Pravin lay on Hajjaty’s bed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, his face darkened with anger. His heart burned from the humiliation he suffered when Chief Owais drove him out in front of Senate Lateef. Nothing stung him more than seeing everyone fail to stand up for him—it only confirmed to him that he was a nobody in this family, worth less than a trash bin.

All the while he lay there, he didn’t pray, didn’t recite anything, even as the call to Maghrib prayer came and went, and even when ‘Isha had started. He had already sworn: he would shatter Owais’s heart. He had long desired it but never had the chance, until now. His mind raced—through which path could he come at Owais, to strike him where it would hurt the most?

He rose up, resting his back against a pillow. His face carried no light, not a trace of softness, only bitterness. He sank deeper into thought about how he could torture Owais emotionally. Suddenly, the sound of the toilet door opening startled him. Hajjaty emerged, dressed in a jallabiya, her head tied with a scarf, having just finished ablution.

Seeing him seated there, she quickly asked:

“Pravin! What are you still doing here? You didn’t go to the mosque? I thought by the time I came out, you’d be gone.”

He stayed silent, only staring at her with piercing eyes like a predator.

“I’m speaking to you. Is something wrong? I can see anger all over your face.”

Pravin climbed down from the bed and approached her, breathing heavily.

“Me, with that arrogant bastard? He dared to drive me out of the room in front of his parents, and they didn’t even rebuke him?”

Hajjaty, confused, replied, “I don’t understand, who are you talking about?”

Pravin let out a long sigh before recounting everything that had happened.

Softly, she said:

“Owais was wrong, yes. But you’re also at fault, Pravin. Why do you insist on intruding in their affairs? Since they’ve made it clear they don’t want you involved, stop. Stay within your place as their in-law.”

Fury consumed him. He barked at her so fiercely that her knees weakened and her eyes widened—his face had transformed into something unrecognizable.

Pointing at her with his finger, he growled:

“If you won’t calm me down, then don’t you dare do anything to further provoke me.”

Her voice trembled:

“Alright… but I must tell you the truth, Pravin. All of us face humiliation from those who don’t love us in this family. And it’s all because you insist on living in their house.”

Tears welled in her eyes as she finished.

Pravin shut his eyes for a while, saying nothing. Just when she gave up hope that he would speak, he finally said:

“I hear you. I’ll think about it. But right now, I need your help, my wife.”

She sat attentively, waiting for him to continue.

“You see, I cannot mingle with them to know what they discuss—Owais would never allow it. I want you to record all their conversations from beginning to end.”

Shock and fear spread across her face.

“For what reason? Why do you need to know their secrets?” she exclaimed, eyes wide.

Pravin moved closer, softening his tone like a cunning man:

“My wife, we owe this family a debt of gratitude. We would never want anything harmful to happen to them. You saw what happened yesterday, didn’t you?”

She nodded.

“They have enemies trying to destroy Baba Obinna. That’s why they sent that snake, to frighten him.”

Her eyes widened as if they would pop out.

“Not only him, but the whole family is at risk. What you don’t know is—the snake was sent by humans.”

She clutched her chest, staring at him in shock.

Pravin went on to tell her everything—