Just when the tension was beginning to cool—
The ground seemed to shift again.
I heard the loud, reckless, roaring like a pack of wolves tearing through silence. The kind that turned every head and pulled tension like strings of a violin ready to snap.
Hashim.
I turned slightly, already knowing what was about to come.
Eight guys.Wild hair, some half-buttoned shirts, chewing gum like they owned the damn earth.
Hashim led the charge--behind him, his gang dismounted like they were stepping onto a battlefield.
"What kind of nonsense was going on here, bro?" Hashim yelled, loud enough for the whole park to hear.
Iman flinched beside me. I stepped slightly in front of her.
Hamid, already wiping blood from his temple, smiled at the sight. "Oye, welcome latecomers."
Hashim didn't even look at him. His eyes were locked on Haffiz and his gang, the blood, the tension still hanging in the air like fog.
"Who the hell raised a hand on Ahad?" Hashim cracked his neck.
One of his boys snorted, stepping forward. "Just give us the name, we'll rip his ears off."
Another one pulled out a cricket bat from his bag. "This one's ready for tomorrow too, got to bowl it on someone's head."
Haffiz's gang shifted awkwardly.
I rolled my eyes.
"Hashim."
My voice was calm—but firm.
He paused. Looked at me.
I stepped ahead, blood still on my lips, my shirt creased and damp with sweat.
"The matter's over."
He looked at me like I'd lost it.
"What?""Brother, are you crazy? Just look at what they did to you—and you're saying it's over?"
"I said it's over."
My tone sharpened.
Hashim opened his mouth again, but then glanced at Iman—standing behind me, her eyes tired, body trembling slightly.
"Then fine. It's your matter. But if I see this again, there'll be a gift—Hashim style."
One of the gang members barked, "I'll paste his nose to his face in a selfie—reverse style."
Laughter.
Even Hamid chuckled this time.
But I wasn't smiling.
"Enough. Pack up. Let's go."
Hashim stared at me for another moment. Then sighed. "Whatever you say bro...but next time, don't stay silent. Got it?"
"Got it."
One by one, they mounted. Like a storm retreating—but one that could return anytime.
As they revved up and sped out of the park, I finally looked back.
Iman hadn't said a word.
But her eyes were still on me.
Quietly.
And that was enough.