At the end of the week, I will take you with me..." Rein smiled with a soft shyness, her cheeks flushing crimson as if Hidara's words had touched something warm deep within her—a small dream she had been hiding for a long time. She whispered with gratitude, "Thank you, Hidara." As for Hidara, he avoided looking into her shining eyes, overcome by his own shyness. In a flustered voice, he said, "We should head back now." Rein nodded, saying, "Alright." Upon their return, Mrs. Widad, Hidara's mother, was waiting for them with a cheerful face. She asked Rein tenderly, "How was your first day at school, dear?" Rein: "It was very beautiful... I'll go now to bathe and change my clothes." Widad: "Alright, go ahead; dinner is ready." As Rein headed to her room, she thought: "I feel hot. I'll shower first, then I'll come back to learn how to cook and help Aunt Widad." While she was preparing herself, ghosts of the past rushed toward her, and memories of her father, "Kamel," teased her imagination. She saw herself as a little girl calling out to him: "Father... Father! Look at what I cooked for you today." The specter of her father replied with his usual smile: "It looks delicious, my little girl." Then, he tasted it, trying to hide the reaction on his face, and said with a laugh: "Khahhh... it's very salty! But I will eat it all just for you." Rein laughed at the funny memory, and soon a faint smile covered her face as she chased the image of her late father. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she whispered, "I promise you, Father... I will do my best to live. Don't worry, Dad, I will be okay." Meanwhile, Hidara was standing behind the door, listening to her sobbing, which tore at his heartstrings. He thought sorrowfully: "If only it were I who died. If only I hadn't stolen this innocent girl's life... If her father were alive now, she would be enjoying happiness by his side." Hidara thought to himself: "I will protect you with my life, Rein. I will be your support until the last moment of my life, I promise you that." He quickly wiped his tears and gathered his breath, then cleared his throat audibly: "Ahem... Ahem..." Hidara: "Rein... my mother is waiting for you; dinner has been served." Rein thought: "What? Am I crying? I don't want anyone to see me in this weakness." She replied in a voice she tried to make sound natural: "Alright... I'm coming now. I'll just shower first." Hidara: "Alright." Downstairs, Widad asked: "Where is Rein, Hidara?" Hidara: "She's going to shower and will come immediately." Widad: "Alright." Mahmoud spoke: "Hidara, your brother will be coming in a few days to study here and help me with my work. I know my decision to move was a bit hasty, but honestly, I have connections here, and my chances of success will be better, God willing." Hidara: "I am very excited to see my brother. Regarding your decision, you are more mature and experienced than I am, and you know what is best for all of us in any case." Mahmoud: "You are kind-hearted, Hidara." Hidara, with a light laugh: "You're embarrassing me, Father." Rein came down the stairs, and Widad greeted her with a bright face: "Where have you been, dear? Come... the dinner will get cold." Rein smiled: "I took a shower and changed my clothes." Widad said tenderly: "I don't know your favorite dish, so I cooked several varieties." Rein: "Don't worry about that; everything you make is delicious." Rein began eating, saying: "In the name of God... Wow, it's really delicious!" Widad: "I'm so happy that you liked it." Rein: "Yes, I love fried chicken with rice." Widad: "I will cook it for you always." Rein: "I... I want to learn the basics of cooking. I will help you, Auntie." Widad hummed: "Alright, it's a deal." Hidara, while eating, suddenly said: "Ouch! Take this, Father—it's hot and spicy at the same time; it burnt my tongue!"5 Widad laughed: "Are you a fool? Can't you see the steam rising from it? You are a complete fool, just like your father." Mahmoud: "Hey... hey... what are you saying? He is your son, so it's only natural he resembles his mother." Widad: "Do you mean that I am a fool?" Mahmoud: "No... I mean that you are my whole life." Everyone's laughter rang out, while Rein watched them with eyes full of joy, feeling the warmth of a family she had missed for so long. "How I missed this feeling..." Then she raised her voice, saying: "I will wash the dishes, Auntie; don't exhaust yourself." Widad: "There's no need, I'll wash them." Rein: "Don't worry, Auntie, leave them to me and go get some rest. I'll do the scrubbing." Hidara: "Yes, Mother, I will help her too." Widad: "Alright, when you both finish, don't forget to turn off the lights." Rein: "Alright, Auntie." Mahmoud: "Also, Rein, when you're done, come to my room; I want to talk to you." Rein: "Alright." Hidara and Rein stood before the sink. Hidara: "I will wash the dishes." Rein: "Alright, and I will wash the remaining part." "Listen, Hidara," Rein began. "Tell me... what will you do now?" Hidara: "What do you mean?" Rein: "I mean regarding that kidnapper... Are you sure you don't want to inform the police?" Hidara: "Yes. I must carry out this mission on my own, at least for the first step." Rein: "But the situation will be extremely dangerous, and what happened to you might happen again." Hidara: "If I don't do something, it will happen to someone else." Rein: "I know that, but there are laws and police. Let them handle the matter." Hidara: "As I told you before, I want to take the first step myself. Do you think the police would even believe what I have to say? They wouldn't even give me a chance to speak. If I rely on the police, someone else might fall victim to what happened to me. Therefore, I must act." Rein: "But..."
