Salima walked beside Maria, smiling warmly as she said,
"I'll introduce you to my husband, Rehana's father."
Maria glanced at Leonardo, who was standing a few steps away, slightly hesitant. She spoke softly,
"Come with us, please."
Leonardo hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed, following them with calm yet confident steps.
They proceeded inside the hospital, with Rehana walking silently behind her mother, her heart full of curiosity and anxiety.
Leonardo couldn't take his eyes off her; he was drawn to her delicate features: her long black hair cascading smoothly over her shoulders, the tight blue dress that highlighted the graceful curves of her body, and her smile that carried an inner calm and hidden strength.
He caught the faint scent of her light perfume, awakening his senses and filling his chest with a strange warmth.
He followed her with sharp eyes, trying to suppress an unfamiliar feeling overwhelming him.
They arrived at Rehana's father's room — the sick and weary man — where Maria and Salima sat beside him while Rehana silently observed the scene.
After the visit ended, everyone left the hospital heading toward the exit.
But at the gate, Salima and Rehana were suddenly confronted by a group of angry men demanding that Rehana's father repay his old debts.
Their faces were creased with anger, and their voices filled the air with threatening tones.
They exchanged harsh words, and the atmosphere became visibly tense.
Rehana stepped into the midst of the scene, raising her voice calmly and confidently as she began addressing the men with firmness and wisdom.
She moved her hands slowly, trying to calm them, explaining that they had five extra days to repay the debt, asking for patience and understanding.
Then she said,
"We understand your pressure, but please give us a chance, and we will try to settle the matter soon. Can you grant us an extension?"
The men fell silent for a moment, then one of them replied hesitantly,
"We'll see… but we want part of the money now, something to assure us we won't be neglected."
Confidently, Rehana handed them a portion of the money she had—a small amount to pay part of the debts immediately.
The men looked at the money in her hand, then stepped back slightly, acknowledging the gesture, and agreed to the extension.
Leonardo stood at a distance, watching the scene, noting Rehana's movements, her words, and how she managed the tension with a calm yet powerful demeanor.
He saw intelligence and resilience in her eyes and couldn't deny the impression she left on him.
The scene ended, and the men walked away talking among themselves, leaving the place in temporary peace.
Everyone left the hospital with mixed feelings of worry and hope, heading toward a future still filled with many secrets and challenges.
I hope you enjoy this chapter—this is just the beginning of the journey!
Many more chapters await you, filled with new secrets and endless suspense.
Tomorrow, I will share two new chapters: one in the morning and another around this same time, so don't miss coming back to find out what happens next!
Your interactions and comments motivate me to keep going, so please don't hesitate to show your support.
Thank you for being part of my journey—I promise the best is yet to come!