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"Ayat"
The cigarette rested between my fingers. Sometimes I took a drag, other times it burned down to the filter without me noticing. Then, without thinking, I'd light another.
Outside, the building had come alive with chaos. Neighbors were each busy with something-one hurrying out the gate, another pacing the courtyard restlessly. The old gardener, his shoulders slumped with age, tended to the flowers on both sides of the yard. But what was the point? Those flowers were nearing the end anyway. Caring for them was a waste of time.
The door to my room opened without permission. I heard the heavy footsteps of someone behind me, getting closer, until he stood right behind me.
"Your room reeks of smoke... Seems like Ahura isn't keeping tabs on your habit anymore."
I turned toward him, stubbed the cigarette in the ashtray, and said in a raspy voice,
"If you say a word to him, I swear I'll rip your head off with my bare hands."
He shrugged casually.
"I won't. Relax."
No trace of his usual dumb jokes. No half-smiles. He'd turned serious-dead serious.
He walked to the window and stared out into the courtyard.
"You coming to meet Hakhamanesh's successor too?"
I stood beside him, my eyes following the line of his gaze.
"Yeah, I'm going... 'Cause Ahura thinks if I stay home alone, I'll end up hurting myself."
A pause. Then he said,
"The person we're going to meet... is the one trying to break the partnership..."
More silence. The kind that drives you mad. I hated unfinished sentences. And Hadi knew that damn well.
I snapped,
"What's going on, Hadi?"
He ran a hand across his forehead, still silent.
A knock on the door. Ahura's voice made us both turn.
"Ayat, we were supposed to see the doctor today."
I shot a glance at him, then turned back to Hadi, frowning.
"Just say it already."
Hadi was still mute. Ahura stepped in, confusion written all over his face.
"What are you trying to tell Ayat?"
Hadi, exhausted and unsure, turned and dropped onto the couch. He lowered his head and murmured,
"Hakhamanesh's son-in-law..."
He paused. His trembling eyes met mine.
Hakhamanesh... their former business partner. Now that Parviz Hakhamanesh was dead, who the hell was this son-in-law Hadi was so hesitant to talk about?
I drew in a deep breath, swallowing the pressure sitting on my chest.
"For Ayat's sake, Hadi, just say it!"
Ahura stood still, waiting, just as clueless as I was.
"Sako... your cousin. He married Hakhamanesh's eldest daughter six months ago. Before Parviz died, he was just her boyfriend. Now they're officially married... and he's sharing the entire inheritance with her."
I burst out laughing. Loud. Unhinged. The kind of laugh that screams you've gone off the rails.
And I knew-right then-I looked like a broken wreck in their eyes. A full-blown lunatic.