“And so begins the storm…”

#"And so begins the storm … one that will change everything." 🥃🔥

Written by : Af_ofa

Jihan slowly opened her eyes, and there he was—Diab—crouched in front of her, staring at her face with a cold, unwavering gaze.

He raised his hand, as if to reassure her… or perhaps to show her that the knife was in his possession, demonstrating his control over the situation.

Pulling herself out of the shock, she got up from her place and went to Diab's friend who was holding her phone. She snatched it from his hand and ran toward Osama, who looked completely terrified, frozen in place like a statue of fear.

She grabbed his arm and pulled him with her. They ran together without looking back.

Diab remained where he was, watching them leave with that same cold stare…

But the moment they disappeared from his sight, his expression shifted.

Diab (turning to his friends, his eyes sharp): "What happened here?"

One of them (with annoyance): "He… he went to file a complaint against us… with the university administration… and…"

Before he could finish, Diab slapped him—hard. The boy staggered back in shock.

Diab (his voice sharp and threatening): "This is the last time any of you act without my permission."

(He paused, then turned to leave but glanced over his shoulder.) "Why was the girl on the ground?"

They exchanged nervous glances until one of them, the one who had pushed Jihan, muttered: "I pushed her… she was about to call the police. Honestly… we didn't see her coming."

Diab (with a chilling smirk): "You?"

The boy visibly trembled. He understood exactly what that smile meant.

——————————-

Meanwhile, Jihan had arrived at the cafeteria with Osama, gasping for breath, her heart racing from everything that had happened.

Jihan: "Are you okay?"

Osama: "I'm fine… but…" (He paused for a moment, hesitating) "Everything that happened… was because of that day."

Jihan: "Is that the reason? Just because you tried to warn me?"

Osama (nodding): "I think it's more than that…

Maybe it's better if we put some distance between us. I don't want to get dragged into more trouble."

Osama left Jihan standing there, unable to believe what she had just heard. She sat at the nearby table, her anger boiling inside her.

At that moment, she raised her eyes and saw Diab entering the cafeteria with his usual group, but one of them was missing—the one who had pushed her earlier.

Diab left them and calmly walked over to her, as if nothing had happened. He sat down beside her as though it was just another normal day, while Jihan was still deeply affected by what had just occurred. Then he spoke in a low voice.

Diab: "My friends made a mistake… and I—"

Jihan (cutting him off with anger, her voice cold yet laced with threat): "No. The bigger mistake was yours.

They're nothing more than dogs following an arrogant master—doing his dirty work as he pleases. Do you know what that makes you? Weak.

So weak that you can't take a single step without them. Or am I wrong? Are they your bodyguards?"

Diab (frowning, his features tightening with anger): "Why are you talking to me like this?"

Jihan: "Do you even feel anything? Do you have emotions or a heart? I doubt it.

People like you are blinded by wealth, intoxicated by power.

You see people as slaves, human lives are just a fleeting entertainment to you, a game to pass the time whenever you want."

Jihan suddenly stood up, her heart pounding, her eyes burning with fury. The words she had just said were like a spark that ignited the fire inside her.

She walked away without even glancing back.

Moments later, she heard the sharp sound of glass shattering behind her.

Diab had thrown his glass on the floor in a fit of rage.

Jihan didn't flinch. She didn't turn around. She simply kept walking, her heart growing stronger with every step.

His friends and everyone else in the cafeteria stood frozen in stunned silence, watching him.

One of them whispered, his voice full of hesitation and disbelief: "Is that really Diab… or someone completely different?"

Before any of them could respond, Diab stood up and walked towards the door.

He paused for a moment, then muttered hoarsely:

Diab: "Leave me alone…"

He left them in shock, walked out of the university, got into his car, and drove away as if running away from himself.

He didn't have a destination. He just drove, hoping that the act of driving would ease the storm of anger raging inside him.

Eventually, he reached the top of a quiet, deserted mountain.

He got out of the car, leaned against it, and closed his eyes, trying to calm the storm inside him.

Diab (talking to himself, whispering words that reflected an inner turmoil): "She thinks she knows who I am…

I'll show her the other side."

—————————-

In the lecture hall, Jihan sat trying to focus, while Shaimaa leaned in to whisper beside her, as she always did.

Shaimaa: "It's strange… Diab isn't here, but his friends are. Something's definitely going on!"

Jihan (looking at her coldly): "Let him die… What do I care? I've never understood why you all give people like him so much attention. You are the ones who create tyrants with your own hands… You give them value they don't deserve, and that feeds their arrogance and makes it grow."

Shaimaa sensed the fire that was building inside Jihan and chose silence.

Jihan finished her last class and left the university on foot, as she had been doing recently.

She needed some peace before heading home.

But what she didn't know… was that Diab was following her from a distance in his car—quietly, without revealing himself.

Jihan stopped at the sea for a moment…

The gentle breeze caressed her face and gave her a sense of calm.

She stood there, letting the air fill her lungs, closing her eyes, and pretending to forget everything.

But he…

He was there, watching her silently from a distance, motionless, his eyes fixed on her.

After Jihan continued walking, Diab waited until she entered her house.

He stayed in his car, staring at the building… at the neighborhood…

Then, he drove away.

As for Jihan, she entered her room, exhausted, drained of everything.

