It was a new morning, the sun had risen, spreading warmth and light with its orange rays.
The sunbeams snuck in through the window of the beautiful girl, bothering her. Esraa stirred in her sleep, moving the soft strands of hair away from her face. Then she got up, smiling with energy.
She left her bed and fixed it, then headed for the closet.
She pulled out her clothes and slipped into the attached bathroom.
To take a warm shower.
After a few minutes, she finished and came out to comb her hair in front of the mirror.
Then she sat down, holding her phone, as if she was waiting for something.
Her younger sister came into her room, saying excitedly:
"Morning, Soo!"
Esraa replied with a smile:
"Morning, Asil! You seem like you're in a good mood today."
Asil:
"Seriously? It's the first day of school, didn't you forget or what?"
Esraa said dismissively:
"School? Come on, who even goes to school in their third year of high school?"
Asil:
"I'm not going either, but the first day of school just has a different vibe."
Esraa laughed, then said as she left the bed:
"Okay, move it so I can go make breakfast so you can get to your lessons and school, and I can get to my university."
Asil:
"Let's make it together."
Esraa:
"Go get changed so you're not late, and I'll make it."
Asil:
"Alright."
Esraa went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
Their father was sitting in the living room reading the newspaper.
Asil came up behind him on her tiptoes.
Then she pounced on him, hugging him and yelling in his ears:
"Good morning, Dad!"
At first, Yousef was startled by the crazy girl, but he quickly smiled and hugged her back, saying:
"Morning, you crazy kid, you're gonna scare me to death one of these days!"
Asil laughed hard and said:
"Knock on wood, Jo! Besides, I'm the youngest, I get to spoil you."
Yousef:
"Go ahead and spoil me all you want. Where's Esraa?"
Esraa said, coming out of the kitchen carrying the dishes:
"Esraa's right here! Okay, let's eat."
She put the dishes on the dining table.
And went into the kitchen again to get the rest of the food, then sat down to eat with her family.
Esraa:
"Asil, are you going to school today?"
Asil:
"Yeah, I'll go, but just because it's the first day."
Esraa:
"Okay, good. Come with us, Khaled can give you a ride."
Asil:
"No, no! I only have one life! You want me to ride in the car with Romeo and Juliet? No way, I'm out!"
Esraa's face turned red with embarrassment because of what her sister said in front of their father, and she looked at her, threatening to teach her a lesson. Asil laughed hard at her sister's excessive shyness.
Let's leave them and go upstairs.
Our handsome hero was still deep asleep.
His mother came into the room to wake him up.
Hanan:
"Khaled, Khaled, get up, honey."
Khaled in a sleepy voice:
"Let me sleep, Mom, just a little longer."
Hanan:
"Come on, honey, you'll be late for work, and you need to take Hoor and Esraa first."
Even though he was half-asleep, when he heard her name, he smiled with love and got up quickly so he could see her.
Khaled:
"I'm up, Queen of the House! Good morning."
Hanan:
"Morning, honey."
Khaled:
"Can you fix me breakfast, Mom, while I take a shower? And tell Hoor to get ready."
His mother said as she left the room:
"Okay, honey."
His mother left the room, so he picked up his phone from the nightstand to call her.
She was in the living room when she heard her phone ring, so she ran quickly, smiling happily.
She grabbed her phone and answered quickly; she knew who was calling.
She heard the voice most beloved to her heart saying lovingly:
"Morning, my moon!"
Esraa:
"Morning."
Khaled:
"What's up, my moon? Are you upset or something?"
Esraa:
"Yeah."
Khaled:
"Why? You know I can't stand it when you're upset."
Esraa with feigned sadness:
"Because I've been waiting for you to call me for a while now, and you just remembered. There's someone more important than me now, I guess."
Khaled:
"Oh my gosh, who could possibly be more important than you? There's nothing in the world more important than you, my soul. But honestly, honey, I just woke up, and I had to hear your voice before I see you... I missed you."
Esraa shyly:
"Me too."
Khaled:
"Me what?"
Esraa:
"Missed you."
Khaled mischievously:
"What are you saying? I didn't hear you."
Esraa:
"Stop it, Khaled! Cut it out."
Khaled:
"Alright, alright, I'll cut it out. Go ahead and get ready while I eat breakfast and come down to you."
Esraa:
"Okay."
STOP
Before we continue with the events, we should first get to know our characters.
The Al-Hawari family consists of two brothers, Yousef and Saleem Al-Hawari, who work together in their private company.
Saleem Al-Hawari is the older brother, in his early fifties.
A sensible and wise man with life experience, who loves his family deeply.
Married to Hanan, a woman in her mid-forties, kind and tender-hearted.
