The café when we first arrived felt cozy and nice , the clink of cups and conversations filling the air. Now the atmosphere was filled with tension because of our table.
Across from me, Bayan sat, her sharp eyes studying me over the rim of her coffee cup. I met her gaze, steady, unflinching. Silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken challenges.
Let her make the first move,I thought. Patience is key.
Rola broke the quiet first, her voice light but probing. “So, Dema… how have you been?”
I smiled, smooth, practiced. “Great, actually. Couldn’t be better.”
Bayan’s fingers tightened around her cup, her lips curling into something that wasn’t quite a smile. She saw her opening and took it—no hesitation.
“And how’s Rami?” she asked, her tone dripping with false sweetness. “Things still good between you two?”
I felt the weight of the question, the trap hidden beneath it. But I didn’t falter. Drawing in a slow breath, I kept my voice even, my expression unreadable.
“Perfect,” I said, meeting her eyes. “We’re doing great.”
The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but I let it settle between us, a shield against her prying. Let her chew on that. For now, the game was still mine to play.
Bayan’s lips curled into a smile—sharp, calculated, like a snake coiling before a strike. “I’m glad you and Rami are doing well,” she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “In that case, there’s no reason for me to be here. I’ll just enjoy the rest of this coffee and be on my way.”
My fingers tightened around my cup. Part of me wanted to let her go, to watch her walk away and never look back. But Rola had other plans.
“Hold on,” Rola cut in, her voice firm. “Dema hasn’t given us an answer yet.” She turned to me, eyes burning with expectation. “She needs to say it loud and clear. Because she’s the one who came to me for help. If she doesn’t want it anymore, she needs to say so—and apologize for wasting my time.”
The air grew heavy’ Bayan’s smirk faltered, just for a second, before she leaned back in her chair, waiting. Rola’s gaze pinned me in place, demanding the truth. I swallowed hard. This was it—no more hiding.
I took a slow breath, steadying myself. Bayan’s snake-like smile still lingered, her eyes sharp with amusement, while Rola’s expectant glare demanded an answer. I couldn’t let them see the storm inside me—I had to stay composed.
“It’s true,” I began, my voice calm but firm. “The love between Rami and me is strong.” The words settled between us, solid as stone. “But that doesn’t mean it can’t be tested. And if there are measures I can take to shield it, to preserve it—then that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
Bayan’s smirk twitched, as if she hadn’t expected that. Rola’s shoulders relaxed slightly, but her gaze remained unyielding.
I held my ground. This wasn’t about doubt. It wasn’t about weakness. It was about knowing what I had—and refusing to let anything, or anyone, chip away at it.
Bayan tilted her head, that infuriating smirk still playing on her lips. She said, “you’re smarter than I expected.”
The words hit me like a slap. My spine stiffened, fingers curling into my palms. “What is that supposed to mean?”I snapped, the heat rising in my voice.
Rola cut in, shooting me a warning look. “Dema, relax.”Then, turning to Bayan, she added sharply, “Be nice.”
Bayan let out a low laugh, waving a hand as if swatting away my anger. “I’m just messing with you,” she said, though her eyes glinted with something sharper than amusement. “What I meant is that you’re not some idiot wife Rami can just mess around with. He actually found someone who won’t tolerate his nonsense.” She leaned back, swirling her coffee. “Maybe that’s exactly what he needs.”
The words hung In the air, heavy and deliberate. Part of me wanted to lash out, to demand she explain herself—but another part, colder and quieter, recognized the twisted compliment buried beneath her taunting.
Was that all this was? A test? A way to see if I’d break?
I held her gaze, unflinching. “Then we agree on one thing,” I said, my voice steady. Because I don’t tolerate nonsense. From anyone.”
Bayan’s smirk didn’t fade. If anything, it deepened—as if she’d gotten exactly the reaction she wanted.
The words burned in my chest before I spoke them, raw and honest. I looked between Rola’s assessing gaze and Bayan’s sharp smirk, my voice low but unwavering.
“I truly love him,” I said, each word deliberate. “And I want to protect what we have—because it’s the only real thing I’ve ever had in this world.”My throat tightened, but I refused to let my voice shake. “If you’re really here to help me, then I’ll be grateful. But if this is just some kind of game…” I held Bayan’s stare, letting the warning settle between us. “ …then I promise you, I won’t make it easy for you.”
Silence stretched. Rola’s expression softened, just slightly, but Bayan only arched a brow—amused, maybe even impressed. I didn’t care. I meant every word.
Love had always been a battlefield for me. And if they thought I’d surrender without a fight, they didn’t know me at all.