A Storm of Shadows and Hearts
1807 Words
She was still just looking at him, feeling like she was still dreaming because everything happening to her felt like a movie or a dream. He was in another world, staring at her childish features—her puffed cheeks and her big eyes that looked like a tiny galaxy between his hands. Her red hair was another story for him.
He moved his face closer to hers while still admiring her face for seconds. He pulled her face toward him until he felt the palms holding her face and stopping him from getting closer or acting on the idea in his mind.
Salma: This is the last time I tell you—what you're doing is harassment. By what right are you approaching me? You assaulted me, and I don't accept it!
The leader: You’re mine, you hear me? You became mine from the first day you messed with me. You are my girl, right in front of my eyes, and you are mine, the leader’s, do you hear?
He continued speaking while holding her hands above her head, stopping her legs between his legs, and bringing his mouth close to hers. He was delivering a lecture inside her mouth, skillfully using his words as he whispered.
Underneath, she just wanted to break free but felt like she was suffocating. Then he released her.
The leader: And you will stay still, or I’ll hurt you here, do you hear? Now move forward, come in front of me.
He let her go but still held the top of her dress and pulled her while she struggled to break free.
Salma: Let me go, let me go! People want to r**e me!
The leader: You’re screaming but no one hears you. Shut up!
Salma: Look at yourself, you’re sick, by God.
The leader: You’re not going anywhere now, right?
Salma: No, I’ll scream!
He lifted her on his shoulders while she screamed trying to get help. She felt the pain in her backside and screamed loudly.
The leader: This time I hit a woman, I don’t guarantee anything. Better shave your head.
She knew how he acts, so she did nothing but stay silent and watch what he was doing. They arrived at a house that looked like it had many owners but was in good shape. He lifted her above the mosquito net and went toward a door that looked like it led to the bathroom.
She got up running, trying to open the door but found it locked. She sat on the ground crying alone until she saw him standing in front of her.
The leader: Look, girl, I have nothing to do with parties or nonsense like that. So shut up, get up so I can take you back home.
She stood and followed him as he grabbed her hand, and they went down the stairs. The first thing she saw were two men dressed in black standing at the stairs carrying a black box. He stopped in front of them and they opened it.
She was shocked when she saw it filled with eyes. At that moment, she fainted. He quickly caught her before she fell.
The leader: Get up Salma, open your eyes, open your eyes please. I’m taking you away from this madness. Open your eyes, damn it.
Fear overwhelmed him—a new feeling he felt for the first time. He was used to being a man who with every new woman never got attached or cared for any “dog,” as he considered everyone—but she was different for him.
He lifted her and headed toward his car, which was a Mexican brand, and parked in front of the first clinic he found. The doctor was waiting for him.
The leader: Hurry up and wipe me clean now. I want to find the doctor in room 6, do you hear me?
The doctor nodded and went to his work calling the doctor who just entered and did her tests and everything.
The doctor: It’s nothing serious, just anemia and some trauma or shock happened. The important thing is to prescribe some food and medicines she must take.
The leader: Hmm.
The doctor left, and he sat in front of her, carefully examining her small details, every little movement despite her being weak and attracting him. He swallowed his saliva, not knowing why but feeling like she cast a unique kind of spell on him like a magnet pulling him toward her. He tried to stop himself from making a mistake with her.
He felt her starting to wake up, and when she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was his eyes—the thing she loved most about him.
Salma: Imagine if I dreamed.
The leader: You weren’t dreaming.
Salma, shocked: You’re joking, right?
The leader looked at her with a gaze that said: “Are you laughing? Are you really my girl?” and left her stunned.
Salma: No, you’re sick. I swear you’re sick.
The leader: That will be the fate of anyone who looks at something that belongs to the leader, do you hear? And you, stop acting like a prostitute waiting for me to whistle at you.
Salma stopped in front of him even though she felt dizzy: Shut your mouth, do you hear me? You’ve been around them so much that you started to see everything as equal. I’m not like you, do you hear? You don’t even care about the clothes.
The leader: Wow, showing more skin than covering.