All she cares about is the comfort of her husband and children.
Khaled Saleem Al-Hawari
Our handsome hero with masculine features and an athletic build.
Khaled is twenty-seven years old, graduated from the Police Academy, and works in the Narcotics Department.
Khaled is kind and likes to joke, but when angry, he transforms as if he were another person.
He loves his job intensely.
Hoor Saleem Al-Hawari
Hoor is extremely beautiful and a cheerful girl who loves life.
She is twenty years old, studying at the College of Fine Arts, and adores drawing and music.
Yousef Al-Hawari is the younger brother.
In his mid-forties.
A cheerful and kind-hearted man.
His wife passed away years ago, and he dedicated his life to making his two daughters happy.
Esraa Yousef Al-Hawari
Our beautiful heroine.
With green eyes and very fair skin.
And soft brown locks of hair and a shapely feminine body.
She is twenty-two years old, studying in her fourth year at the College of Archaeology.
Esraa is very delicate and kind-hearted; she can't hurt anyone or even make them angry.
She always cares for others and puts a smile on their faces.
She is dutiful to her father and loves her family very much.
Asil Yousef Al-Hawari
Esraa's younger sister, eighteen years old, studying in her third year of high school. She's a little different from Esraa; she has a strong personality. She loves challenges and adventures. She's hardworking in her studies. She also hates emotions and only thinks with her brain. She's a practical person who only thinks about her studies and her future.
Khaled and Esraa have had a love story since childhood. They've been crazy about each other since they were kids. Khaled loves her intensely and considers her his spoiled little girl. And she sees him as her hero, her boyfriend, her friend, her brother, everything to her. They got engaged, and the wedding is set for after Esraa finishes her last year of university. This is what Esraa wanted.
And now, let's keep up with the story.
PLAY
Khaled came out of his room to find his parents and sister waiting for him at the dining table. He smiled lovingly and went to sit in the chair across from his sister.
Khaled with a smile:
"Morning, Mom."
Hanan:
"Good morning to you, too, honey."
Khaled:
"Morning, Dad."
Saleem:
"Morning, Khaled."
He started eating, and his sister said grumpily:
"Am I, like, air? Or invisible, Mr. Officer?"
Khaled with a smile:
"Morning, my Hoor (a beautiful girl)."
Hoor:
"Morning, gorgeous and crystal! Wow, you look like you're in a good mood today."
Khaled:
"What's it to you, busybody? Just mind your own business."
Hoor:
"Busybody? Watch your mouth, kid!"
Khaled dismissively:
"Kid...? Okay, rethink that word, seriously. Or I'll totally mess you up this morning, and your poor neck will be all beat up."
Hoor challenging him:
"Alright, let's see how you're gonna mess me up, hot stuff! Wow, your looks really make you brave, huh?"
Khaled was about to say something, but Saleem said:
"Enough already! Aren't you guys ever going to grow up? And besides, are you gonna act like a kid with her, Khaled?"
Hoor:
"Oh God! What's 'act like a kid with her,' Dad? You guys think I'm an airhead or something?"
Khaled provoking her:
"No, we're sure of it. Hurry up, sis, let me drop you off."
Hoor:
"Oh reaaally? Like you're driving me because of my pretty eyes or something? Honestly, if it wasn't for Esraa, you wouldn't even acknowledge me."
Khaled:
"And wow, you have absolutely no shame! You're just sitting here suffocating us. Why don't you go for a walk, sweetheart? Walking is exercise, even."
Hoor coolly:
"Nope, nope. I'm not walking. I'm staying right here, driving you guys crazy."
Khaled:
"Alright, I'll show you. Just not right now. Hurry up!"
Hoor:
"I'm done. You totally killed my appetite."
Khaled stared at the empty plates in front of her and said dismissively:
"All that, and you killed your appetite? What would you do if you were hungry? Here, take my arm, girl, it's probably better to eat!"
Hoor coolly:
"Come on, let's go, don't waste my time."
Khaled losing patience:
"God give me strength with you. Come on, sis, let's go."
They said goodbye to their parents and left together.
Esraa was waiting for them by the apartment door.
She smiled lovingly, and her heart beat fast.
When she saw him coming down the stairs with his sister.
Hoor:
"Morning, Soo!"
Esraa:
"Morning, Hoor."
Their eyes met, and they went off to another world together.
Anyone seeing them would think they were quiet, but eyes have their own language.
Hoor:
"Hey, Mr. Loverboy! I'm here, by the way."
Khaled annoyed:
"Hoor, sweetheart."
Hoor:
"Yes?"
He took out the car keys, gave them to her, and said:
"Here are the car keys. Now get out of my sight."
