Jallal: You have no idea how much I hate you, it's ridiculous!
She furrows her brows, glaring at him with a hint of provocation.
Jallal: You're just an old chick! A kid!
She opens her mouth to respond.
Esma: But this is crazy! You love insulting me too much! It's like your life revolves around me!
He gets even angrier, it drives him mad knowing she has a hold on him, that she can change his mood in a minute. He has a deep hatred for her, and since she knows how to defend herself, he never hesitates to attack her verbally.
Jallal: Oh damn, shut up!
She sighs.
Esma: Whatever, you and your pathetic tantrums, just stay away from me!
He furrows his brows.
Esma: It's always the same thing !
He says nothing and leaves. When he's gone, she yawns, turns around, and heads home. His tantrums have become so routine that whatever he says now doesn't faze her. She gets home, says hello to her mom and little brother, and quickly heads to her room. She sits on her bed and stares into space, thinking. She sighs and runs her hands through her hair as she lies down on her bed, then gets a text from her boyfriend.
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She sighs and turns off her phone.
Esma: Everyone wants to annoy me today; it's getting on my nerves!
She gets up, opens her bag, and starts doing her homework.
- Meanwhile, with Jallal -
He walks straight ahead after the conversation with Esma. What he feels for her is so strong, he just can't ignore it—she irritates him. He gets home, greets his mom and his little brother and sister, drops his bag on the floor, and goes to watch TV. Around 7 PM, he puts on his shoes and goes downstairs, sitting on a bench near a playground. He lights a cigarette. In the distance, he hears loud voices, instantly recognizing Esma's.
Esma: You're paranoid!
Bilal: Why are you talking to him???
Esma: He's the one who came to talk to me!
Bilal: I'm going to see that son of a bitch right now! I'll show him what happens when he talks to my girl!
Esma: Are you crazy? Leave him alone, let him live his life!
He stops.
Bilal: Oh, so now you're defending him?
Esma: No, but...
Bilal shakes off Esma's hold and turns his head, spotting Jallal. He heads straight for him, with Esma following close behind.
Esma: Bilal, please calm down!
Bilal: I'm not calming down!
He reaches Jallal and stands in front of him. Jallal looks up, and when he sees Esma, he immediately stubs out the cigarette he just started on the ground. Jallal looks at Bilal indifferently.
Bilal: Stop talking to my girl!
Jallal sighs, not responding. He doesn't want to waste his breath, especially since it's Esma's boyfriend in front of him—making him even less inclined to reply.
Bilal: Hey, I'm talking to you!
Esma: Come on, Bilal, just stop looking for trouble!
Bilal: Get lost, Esma, this is between me and him!
Bilal sees that Jallal isn't responding, so he decides to play the provocation card and starts insulting him.
Esma: Oh damn!
She knows very well that when Jallal hears insults, he loses control, and just as she predicted, that's exactly how he reacts. He gets up and grabs Bilal by the collar.
Jallal: Who do you think you are? I don't give a damn about your girl!
Bilal: Then don't talk to her!
Jallal headbutts him, and Bilal responds with a punch, and they start trading blows. Esma tries to calm Bilal down by standing behind him, but it only makes things worse.
Bilal: Get off me!
Bilal elbows Esma in the nose, and she falls to the ground, holding her nose with her right hand. When Jallal sees this, he stops hitting Bilal and stares at Esma. Bilal stops when he notices Jallal's attention is on Esma.
Bilal: Damn, you too, don't get between him and me!
She glances at her right hand, covered in blood. Seeing this, she starts crying.
Bilal: Damn, stop crying!
She doesn't stop, and Bilal, annoyed, leaves—he can't stand it when she cries, leaving Jallal and Esma alone. As soon as she sees that he's gone, she stops crying instantly.
Jallal: Damn, are you serious? That crying was all an act?!
Esma: If I hadn't done that, he wouldn't have left.
Jallal: You're really...
Esma: Don't say anything! I'm already at my breaking point.
He was about to leave but couldn't bring himself to leave her alone. He sits down beside her and crouches.
Jallal: Let me see.
He wants to help; he feels a bit guilty. She doesn't let him see, so he sighs and tries to help her up, but she refuses his help and stands up on her own. He tries to help her again, but...
Esma: What are you trying to do here? We're not in a romantic movie, so save your chivalry for your girlfriend.
Jallal smiles. She looks at him—it's rare to see him smile. When she's with him, he's usually either angry or indifferent. She takes out her phone and checks her appearance. She sighs.
Esma: Damn, I can't go home looking like this.
Jallal leaves her there, alone in the middle of the night, and heads home. She isn't surprised that he left. Esma sighs, sits on the bench where Jallal was sitting earlier, and rummages through her bag.