She pushed him toward the door to leave while feeling the walls closing in around her. She sat on the ground. He approached quickly trying to calm her down so nothing would happen to her.
The leader: Calm down, wear whatever you want, and anyone who looks at you I’ll send them to their Lord.
Salma: What should I be happy about when we never even get along? You are a nervous person who gets angry at the slightest thing and my head is harder than yours.
The leader: No problem, I’ll break your head.
She put her hands on her face and started crying, feeling like she was inside a spinning circle. The leader hugged Salma tightly as if she was something precious to him and he didn’t want to lose her. Her hair was stuck to her face from so much crying, and her hands trembled over the hospital white coat.
The leader was silent, said nothing, only squeezed his eyes like someone struggling not to show all his feelings in front of her. His heart was pounding, feeling weak in front of her—he who was always strong and never showed his feelings to anyone.
Salma: Am I cursed, like Akhenaten’s curse?!! She spoke with a choking voice, her eyes burning, and her head could no longer bear the pain.
The leader remained silent for a while, then gently held her face between his hands, and gave her those cold eyes full of indifference.
She lowered her eyes and tightened her grip on him as if wanting to hide her head in his embrace and forget the whole world. She really didn’t want it but fought herself, yet couldn’t resist and felt herself relax in his arms for the first time and in this way.
Salma: Please, leave me.
Whispered with that word, enough to take a breath.
He held her well, kissed her head while turning her face toward him.
The leader: I am the curse that will follow you your whole life, my red one.
---
Elsewhere;
Noor was standing in front of Zain, her eyes blazing with anger, and her hands tightly clenched as if struggling not to let her tears fall.
Noor: Let me go! I don’t want to stay with you, do you understand or not?!
Her voice was loud and trembling, but Zain stood in front of her coldly, laughing sarcastically.
Zain: I won’t let you go, Anwar.
He said coldly, his eyes burning with something dangerous.
Zain: You’re either going to cry to me or work with me and stay in front of my eyes!!
Noor opened her eyes wide, couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Noor: What?! Are you crazy?!
Zain stepped closer, looked deep into her angry red eyes, and said calmly but threateningly:
Zain: Noor, do you want to make me sick? I don’t understand why you don’t want to understand that I truly love you. I haven’t confessed yet, but I’m sure of my feelings for you. Just one look from you makes me happy. You know what that look does? It makes my whole day good and fine, so much so that I don’t want to sleep at night if I don’t see you and know you’re well.
Noor felt suffocated. This man refuses to understand! She slapped him hard on the chest, but he didn’t move, just looked at her with a look that made her even angrier.
Noor: I can’t be with you! Understand this! You’re controlling, a criminal, and besides, our religion doesn’t allow it. Don’t you get it?
She didn’t finish because Zain put his finger on her lips and silenced her.
Zain: Noor, enough. You have two days to think: either you be with me or work with me. Otherwise, neither of us will like the third option!!
There was a clear threat, and Noor felt cold run down her spine. This man won’t let her escape easily...
Zain: I understand your decision. You haven’t said anything wrong. Tomorrow I’ll bring the cops, and we’ll head to the big house and beat you according to God and His Messenger.
Noor: No, you’re really sick, I swear. Let me go, or I’ll scream and gather people against you.
Zain: Gather them. Get out before tomorrow morning. My wife and I are discussing it. Is there anyone here?
She felt like screaming, felt suffocated, and he was pressing on her. Everything was getting tight, and the windows began to close. He started screaming.
Zain: Oh God, don’t close your mouths, or I’ll kill you all, sons of whores! My wife and I—what do you care about the c**k? Your father is splitting the area here. Meet us, sons of whores!
As he finished speaking, everyone closed their mouths definitely. He was Barqouqa, and everyone knew him.
Noor just saw how he cut them off, screamed at them, put money on the rack, and when she failed, she got scared.
Zain: Come on, finish your screaming.
Noor: Look, let’s talk reasonably. Let me in, please.
He stared at her deeply, and she was shocked, but suddenly he hit her with one fast move that brought her to the house, while he had that sly smile no one else knew the meaning of...
- Writer