Hoor:
"Ah, so you're trying to get rid of me?"
Khaled:
"Yeah, exactly."
Hoor:
"Okay, we'll see how this ends. Just hurry up, I'm not waiting for you guys long."
Khaled coolly:
"You can walk, you know."
Hoor:
"Dream on! I'm still staying right here, driving you guys crazy."
Khaled:
"Alright, fine. I'll show you."
She stuck out her tongue to provoke him, then went to wait in the car.
He approached Esraa, trapping her between himself and the wall, smiling. He saw her cheeks turn red with shyness; he loved her shyness.
He whispered in a loving voice:
"Where's my good morning?"
She said in a voice barely audible due to her extreme shyness:
"Good morning."
Khaled smiled and leaned in to kiss her on one cheek.
She pushed him away, looking around nervously, then said:
"Stop it, Khaled! It's not right, someone might see us."
Khaled:
"What's not right? You're my wife! I can totally kidnap you to a place where there's no one but us, right?"
He finished his sentence with a wink, and Esraa smiled shyly.
At that moment, Esraa's father came out, so she got nervous and quickly moved away from him.
Yousef:
"Morning, Khaled."
Khaled:
"Morning, Uncle."
Yousef:
"You guys haven't left yet or what?"
Esraa nervously:
"We're just leaving now, Dad. Why are you coming down so early?"
Yousef:
"No, I'm going up to Saleem. I need him for something about work."
Khaled:
"Okay, let's go, Esraa. Excuse us, Uncle."
Yousef:
"Go with peace."
Khaled took her, and they left the building.
Esraa was feeling annoyed about what had happened, while Khaled was laughing hard.
Esraa angrily:
"What are you laughing at? Do you like how I looked in front of my dad?"
Khaled:
"I'm laughing at how silly you are! 'How I looked in front of my dad,' she says. We're not just dating! I'm your husband, you goofball!"
Esraa:
"Oh yeah? You don't like my silliness, Mr. Officer, or what?"
Khaled:
"Nah, I love it, actually. I'm crazy about it."
They had reached the car, and Hoor yelled annoyedly:
"Hurry up, mister! I'm gonna be late for my lecture!"
He opened the car door for Esraa to get in next to him, then he got in.
Hoor angrily:
"Hey, you! I'm talking to you!"
Khaled provoking her:
"Quiet, kid! If you don't like it, get out and walk!"
Hoor:
"He says 'my brother is my rock' or whatever. You gotta be kidding me. They should see what I've got!"
Esraa:
"That's not fair, Hoor! Khaled is the best."
Khaled:
"The love of Khaled's heart, right here."
Hoor:
"God, give me patience with these two."
Khaled laughed hard, and so did Esraa. Khaled enjoyed annoying Hoor and always teased her.
They arrived at the university. Hoor left as soon as the car stopped so she wouldn't be late for her lectures. Esraa still had some time before her first lecture started, so she stayed to say goodbye.
Khaled:
"Call me half an hour before you finish your lectures so I can come get you and Hoor."
Esraa:
"Khaled, you're really going out of your way. We can call Dad or Uncle so they can take us home. You have enough pressure with work."
Khaled with a smile:
"My dear Esraa, do I have anyone more precious than you guys? Besides, are you begrudging me the few minutes I get to see you?"
Esraa:
"I'm just worried about you getting tired, I want you to rest."
Khaled:
"And I'm relaxed as long as you're next to me, Esraa."
Esraa lovingly:
"May God never take you away from me. Okay, I'm gonna get out now, and you go to work. Peace be upon you."
Khaled:
"And upon you be peace."
Esraa got out of the car and waved goodbye.
Khaled went to work, while Esraa sat with her close friend, Iman.
Iman:
"Morning, Soo."
Esraa:
"Morning, Imy, how's it going?"
Iman:
"Good, thank God. Did you come alone or something? I didn't see the hottie with you."
Esraa, surprised:
"Who do you mean?"
Iman:
"Mr. Officer."
Esraa got really annoyed when her best friend openly complimented her husband, but she tried to control her anger and said:
"Watch it, Iman! That's my husband."
Iman:
"Honestly, I keep forgetting you guys are married. See, when the girls saw him with you more than once, they asked me who he was and if he was engaged or not. They're going crazy over him. They kept saying he's cute, handsome, stuff like that."
Esraa:
"And why didn't you tell them he's my husband?"
Iman:
"Like I told you, because you haven't had the wedding yet, I forget about the whole marriage certificate thing."
Esraa:
"It's almost there. This year, and we'll have the wedding."
Iman:
"May God complete your happiness, sweetheart. Okay, let's go, the lecture is about to start."
Esraa irritably:
"Let's go."
