Some moments reshape the soul.
Their echoes linger — for days, for weeks, for months…
for years.
And some never fade,
clinging to us until our final breath.
Some hearts are forged in steel,
unyielding to the world's flame.
Others are soft as clay,
shaped and reshaped by the hands of fate.
There are those who, when broken, mend as if untouched,
and those who, when torn apart,
multiply — like a star reborn from its own fragments.
Which is strength? And which is weakness?
Do not answer yet.
For when morals blur and souls transform,
a tale begins — one that has already met its end.
A beginning for some...
an ending for many.
After Adam and Ibrahim had eaten until they were completely full, Adam had eaten more than the rest of his family — so much that he began to feel short of breath.
Laughing, Adam told Ibrahim that it felt as if a volcano was erupting in his chest, sending its lava down into his stomach. Everyone burst into laughter.
Mrs. Jamila, Adam's mother, told him that he shouldn't eat too much because it could harm his health.
Mr. Adam disagreed with his wife, insisting that if Adam trained while eating a lot, his body would become stronger.
However, he advised him not to eat carelessly, but rather to calculate how much protein and how many calories his body needed — emphasizing that food is very important for one's health.
He also reminded both Adam and Ibrahim that staying healthy was necessary to maintain their performance at school.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Adam and Ibrahim ran to the door to see who it was.
When they opened it, they found Ibrahim's aunt lying unconscious on the doorstep.
Ibrahim screamed for help, calling Adam's parents.
Mr. Adam rushed over to see what was happening and was shocked to find Ibrahim's aunt lying motionless in front of the house.
He immediately called an ambulance.
Fifteen minutes later, the paramedics arrived and carried Ibrahim's aunt into the ambulance, turning on the siren as they sped away.
Mr. Adam borrowed his neighbor's car after pleading with him, explaining that his own car was too weak and broken.
The neighbor agreed on one condition — that Mr. Adam take good care of the car.
Mr. Adam drove off quickly, following the ambulance, while Mrs. Adam stayed home to look after their three-year-old daughter.
---
Meanwhile, at a fancy restaurant across town, teacher Emily was having dinner with the bus driver, Cohen.
Emily was astonished by how elegant and luxurious the place was.
She said it was her first time ever dining at such a fine restaurant.
She didn't question how a bus driver could afford such a place — her mind was too occupied by how beautiful everything looked.
After Cohen asked the waiter to lead them to their table, they sat down to eat.
Emily saw dishes she had never seen before — like Beluga caviar, sturgeon fish, oysters, and black truffles.
The restaurant served all kinds of gourmet dishes, from fine seafood to rare wild fruits.
Emily was amazed by it all, thanking Cohen and calling his father one of the most generous people she had ever known.
After dinner, Cohen offered Emily a bit of whiskey.
At first, she refused completely.
But he kept persuading her, saying it tasted wonderful and that she shouldn't miss such a rare opportunity.
She drank a little… then a little more… until she had glass after glass — and could no longer see clearly.
Cohen called the waiter.
The waiter asked, "Would you like your usual arrangement, Mr. Cohen?"
Cohen replied calmly, "Yes. A reservation for one person only."
The waiter nodded. "
As you wish, Mr. Cohen."
To be continued...
© Copyright Ibrahim Abdullah.
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