Hidara interrupted him: "I understand why you are worried, Rein, but do not be afraid... trust me." Rein: "Alright... I just don't want to lose anyone else." Then she added: "Things will be okay." Rein: "I'm finished here; I'll go to Uncle Mahmoud now." Hidara: "Alright, I'll take care of the rest." A soft knocking on the door: (Knock.. knock.. knock). Mahmoud: "Come in." Rein: "It's me, Rein." Mahmoud: "Come in, my little girl... please, have a seat. My daughter, I bought you this school uniform that matches the school you've joined." Rein: "But Uncle..." Mahmoud: "My daughter, your old school uniform is not allowed in this school, and what happened today was just an exception." Rein: "Thank you, Uncle. Truly, thank you." Mahmoud smiled a kind smile and said: "Don't worry, little one; just take care of yourself." Rein: "I'll go now." Mahmoud: "Alright, may you be in God's protection." Rein returned to her room, admiring the new uniform: "Wow, it's really beautiful! I like it so much. I want to try it on now... no, I'll be wearing it tomorrow anyway. Now, I shall go to sleep..." Then she surrendered to the power of sleep, murmuring with a light laugh: "Ahaha." Early in the morning, as the sun sent out its first rays, Hidara and Rein were walking toward school with steady steps. Rein turned to him: "Good morning, Hidara." Hidara: "Good morning... You look very beautiful in this new uniform; it suits you perfectly." Rein: "Thank you." Hidara, pointing with his hand: "Look! It's Neil, waiting for us there." Neil approached them with a confident smile: "It seems we are all ready for today, aren't we?" Hidara: "Yes, today we begin." Rein: "I don't know much about these matters, so I will stay by Hidara's side." Neil nodded in agreement: "Alright... we will start searching for people who live alone." Hidara urged them, saying: "We must hurry." Neil: "Let's go then; let's split up and begin the search mission." The three exchanged a deep look of understanding, then set off. Rein: "Where shall we look, Hidara? I don't know anyone here." He answered her: "We will start with the school first." Hidara approached one of the students and asked: "You... do you know someone who lives alone in this area?" The student: "What are you saying? Are you an idiot? How should I know about people's private business!" In another area, Rein asked a female student: "Do you know any people who live alone?" The student replied coldly: "I don't know." They searched all the classrooms and asked many people, but the answer was always rejection or ignorance. Hidara: "Argh... the school day is over and we haven't found anyone. Where is Neil?" Rein: "Maybe he went home before us." Hidara: "I'll talk to him as soon as we return." Suddenly, Rein stopped and pointed her index finger: "Hidara... Hidara! Look, there is a girl who seems to be our age; her features look very miserable... I'll ask her. She will be the last person I ask today." Rein stepped toward her and called out: "Hey, you! Do you know people who live alone?" Hardly had Rein finished her sentence when the girl took off running, as if she had seen a ghost! Rein shouted: "Wait! Wait!" Hidara yelled: "Follow her!" and started running after her with all his strength. The girl was running and screaming in terror: "What do you want from me?!" Rein: "Let us just talk! Why are you running away from us?" Hidara shouted as he got closer to her: "Wait! Why are you running away from me?" The girl screaming: "I don't want to talk to anyone... leave me alone!" Hidara did not stop until he managed to corner her in a narrow, dead-end alley. The girl looked right and left, but the path was completely blocked. She tried to escape and resist Hidara with desperate strikes, but her strength failed her. Suddenly, the girl collapsed and burst into bitter tears: "Aaaah... please, don't take me back home! Please... please!" Rein rushed over and pushed Hidara away, saying: "Get away, you idiot! You scared her!" Hidara said regretfully: "Alright, I'm sorry." Rein approached the girl and patted her shoulder: "Don't be afraid; we are with you and will never be against you... tell me, what happened to you? And what is your name?" She answered with intermittent sobs: "I am... my name is Riya." Rein reassured her: "Alright, Riya, don't be afraid at all. We are with you and we won't send you back to your house; we just want to help you. Come with me and sit here." Then she turned to Hidara: "Hidara, go and get us some juice." Hidara: "Alright." Rein: "Now tell me, what is your story?" Riya began to tell her story while wiping her tears: "I ran away from my parents' house. When I heard you asking about people living alone, I got very scared. I thought you were sent by my parents, so I ran." Rein: "It's okay, these things happen... the important thing now is not to be afraid of me. I will help you and become your friend." Hidara arrived with the juice: "Here, Riya, drink this." Riya drank a little and then began to narrate the details of her suffering: "I was a high school student, and I had big dreams I wanted to achieve. I was very happy with my friends. One day, I saw a luxury car parked in front of our house; it belonged to the son of a high-ranking official. I entered the house, and