After the party ended, Abdul Rehman approached Qasim and said quietly, "I need your help with something."
Qasim looked at him, puzzled, and asked, "What kind of help?"
Abdul Rehman sighed and explained, "My father gave me a box. Inside it, there's a book. But… I can't read it."
He glanced down, a little frustrated. "But I remember my father used to teach you how to read books, and he would even read to me sometimes. So maybe you know how to read this one?"
Qasim's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Wait… is it the same book uncle used to read to us as kids? The one he said would teach us special skills?"
Abdul Rehman nodded slowly, "Yes, it feels like that very book."
Qasim shook his head with a faint smile. "That book was stolen years ago… or maybe it was a fake. Don't worry, just tell me which language it's written in. If I can understand it, I'll teach you."
Abdul rehman looked hopeful. "Even if the book is fake, it was given to me by my father, right? So at least I should read it , okay?"
Qasim agreed quietly, "Alright. Give me 20 days."
Twenty days later, Abdul Rehman had learned the basics of the language. But to actually read the book fluently, he would need at least 20 more days.
The truth was—he neither wanted to learn the language nor really wanted to read the book.
He was learning the language from Qasim for a completely different reason.
Hashim entered the palace quietly, pretending his reason was to check on Abdullah—who had fallen sick after the celebration. But as he passed through the hallway, something unexpected caught his eye.
Inside Princess Nayab's chamber, he saw Fatima standing alone.
A wicked smirk crept onto his face.
He slowly stepped behind her, placed his hand gently but firmly over her mouth, and whispered, "Shh… don't scream. It's me."
Fatima flinched, her eyes wide with fear, but he spoke calmly—coldly.
"I know I haven't been able to come here for many days… but today, I've done something no one knows about. And I'm telling you—because you're the only one who should hear it first."
His voice dropped to a chilling whisper.
"That day… at the party… I gave slow poison to Abdullah."
Fatima's breath caught.
Hashim continued, his eyes glinting with cruel satisfaction, "By now, he only has a few minutes left to live. Just a few more breaths… and then it will all be over."
He leaned closer, and murmured, "Now I must go to him. He should know exactly who is sending him to his grave."
He let her go and walked off with controlled confidence, heading straight to Abdullah's room.
When Abdullah saw Hashim approaching, a shiver ran through him. Fear took over his face, and his eyes widened with helpless confusion.
Hashim stepped closer and spoke softly—but every word cut like a knife.
"You could have forgiven those thieves. You could have shown mercy. But you didn't. Not only that… you even oppressed innocent children."
He leaned in closer and whispered the final blow.
"Now die."
Without another word, Hashim turned and fled the palace.
Moments later, Fatima rushed into Princess Nayab's room, trembling with fear. She blurted out everything—what she had seen, what she had heard. Nayab's face went pale.
The two of them hurried toward Abdullah's chamber in a panic.
At the same time, Qasim had arrived outside the palace. He was speaking to a few guards, asking questions about the situation inside. The moment he learned something was wrong with Abdullah, he rushed toward the inner quarters.
Inside, Abdullah was struggling to breathe.
He looked up and saw Qasim entering.
His lips quivered. His hand reached out.
He wanted to say something. Something important.
"Qasim… Qasim…" he managed to whisper, his voice barely holding on.
He was trying to say: Catch Hashim.
But he couldn't.
He collapsed, unable to finish the sentence.
Princess Nayab, standing beside him, heard his broken words. Her heart twisted—but her mind misunderstood.
She thought he was trying to say that Qasim was the one who poisoned him.
A dreadful realization spread across her face.
Meanwhile, Fatima, determined to protect her brother, stood firm. She pointed to the truth and spoke clearly:
"No. It was Hashim."
Question for rearers:
What would you do if you overheard a dark secret that could save someone's life—but it might destroy someone close to you?
Was Fatima right to speak up against her own brother?
And did Nayab misunderstand Abdullah's last words… or was it already too late?
Drop your thoughts below 👇
Do you think Qasim will be blamed for something he didn't do?
Who do you trust more right now—Fatima, Nayab, or Qasim?
Let's talk theories!
Written By
Sabir Ali
Thanks for reading