Women's Revenge

Chapter Four - Episode Twelve

In Talat’s apartment, the living room was bathed in warm light, and the elegant furniture gave the space a sense of comfort and calm. Aisha and Fatima sat in one corner, exchanging light conversation, while Talat and Ezzat occupied the other side, engaged in a quiet chat, sharing occasional smiles and small jokes.

In a quieter corner, Shadi and Aya sat alone, aware that this moment was worth preserving in memory. Shadi looked at Aya with a wide smile and whispered excitedly:

— This is the first dream that came true, Aya… remember how long we’ve been dreaming of this day?

Aya smiled shyly and replied:

— Since first year at university… five years. I remember everything you said from the first day we met.

Shadi stood and approached Talat and Ezzat, smiling, and said:

— I’d like to ask permission, Uncle Talat, for Aya and me to go out.

Talat nodded calmly:

— Go ahead, my dear.

Aisha gently objected:

— There’s no need, Shadi. It’s late.

Shadi chuckled and reassured her:

— It’s not late, aunty. It’s still early.

Aya took Shadi’s hand, smiling at him:

— Come on, Shadi. We won’t be late, Mama.

They walked out together, Aya opening the door first, Shadi following her while holding her hand, feeling that the quiet night street awaited them with freedom and joy.

On the sidewalk, the soft yellow glow of streetlights cast their shadows on the ground. Calm surrounded them, mingling with the sound of their footsteps and light laughter. Shadi placed his hand on Aya’s shoulder, and she leaned on him, holding his hand tightly.

— If I told you this is the best day of my life… would you believe me? — Shadi whispered warmly, his eyes fixed on her.

Aya laughed, her eyes sparkling with joy:

— It’s the best day of my life too… I feel like I’ve achieved a huge dream.

Shadi smiled:

— If there were a button to freeze this moment, I would have pressed it and never let it go.

Aya laughed again, teasing:

— What button? We’re not playing PlayStation, Shadi.

Shadi leaned toward her lightly, smiling:

— Ah, but we’re in the best “game” of my life… and you’re my Bonus.

Aya laughed even more, her heart fluttering:

— So I’m the Bonus? Okay… you’re the Level that can’t be played without saving at a Checkpoint.

Shadi paused for a moment, looking at her seriously and warmly:

— You’re the checkpoint of my whole life… Aya, without you, I’d be lost.

Aya slowed her pace, glancing at him while trying to hide a shy smile, but he noticed a small tear of joy in her eye.

Elsewhere on the street, Salah and Zakaria sat on a nearly dark sidewalk, their faces marked with frustration and despair. Salah fidgeted with a baton in his hand, while Zakaria stared ahead impatiently, awaiting any movement.

— So what, man? Everyone’s married, we’re nearing forty with no solution… we’ll spend our lives in misery and petty crime, and now everything’s expensive—even women… and the drugs we used to quiet us, we can’t even get them anymore, — Zakaria said bitterly.

Salah lifted his head, staring steadily at Zakaria:

— Crime? We’re doing petty crime? That’s kid stuff! Real crime has people who steal millions, loot the country, and escape… or take over a big company for themselves… and still escape.

He caught sight of something in the distance and pointed:

— Look, look at the girl with that guy.

Zakaria followed his gaze and saw Aya and Shadi walking down the sidewalk, smiling. He said sarcastically:

— Yeah, looks like he’s got some money… and that girl, they’re heading to trouble.

The two men laughed loudly, and Zakaria added:

— Come on, let’s wait for them there.

They disappeared into the shadows, waiting for Shadi and Aya to arrive, plotting their little scheme that quiet night, while the young couple remained unaware of being watched.

The night was calm, and the yellow streetlights cast long shadows on the sidewalk. Shady and Aya walked close together, their hearts full of joy, smiles spreading across their faces. Their light footsteps mingled with their soft conversation, as if the whole street was sharing their small moments.

Aya looked at Shady with curious eyes and asked, "Shady… what is love?"

Shady smiled at her, gazing thoughtfully ahead. "Love? I don’t exactly know how to define it, but it’s something like what I’m feeling right now… a state that two people live together."

Aya whispered softly, "So this feeling… does it last forever, or is it just for a while and then ends? I wish I could feel this forever."

Shady gently placed his hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Love is like a plant… you plant it, nurture it, and care for it. The more you water it, the more it grows; neglect it, and it withers and dies. You always have to give it what it needs: water, air, light… The plant grows beautifully, and every time you look at it, it brings joy. As long as it thrives, it creates a beautiful atmosphere—and that’s what people call love."

Aya smiled softly. "So I could say it’s one heart, two bodies, a state shared by two people."

Shady smiled back, his hand still on her shoulder, as they approached a dark corner of the street, the warmth of their moment undiminished by the shadows around them.

Suddenly, in the corner of the street, two familiar figures appeared: Salah and Zakaria, watching them with sly grins. Shady and Aya’s steps brought them closer, and in a heartbeat, Salah blocked Shady’s path while Zakaria stood in front of Aya. Salah brandished a knife quickly, pressing it against Shady’s cheek.

In a calm but firm voice, Salah said, "Hand over what you’ve got, no talking."

Shady replied steadily, "Alright." He emptied his pockets and handed Salah the contents, then tried to return his phone to his pocket. "Give me the phone," Salah demanded. Shady handed it over silently. Salah waved his hand, instructing, "Leave the girl and walk the other way. Go ahead, backtrack. Your path is clear."

Shady said firmly, "The money’s yours, the phone’s yours, but this is my fiancée, not one of the girls you know."

Salah shot Zakaria a mocking grin. "He’s saying 'no.' Grab her, Zakaria."

In a decisive moment, Zakaria reached for Aya, but Shady struck him hard under the belt, forcing him to step back in pain. Salah lunged at Shady with the knife, but Shady dodged, grabbed Salah’s hand, and drove the knife into his chest with force. Salah fell to the ground, lifeless, while a terrified Zakaria fled, leaning on his injured leg.

Shady caught his breath, staring at a shocked Aya. The street returned to heavy silence.

They stood in front of the apartment entrance, the yellow streetlights casting long shadows, their breaths still uneven after what had happened. Shady said quietly but firmly, "You go in first, Aya."

Aya looked at him with concern. "And where are you going?"

"I have to go to the police station," Shady replied. "Report everything that happened."

She tried to stop him: "Don’t, Shady…"

He smiled reassuringly. "I won’t be long. I’ll file a report and come back right away. Don’t worry, you go ahead."

Aya turned and entered the building, tears filling her eyes, while Shady walked away with steady steps, the silence of the street heavy around him.