BEYOND AMBITION

CHAPTER TWELVE

Since Omar’s first visit, he hadn’t returned to Iklas’s house. Everything he did for them, he sent through deliveries.

Meanwhile, they were eager to see him, even just to express their gratitude, but there was only silence. They didn’t even have his phone number to reach him.

Iklas had bought a small new Tecno phone for Ummi, while she herself got a sleek Samsung touchscreen. But even with their new phones, there was no way to contact Omar.

For some reason, Iklas felt a growing sense of unease about not seeing him. Every day, she found herself thinking about him, wondering why he had disappeared from their lives so suddenly.

As for Omar, he believed that he had done his part for them—purely for the sake of Allah, with no expectations in return.

“What would I even go back there for?” he reasoned with himself. “What would I say? I’ve already done what I needed to do.”

The last thing he wanted was for them to misunderstand his intentions or think he had ulterior motives. So, he decided that he would never visit them again.

But no matter how much he tried to ignore it, his heart told a different story. He couldn’t stop wondering about them—especially Iklas.

He wanted to see them with his own eyes, to know if they were truly okay.

And most of all, he wanted to see how Iklas had changed.

Omar’s father called to inform them that he wouldn’t be returning for another two months. Because of this, he instructed one of his wives to join him in Russia.

This immediately sparked chaos—Rahina was furious. she wants to be the one to go, mama without having any choice allow her, at the end Rahina was the one chosen to go to Russia, even though Omar’s dad clearly didn’t want her there. However, there was nothing he could do about it.

Once she arrived, Rahina wasted no time. She began scheming relentlessly, reaching out to her old sorcerers and showering them with money, ensuring they were working tirelessly on her behalf.

They told her that Omar’s mother was untouchable by any form of black magic—there was nothing they could do to harm her.

However, they told her that:

Omar’s dad would never stop loving mama, no matter what happened.

And for Omar He might leave the house, but he wouldn’t be able to stay away for long.

Eventually, he would return, no matter what.

With this , Rahina made her next demand:

“If that’s the case, then I want him out of the house immediately—by any means necessary.”

As for Sahar, ever since she returned, she had become even more reckless. She was now leaving for days at a time, staying out for long periods.

At first, Omar tried to talk to her—he was worried, constantly reminding her to change. But after a while, he gave up. Everyone had their own lives to focus on.

It had been exactly one month since Omar last visited Iklas’ house. He couldn’t hold back anymore. Today, he had to see them, to make sure they were doing well.

It was Saturday, and there was no Islamiyya for the girls—the perfect opportunity.

Dressed in a fitted pencil-cut pair of ash-colored jeans and a white T-shirt with black lettering across the chest, Omar looked effortlessly stylish. His hair was freshly styled, giving him a refined, almost foreign appearance.

By 4:30 PM, he parked a massive, brand-new car in front of their house. He barely recognized the place—if not for the fact that the workers had sent him directions over the phone, he would have missed it entirely.

Omar knocked on the door, and Suhaila answered.

She was wearing a simple vest and shorts that barely reached mid-thigh. Her hair was neatly styled, and from just one look, Omar knew—

They had changed.

They had grown, improved, flourished.

He could tell at a glance that they were no longer the same girls he had met before.

Suhaila’s face lit up with joy as she grinned widely, letting out an excited squeal before jumping on Omar.

"Oh my God, Uncle! We've been looking for you everywhere, and you never came!"

Omar chuckled, his lips curving into a small smile.

"Well, I’m here now, beauty."

Before she could say another word, he effortlessly lifted her up, slinging her over his shoulder like a sack of rice. Suhaila shrieked with laughter, kicking her feet playfully as he carried her inside.

The Warm Welcome

As they stepped in, he greeted the house with a loud ‘Salaam’.

Kaka Ummi was the first to come out, answering his greeting warmly.

But the moment her eyes landed on him, she froze in place.

For a few heartbeats, she simply stared in disbelief.

This was the same Umar—the one they had been eagerly waiting to see, the one they had been praying to meet again, just to thank him.

A slow, grateful smile spread across her face, and her wrinkled eyes glistened with emotion.

"Oh, my dear son!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with pure happiness. "Now you have finally come?! We’ve been waiting to see you, wondering when you'd return!"

She didn’t waste a second—immediately, she began pouring out her gratitude, thanking him over and over again, even tearing up in the process.

Omar wasn’t much of a talker—he never liked long conversations.

But this time, he listened patiently, nodding occasionally, responding where necessary.

