A Dalilinki Book 1 – English Translation

“Where do you think you are going?” Nisham demanded.

“It is none of your business. Just stay out of my way,” Nisha replied.

“I won’t. What do you think will happen if you go missing? Who will be questioned about where you went? Nisham will be questioned. Why should I allow you to go out despite knowing all the dangers you could encounter? Why are you so foolish that you refuse to understand me?”

He pulled her along, took her into his bedroom, and locked the door with a key. He knew that locking her inside her own room would be useless because she would probably find a spare key and release herself.

She did not understand that remaining inside the house was safer and would protect her dignity. She had no idea what kind of heart Sofia possessed—not even now that she had married Sofia’s former husband.

Nisha repeatedly struck the door and begged him to release her, but he completely ignored her. Eventually, he picked up his car key and left to buy takeaway food for them.

She continued standing by the door, knocking and apologising. After some time, she dropped to her knees like someone begging for forgiveness and continued striking the door.

But Nisham was already returning home with their food.

She eventually became exhausted and accepted her situation. Hunger was also tormenting her. She dragged herself towards the centre of the room, lay on the floor, and eventually fell asleep.

Nisham quietly opened the bedroom door and found her sleeping in the middle of the room. He placed her food on the bedside drawer before lifting her into his arms and laying her on the bed.

He returned to the living room and continued eating. Suddenly, his phone began ringing.

“Not again. What does she want this time?” he muttered.

He answered the call.

“Hello, Sofia. What do you want again?”

“Hello, my love. How have you been with your new bride? I saw your wedding on television. You married a woman who used to work for me.”

“Stop that nonsense. I am not your love; I am your former husband. Get that into your head.”

“Well, well, well. Let us get straight to business. I called because I want us to make a deal.”

“What kind of deal?”

“You must marry me again. If you refuse, I will kill your precious mother and your beautiful wife so that you and I can remain together forever.”

“Hell no! You are losing your mind.”

“No, I am not. I am simply doing what is best for both of us. If I cannot have you, I would rather kill you and then kill myself so that we can remain together after death. But I will never allow her to have you.”

Terrified by Sofia’s threat, Nisham hurriedly ended the call and rushed towards his bedroom. When he opened the door, he found Nisha sitting on the bed with her chin resting in her hand.

He sat beside her.

“Hello, my desert flower.”

“Your desert flower? Do you expect me to believe that after locking me inside your bedroom?”

“At least I tried. I did not lock you inside the storeroom or laundry room. I locked you in my bedroom, which has a royal bed, a spring mattress, air conditioning, a room heater, a private toilet, and a complete Jacuzzi. What else do you want?”

“My freedom. That is what I want.”

“Hmm, no. You will not have that either. And if I hear that you called your family and told them I locked you inside my bedroom, you will certainly pay for it. I have warned you, so do not claim that you did not know.”

She burst into tears.

“I swear, Allah is sufficient for me. I will never forgive you. You are wicked and cruel!”

“Just look at this spoiled child.”

He walked out and locked her inside the bedroom again.

Sofia called him once more.

“Hello.”

“What?” he answered harshly.

“Calm down, my love.”

“Do you expect me to calm down? No way.”

“Hopefully, there is a way. Let us meet so that we can negotiate and reach an agreement.”

“Where should we meet?”

“I will send you the address.”

She ended the call.

“Sister, I never knew you were this brilliant. Your plan is working perfectly,” Rita said.

“I knew it would work, and this is going to be the end.”

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

They raised their glasses and drank from the expensive red wine before them.

“Wow! This wine is so sweet and delicious.”

“Yes, it is extremely expensive. I bought it especially for you because I knew you would like it.”

“It is a wonderful gift. Honestly, thank you.”

Nisham’s call appeared on Sofia’s phone.

“Hello. Are you there?” he asked.

“Yes. Come outside so that we can finish this.”

Sofia arrogantly walked outside accompanied by her elder sister, Rita. She stopped close to Nisham and tried to stroke his face, but he immediately knocked her hand away.

“Hello, handsome.”

“Please go straight to the point.”

“Wow, wow! Take it easy. From what I can see, you truly love that woman.”

“She is not what you called her. You are the real first-class troublemaker here.”

“Yes, I cannot argue with that. I already know what I am.”

Sofia moved closer.

“Tell me something. You never slept with me throughout our marriage. Have you slept with her?”

“What the hell is wrong with you? That is none of your business.”

“I suppose that answers my question. You have not made love to her either. Let us go inside.”

Rita interrupted her.

“Hell no! You are not going anywhere.”

“So all these threats and games were simply because you wanted to sleep with me?” Nisham asked.

“No, that is not everything. I simply need him,” Sofia replied.

“To hell with you!”

Nisham stood watching as the sisters continued arguing intensely. He eventually entered his car and drove towards home.

As he approached the house, an unexplained chill ran through his body. The compound gate was standing wide open.

He parked outside and continued into the compound on foot. To his horror, both the security guard and the gardener were lying unconscious on the ground.

He could not bring himself to enter the house any farther. He immediately called the police station and then called Nazir.