Deceived; Chapter 38.2

Zeyad's words stabbed my heart, but were touching, in some odd way.

My heart's broken into tiny pieces.

Emotionally, I sort of felt my life on its way crashing down.

The conversation between the three of us that day was shocking, shocking, I tell you.

The words that escaped Fahad's mouth was just as surprising, too.

The questions I had wandering about in my confused, small-looking head were indeed answered.

Our dialogue repeated itself in my stored memories once each scene was over.

Inside of me, my heart was disapproved of Rania. I might as well pity her, but aren't I just as similar to feel sorrowful for?

Her current situation isn't why I intend to deprecate her, it's just, her father, he's the one to blame..

My life is in ruins because of a man.

A normal fifteen year-old receives problems of the usage of makeup, or wardrobe panic attacks, not some silly old man that tricks young, innocent girls for amusement.

The ultimate source of irritation comes from the thought of reminding myself continuously that I'm not who I used to be, in fact, I'm a whole different me.

Lately, Munya and I have been quite normal with one another.

The girls, as I recall, followed her and befriended me, once again.

I've heard through the girls that Rania has been stuck in deep, deep depression.

She hasn't left the house ever since.

They offered to visit her.

No, I thought, her home is owned by the human that deluded me, and made me fall into this black hole of ruse and deception. Munya still hasn't found out that 'Fouad' is the father of our best friend. She would be complaining in devastation about how unnatural this world has become, how everybody isn't who they seem to be.

Although, the strange thing is, as they said, she has been getting symptoms of some kind of contagious illness.

STD, they said.

I just hope it's only the beginning, and a cure would be on her way.

Despite my heart's disapproval of her, she still is considered one of my close friends, after all, we've been through thick and thin, pretty and ugly, and we're basically in the same position, now.

However, I, myself, shouldn't be complaining, where as I could have been in a much tougher situation than I already am in.

I repetitively complain and complain over useless things, when I don't even think of others.

Many would die to have a life like mine, when I'm not even thankful to have perfect health.

Thank God.

I repeat, thank you, God.

-

On the following lazy Saturday, as usual, it was a regular chilling day at home, I sat down on the sofa facing the television, and began flipping through the channels.

I was almost comfortable until an irritating feeling got me, it was random, but I felt as if it was such a normal feeling, a feeling I received ever since 'Uncle Talal' visited.

My heart has always been occupied with hatred towards Rania's father, which never seemed to escape.

I feel as though it's an instinctive behavior.

And as I was thinking of my recent past, the ordinary conversational flashback between Zeyad, Fahad, and I begun.

"But the real reason" continued Zeyad, "why I visited your brother is to talk to you about someone in my family..."

"Before you begin, I know nothing about what has happened to Rania!" I spoke assuring them.

"Oh, well who said it was about Rania?" he proudly said, "It's about my father, Talal Al-*****"

I knew it.

I silently gasped, wondering what's next, what's next?!

"I've heard.. from my father, himself..." he spoke, "a-h-h.. it's too shameful to even mention, but you do get what I am talking about, do you?"

I did, indeed, I nodded making sure Fahad won't notice. He would flip to his dark side, immediately.

"He really confides in me, and I know he has been doing this to a couple, in the past-"

What really harmed me emotionally were his last words.

It hurts to see something you depressingly went through, being went through, maybe even worse, with a 'couple' of others, in the past.

Ouch.

I shed a light tear, too light it couldn't be seen.

What I went through was difficult, and not easy. It wasn't just a regular 'every-once-in-a-while" problem, it was serious. It was rape.

"But," continued Zeyad, "we, as a family, try to cope with his problem, it's been going on for a while now.."

"Problem? What problem?" I replied quietly inquiring with a sense of suspense deep in my innocent, innocent heart.

"You didn't know? My father's bipolarity disease gets to him every once in a few months. He tends to seek entertainment, and my mother isn't able to offer him that.." answered the boy standing beside my brother, who was deeply listening to our conversation.

A few minutes later, Zeyad spoke once again.

 "I'm sorry to tell you this. But, basically, I just want to apologize for the inconvenience, and I know you've been through a lot, recently, Fahad told me."

I faced my dear brother.

He knew?

"You knew?" I spoke up.

"I was just as shocked, Ghaneya." he replied, "at first, I had no idea it was Uncle Talal, I thought it was an unknown man, but since I trusted Zeyad, and have known his ever since, I spoke to him about it, and he opened up.."

My thoughts, at the moment, revolved around one, and only one man, my father.

Did he find out who 'Fouad's' true identity was?

Before I began to speak, I turned my head to face Rania's brother.

"Did you tell my f-f-f-f-a-a-"

Before I could continue my last word, I was hastily interrupted by a voice that came from behind.

"Ghaneya, why didn't you tell me when you found out?" said my father.