Until Death

Chapter 02 — Unexpected Accusations

Deeply captivated by the splendor of Saba, Mohammed couldn't help but whisper softly,

" She is simply enchanting, and I can't wait to see her again..."

Then, he turned slowly and walked towards the car he had parked, imprinting the image of Saba in his mind.

On her part, Saba couldn't help but smile, thinking about the charming man she had just met. Her heart beat faster at the thought of this unexpected encounter.

She crossed the threshold of her house, her mind filled with swirling thoughts, but suddenly, a sharp slap echoed on her cheek.

" Ouch ! " she exclaimed, stepping back abruptly.

Her mother, Fatima, stood there, eyes shining with anger.

" Who is that man you were talking to? What's his name ? " she immediately asked.

" Moreover, how dare you speak to strangers on the street ? Have you no shame ? " she added.

Saba rubbed her sore cheek, tears in her eyes.

" Mom, I did nothing wrong ! That man just helped me find my lost wallet. He even paid the taxi driver for me ! "

Fatima sneered with contempt.

" Lies ! Do you take me for a fool ? Or do you think you can manipulate me so easily ? "

" I'm telling the truth, Mom. I didn't know him at all. It was the first time I met him," sobbed Saba.

Fatima abruptly turned away and retorted,

" I don't believe you, Saba. I'm sure the neighbors saw you too."

" And when did you start lying like this? I didn't raise you to be so careless ! " she continued.

Without hesitation, she grabbed Saba's arm.

" Tell me the truth. What's going on between you two? When did this secret love affair begin ? "

Saba violently freed herself from her mother's grip.

" Mom, that's enough ! There's nothing between that man and me."

Fatima turned away again, then made a decision.

" From now on, you won't leave this house without me or your little sister. I won't allow you to bring shame to our family."

Saba remained petrified, shocked by her mother's chilling words. Tears flowed relentlessly, leaving her at a loss on how to convince her mother.

At that moment, Saba's younger sister, Ayesha, discreetly entered the house, wearing a mysterious expression.

" Ah, Saba……! Mom is giving her a serious lesson, and I must admit it brings me secret joy, " she thought, suppressing a mischievous smile.

Then, she approached their mother, Fatima, delicately pleading in a soft voice,

" Mom, please, don't be so angry with Saba."

Fatima sternly replied,

" Stay out of this, Ayesha ! Your sister has tarnished our honor with her thoughtless behavior."

Ayesha nodded wisely, but within her, the satisfaction of seeing her older sister Saba in trouble was evident.

Unable to bear her mother's unjust anger any longer, Saba rushed to her room. She stumbled at the threshold, then slammed the door behind her.

A few moments later, Ayesha approached Saba's room door and knocked gently.

" Saba...! It's me, Ayesha. I'm sorry for what happened with Mom. Are you okay ? " she said in a sugary voice.

" Leave me alone ! " retorted Saba between sobs.

" I don't need your fake sympathy," she added.

Offended by being rejected so abruptly, Ayesha pouted.

" Fine ! Stay alone in your corner crying," she thought disdainfully, then walked away chuckling slyly.

At the same time, Saba's grandmother, Latifa, burst into the living room.

" Fatima ! How could you accuse Saba like that ? " she exclaimed, indignant.

Fatima tried to justify herself,

" Mom, I saw Saba talking to a man in the street. I worry about our reputation..."

Latifa interrupted her firmly,

" Stop talking nonsense ! My granddaughter has never deceived us. Why do you doubt her word today ? "

" I demand you immediately apologize to Saba," the grandmother ordered categorically.

" Otherwise, I will be forced to...... "

" Granny, please, stop ! Mom did nothing wrong. Why are you always so harsh on her when it comes to Saba? Why don't you defend me like this ? " Ayesha intervened, suddenly appearing in the living room.

The grandmother turned to Ayesha with surprise, then sighed deeply. As for Fatima, she intervened severely,

" Ayesha ! What's gotten into you? How dare you interrupt Granny like this? Now, be quiet and apologize to your grandmother."

But Ayesha, insolent, refused to remain silent and continued,

" No, Mom, I won't be quiet ! Grandma loves Saba and supports her every time. She has never defended me like that. I don't matter to her, I know ! "

Then she pointed an accusing finger at her grandmother, adding,

" Grandma, at least admit that I'm right. Even today, when Saba made a mistake, you still want to defend her. It's unfair ! "

" Ayesha, I said that's enough ! " replied Fatima, visibly angry.

The grandmother, Latifa, finally decided to address the tense situation in the house. She raised her hand towards Fatima,

" It's time to give Ayesha a chance to speak. Since she has things to say, let her express herself."

Fatima, hesitant, looked at her mother with surprise. She wasn't used to seeing her take Ayesha's side.