Meanwhile, somewhere else, a girl wearing a dress that looked like a revealing nightgown, showing more of her body than it hid, had a cigarette and a glass of alcohol in her hand. This girl was Shahinda Kamal Al-Sayyad. The daughter of one of the biggest businessmen in Egypt and the Arab world, but she didn't know anything about morals.
A handsome young man came in, his shirt unbuttoned, wearing a silver necklace. He seemed a bit drunk.
Marwan:
"Shahi, how are you, sweetheart?"
Shahinda:
"Fine and you."
Marwan:
"Fine baby. What, are we not going out tonight or something?"
Shahinda:
"Maro, seriously, sorry, I have to do shopping today."
Marwan:
"Okay, let's make it tomorrow night at my place."
Shahinda:
"Umm, okay Maro, done. And now, bye."
She hugged Marwan and said goodbye, then left. She left that place and drove off. On her way, she ran into Khaled.
(She knows him because their fathers' work brought them together years ago. But Shahinda still talks to Khaled when she sees him, and he absolutely does not like her.)
Shahinda:
"Khaled! OMG, I'm so lucky I was meant to see you today!"
Khaled uncomfortably:
"Hey Shahinda, how are you?"
Shahinda:
"Like, where have you been? Miss you, man!"
She approached to hug him, but he moved her away.
Khaled:
"Sorry, I've got work and gotta leave right now. If you'll excuse me."
Khaled left her and walked away, while Shahinda was furious at that arrogant guy who was avoiding Shahinda Al-Sayyad.
Esraa finished her day and learned that Hoor had left early because she was feeling dizzy. Hoor had told her by sending a message on her phone. After the school day was over, Esraa went with Khaled.
She was quiet and not talking, and it seemed like something was bothering her.
Khaled:
"What's wrong? What is it?"
Esraa briefly:
"Nothing."
Khaled:
"You sure?"
Esraa was silent for a moment, then said angrily:
"Khaled, don't come to the university again."
Khaled, surprised:
"Why?"
Esraa:
"Just... because."
Khaled:
"And who's going to take you and Hoor?"
Esraa:
"Anybody. We'll get a cab."
Khaled seriously:
"No way, that's not happening."
She pouted her lips like a child and grumbled angrily.
Khaled:
"Okay, calm down, just tell me why you don't want me to come."
Esraa angrily:
"Because when you come, girls just keep looking at you and flirting!"
He couldn't help but laugh, so he laughed hard, which annoyed Esraa even more.
Esraa, exasperated:
"You're laughing? You're so happy about the girls looking at you?"
Khaled:
"No, I'm laughing at my wife, the kid."
Esraa angrily:
"I don't care! Nobody looks at you except me!"
Khaled:
"Oh yeah? Are you getting jealous or something?"
Esraa irritably:
"No! Why would I get jealous of you? It's not like I love you, God forbid!"
Khaled stopped the car and looked at her lovingly, saying:
"It doesn't matter who looks. What matters is my eyes don't see anyone but you." (Then he took her hand and placed it over his heart.) "And in here, there's only Esraa, and nobody else."
Esraa shyly:
"Khaled, we're on the street!"
Khaled:
"Did I do anything to you that you're telling me we're on the street? Or do you just have to ruin every romantic moment? You wouldn't be Esraa if you didn't do that."
Esraa:
"Okay, come on, drive so we can go home."
Khaled:
"Go home? No way. You're mine and mine alone today. We haven't been out together in a long time."
Esraa:
"Not today, Khaled, seriously. I'm really busy."
Khaled, annoyed:
"Come on, Esraa, now you're just avoiding me! I don't know how to pin you down these days. Every time I call you, you're busy. Every time I clear my schedule so we can go out by ourselves, you say you're not free. What's going on?"
Esraa:
"Nothing, honestly, Khaled. Why would I avoid you?"
Khaled:
"Alright, Esraa, whatever you want. We'll go home."
He started the car engine and headed towards the house.
They didn't talk the whole way. He was feeling annoyed. He missed her a lot, and she was always busy with unimportant things.
They arrived at the building. He didn't open the car door for her like he usually did. She was sad because she had upset him, and she quickly ran to her apartment.
He sighed sadly and went upstairs.
He walked into the apartment and found his family sitting in the living room. He didn't sit with them like he usually did and went straight to his room. He lay down on the bed, staring blankly at nothing.
Hoor, surprised:
"What's up with him? Why's he all sulky like that?"
Hanan:
"I'll go see what's wrong."
His mother walked into the room and found him still in his work clothes, looking upset. She sat down next to him and said gently:
"What's wrong, honey?"
To be continued...
#John Brad On Derby :)
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