Chương 7: The danger lurking
"Boss, I tried talking to her, but she seems to have genuinely lost her memories. No recollection of Joker whatsoever. And she's married now, to some guy named Zahran Ibne Abdullah." Lara spoke in hushed tones, wary of eavesdroppers.
"Interesting," the voice on the other end responded. "But I care about the Joker. We all know he's alive and kicking, hiding somewhere. I want him. I want to kill him." His voice rose to a scream. "You said this girl was his girlfriend, and now she's married? Are you wasting my time?"
"Never, boss! I have something valuable about Zahran," Lara assured him quickly. "He's wealthy now, but he wasn't always clean. Back in the day, he and his friend were con artists, making copies of old antiques and paintings to deceive people."
"So?" the voice snapped.
"But his friend was murdered," Lara continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. "And that's when he reformed, leaving his criminal past behind."
"Why are you telling me this? I want the Joker!"
"Boss, I think..." Lara paused , "I think Zahran is the Joker."
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Zahran worked diligently when his phone buzzed. A smile lit his face as he saw Raihan's name.
"Assalamualaikum," Zahran greeted warmly.
"Walaikumus as salam, buddy!" Raihan's voice boomed through the phone. "How are you?"
The two friends exchanged pleasantries, catching up on life. Raihan excitedly revealed his and Rebeca's plans to visit the UK and their eagerness to meet Zahran.
Just then, Raihan's tone shifted. "Zahran, have you heard? The Joker's back!"
Zahran's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"He's alive and well! He pulled off another heist, but this time, there's a murder involved."
The news hit Zahran like a punch. He leaned forward, his voice a tight whisper. "Are you serious? How is this possible?"
"It's all over the news! Every channel, every website, it's the top story."
Without another word, Zahran switched on the television, his heart pounding in his chest. He flipped through channels until he found the news report.
Images of a crime scene flashed across the screen, followed by a close-up of the victim. Gasps erupted from the crowd as the face became clear. It was Lara. And lying beside her, a chilling reminder of the thief's identity – the infamous Joker card.
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The three shadows huddled together; their faces grim.
"Did you see the news?" the shortest one inquired, his voice trembling.
"Why else do you think we're gathered?" the tallest one retorted sarcastically.
"I just wanted to ask..." the shortest one began, but was cut off by the middle one.
"Enough bickering! We have more pressing matters to discuss," she declared. "He's a fake."
"You mean, an imposter?" the shortest one clarified.
"Do I need to spell it out?" the tallest one scoffed.
The middle one sighed. "Joker, why did you leave me with these two?"
"Silence!" she commanded. "They've already reached Fatiha."
Alarm flickered in the eyes of the other two.
"How?"
"Someone transferred money from Joker's account to Fatiha's," the middle one revealed, directing her gaze at the tallest one.
"It was an honest mistake," he stammered. "But if they've reached Fatiha, they could reach Joker too."
"No, they can't. Fatiha has lost her memories. She doesn't remember anything about Joker."
"Still..."
"There's no 'still.' Remember? Joker is dead."
"But we have to protect Fatiha!" the shortest one insisted. "Maybe Joker is gone, but she's not. We can't let anything happen to her!"
The other two nodded solemnly.
"First, we find the fake Joker," the middle one declared. "Start your investigation while we keep eyes on Fatiha."
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Fatiha's phone buzzed with an incoming call from an unknown number. An uneasy feeling settled in as she hesitantly answered, only to be met with silence. This had become an unnerving routine – blocked numbers, mysterious calls, and an ominous silence that left her on edge.
Desperation led Fatiha to block the number repeatedly, but the calls persisted sporadically, each one contributing to her growing anxiety. The recent death of Lara loomed over her thoughts. The Joker card's unsettling presence only added to her fear, its meaning unclear.
In an attempt to ease her worries, Zahran disclosed a startling revelation – Lara was allegedly an accomplice of the Joker, possibly plotting to steal from their mansion. Fatiha, now gripped by fear, couldn't comprehend the betrayal of someone she had once trusted.
