“Behind”
379 Words
In her mansion, Mrs. Abdul settled into her room and immediately called her son.
Ismail's phone rang, and he picked up without hesitation.
"Hi, Mum."
"Ismail, how are you?" Mrs. Abdul asked.
"I'm fine, Mum. How are you and Dad?"
"We're well, Alhamdulillah."
"Good. What's up, Mum? You called-hope everything's okay."
They shared a small laugh before Mrs. Abdul's tone shifted.
"When was the last time you spoke to your sister, Faridah?"
"We talk regularly. Why, Mum? Is something wrong?"
"She's been away from home all this time. I want her back - within an hour, if possible.
When you speak to her, tell her to return home.
She won't expect my next move, and I want it that way."
"Faridah left home? Why, Mum?"
"I don't know. She's trying to disrupt something I've been planning for a long time. Make sure she understands she needs to listen to vou," she said, cutting the call abruptly.
Ismail moved to the sitting room where his sister, Faridah, was scrolling through reels on her phone.
"Mom just called," he said.
"Oh," Faridah replied nonchalantly.
"She's not going to take it easy with you, you know how she is," he warned.
"Yes, we all know how Mom is," Faridah said, sitting up to face him. "Why does she have to control everything? Does she really think we have to live life her way?"
"Faridah... just do this for her. You know how stubborn she can be. Or do you want her to threaten to marry you off to Ibrahim?" he teased lightly.
Faridah rolled her eyes.
"You know I would never agree to that," she said, half smiling.
"I know, I'm joking. You're home now — enjoy it.
But make sure you attend the premiere. The movie can't release without you there."
"The movie's already produced. Why does my presence even matter?"
"Because you're the star, Faridah. I don't want people thinking I'm forcing you, but cameras aren't going away, and you can't live like we do forever without participating," Ismail said tirmly.
"I just... I hate all this attention. I can't live the way you three do," Faridah exclaimed, exasperated.
"Alright," Ismail said, taking her hand. "I'II talk to Mum for you."
"Please," she whispered, lying back on the sofa, relieved.
- Writer
