Hadeel stared at the pair, her heart racing, eyes darting nervously. Majid, realizing the tense situation he was in, swallowed hard and tried to summon his courage. With the practiced poise of a seasoned liar, he called out, feigning confidence:
"Congratulations, groom! Aren't you going to say 'welcome' or something? I even came myself to congratulate you!"
Hadeel broke into a sweat, words fleeing her lips, leaving her to face the moment alone. Akram snapped sharply:
"What are you doing here? You're not welcome at all. Now leave, and don't even think of coming here again."
Majid's tongue almost launched scorching attacks, but Hadeel intervened suddenly:
"I was the one who told him to come. I wanted him here—but you, Akram, have no place next to me!"
Akram spun toward her, stunned, his anger flaring. She did not stop, pressing the humiliation further. She stepped closer, fanning the flames of his rage, and he, in the height of his fury, pronounced the irrevocable words of divorce. For her, it was a lifeline from a marriage she didn't want; she didn't care about the feelings he crushed beneath her feet.
He lost control completely. A harsh slap split her lips, and he grabbed her arm, dragging her into her room and locking the door behind them. Then he stormed back to the onlooker, gloating over the chaos.
Akram shouted at Majid, warning him never to approach his wife again—or he would kill him without a second thought. Majid met the challenge with icy calm, his provocative words driving Akram to land a flurry of punches. Majid responded in kind, fists escalating, and Hadeel, hearing the shouting and breaking furniture, began pounding the door with hands and feet, screaming to stop the fight.
Neighbors intervened, separating them and restoring some order. Majid was removed from the apartment, but the gossip had already begun. Their heated words about Hadeel turned into the neighborhood's topic, lingering long after the night ended.
Akram's mistreatment of her worsened every minute. She recognized the stark contrast between this man and the tender version she once knew—the one who, despite her insults, had cared for her, tried to honor her, and protect her.
Days later, she sat in her room as usual. Akram entered, his anger sharp in his eyes. He snatched her phone, threatening:
"Give me your phone. Let's see if you're still talking to him."
He found the messages, flew into a rage, and roared:
"And you tell me I have no dignity! Then what does that make you?"
He shoved the phone toward her. Screens filled with conversations and photos of her with Majid—proof of her former lover's boastful connections. Her calls had become public to his friends, all evidence of Majid's deceit and arrogance.
Only Akram's fury burned brighter, contrasting sharply with the treachery of her ex, driving Hadeel to hysteria until she lost consciousness.
He couldn't revive her immediately, rushing for a doctor who diagnosed a nervous breakdown. He advised relocating her to help her recover from the psychological strain.
Akram quickly packed her clothes, helped her change, combed her hair, tears in his eyes. He whispered in regret:
"I should have protected you. I couldn't let you lose yourself to someone like him. I'll do everything to make you better than before."
Hadeel remained silent, eyes empty of life. He seated her in the car, speaking softly until she slept, murmuring as they arrived:
"Hadeel, we're here. You'll love this place, I'm sure."
Her gaze stayed fixed, unmoved by curiosity. He carried her to the camp's coordinator, Hur, a woman in charge of expeditions. Hur's discomfort was evident as she stood formally while Akram held Hadeel close.
Akram's love for camping—especially near rivers or seas—guided every choice. He spoke to Hur gently, asserting control over Hadeel's comfort. His care for her, transparent and overwhelming, left Hur stunned.
Hadeel, lost in memories of Majid, recalled their first meeting and every moment since. Her heart thumped violently at the thought of betrayal—everything she felt had been a lie. Tears flowed uncontrollably, her inner thoughts screaming:
"You are my past, leaving me nothing but ashes. How cruel this present is, holding nothing of you but memories. My heart breaks with longing, not knowing how to be steadfast without you."
Her cries pierced Akram's ears. He rushed to her, holding her tightly, soothing her. She clung to him, letting his tenderness wash over her, finally looking up as he wiped her tears and promised:
"You'll be okay. I promise. Don't blame yourself—you were true and sincere."
Hur watched from a distance, heart aching at the scene. She fought jealousy, trying to remain composed.
Hadeel's world straightened as she saw the truth about those around her. The thought of losing Akram, someone rare and genuine, was unbearable. In desperation, she ran to the sea, seeking death, a hollow shell seeking stillness.
Akram searched frantically, calling her name, enlisting everyone nearby. Eventually, someone found her unconscious by the water and rushed her to the medical team, saving her from drowning.
She awoke calling for Akram, who enveloped her in his protective embrace. Days later, she clung to him obsessively. Misinterpreting it as trauma, he focused on bringing her back to life.
By the shore, seated together, she asked softly:
"Can you tell me everything, from the start?"
"What story, Hadeel?"
"You… Majid… and me, Akram."
His chest tightened, but he forced the conversation onto calmer ground, murmuring with tension:
"What exactly do you want to know, Hadeel?"
She cleared her throat nervously before speaking cautiously:
"Everything—from the very beginning. Your friendship with him, how he knew me, and how you know me."
He drew a deep breath, choosing his words carefully so as not to push her back into her previous state:
"It's pointless. Trust me, don't dwell on the past. Focus on what's ahead. Turn that page and throw it in the nearest trash bin."
"Akram, please… that's my only request right now. I would have tried to understand by any means, but I really want to hear it from you, if you can."
"Alright, Hadeel. I've spent most of my life with my family outside Egypt. Difficult circumstances happened—things I'd rather not remember—that caused me to lose my father and mother forever."
"I had to return to Egypt, completely alone. The world seemed darker than you could imagine. Days and nights passed slowly, until my cousin took me in and introduced me to his friends—including Majid."
"Circumstances forced me to stay with them all the time, trying to forget my pain. Then I saw you, Hadeel—a beautiful, unique girl who could catch anyone's eye. Your laugh, your gentle nature, your calm voice amidst your friends at the mall café—they captivated me. I remembered your schedule, your gestures, what you liked and disliked, what you ate. The strawberries that made you allergic, the scar on your right hand you hated, the cold you felt even in the summer, the white you always wore and the few colors you'd mix with it… Should I keep going, or is that enough?"