The next morning, the sun shyly crept through thin clouds, as if sharing Rahaf's sense of loss. She hadn't left her room since returning from Karma's house everything in her heart felt shattered. How could she convince herself that her love had been nothing but a mirage? Or worse… that it had become impossible?
She ignored her mother's voice, which hadn't faded since her return, constantly asking what was wrong but to no avail. Rahaf's mind was consumed with finding a solution. She knew one thing for certain she would not lose her friend, no matter the cost.
Elsewhere in the village, Karma sat in her room, trying to calm herself after a sleepless night. Torn between her love for Yazan, Rahaf's tears, and the weight of breaking her friend's heart, Karma felt like her own heart was bleeding from within. But despite everything, she chose silence, hoping time might ease what nothing else could fix.
Later, as Karma helped her mother organize things for her upcoming marriage to Yazan, she received a call from an unknown number. But she recognized the voice instantly.
Anas: "Karma, can we meet today? I need to talk to you about something important."
Karma: "I'm busy. If it's really important, we can talk now…"
Anas: "No it needs to be face-to-face. I'll be waiting for you in the park behind the old school in an hour."
She hung up without replying, but curiosity got the better of her, and she went to the meeting without telling anyone.
At the agreed spot, Anas stood nervously, checking his watch every minute. When he saw Karma approaching, he said gratefully: "Thank you for coming. I know this is a strange request, but… I needed to tell you everything."
She looked at him, confused and uneasy, and said: "Go ahead, I'm listening."
Anas took a deep breath, then said: "Yazan, Karma… he's not right for you at all. He's not what he seems. He's lying to you."
Karma's face showed doubt. She and Anas had been friends for a long time and Anas was Yazan's closest friend. Why would he lie about something like this?
Before she could think further, she simply asked: "How is he lying to me? Is there something I don't know?"
Anas gave a smile Karma couldn't quite read, then said: "Yazan doesn't love you, Karma. The proof? He hasn't even told his family about your relationship. That means he's just enjoying your company for a while… and then he'll move on."
Anas smiled darkly as he saw the shock register on her face, and continued: "Yazan doesn't love. He's emotionally hollow. I know him better than anyone. I'm telling you this before you fall into the trap he's laid for you."
Karma said in surprise: "But what I know is that Yazan hasn't told his family because they want him to marry his cousin, whom he doesn't love. He just wanted to put pressure on them that's all."
Anas felt defeat creep into his tone but pressed on: "No, Karma. Yazan doesn't love you. Believe me. Look around and you'll see who truly loves you… and who doesn't."
Karma didn't understand what he meant: She stayed silent until he clarified: "I love you, Karma… I have for a long time. We've been acting like just friends, but I can't hide it anymore."
The ground beneath Karma seemed to shift. She never expected this confession especially not from Anas, Yazan's closest friend. Her mind raced, connecting the dots. She realized Anas's earlier words had been lies, just a setup for his confession.
She said: "Anas… I'm sorry, but I love Yazan. I can't marry anyone else."
Anas tried to hide his heartbreak and said in a composed voice: "I expected this. Yazan got to you. I don't know what makes him so special… Why does everyone love him and not me? What am I lacking?"
She looked at him without answering, so he added: "I don't like Yazan." Her shocked expression made him go on: "Yes، I don't like him. He always looks like the perfect guy… and me? No one even sees me."
Karma gently shook her head and tried to calm the situation, saying: "Anas, Yazan cares about you. Don't let jealousy ruin your friendship."
She left without giving him a chance to respond, but inside her, the storm had already begun. How could Anas say such things about his best friend? Still, she decided she wouldn't tell Yazan anything.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a call from her mother. Karma answered immediately:
Karma's mother: "Karma, come quickly. Your friend Rahaf is here she wants to talk to you about something important."
Karma: "Alright, I'm coming now."
It was the last thing she expected to hear… but it was a meeting she, too, had hoped for so this whole situation could finally come to an end.
To be continued...