Chapter Seventeen: Charged Moments
809 Words
Tahani carried her groceries and hurried away from Mahmoud, walking quickly before he could leave the supermarket and follow her to the elevator.
Tehani (fearfully): "I need to reach the elevator before he catches up and takes revenge on me!"
Mahmoud ran after her, thrilled at the chance to speak with her alone in the elevator.
Mahmoud (excitedly): "Perfect! I’ll catch up before she escapes!"
Tehani entered the elevator but was startled when Mahmoud stepped in after her.
Tehani (to herself, gasping): "How fast is he? Wow!"
Fear washed over her as he entered, suspecting he might harm her while they were alone. She attempted to step out before the door closed, but he blocked her path with his broad frame. She stepped back, realizing he might intend to hurt her—or worse, hit her.
Mahmoud removed his sunglasses to look at her more clearly.
Mahmoud (mockingly): "What’s wrong? Aren’t we just women here together? Isn’t that what you said?"
Tehani, thinking of a way to escape, responded cautiously:
Tehani: "Please, leave me alone. Enough of what happened already!"
Mahmoud (softly): "What happened? Do you even know why it happened?"
Tehani shook her head. Mahmoud stepped closer, placing one hand on the wall to corner her between his arms. His voice softened, dripping with charm, as he gazed at her with a smoldering look:
Mahmoud: "It happened because when someone sees you, they forget themselves and forget..."
Tehani’s eyes locked onto Mahmoud’s, oblivious to his flirtation or the way he had trapped her between his arms.
Tehani (to herself): "His eyes are gray. He doesn’t seem possessed right now!"
Mahmoud was caught off guard by her gaze, but the beauty of her eyes mesmerized him. He leaned in closer, as if under a spell, and his eyes began to turn green. When Tehani noticed the change in their color, she gasped in fear and slipped under his arm, running toward the stairs while silently reciting verses from the Quran.
Mahmoud was puzzled by her reaction but decided to continue his plan.
He began ascending the stairs at a slow pace, while Tehani quickened hers to stay ahead. Realizing she wouldn’t be able to escape, Mahmoud climbed leisurely.
Tehani (to herself): "Why is he following me? I can’t even catch a break!"
Hearing Mahmoud whistling a familiar tune from a horror movie, she panicked, thinking he was threatening her. She pushed herself to move faster, despite the heavy bags she carried, until she reached the second floor.
Tehani (exhausted): "My heart is about to give out, and my legs are killing me, but I can’t stop now!"
Finally, she reached the third floor, but Mahmoud’s long strides brought him to her quickly.
Mahmoud (admiringly): "Impressive stamina! Wow!"
He approached her and glanced at her groceries.
Mahmoud: "You eat like a child. You really need to take better care of your health. Every age has its suitable nutrition."
Tehani nodded slightly, feeling annoyed at his insinuation about her age. Quickly, Mahmoud grabbed a bag of potato chips from her groceries and headed toward Hanaa’s apartment. He stopped, turned back, and winked at her.
Mahmoud: "Just so we have something in common... chips and salt!"
Tehani muttered under her breath:
Tehani: "With poison! He insults me and eats my chips!"
Mahmoud stepped closer, causing her to retreat in fear.
Mahmoud (jokingly): "Don’t forget to thank me when you see Hanaa!"
Tehani (in disbelief): "Thank you?!"
Mahmoud (smiling): "For helping you. Hanaa was mad at me today for keeping you from going out, but she doesn’t know I actually helped you. I got you to go out, walk around, and even climb all these stairs! Ha-ha-ha!"
Tehani momentarily forgot herself as she watched his captivating laughter. Mahmoud stopped laughing abruptly, enchanted by her gaze. When Tehani noticed his eyes turning green again, she gasped and bolted into her apartment, locking the door behind her as she panted heavily.
Hearing a notification on her phone, she pulled it out of her bag and read the message from an unknown number:
"Now you can catch your breath, my beauty."
Realizing it was from Mahmoud, she fumed at his mockery and attempt to contact her.
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Mahmoud slipped his phone back into his pocket and began munching on the potato chips, thinking in amazement:
"Why is she shy now when she was so bold last night? This girl is a mystery. Who should I believe—my sister Hanaa, Aunt Badria, or what I’ve seen with my own eyes?"
He opened the door to Hanaa’s apartment, still lost in his thoughts.
"And why do I feel so at peace every time I’m around her? Oh, this girl is going to drive me insane!"
Mahmoud entered the apartment, now convinced of Hanaa’s sincerity, and silently regretted ever considering exploiting Tehani’s loneliness to fulfill his desires.
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- Writer
