osama avoiding me?"

Shaimaa: "Maybe because he warned you yesterday, and that got him in trouble."

Jihan: (after a moment of silence, with anger in her eyes) "This is too much…"

Jihan continued walking with quick steps, while Shaimaa followed her, trying to stop her. Jihan felt a sense of determination building inside her, then suddenly stopped in front of Diab. She stood firmly in front of him, staring at him with a sharp, challenging gaze.

Jihan: "Are you a monster? You can't be human… Why did you do this to him? Isn't there anyone who can stop you?"

Diab sighed in boredom, then gathered his things and tried to walk away. Jihan felt a mix of frustration and anger filling her heart, and the volcano of emotions inside her was about to erupt. She grabbed his arm firmly, her nails digging into his skin. He looked at her with a steady gaze, his eyes full of defiance, while Jihan felt her emotions intensifying.

Jihan: "If you think I'm going to be scared by these little acts, you're wrong… Trash! How can girls even get close to someone like you? Vile and disgusting… I'm talking to you now with nothing but hatred."

Diab: "You've crossed too many lines. I treated you with respect, but from now on, I won't do that anymore…"

Jihan: (mocking, getting closer to him, staring directly into his eyes): "Do your worst… If you think you can scare me, you're mistaken…"

Jihan walked away. Diab stood there watching her, then smirked and turned away as well.

————————————————-

⏳ One week later…

Jihan walked into Marwa's room. Marwa was staring into space, and when she saw Jihan, she sat up straight as if she had just woken up from another world.

Jihan: "What's wrong with you? You've been isolating yourself the entire week, not talking, not coming near me…"

Marwa (with obvious nervousness, reflected in her features): "I'm not avoiding you, it's just that the exams are coming, and I've been a little busy…"

Jihan (getting closer to her, her eyes filled with concern): "Is something bothering you? You can talk to me."

Marwa (after a moment of silence, almost unable to face her): "Promise me this stays between us?"

Jihan: "Oh no… This sounds serious."

Marwa: "Never mind… forget what I said."

Jihan: "I won't tell anyone… I promise. Just talk to me."

Marwa (taking a deep breath, then finally whispered): "I like a guy…"

Jihan (raising her eyebrows in shock, her eyes filled with astonishment): "Wow! There's someone you like? Who's this knight in shining armor?"

Marwa: "A guy… he studies with me in high school."

Jihan: "So that's what's been on your mind! Do you think he likes you back?"

Marwa (after a moment, a heavy silence filled the air, then she looked at Jihan with eyes full of uncertainty): "I don't know…"

Jihan (hugging her tightly, her emotions exploding within her): "Look, I'm your big sister, even though we're not far apart in age. By the end of this year, God willing, you'll graduate and enter law school, and you'll become a great lawyer. After that, you'll meet your true prince charming. Right now, this is just teenage emotions, you'll get over them and laugh about it one day. And you know that I've applied to a better university, and I'm waiting for the scholarship. If I get it, I'll have to leave the city, and you'll become the eldest daughter at home. So, you need to be strong and know what you're doing…"

Suddenly, Marwa hugged Jihan tightly and started crying, gasping for air as if she feared losing everything.

Jihan (feeling deeply worried, trying to comfort her): "What's going on? Is love hitting you that hard?"

Marwa (hugging her, her tears falling rapidly, as if she had nowhere to relieve her pain): "No, it's because you're going to leave us… and I'm so used to having you around."

Jihan (with a small smile, but her heart full of concern): "Hmm… Haha. Let me get the scholarship first, then we'll talk about separation. Now, wipe your tears before Mom walks in and we end up in a police interrogation!"

Marwa (laughing bitterly, trying to pull herself together): "Hahaha."

Jihan: "Come on, I need to help Mom with dinner… (she looked back at Marwa) And don't think I forgot about the birthday thing!"

Jihan left the room, and as soon as she stepped out, Marwa froze, her smile fading away. Her face became clouded, as if a new burden had weighed heavily on her heart.

-—————————————

Diab stepped out of the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist, his chest exposed.

He stood in front of the mirror, drying his hair, when he noticed the scratch marks left by Jihan's nails on his arm, still visible. He froze for a moment.

Diab (smirking): "She's a cat… not even human."

He got dressed, opened his laptop, and began clicking aimlessly. Then he opened Instagram to scroll for a bit. Just as he was about to exit the app, Jihan's picture appeared on the screen.

He stopped, clicked on her profile, and started browsing through her latest posts.

He paused at one where Jihan was smiling.

He stared at her face deeply:

Her hair was dark brown, thick, and strong. Her eyes were wide and brown, her skin fair, her nose small, and her face round with soft, baby-like features—people always told her she had a baby face.

Diab (looking at the photo): "Finally… she's smiling."

He set his phone aside, leaned back with his hands behind his head, closed his eyes, and began to remember her words…

** Flashback :

Jihan: "If you think I'm going to be scared by these little acts, you're wrong… Trash! How can girls even get close to someone like you? Vile and disgusting… I'm talking to you now with nothing but hatred."

Jihan: (mocking, getting closer to him, staring directly into his eyes): "Do your worst… If you think you can scare me, you're mistaken…"

Back to the present:

Diab smirked, opened his eyes, got dressed, and went downstairs. He found his mother sitting at the dinner table.

She looked like a strong, intelligent woman—her face radiated power and control.

Aisha (Diab's mother): "I was about to send the maid to call you."

Diab stayed silent, staring at her calmly.

Aisha: "Is everything alright? Or is it another one of your disasters?"

Diab (sighing): "Here we go again…"

Aisha: "When did we ever stop? Who was that girl who came asking about you the other day?"

Diab: "You really hear about everything, don't you?"

Aisha: "Be careful not to fall for some girl's trap. You're the heir to the Nasrawi family. Soon, you'll be the head of the company… Stay sharp."

Diab: "I'm done." (He stood up from the table.)

Aisha: "Don't forget—I'm still paying for the disaster you caused."

Diab (turning around): "Which disaster?"

Aisha: "You know you have many… The one where that boy died from the overdose you gave him. I'm still paying his brother to keep quiet. If he speaks up, we're all going to jail."

Diab turned to leave.

Aisha: "You're my son. I'm scared for you. You're all I have."

Diab (laughing mockingly): "This is your parenting… You should be proud of it."

He left her sitting there, shocked by his words.

-————————————

☀️ A new morning, a new day at university...

When Jihan entered the university, she saw Osama running, clearly terrified, with Diab's friends chasing after him.

She followed them, running as well.

She saw them grab him and pin him against the wall, threatening him.

One of them: "You think you're tough? You went and reported us to the administration, huh? We're going to tear you apart!"

Jihan (approaching them): "Let him go! What are you doing?!"

One of them (with a threatening look at Jihan): "Get lost!"

Jihan: "I'll call the police if you don't let him go!"

Suddenly, one of them snatched the phone from her hand quickly and pushed her. She fell to the ground, injuring her hand.

She looked up just in time to see one of them pull out a small knife and stab Osama.

She screamed once, then shut her eyes, trembling from the shock, as silence fell…

She slowly opened her eyes to find Diab kneeling in front of her, staring at her with his head tilted, as if his gaze was waiting for her reaction…

...To be continued. ( "Tell me… what do you think is coming? Something big is about to happen, isn't it?" )