"When the phone rings…"

#"When the phone rings… beware what truth it carries."🥃🔥

Written By : Af_ofa 

Jihan woke up suddenly, finding herself lying in her room.

Everything looked the same… yet a strange, overwhelming fear crept through her chest.

She jumped up quickly, glancing around in panic, then rushed out of the room, calling for her mother.

But no one answered.

She ran upstairs to Marwa and Nihad's room.

To her shock… Marwa was there—sitting silently, staring at her.

Jihan approached slowly, her steps hesitant, her heart pounding violently.

"Marwa? You're back? Where were you?!"

But Marwa didn't reply.

Her gaze was empty… lifeless.

And her silence spoke louder than any words.

"Say something! What's wrong?!" Jihan cried out, fear tightening in her chest.

Suddenly, she heard noise outside—voices, whispers, a crowd gathering in the street.

She rushed to the window and looked through the curtain…

They were carrying a wooden coffin.

Her mother was weeping hysterically, collapsing into the arms of the women around her.

Her father was helping carry the coffin into the house.

Jihan whispered in horror, "W-who… who died?!"

She turned quickly—

But the room was empty.

Marwa was gone.

Jihan bolted from the room,

only to find Nihad standing in front of her, wearing a strange smile.

"What's going on?!" Jihan asked in panic.

Nihad (softly): "Marwa…"

Jihan: "What about her?!"

Nihad (with a sad smile): "She went to God…"

Jihan stumbled backward in shock, placing her hands over her ears, as if to shut out the words.

"No… No! Marwa!! MARWAAA!"

She screamed in unbearable pain.

And in that moment… she woke up from the nightmare.

But reality… was far more cruel.

She was still screaming—

only now, she was in a hospital room.

A nurse rushed in, trying to calm her down,

while outside, Diab stood with his forehead pressed to the wall, fists clenched tightly in helplessness.

Minutes later, the nurse stepped out to speak with him.

Nurse: "We gave her a sedative… she experienced a severe emotional breakdown. She'll wake up soon."

Diab: "Can I see her?"

Nurse: "Just for a short while. She needs rest. And… it's best to inform her family. She needs them now more than ever."

Diab (softly): "Alright…"

He entered the room quietly, his eyes never leaving Jihan as she lay motionless on the bed, an IV attached to her arm.

He walked closer, reached toward her hair… then pulled his hand back.

He knelt beside her, gently held her hand, and rested his forehead against the edge of the bed, silent and broken.

Suddenly, Shaimaa rushed into the room, breathless.

The moment her eyes fell on Jihan, she froze.

Shaimaa (shocked): "Oh my God… my dearest friend."

She turned to Diab, tears filling her eyes.

Shaimaa: "If you hadn't called me… I would've never known. Thank you."

Diab: "Stay with her… and tell her family. When she collapsed, I brought her here. No one else knows."

Shaimaa (wiping her tears): "How is she now?"

Diab: "They gave her something to calm her. She'll wake up soon.

Just… don't tell her I was here, or that I brought her."

Shaimaa: "I won't."

He gave her one final look, then left the room quietly.

Outside, he pulled out his phone and made a call:

Diab: "Hello? Did you find the taxi driver?… Good. I'm coming now."

Back inside, Shaimaa sat beside Jihan, gently running her fingers through her hair, tears streaming silently down her face.

Shaimaa (whispering): "Dear God… ease her pain."

—————————————

After hours of deep sleep, Jihan slowly began to regain consciousness.

She opened her eyes and looked around, finding Shaimaa asleep in the chair beside her.

And in an instant, a wave of painful awareness struck her—like a dagger straight to the heart.

Jihan (in a hoarse voice): "Where… am I?"

Shaimaa immediately opened her eyes and rushed to her side, full of concern.

Shaimaa: "Jihan! Sweetheart, how are you feeling? Are you alright?"

Jihan placed her hand over her chest.

And as soon as the memory returned, the pain rushed back like a sharp blade.

Jihan (breaking): "Marwa…!!"

Shaimaa burst into tears and quickly pulled her into a tight embrace.