the moment he was leaving, he looked at me with wicked, disgusting glances. He was a middle-aged man." She continued bitterly: "I went to my room, and after a while, I heard a knock on the door: (Open the door, Riya). I said: (Alright, Father... what is it?). My father said: (My daughter, someone has come to propose to you; it's the official's son). I screamed in refusal: (Father, I don't want to get married now! I want to achieve my dreams and finish my studies!). He replied harshly: (I don't care about your studies; you will marry him whether you like it or not!). I said to him, crying: (I don't want him, I can't stand him!). He yelled at me: (What? You disobey my order? I will kill you if you do! They are coming to see you tomorrow, so don't ruin it!). I tried to plead: (Father, understand me, I don't want to marry someone like him). But he screamed in my face: (I don't want to understand you, I only want the money! He will give us a lot of money. I don't care about your feelings, do you understand?)." Riya sobbed and continued: "Then he slapped me with all his might, and I fell to the floor. He said coldly: (Everything will be ready tomorrow). My mother came in crying and said: (My daughter, listen to your father, perhaps there is good in it for you; you can finish your studies at your husband's house). My mother was crying for fear that my father would kill me. I agreed under duress and prepared myself with a heart full of sadness. When that man came, I discovered he was the same person who had harassed me before and caused me a psychological complex... I wanted to kill myself then, but I couldn't." She finished her story: "They left, and my father was drowning in his joy over the money, while my mother knew the extent of my sadness. I went to my room and hung a noose, but before I could do it, my mother saved me... She said to me: (My daughter, please don't die). I told her: (It's impossible for me to marry him, Mother; death is easier for me). She said to me: (Alright, my daughter... run away. I will gather some money for you to live on. Take my gold and run far away, and don't worry about me; I will manage). And so I fled and arrived here, and now I am trembling with fear for my mother from that monster." Rein: "Don't be afraid. Your mother will be fine; she did that to give you a happy life, so fight for yourself and for her." Riya: "I rented a small apartment where I live alone, and I am looking for a job that suits me so I can save money and finish my studies, as what remains of my money is almost gone." Hidara: "Alright, I will help you... I will have you work with my brother and father in our restaurant. There, you will save money and return to your studies." Riya asked in disbelief: "Really?!" Hidara: "Yes, absolutely." Riya said with gratitude, nearly flying with joy: "Thank you... truly, thank you!" Rein: "Alright, you will be our close friend. What do you think?" Riya: "That would make me very happy." Rein: "Hooray! Now, we will accompany you to your home, Riya." They reached the place. Riya: "Thank you both for walking me home." Rein: "Don't worry... do you have a phone?" Riya: "Yes." Rein: "Alright, save my number... see you later." Riya: "See you later." On the way back, Hidara said: "This is the best step we've taken. We will get closer and closer to her to protect her." Suddenly, the phone rang... Hidara: "Yes?" Neil: "Hidara, did you find anyone?" Hidara: "Yes, we found a girl named Riya. And you?" Neil: "Yes, I found two people: Shady and Karam." Hidara: "Well done, my friend." Neil: "Alright, we will start monitoring them more to gather information." Hidara: "Alright, agreed." Hidara put his hand on his stomach and said: "I am so hungry!" Rein laughed: "We'll be home soon." Hidara: "I want to eat an entire feast by myself!" Rein: "What? Are you a monster?" Hidara, laughing: "Ahaha!" Rein: "Ridiculous... you are a silly person." Hidara jokingly: "Watch out, I might eat you too!" Rein: "Idiot!" They returned home, and days passed by... On the third day, Hidara's phone rang again. Neil: "Hello, Hidara. I have reached some important information." Hidara: "Really?!" Neil: "Yes, but it's not quite complete yet. I'll call you as soon as it is." Hidara: "Alright, I'm counting on you." Hidara thought to himself: "The time has come." A few minutes later, a soft knock was heard on Rein's room door. Rein: "Who's there?" Hidara: "It's me, Hidara." Rein: "Come in." Hidara entered the room and asked her: "What do you know about today?" Rein: "It's the weekend." Hidara: "It is the day of my promise to you... I will take you on a tour around the city. Get ready; I'll be back in a few minutes so we can head out." He left the room while a bright smile appeared on Rein's face, and she hurried to get herself ready. After a short while, Hidara returned and knocked on the door: "Are you ready?" Rein: "Yes." Rein opened the door, and Hidara was stunned by her beauty; she looked absolutely magnificent. He froze in his place for a moment, feeling intense tension and shyness from the charm of her presence. Hidara: "You look... you look very, very beautiful." Rein shyly, casting her gaze downward: "Thank you." They left the house with excitement flooding Rein's heart. Hidara took her to the places she had always dreamed of visiting, and they spent a wonderful time together. While they were in one of the parks enjoying the tranquility, Hidara's phone suddenly rang. He looked at the screen with focus... The call was from...