The Untainted
– Threads of Destiny
The Mustopha estate was quiet that evening.
In the large study, warm lamplight illuminated the polished wooden desk where Mr. Mustopha sat reviewing documents.
Across from him sat his wife.
Between them lay a single topic neither of them could ignore any longer.
Rihannat.
Mrs. Mustopha broke the silence first.
"She impressed me, I understand why everyone loves her. She is indeed loveable. And....I really pray it's what I'm thinking. I pray it's like we guess...., the missing girl then." she said softly.
Her husband nodded slowly.
"She carries herself with dignity just like her highness. Same expression, beauty, kindness and elegance. Their aura matches....., only if she is the one." Mr Mustopha sighs.
"Let's wait till they come next month, this month will end in some few days anyway....., patience.....let's have patience. Everything will become clear by then." Her husband concluded. "We can invite her so they can meet."
"There is something about her," Mrs. Mustopha added thoughtfully. "Grace that cannot be taught." "She is different from her parents, they don't have her aura and charisma at all, they seems..... inferior to her"
Mr. Mustopha leaned back in his chair.
"That is why we invited her family you know."
His wife studied him carefully.
"You mean the goddaughter proposal. When you told Qazeem to invite them?!"
"Yes."
"The whole thing was for three purposes."
"Firstly, it was a test."
To examine her family, to see if she takes after her parents in all of what he had observed or not - Personality, elegance, beauty and all others.
Secondly, to keep the young woman under the protection of their household—treating her as a daughter of the family because of her character and modesty.
But there had been another reason behind the dinner which is the third.
One they had not openly spoken of.
Mrs. Mustopha sighed gently.
"You were also observing her for the boys."
Mr. Mustopha gave a faint smile.
"I was."
"Which one?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Because the truth was complicated.
Farouk admired her.
Qazeem was determined about her.
Mrs. Mustopha finally said quietly,
"Qazeem has already made his choice."
"Yes," her husband replied.
"And that is why we must proceed carefully."
Elsewhere – Basit's Family Home
Basit's father sat in the living room speaking with his wife.
A file lay open on the table.
His wife frowned slightly.
"You're going to the Mustopha estate tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"For business?"
"Partly."
She studied him.
"Something else is on your mind."
He nodded slowly.
"They mentioned a girl, its circulating among the elite, ...his new goddaughter. And I also heard your children talking about it."
"A girl?"
"Yes."
"A potential bride for one of their sons."
His wife smiled lightly.
"That is normal."
But her husband didn't smile back.
"It's the girl your son is in love with. I overheard them three days ago in the terrace. I also heard they told you about it. They didnt know l was coming, so I turned back... He is heartbroken."
They both were silent for some minutes before he slid a photograph across the table.
It was the photo Ridwan had taken at the university courtyard. He saw it in his room today.
Rihannat beneath the tree.
His wife picked it up.
The moment she saw the face—
Her expression froze.
Her fingers tightened around the photograph.
Her voice dropped.
"…that girl."
Her husband leaned forward.
"You recognize her too?"
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead she stared at the image as if time itself had suddenly bent backward.
Memories surfaced.
A hospital room.
A newborn baby.
A promise made between families.
Then a tragedy.
A missing child.
She whispered slowly,
"No… it can't be."
Her husband frowned. His eyes deep with lots of emotions.
She placed the photo down carefully.
"This was the child."
His brows knit together, feeling troubled.
Her voice trembled slightly.
"Our friends… the Rahman family."
"The lost daughter years ago."
He sat up straighter.
"You think so too?"
She nodded slowly.
"She would be about this age now."
Silence filled the room.
Her husband looked again at the photograph.
At the girl's face.
At the elegance in her posture.
Then he said quietly,
"You also think this girl could be…"
She shook her head quickly.
"No...Maybe.....she was declared missing....its been a long time....I dont even know what to say now ah." Her words broken, feeling unsettled and happy at the same time.
"Maybe not. Just a replica or resemblance."
But her eyes said something else entirely.
"I'm only remembering from her baby look in the past. And her mother's face too, her expression and elegance are equally matched, should we inform her highness...We might not be accurate.....,"
Still…....
Something about the girl's face refused to leave her mind.
University – The Next Day
Rihannat sat beneath the same tree reading quietly.
Rayyan approached carrying two drinks.
"You look peaceful."
Rihannat smiled faintly.
"I'm trying to be."
Rayyan sat beside her.
"So… any news from the Mustopha family?"
Rihannat shook her head.
"My parents only said they may visit."
Rayyan raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds suspiciously like marriage talks."
Rihannat laughed softly.
"Rayyan."
"I'm serious!"
But before Rihannat could respond—
Basit walked past.
For a brief moment their eyes met.
Then he continued walking.
Rayyan watched him go.
"…that man is suffering."
Rihannat sighed quietly.
"I know."
But somewhere deep inside her chest—
There was a strange feeling she could not explain. Like....an ache.
His distance makes her feel somehow uncomfortable but wasn't she the one that first started avoiding him. But why is it now affecting her.
And the new feeling she can't explain this days whenever she sight him, as if.... something about Basit's presence felt… familiar to her.
Not just familiar. She cant describe her feelings.
Rayyan watched her dazed friend looking at basit tail light. His silhouette has long gone leaving no trace behind but she's still in daze. Why can't she see the truth. "I pray you don't lose eachother. May Allah make your path more connected and easy for you guys if you are meant to be" she prayed silently for them like she always do after salat.
Across the Campus
Segun leaned against his usual pillar.
Bayo stood beside him again.
"You're still watching this girl?"
Segun didn't look away from the building.
"Yes."
Bayo sighed.
"You need a hobby."
Segun smirked faintly.
"I have one."
Bayo crossed his arms.
"And what is that?"
Segun replied calmly,
"Uncovering secrets."
He nodded toward Rihannat.
"And that girl…"
His voice lowered slightly.
"…is surrounded by them."
Late Evening – Mustopha Estate
Mr. Mustopha received a call.
The moment he saw the name on the screen, he smiled.
"Ah, my friend."
It was Basit's father.
Their business partner.
Their longtime ally.
"Are you free tomorrow?" Basit's father asked.
"For you, always."
There was a brief pause.
Then Basit's father said something unexpected.
"I would like to discuss a girl."
Mr. Mustopha chuckled softly.
"Interesting."
"Yes."
"A girl your family recently met."
Mr. Mustopha's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Rihannat."
Another pause.
Then Basit's father spoke slowly.
"Yes."
"I believe our families may share more history with her than we realize."
Mr. Mustopha leaned back in his chair.
And for the first time…
He began to suspect that the threads connecting their families were far older and far deeper than anyone had imagined.
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