They stepped into the small house…
Everything was old....the walls weary with dampness, the living room holding nothing but a sewing machine and a small wooden table.
Yet the place felt warm… like hearts that insisted on staying strong despite all the ruin around them.
A voice called from the kitchen:
Who's that, Reem?
Reem :My friend, Mary.
The mother's smile sounded like a dream coming true:
Really? You have a friend? Oh, wonderful… see if she's hungry, I'll make her dinner to warm her heart.
They sat around a humble table, the scent of boiled potatoes filling the air with genuine love.
It left a mark deep in Mary's heart… this poor home felt richer than many she had known.
And as dinner came to an end, an idea suddenly lit up in Mary's mind!
What if she taught Reem a dance from her own world...[a Nora Fatehi-like snake] dance?
She leaned toward Reem with excitement and said:
Reemo… how about we change the song you were dancing to?
I'll write you a new one… and we'll mix it with a dance no one has ever seen before, East and West together!
Reem blinked in surprise:
East and West combined? You think it'll work?
Mary jumped up and started dancing lightly, her body moving like a snake, her rhythm setting the room ablaze.
Reem and her mother watched in awe, as if a little star had lit up their night.
Mother: But Mary, the dance is bold and powerful… will people like it?
Mary, with an innocent smile: Aunty, people love change and excitement! Did you see the other girls' routines? No energy, no spark. I'm sure we'll set the stage on fire.
I'll sketch a design....you just sew it, and leave the rest to me.
She opened a notebook and drew a golden dress:
Simple, elegant, with thin straps tied on the shoulders,
a wide, sheer skirt that floated with every step,
as if it were made for the moon to wrap around her as she twirled.
The mother looked at the sketch, eyes shining with promise:
I'll sew you the most beautiful dress this contest has ever seen.
And from that night on…
the training began...sleepless nights, laughter and tears,
a small dream growing in the corners of a poor home.
The night before the competition…
Reem sat by the window, her shoulders hunched, fingers nervously twisting the edge of the curtain, her eyes lost in the darkness outside.
Mary walked over quietly and sat beside her, reaching out to gently touch her fingers.
Mary {whispering}: Something's wrong, Reem? I can feel your heart screaming, but your voice is silent.
Reem {broken voice}: I'm scared…
It's such a big step…
What if they laugh at me? What if they don't like my dance? What if… I lose my dream before it even begins?
Mary stayed quiet for a moment, looking deep into Reem's eyes as if trying to plant strength in her soul. Then she said firmly:
Mary: Listen to me…
People love what can't be copied… they love courage… they love truth.
Maybe they'll laugh today… maybe they'll whisper…
But a few minutes later, your image will burn itself into their memories forever.
You're not walking on that stage to win… you're walking up there to make the world remember you exist, that you're strong, that you're a girl no one could ever break.
A warm tear rolled down Reem's cheek, her lips trembling:
Reem: And if I fail…?
Mary smiled and placed her hand over her heart:
Mary: Even if the whole world stands against you… you'll find me here, clapping for you at the top of my lungs… because I know you're going to stun them.
Trust me… tomorrow, the stage will call out one name only...Reem.
******
Thirty minutes before the show
The streets were almost empty, lamplight casting trembling shadows on the wet pavement after a light rain. The air was cold, still… as if hiding something beneath its skin.
Reem held her mother's hand tightly, her fingers frozen, her heart beating like crazy. Mary tried to hide her own anxiety behind an encouraging smile:
Listen to me… tonight, everyone's going to hear your voice, see your dance. Tonight… you're the star.
But suddenly, from the narrow alleys, three heavy silhouettes emerged. Broad-shouldered men, their slow footsteps dripping with malice. One of them began clapping slowly, his voice rough, laced with threat: Where are you pretty ladies going? Road's closed tonight… show's been canceled.
Reem staggered back in fear, her breath hitching. Her mother stepped in front of her, arms wide to protect her, her voice hoarse, trembling:
Please… just let us through, my daughter's got a dream tonight!
Their laughter clanged like iron, cruel and heavy, as they advanced with confident strides.
Mary burned inside, but her eyes only showed defiance:
Three against girls? Where's your pride?
One man cracked his knuckles mockingly:
Our job tonight is to make sure you don't reach that stage… don't make this harder than it needs to be.
Reem was shaking, sobbing, her mother trying to pull her away, but one man blocked their path with his massive frame.
Mary took a deep breath, her heart pounding like war drums, then whispered firmly:
Aunty… take Reem and run, I'll stop them.
They laughed louder:
A little bunny thinks she can stop us? Hahaha…
Mary lunged forward, but one man shoved her hard, sending her to the ground. Her mother crawled toward her, screaming her name:
MARY!
Mary shouted back quickly:
I'm fine… just run with Reem, I'm begging you!
But the men didn't give them a chance. One of them grabbed Mary's arm roughly, his eyes blazing with rage:
Who do you think you are? Stay still and don't ruin the plan.
Her heartbeat thundered in her chest, fear and determination battling inside her…
And then, cutting through the darkness, came the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps.
Footsteps heavy with silent menace, making everyone freeze.
From the shadows emerged a tall man, his body lean and strong, long black hair falling to his shoulders, his dark brown eyes like a starless night.
He stood there, saying nothing, expression unreadable, just watching.
One of the men sneered:
And who's this? Some action-movie hero? Get lost before we drag you out too.
But the stranger didn't move.
In a blur, he struck like a storm:
One swift hit sent the first thug crashing to the ground, a sharp kick slammed the second into a wall, and before the third could flee, his grip caught him and threw him down effortlessly.
Silence swallowed the alley. The only sounds were Mary's shaky breaths and the wind whistling through the narrow streets.
Reem's mother pulled her daughter and they ran ahead, while Mary stood frozen, wide-eyed in shock.
She stepped closer to the stranger and whispered, trembling but grateful:
Thank you… if you hadn't come, we'd never have made it.
He said nothing. Didn't smile. His eyes stayed fixed on her, dark and unreadable, as if he knew her… but refused to reveal his secret.
Mary turned and ran to catch up with Reem, whispering urgently:
We have to make it before time runs out…
But she didn't see that the man remained standing in the shadows, his gaze following her, lips moving in words only he could hear:
Who… is she?