Because, somehow, he enjoyed listening to Ummi’s words.

Unlike mindless chatter, her stories carried wisdom—they were full of meaning, experiences that taught life lessons.

And that, Omar could appreciate.

Meanwhile, Suhaila was completely nestled into his side, clinging to him like a spoiled little sister, her small frame tucked against his.

Iklas was dressed in a white three-quarter tight pants paired with a dark blue top. A thin white scarf was loosely draped over her head.

She was in the kitchen, making sure everything was in order—she had just finished cooking and cleaning up.

From there, she could hear Ummi’s voice, engaged in lively chatter.

But she paid no mind to it, unaware that a visitor had arrived.

Right now, she had something else on her mind—bathing Suhaila.

She always did it for her because Suhaila claimed she could bathe properly by herself.

Of course, this was a constant argument between them, with Suhaila insisting,

"I'm not a baby! I can bathe myself!"

The Unexpected Sight

Wanting to settle the matter quickly, Iklas rushed into the living room, announcing herself with a casual salaam.

"Ummi, what’s with all the talking? Where’s Suhaila? Let me bathe her before—"

She didn't get to finish.

Because the moment her eyes landed on the guest sitting on the two-seater, her breath caught in her throat.

Her steps faltered, and for a moment, she simply stood frozen in place.

The last person she ever expected to see—the very person she had been longing to meet again, yet convinced she wouldn't—was sitting right there.

Omar.

He looked even more striking than she remembered.

His presence felt heavier, commanding—his well-built frame rested against the seat effortlessly, his scent rich and intoxicating, filling the room with an aura of authority.

But his expression was unreadable—his face set in an impassive mask, his eyes cold, unreadable.

Her heart pounded loudly in her chest as she quickly composed herself, then lowered herself into a respectful kneel.

"Welcome, sir," she greeted formally, her voice barely above a whisper.

"How was your journey?"

It took him a moment to respond, his deep gaze lingering on her longer than necessary.

And when he finally spoke, his reply was short, almost distant—

"Fine."

He said nothing more, yet the air between them felt heavier than a mere exchange of pleasantries.

Seeing how coldly he responded to her—as if she were a stranger—Iklas felt an uneasy sting in her chest.

It wasn’t outright rudeness, but there was a clear lack of familiarity, like he didn’t recognize her at all.

She quickly straightened up, shaking off the strange feeling.

"Come on, Suhaila," she said, her tone firm. "Let’s go. I need to bathe you."

But Suhaila refused, tightening her hold on Omar’s shoulder, snuggling against him.

"No, Anty! I can bathe myself! I’m not a baby!"

Iklas rolled her eyes, arms crossing as she gave her sister a pointed look.

"Oh really? Then why do you always leave the bathroom soaking wet?"

Suhaila pouted, still refusing to move.

"I promise I’ll do it properly this time!"

Iklas let out a frustrated sigh, stepping closer.

"Baby, don’t waste my time. Let’s go."

Omar, who had been watching quietly, found himself amused.

He couldn’t help but marvel at Iklas—the way she carried herself, acting so much like a mature woman in charge.

Yet, in his mind, he knew the truth—

She wasn’t much older than Suhaila herself.

She still needed to be cared for, just like her little sister.

Seeing that Suhaila had no intention of getting up, Iklas walked over to Omar and grabbed Suhaila’s hand, trying to pull her away. A struggle broke out between them as Suhaila resisted. In the process, Suhaila forcefully pushed Iklas’ hand, causing it to hit Omar’s chest.

Omar froze.

His chest burned, but it wasn’t from anger—it was something else, something he couldn’t name.

The brief contact of her hand against his skin had sent a shock through him, a feeling so unexpected that he reacted without thinking.

He didn’t even realize when he let out a soft hiss and whispered, “Shhh… easy.”

Iklas immediately started apologizing, thinking she had hurt him. She gently pulled her hand away, murmuring, “Sorry… I didn’t mean to.”

But Omar’s mood shifted instantly.

He snapped at her, his voice laced with irritation.

“Get lost, stupid! You’re bothering the girl!”

Kaka Ummi jerked upright in shock.

“May Allah bless you, Umar!” she exclaimed, shaking her head. “This girl has no shame at all! I don’t know where she picked up this stubborn attitude—she never listens to me! Look at her, behaving recklessly!

"She’s just in a hurry to attend some neighborhood party! Just because she once helped us, now she thinks she can do whatever she wants! She says she must attend that birthday celebration—like it’s an obligation!”