Zahran, concerned for Fatiha's safety, decided to move to a new house in a bustling neighborhood, prioritizing her security. Protection was paramount, especially with Fatiha expecting their child.
The shift to the new house marked a change in their lives. Although not as grand as the mansion, the luxurious surroundings provided a semblance of peace. Fatiha, now in a more secure environment, found solace in the warmth of the crowded neighborhood and its friendly residents.
In this vibrant Muslim neighborhood, Fatiha found more than just a house; she discovered a community that embraced diversity and nurtured bonds of friendship. Her newfound friend, Khadija, a fellow Muslim revert, entered her life through the doors of the mosque. Their connection deepened quickly, and Fatiha felt a sense of joy knowing that Khadija and her husband Daud, also converts to Islam, had embarked on their journey together, embracing the faith and marrying on the same day.
Amongst their neighbors was Mariam, a gracious 50-year-old Malaysian lady, whom Fatiha also met in the mosque. Mariam lived with her young son and his wife. From the first encounter, Mariam and her family extended warm hospitality, making Fatiha feel not only accepted but genuinely welcomed.
The sense of unity extended beyond the walls of individual homes. The mosque, a central hub for the community, stood near their residence, fostering a sense of closeness and belonging for Fatiha and Zahran. The couple marveled at the unprecedented hospitality, love, and affection that surrounded them, a stark contrast to their previous experiences.
In this nurturing environment, Fatiha and Zahran discovered the true essence of community – a place where differences were celebrated, bonds were strengthened, and the mosque served as a unifying force, bringing together individuals with diverse backgrounds and stories, all sharing in the warmth of brotherhood and sisterhood.
Even with a busy work life, Zahran always looked out for Fatiha. He struck up a friendship with Daud, who, despite being younger, had impressive tech skills. Zahran, handling his father's business, had dreams of starting a software company with Daud. Despite his existing responsibilities, he was eager to explore his own business ventures in the world of technology.
As time raced forward like a swift breeze, Zahran and Daud's startup took off successfully. Simultaneously, the anticipated moment of Fatiha's delivery was approaching. However, Zahran found himself immersed in the demands of the burgeoning business, often arriving home late into the night. Despite the long hours, Fatiha, understanding his passion, stood by him and provided unwavering support.
One evening, Zahran walked through the door, exhaustion written all over
his face. Fatiha greeted him with a warm smile, "How was your day?"
"Good!" Zahran placed a tender kiss on Fatiha's temple, but a subtle unease lingered. Sensing something amiss, Fatiha refrained from probing him. After Zahran freshened up, they shared dinner together. Zahran, leaning against the bed, felt Fatiha's comforting presence as she wrapped her hands around his arm and leaned on his shoulder.
"Has something happened? You seemed worried," Fatiha inquired, concern evident in her voice. Zahran responded with a gentle kiss on the top of her head. "Nothing. Just too much work!" he said, his fingers playing with her hair. Despite carrying a different worry, Zahran chose not to burden Fatiha with his concerns. "Don't take so much pressure," she softly requested. "I'm fine, really. Please, now you don't start worrying for me. Alhamdulillah, you take care of yourself and our little one," Zahran reassured, playfully hinting at Tahira's baby bump. "Is he sleeping or still playing around?" he asked, placing his hand on her stomach. In that moment, the baby kicked hard, surprising Zahran.
The kick was so pronounced that Zahran's eyes widened. "Look, your baby replied himself that he's fully awake." Fatiha commented.
"Doesn't it hurt? The kick was really hard," Zahran expressed his concern.
"Nah... it's fine," Fatiha said, downplaying any discomfort. Zahran stared at her for a moment, then gently kissed her hands. "Tahira, day by day, I feel like I'm falling in love with you even more," he confessed.
Fatiha smiled and replied, "Me too," as the warmth of their shared journey and the anticipation of new beginnings enveloped them.
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