Back at the café...
Rami: "Why don't you tell me more about yourself, Menna?"
Menna: "Well, I live with my mom. My father passed away when I was little."
Rami: "I'm sorry."
Menna: "It's okay."
Rami's thoughts: I need to deepen the wall of trust between us if this relationship is going to work.
Rami (with a smile): "Why did you trust me so quickly?"
Menna: "What do you mean?"
Rami: "I didn't expect you'd agree to go out with me. It felt fast. And now we're sharing personal stuff about our lives."
Menna: "I saw something in you I hadn't seen in others. First, you saved me—twice—and got me to the hospital. How could I not trust you? Then I found out you went to tell my mom what happened so she wouldn't worry. That shows you're reliable. Also, you never caused any trouble at university… and you were the only one who used to support Riham."
Rami was stunned.
Rami: "I'm really sad about what happened to her."
Menna: "We were classmates but not close. I saw how everyone bullied her, but I was afraid to step in. You were the only guy who tried to protect her."
Rami: "She was kind. I just wish I'd protected her more—so she wouldn't have died."
Menna (sadly): "What's done is done… but I never imagined she'd end her own life."
Trying to lighten the mood, Menna said: "By the way, my mom likes you."
Rami smiled: "That's fast. What did she say?"
Menna (smiling): "She said you're very handsome."
Rami (joking): "I was thinking of marrying her honestly—I thought she was your sister."
Menna laughed: "Stop it. That kind of compliment went extinct in the Middle Ages."
Rami raised an eyebrow playfully: "Alright, Queen Shajarat al-Durr, I'll stop."
Rami's thoughts: Now's the time to make sure she stays in contact with me.
Rami: "I'm writing a story. Would you like to read it?"
Menna smiled instantly: "Absolutely!"
Rami: "Thanks. After each chapter, we can talk about it on WhatsApp—you can tell me your thoughts."
---
The date ended successfully.
Rami walked Menna home. She thanked him for the lovely day.
Then Rami headed back to his place.
---
Flashback...
A group of kids were beating up a boy—kicking him around like a ball.
"Stop it, kids! Get away!" a nurse shouted. They all scattered.
She knelt down and gently held the boy's face:
"It's okay, Reza. Let's go to the clinic."
---
At the clinic...
After she treated his wounds, the nurse looked at the sad boy.
"What's wrong, dear? Why aren't you enjoying your time? Why do they hurt you?"
Reza: "Because I tell them my mom and dad will come save me. They keep trying to convince me they left me and won't come back."
Nurse: "Listen, Reza. What's the point of books?"
Reza: "To get information and learn new things."
Nurse: "Very good. People are like books too—you learn from them. Even the ones who hurt you teach you something. Everyone you meet is a lesson. And what do you do after finishing a book?"
Reza: "Throw it away... or leave it."
Nurse: "People are like that too. Eventually, you let them go."
---
Back to the present...
For the first time, Reza woke up without crying.
It seemed Menna had a magical effect on him.
"Alright… I'll send her my story."
---
Later...
Rami's thoughts: I don't know why I love watching her. I just feel safe seeing her leave the house and reach her destination. Maybe I'm afraid something might hurt her…
But honestly, her beautiful face and soft hair are worth it all.
Wait—who's that guy walking with her?
I'm sure she doesn't have a brother.
Damn it. Damn it.
Was she playing me?!
Reza burned with jealousy.