He stayed alone in his room more often than usual and seemed...

He stayed alone in his room more often than usual and seemed to have given up attending clubs, parties and theaters. She was at a loss to explain his new conduct. Fitnah reasoned that even his failure to get Sumayah could not have caused such a change. Fitnah also noticed that her maid, Nadia, had become pale and quiet. She was glad to see Nadia suffering from jealousy. She called her to get some information. "Now Nadia, I want you to be frank.

Tell me what are you hiding from me?" Nadia looked surprised but said nothing. "I have noticed that Hamid has been acting strangely recently," Fitnah remarked. "What do you mean?" asked Nadia. Fitnah said, "Oh don't play the fool. I know about the affair between you two. You know that I want to know everything about my husband. Now tell me what is the matter with him." Nadia remained silent. Fitnah persisted, "I won't tell him anything.

I won't tell him you spy on him because it is in my interests that you do so." Nadia began, "I only saw him by chance..." Fitnah interrupted, "I know it was not by chance. Now tell me what you have seen." "Well, I saw him in a park with a young lady. I could not believe my eyes. She looked decent and respectable, but..." Nadia hesitated. "But what," Fitnah said with excitement.

Nadia told her, "I saw them again and he was listening to her talk." Fitnah demanded to know, "What did they say?" "How do I know," Nadia replied, "I was outside the park. Then I saw him once again with her at a bus stop." "Did he give her a lift?" Fitnah questioned. Nadia replied, "I didn't see since I left for fear he might see me." "Thank you Nadia. Go now, and tell me everything about him that you learn in the future." Fitnah was pleased at the news.

She imagined that her revenge plan had succeeded. She anxiously awaited Ahmad's return so that she could congratulate him on his choice. She decided to leave her husband unquestioned until Ahmad returned. She then turned her thoughts to her new lover, the young engineer. Previous…