Jihan's tears fell silently at first, then turned into soft sobs—like a child.

Shaimaa gently stroked her back as she wept with her.

Shaimaa: "May God have mercy on her and grant her paradise… That's enough crying, Jihan. Your eyes are red—as if they're bleeding."

Jihan slowly wiped her tears and let out a long, bitter sigh.

Jihan: "Who could do something like this to my sister? What did they want from her? She never hurt anyone…"

Shaimaa replied gently:

Shaimaa: "The truth will come out… Her soul is with God now.

But you need to be strong—your mother and father are barely holding on. And Nihad… she needs you."

Then she noticed Jihan trying to remove the IV from her arm.

Shaimaa (alarmed): "Where are you going?"

Jihan: "I'm leaving."

Shaimaa: "At least rest a little first…"

Jihan (firmly): "Please call a taxi. I need to go now. I don't even know how my parents are doing."

Shaimaa: "They're at home. I spoke to Nihad a little while ago. She said your mom finally fell asleep… and one of your aunts is staying with her."

Jihan (anxiously): "Did they ask about me?"

Shaimaa: "I told Nihad you were with me—so they wouldn't worry."

Jihan: "Who brought me here?"

Shaimaa: "I don't know… they said you fainted, and someone brought you in."

Jihan (in a whisper): "Please… let's just go."

———————————————

Meanwhile, Diab returned to the villa.

He entered through the main door, the memory of that cursed night still haunting him like a heavy shadow that refused to fade.

He stopped in place, frozen, lost in thought.

Aisha came down the stairs, her face pale and filled with dread.

Aisha (in a trembling voice): "Did… did they find her?"

Diab (coldly): "Yes…"

She stepped closer, her eyes pleading.

Aisha: "I didn't mean to… I don't know what came over me…"

Diab clenched his fists tightly, the anger burning deep inside him.

Diab: "Enough. Let's put an end to this."

He walked past her, rage building with every step.

She remained where she was, letting out a heavy sigh, her mind spinning in a whirlwind of guilt and confusion.

He entered his room and headed straight to the bathroom.

He undressed and stepped into the shower.

As the water flowed down his body, he closed his eyes… and the memory returned in full force.

** Flashback **

He had found Marwa lying face down, soaked in blood.

He checked her pulse—there was none.

In that moment, he knew… she was gone.

Without hesitation, he called his friend Bassim, who arrived quickly.

But the moment Bassim saw the scene, he froze, shock written all over his face.

Diab (firmly): "Focus."

Bassim (shaken): "I'm with you…"

Diab: "It's time you returned the favor. I stood by you when everyone else walked away."

Bassim: "But…"

Diab (cutting him off): "But what?!"

Bassim fell silent, avoiding his gaze.

Diab stepped closer, his voice sharp and threatening:

Diab: "Either you help me now… or you walk away and keep your mouth shut forever. And don't ever cross my path again."

Bassim swallowed hard and nodded.

Bassim: "I'm with you… What do you want me to do?"

Diab looked down at Marwa's lifeless body.

The silence around them was suffocating.

Hours later, they stood at the edge of a high cliff, where waves crashed violently against the rocks below.

The night was cold, and the wind howled like a wild beast.

Bassim moved cautiously, scanning the area to ensure it was clear. He returned quickly.

Bassim: "No one's here. It's clear."

Diab walked to the car, opened the back door, and gestured toward the body.

Diab: "Help me carry her."

Bassim hesitated, his hands trembling. But Diab's piercing stare pushed him forward.

Diab (snapping): "What's wrong with you?!"

Together, they carried Marwa's body to the edge of the cliff.

The sound of the sea roared like thunder beneath them.

They exchanged one final look.

Diab (coldly): "Now."

Bassim closed his eyes—and let go.

A loud splash echoed into the night, followed by a terrifying silence.

Bassim stood frozen, staring into the darkness… until Diab suddenly shoved him to the ground.

Diab (through gritted teeth): "Listen to me carefully…

If you ever say a single word about tonight—

you'll burn in hell. Do you understand?"