" But mom, she..."

" Enough, Fatima. Let your daughter Ayesha speak," insisted Latifa.

Ayesha, shaking her head at first, took a deep breath and began,

" Grandma, I... I just wanted to say that I often feel ignored. I feel like you never defend me like you do for Saba. I know I have my faults, but that doesn't mean I don't matter."

The grandmother approached Ayesha gently, her eyes filled with empathy. She placed a hand on Ayesha's shoulder and spoke in a soft voice.

" My dear, I'm sorry if you felt that way. It was never my intention to make you feel ignored."

" I love Saba as much as you, but sometimes I can be too harsh. I'm here for both of you, and I want both of you to be happy," she concluded.

Then a shy smile appeared on Ayesha's face, but before she could say anything more, the grandmother frowned and gave her two quick slaps. Ayesha was shocked, not expecting this sudden reaction.

" Grandma, what..."

Without further ado, the grandmother grabbed her walking stick, raised it in the air, twirling it with surprising agility, and violently knocked Ayesha to the ground.

Ayesha began to scream and call for help, completely bewildered by this unexpected attack.

" Help ! Mom, help me ! "

Fatima, shocked, intervened quickly and rushed towards Ayesha to protect her.

" Mom, stop this ! You're old ; you shouldn't exert yourself so much," she said.

The grandmother, Latifa, now furious, stared at Fatima with determination.

" Since you struggle to properly raise your daughter Ayesha, I will do it for you ! "

She then turned slowly to Ayesha, her gaze still stern.

" You wonder why I appreciate Saba more, don't you ? Well, I'll explain."

Ayesha swallowed hard, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. Latifa continued.

" Your older sister Saba is a responsible, honest, and hardworking girl. She always cares for the well-being of the family and does her best. You, on the other hand, are lazy, lie, and are selfish."

Ayesha opened her mouth to protest, but Latifa stopped her with a hand gesture.

" Let me finish."

" You only think about yourself, money, and luxury. You flirt with men just to get gifts. It's shameful ! " she added.

" If anyone tarnishes the reputation of our family, it's you, Ayesha, not my sweet Saba," she concluded.

Ayesha lowered her eyes, and Fatima, her face flushed with shame, approached to try to calm the situation, but she no longer had the courage to speak.

Suddenly, the living room door swung open, and a female voice announced ;

" It is time for the two lovely girls living in this house to become married women."

All eyes turned abruptly to this voice, revealing a charming woman dressed in a gold-embroidered emerald green sari. Her long black hair was braided and adorned with colorful flowers. It was Meera, a close friend and neighbor of Fatima.

Fatima warmly smiled at her and folded her hands in a gesture of respect.

" Namaste Meera ! Please come in, welcome to our humble home."

Meera gracefully stepped forward, her face illuminated by a broad smile. She respectfully bowed to grandmother Latifa.

" Namaste Grandma ! Your blessing, please."

Latifa affectionately placed her hand on Meera's head.

" May God bless you, my daughter. May you find happiness and prosperity."

Meera stood up and then turned to Ayesha, embracing her tenderly.

" Oh, my dear Ayesha, how beautiful you are ! Look at yourself, you're becoming a true princess."

Ayesha blushed with pleasure under the compliments, and Meera added.

" Where is your sister Saba? I hope she is well too."

Suddenly, Fatima intervened with a firm yet polite voice.

" Meera, what brings you to us at such a late hour? I hope everything is alright."

Meera joined her hands again.

" Everything is very well, don't worry. I just came to share wonderful news with you," she began.

" Ali Khan, the wealthiest man in Asia, is organizing a celebration to welcome back his only son to India. Furthermore, he is seeking a wife for him. His 22-year-old son has just arrived in Mumbai," she said joyfully.

" It's even said that he is exceptionally talented. He has studied at the best universities worldwide. Physically, he's also a catch—tall, slim, with a tan complexion and piercing eyes," she concluded.

Ayesha listened attentively, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

" What's the name of this young heir ? " she asked eagerly.

" Unfortunately, I don't know his first name, but I do know he's the only son and the favorite of the prestigious KHAN family," Meera replied.

Grandmother Latifa furrowed her brows, intrigued.

" Why does this news concern us? We're not a wealthy family."

Meera turned to Latifa with a benevolent smile.

" That's where it gets interesting. The ceremony will also welcome young girls from modest families. The KHANs are looking for a virtuous wife, not just a wealthy heiress. Knowing that your granddaughters are charming and full of qualities, I

thought of them."

A murmur of excitement spread among the assembly. Meera raised her hand to calm the spirits.

" However, there will be a friendly competition. The contenders will be judged in challenges highlighting their personality, education, and beauty. The one who shines the most will have the honor of marrying this charming heir