Beyond the game

Azra stood by the kitchen counter, stirring a pot of soup while Rahma chopped vegetables beside her. The soft hum of the television played in the background, filling the apartment with a sense of warmth and familiarity.

Rahma's phone buzzed on the counter. She picked it up and read the message, her eyes widening.

"Azra, you won't believe this," Rahma said, setting down the knife.

Azra didn't look up. "What now?"

Rahma grinned. "Jamal is back."

Azra's hand froze on the ladle. For a moment, she thought she had misheard. She turned to Rahma, her expression unreadable.

"He just landed today," Rahma continued. "And he wants to meet us."

Azra placed the lid on the pot and leaned against the counter. It had been four years since she last saw Jamal. He had been more than just a childhood friend—he was family. Someone who had always been there for her and Rahma during their years in the orphanage. But when he left for the UK, their conversations became rare. He had tried to keep in touch, but time and distance had built a quiet wall between them.

"Did he message you?" Rahma asked, watching her closely.

Azra's phone vibrated on the counter. She reached for it and saw an unfamiliar number.

"Azra, it's me. I'm back. Can we meet?"

She stared at the message for a moment before placing the phone back down.

Rahma nudged her. "You're not going to ignore him, are you?"

Azra sighed. "I don't know. It's been so long."

Rahma rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. It's Jamal! We should meet him. He was like our big brother."

Azra hesitated but eventually nodded. "I'll think about it."

Rahma smirked. "I bet he'll be happy to see you."

Azra didn't respond. Instead, she turned off the stove and carried the food to the dining table. But no matter how much she tried to focus on dinner, her mind kept drifting back to Jamal.

—

At the same time, in his private office, Yuzarsif leaned back in his chair, flipping through a document. It was a background report on Azra—something he had requested weeks ago.

One name stood out: Jamal Ameer.

He was a part of Azra's past. And now he was back.

Yuzarsif smirked, closing the file. He wasn't worried.

If Jamal thought he could take Azra away from him, he was mistaken.

—