Bassim nodded, speechless, his face pale with fear.

Diab: "Get up. We're leaving—before someone sees us."

Bassim stood slowly.

They got into the car… and disappeared into the night.

** Back to Present** 

Diab turned off the water.

He wiped the fog from the mirror with his hand and stared at his reflection—his skin pale, his eyes bloodshot, sweat streaming down his forehead.

Suddenly, rage boiled inside him.

He raised his fist and smashed the mirror with full force.

Shards of glass flew across the room.

Blood dripped from his knuckles…

But he didn't feel a thing.

He didn't feel anything at all.

———————————————

At that moment, Jihan sat beside her mother.

Her mother had fallen asleep, clutching Marwa's clothes tightly in her arms—

as if keeping them close could somehow keep her alive.

Jihan remained silent, tears sliding down her cheeks without a sound.

She leaned in gently, kissed her mother's forehead, and left the room with slow, heavy steps weighed down by sorrow.

As she passed by her father's room, she saw him in prostration—praying, and crying.

She stopped in her tracks, placed her hand over her mouth, and more tears streamed from her eyes.

She made her way to the kitchen.

Nihad was sitting at the table, staring blankly at her untouched food, completely lost in thought.

Aunt Fatima sat nearby, watching her with quiet tenderness.

Fatima (looking toward Jihan): "Come eat, my dear…"

Jihan: "Thank you… but I have no appetite."

She left the kitchen quietly.

Fatima turned to Nihad with a soft voice:

Fatima: "Eat, sweetheart. You need your strength."

Jihan went upstairs, to Marwa and Nihad's room.

She sat on Marwa's bed, pulled her pillow into her arms…

and let the memories wash over her.

** Flashback ** 

"I don't like this bed! I want my own room!" Marwa said, frowning in annoyance.

Her mother replied with gentle sarcasm:

"Oh? So now you've grown up and started complaining?"

Marwa folded her arms stubbornly and said with frustration:

"Why should I stay quiet? Just because I'm the middle child, you think it's okay to ignore me? I'm telling Dad when he gets back!"

Her mother, clearly running out of patience, grabbed her slipper and chased after her:

"You're threatening me now? Come here and I'll show you what a real threat feels like!"

Marwa ran off laughing, then quickly hid behind Jihan:

"Hit the eldest daughter first! Follow the birth order! Hahaha!"

End flashback 

Jihan came back from the memory, her hands gently brushing over the pillow.

A faint smile tugged at her lips…

But her eyes were drowning in tears.

———————————————

Outside, Diab sat silently in his car, watching from a distance.

Suddenly, Marwa's friend appeared, walking alongside her mother toward Jihan's family home.

The girl spotted Diab.

She stopped abruptly, staring at him—his face looked strangely familiar.

Her mother continued on, heading to the door where Aunt Fatima stood waiting, and greeted her warmly.

But the girl remained frozen in place, uncertainty and suspicion filling her eyes.

Diab recognized her immediately.

She was the same girl who had gone with Marwa to the nightclub that night.

He stepped out of the car quickly.

The moment the girl realized it was him, her eyes widened in shock—she froze where she stood.

He met her gaze calmly, then raised his index finger to his lips, signaling her to stay silent.

Panic washed over her. She rushed inside behind her mother and shut the door behind her with trembling hands.

——————————————

Jihan was still in Marwa's room…

Flipping through her notebooks, brushing her fingers across them with aching nostalgia,

until her eyes fell on an empty one—something was hidden between its pages.

She opened it… and a photograph slipped out, landing face-down on the floor.

She bent down and picked it up.

Just as she was about to turn it over, her phone began to ring.

She set the photo aside and answered the call.

Jihan : "Hello?"

There was no response.

Jihan : "Hello? Who's calling?"

A strange voice answered—soft, laced with mystery:

"Do you want to know what really happened to your sister?"

Jihan gasped, her face frozen in shock.

 "Who are you?!"

The voice replied coldly:

"The only witness…"

… To be continued [Who is the only witness? A friend… or a hidden enemy? Let's see what the next chapters reveal.]