I'm in a good mood now. I'll do something good.
I went to the garage, opened the metal door, and walked down to the room where the real Ramy was being held.
Reda: "You're free now, Ramy."
Ramy, in disbelief: "Really?"
Reda: "Yes, but I want a guarantee that you won't go to the police."
Ramy, crying: "This room is the worst place in the world. It slowly makes a person lose the ability to feel. I promise you I'll even travel abroad."
Reda: "I'm sorry. I entered the university server and put my photo in your place to apply. Can you still travel?"
Ramy quickly: "Just get me out and I'll figure it out."
Reda: "Alright."
When Ramy got out, he fell to the ground in sujood, thanking God.
---
Thank you, Menna. You made me let him go.
But… I can't handle this room being empty. I need someone in it.
---
Two days passed.
Strange… Menna hasn't said a word. Did something happen?
I called her, but the phone was off.
---
I went to her house.
Her mother opened the door.
"Hello, is Menna here?"
"Come in, Ramy."
We sat on the couch.
Mother: "Menna is in our apartment in Alexandria. Don't tell anyone she's there. She likes to be alone when she remembers her father."
I looked confused.
Her mother noticed and continued:
"Menna really loved you… because you made her feel protected. You gave her an emotional need that's been missing since her father died when she was young. That's why when you told her you loved her, she stepped back. She's afraid of getting attached and then losing you like she lost him."
Ramy: "I will never leave her. I'm planning to propose."
Mother, understanding: "I know. But she doesn't fully understand death yet. It still affects her. She loved her father deeply. You're the only one who ever made her feel safe like he did. And she trusts easily when someone makes her feel that."
Ramy: "Is there anything I can do?"
Mother: "I think she'll come looking for you in two days. You're the only one who made her feel like her father did."
---
Reda, in his mind: I can't live without her. She's the one teaching me how to survive during this time. I'm scared that her cousin is the reason she's hesitating. Alright… I'll watch him.
Good thing I know her cousin's house…
There he is, coming out.
Reda, on the phone: "Hello Menna, are you okay?"
Reda, in his mind: Damn… They're talking. So he's threatening my relationship with her.
---
Back home…
Now I'll use the chance that she told no one where she is, just like her mother said.
I need to get rid of her cousin before he ruins our beautiful bond.
Good thing I recorded Menna's voice in a phone call once, and I have a program that can make my voice sound like hers.
Also, when she was sleeping at the hospital, I got information from her phone—photos, contacts, even her cousin's number. I smiled.
---
"Hello, Majed."
"Menna? Hello? Whose number is this?"
Fake Menna: "It doesn't matter. I'm in trouble, come quickly!"
Majed, panicking: "Where are you right now?"
---
I knew he loved her and was totally obsessed. He didn't even think to check the number or call her real one. He just rushed to save her.
Well done, Majed. Come on.
I risked this trick because of love—and it worked. Come on.
---
Majed stood behind the garage, looking around, waiting to see… Menna.
But behind him, from inside the garage, Reda hit him on the head with a stick.
---
Majed slowly opened his eyes.
"Where am I? What happened?"
He found himself in a big, pure white room. No other colors. Even his clothes were completely white. His hands were tied.
"Damn… What happened?"
He heard footsteps. The door opened.
A handsome boy entered, smiling.
"I'm Reda. Welcome, Majed."
Majed, angry: "What do you want?"
Reda: "What's between you and Menna?"
Majed, confused: "Nothing bad."
Reda smiled, then suddenly slapped him.
"Do you love her or not?" he shouted.
Majed, loudly: "Yes, I love her!"
Reda's face changed.
"Then stay here for a while."
He left some food—milk, rice, and yogurt—and walked out while Majed screamed.
---
Reda, in his mind: Now I must go to Menna. If the police come, I need an alibi. A place where I was seen.
He got the address from her mother.
And went to Menna.
---
She was on the first floor in an old apartment by the sea.
There were barely any residents in the building.
Reda heard a strange sound—like someone screaming.
"Damn…"
He pulled a strange tool from his pocket—one he uses to open doors. He unlocked the door quickly.
And was shocked to see Menna tied up with rope, and a masked man pointing a gun at her.
Reda, in his mind: Damn… I wish I came in through the window.
Menna, shaking with fear: "I'm sorry you got involved in this."
The masked man: "Raise your hands or I'll shoot!"
Reda's heart began to ache.
It felt like he'd seen this scene before…
Will his next move bring pain, just like in the past?