She smiled. “Wow, Meenal, this game pleased me a lot. You’ll keep doing it for me,” she said. Then she stood up, entered her room, and went straight into the toilet. She felt so much at ease, like she wasn’t herself anymore. Remembering her husband, she smiled and said, “Surely, there is someone who will never replace you, my husband.”

After bathing, she cleaned herself up, rubbed on a strong, pleasant perfume, and performed her prayers. Then she brought out a plate of food but couldn’t manage a single bite because she was overwhelmed with thoughts of Meenal. She called her. Meenal entered, wearing a small cap, her hair falling freely across her back, spread over the bed. She stared at her intently.

“I hope you’ve eaten?” she asked.

Meenal laughed. “No, aunty, I couldn’t eat at all.” She opened her hand, ready to be fed. And that’s exactly what happened—she scooped food with a spoon and fed her, saying, “Chew, you see? You can do it.”

But Meenal looked at her and said, “Honestly, aunty, I don’t feel fine at all.” She studied her carefully; it was clear her body was weakening. She leaned forward, wiping the soup from Meenal’s lips with her finger. Just then, her mother’s call interrupted. She quickly answered with respect.

On the other end, her mom said, “So, when will you bring Meenal so we can meet? I heard she’s staying with you.”

She smiled. “Yes, mom, she’s with me. I’m taking good care of her, and I even want to enroll her in school.”

“No,” her mom replied. “First, teach her home training before you think of school.”

“Alright, mom, insha’Allah,” she answered, hanging up.

Looking back, she saw Meenal about to fall asleep, breathing unevenly as she spoke. “No, Meenal, don’t sleep yet. Look, your cap is still on.” But sleep overtook her, and she let her be, stroking her chest that was beating fast. “I love you, Meenal,” she whispered as sleep carried the girl away. She lay beside her, placed candy in her mouth, and kept touching her, pressing against her.

---

🖊️ When Meenal woke up, she found herself in Sapna’s embrace. She turned over and fell into another deep sleep. They didn’t wake until around six. Sapna’s movements woke her. As Meenal stretched, smiling and trying to head to the toilet, Sapna stopped her.

“Just make ablution, I’ve already done the rest for you.”

“Alright, aunty,” she replied, went to the toilet, performed ablution, and prayed on the mat. She then lay rolling about.

Sapna entered, dressed in a long gown decorated with shiny net fabric, holding a steaming cup of tea. She placed it down and said, “My Meenal, come have your breakfast.”

Meenal looked at her. “Aunty, I don’t feel fine at all.”

“Aw, my pleasure, sorry dear. Should I take you to the hospital?”

She shook her head. “No, aunty, I don’t like taking medicine.”

Sapna pulled her to sit on her lap. Meenal blushed and tried to cover her face. Sapna started stroking her fingers, slowly trying to reach for her lips.

“No, aunty,” Meenal pulled back. “Yesterday you almost suffocated me when you kissed me.”

Sapna laughed loudly, even snorting. “That’s my pleasure. Now, come on, get dressed.”

“Alright, aunty,” she replied and went into the toilet. Meanwhile, Sapna returned to her room, showered, and dressed in a fine material outfit Najilil had bought for her before leaving. She looked stunning, her eyes glowing, her lips shining, hair flowing, and heels clicking gracefully.

She went to Meenal’s room smiling. “Wow, truly you’re beautiful, my joy. Come closer.” She grabbed her hand, but her eyes looked wild and strange, red as though she had suffered an illness. She kept sniffing around Meenal like a predator, trembling, saying, “Meenal, please put your lips in mine, I beg you, I’ll give you anything you want.”

Meenal, shocked at her state, grew terrified. Sapna gripped her tightly, her hair disheveled, and suddenly pressed her lips against hers, forcing saliva into her mouth. She grew more desperate, her hands roaming over Meenal’s chest, breathing heavily, and muttering indecent words.

Meenal had no idea what Sapna was doing or what this was at all. She had never experienced such a thing, never even heard of it.

---

🖊️ Meanwhile, Najilil stepped out of the office, laptop in hand. The weather felt pleasant, and he ran a hand through his hair. Remembering Meenal, he grew silent. “Why didn’t I take her with me? It would be better for her to be by my side,” he murmured as he prepared to leave the conference venue