In the Depth of the Heart - Chapter 26: Chapter 26
You are reading In the Depth of the Heart, Chapter 26: Chapter 26. Read more chapters of In the Depth of the Heart.
While Kamal and Zuhra are still immersed in quiet romantic conversation by the side of the hall at the Open Mic event, the atmosphere begins to still — the event is ending. Suddenly, the rumble of heavy vehicles pierces the night — military headlights flood the area like daylight in darkness.
Zuhra (frozen, her voice trembling):
“That’s our family’s car… Oh Allah! John and Usman!”
Kamal (watching her anxiously):
“Stay calm. Everything will be okay, trust me.”
They remain standing, hearts pounding. Moments later, they see John and Usman hurrying out of the vehicle, their military uniforms gleaming under the vehicle’s lights. Their eyes are locked straight on Zuhra and Kamal.
John (shouting):
“Zuhra, come! You’re to return home immediately!”
Usman (pointing at Kamal angrily):
“And you… you’ve disturbed us enough that we had to be sent from home?!”
Kamal (stepping closer to Zuhra with dignity):
“I have never harmed her. But if sitting beside her is a crime… then punish me.”
Usman (furious):
“She’s a soldier’s daughter. And we have orders!”
Before he could finish, he grabbed Kamal and landed a heavy punch. Kamal recoiled but held his ground, enduring the pain. John joined in, and together they beat him — not to the point of destruction, but with enough rage and intent to deliver a warning.
Zuhra (screaming, tears flowing):
“Stop! Leave him alone! He didn’t do anything!! Have mercy on him!”
But they pulled her aside and spoke in a firm, harsh tone:
John:
“We’re following orders. Get in the car — we’re taking you home now.”
Usman (turning to Kamal, still seething):
“You’re lucky we weren’t ordered to bring you too. But if we see you near Zuhra again — we’ll treat you as a threat to the military.”
They left Kamal on the ground by the hall — bruised, body aching, heart burning. Zuhra, inside the car, cried as she turned to look back at Kamal through the window, watching until the car sped off.
Kamal (watching the vehicle leave, voice weak):
“Zuhra… you’ve left my heart with you.”
He sat on the ground, breathing with difficulty. But within him — a new kind of resolve began to rise:
This will not end here.
Zuhra (frozen, her voice trembling):
“That’s our family’s car… Oh Allah! John and Usman!”
Kamal (watching her anxiously):
“Stay calm. Everything will be okay, trust me.”
They remain standing, hearts pounding. Moments later, they see John and Usman hurrying out of the vehicle, their military uniforms gleaming under the vehicle’s lights. Their eyes are locked straight on Zuhra and Kamal.
John (shouting):
“Zuhra, come! You’re to return home immediately!”
Usman (pointing at Kamal angrily):
“And you… you’ve disturbed us enough that we had to be sent from home?!”
Kamal (stepping closer to Zuhra with dignity):
“I have never harmed her. But if sitting beside her is a crime… then punish me.”
Usman (furious):
“She’s a soldier’s daughter. And we have orders!”
Before he could finish, he grabbed Kamal and landed a heavy punch. Kamal recoiled but held his ground, enduring the pain. John joined in, and together they beat him — not to the point of destruction, but with enough rage and intent to deliver a warning.
Zuhra (screaming, tears flowing):
“Stop! Leave him alone! He didn’t do anything!! Have mercy on him!”
But they pulled her aside and spoke in a firm, harsh tone:
John:
“We’re following orders. Get in the car — we’re taking you home now.”
Usman (turning to Kamal, still seething):
“You’re lucky we weren’t ordered to bring you too. But if we see you near Zuhra again — we’ll treat you as a threat to the military.”
They left Kamal on the ground by the hall — bruised, body aching, heart burning. Zuhra, inside the car, cried as she turned to look back at Kamal through the window, watching until the car sped off.
Kamal (watching the vehicle leave, voice weak):
“Zuhra… you’ve left my heart with you.”
He sat on the ground, breathing with difficulty. But within him — a new kind of resolve began to rise:
This will not end here.
End of In the Depth of the Heart Chapter 26. Continue reading Chapter 27 or return to In the Depth of the Heart book page.