She collapsed onto the bed, her eyes staring at the ceiling, and her heart heavy with a weight pressing on her.

Suddenly… Marwa walked in.

Marwa (her face pale): "What's wrong?"

Jihan: "Just tired… I need some sleep."

Marwa: "Me too… Sometimes I wish I could sleep and never wake up…"

Jihan (sitting up abruptly): "What are you saying?! May God protect you—don't say such things."

Marwa: "I don't know… I feel lost, like I'm drowning… like the world is closing in around me."

Jihan: "Do you want to go out? Just the two of us… walk a little, talk, clear our heads?"

Marwa: "Okay… but you're tired too."

Jihan (smiling): "How many Marwa do I have in this world? Come on, my dear."

Jihan and Marwa walked side by side in silence until they reached the sea.

They sat on one of the wooden benches facing the waves.

The air was fresh, and the sound of the ocean brought a kind of peacefulness.

Jihan: "I passed by here earlier and loved the atmosphere…

So I thought, why not bring you here with me?"

Marwa: "The sea always soothes me… yes, and the weather is lovely tonight."

Jihan: "So, tell me what's on your mind. I know you're hiding something—I didn't bring you here for nothing."

Marwa (looking at her with fear): "What do you know?"

Jihan: "Haha, why the panic? I know about the guy you told me about earlier…

Or is there something else you're not telling me?"

Marwa (nervously): "No, it's the same… it's just… I found out he doesn't care about me."

Jihan: "Hah, and what kind of fool wouldn't notice someone like you?

You, Marwa, a thousand men would dream of having you."

Marwa: "Only a thousand?"

Jihan: "Hahaha, you silly girl. You're a gem. You're still young, and your whole life is ahead of you, God willing. Don't rush things. Give yourself time, and always remember your worth.

We've all been through this stage… But what sets people apart is how they rise from it and carve their own path."

Marwa (in a soft voice): "Sister… have you ever loved someone?"

Jihan (lost in thought for a moment, then smiled): "Not yet. I haven't met someone I'd give my heart to and feel truly at peace with.

These days, hearts have lost their value. People treat them like playing cards—cheap and replaceable."

Marwa (sighing): "You know… it feels like grandma, may she rest in peace, is speaking through you right now."

Jihan: "May God have mercy on her… Haha, are you saying I sound old now?"

Marwa (hugging her, laughing): "Stay with me always…"

———————————-

⏳ Three Weeks Later

Jihan walked out of the lecture hall with Shaimaa, and as they walked a little farther, a group of Diab's friends caught her attention.

Her eyes landed on the one who had pushed her—his hand wrapped in a bandage, his gaze distant and unfocused.

He had been absent since that day. This was the first time she had seen him again.

Shaimaa: "Did you notice? Diab hasn't shown up in weeks. He's never been absent this long. People say he's sick…"

Jihan (laughing sarcastically): "Let him die. I couldn't care less."

Shaimaa: "Oh my God… no one dares talk to you when you're angry!"

———————————-

At the same time…

Marwa stood in the schoolyard with her friend.

Friend: "Since that night, you haven't been the same.

You barely attend classes anymore, and you always look so exhausted…"

Marwa: "I'm fine… just tired, that's all."

Friend: "You still haven't told me what happened that night. Your behavior was strange, I tried to stop you but I couldn't! Tell me, what did you tell your family when you got home? My mom nearly killed me for being late."

Before she could finish, Marwa suddenly covered her mouth, trying to hold back a wave of nausea.

Friend (alarmed): "What's wrong?!"

Marwa: "My stomach… I feel nauseous…"

Marwa ran to the bathroom, her friend following behind.

A few minutes later, Marwa came out, wiping her face, walking in silence.

Then suddenly… she stumbled and collapsed, unconscious in the middle of the yard.

Students gathered around her in panic, and her friend screamed, trying to wake her up.

——————————-

At the same time, Jihaan had just finished her lectures and was walking toward the university gates…

Suddenly, someone grabbed her wrist and yanked her into a narrow side alley.

She tried to scream, but a strong hand clamped over her mouth, slamming her against the wall.

She looked up—

It was Diab.

She stared at him, stunned and angry, trying to free herself.

Diab (his voice tense): "Are you really never going to stay away from me?"

She continued to struggle until he said, in a low, warning tone…

Diab: "I'll let go of you now… but if you scream, my reaction won't be something you like.

I'll let go—but stay quiet."

He slowly removed his hand, watching her every movement.

Jihaan (furious): "What the hell is this?! Don't you ever put your hands on me again!"

Diab (his face pale, his voice weak): "And you… don't show up in front of me again…"

Jihaan: "What? What are you talking about?!"

Diab: "You're like… my conscience. No matter where I go, I hear your voice.

Even in my dreams—you haunt me. What is it between us?"

Jihaan: "Seriously… what is between us? And why do you keep saying this? Leave me alone—you're clearly feverish!"

She shoved him aside and walked away.

But moments later, she heard a loud thud behind her. She turned…

Diab had collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Jihaan stood frozen, staring in shock. Then, hesitantly, she approached him.

She knelt and placed her hand on his forehead. It was burning hot—like fire.

She quickly pulled her hand back, heart pounding.

— "Oh God… his fever is really high!!!"

To be continued… ( "Diab falls, hearts tremble… and the game has begun.

See you in the next chapter!")