Chapter _1 Episode _4 "Naomi's broken heart and Ghada's anger"

As the morning sun streamed through the window of her room, Naomi slowly opened her eyes, as if welcoming the world anew. She stretched her arms wide, a gentle smile lighting her face like a small butterfly dancing amidst the colors of spring. Life seemed to flow through her veins once more, and she rose to embrace the day with a vitality she hadn’t felt in a long time.

She pulled the blanket off her body completely and stepped lightly toward the mirror. There, in her reflection, she adjusted her hair with her hands and noticed the subtle transformation in her features—she looked brighter, more at peace with her new life, as if she had reconciled with herself. She turned gracefully and moved toward the door left open since the night before, ready to face a new day.

Naomi ventured out into the market, yet her perspective on the world had shifted. A confident smile played on her lips, and her steps carried assurance, as if she had left the sorrow behind the closed door of her home. She stopped by a vegetable vendor, selected her purchases, and wandered through the aisles, delighting in every color and scent, as though the market had become a small stage for her newfound freedom.

She caught sight of a young man glancing at her with admiration, but she quickly averted her eyes, maintaining her calm and poise, and continued on her way home. Yet even that fleeting glance had an effect on him greater than any magic could achieve; he rose from his chair inside the shop, captivated by her beauty, and stepped outside, standing at the doorway, sending admiring glances after her.

When Naomi reached her apartment, she opened the door and brought the bags inside, placing them carefully on the dining table. She sat down on a chair, lost in thought, speaking softly to herself:

Naomi: "Why was that young man looking at me like that? Maybe Dad was right…"

Her heart began to awaken to feelings of love and emotion she had never considered before. Up until now, her thoughts had been entangled with memories of Rania and the presence of Samah in her life, but this young man was stirring her heart, drawing her attention to things she had never noticed before.

Suddenly, Naomi stood up and picked up a stylish necktie, placing it neatly around her neck. She stepped into her room, glanced into the mirror, grabbed a bag she didn’t like, tossed it aside, and took another one she preferred, holding it confidently in her arm. She smiled at herself, then exited the room with poise. Approaching the apartment door, she opened it, stepped out, and closed it behind her, ready to embark on a new day full of opportunities and discoveries.

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Naomi stood in front of the apartment door, her hand trembling slightly as she pressed the doorbell. Inside, Samah and his new wife, Ghada, were waiting for another ordinary day. Naomi pressed the bell once, then after a few seconds—feeling like hours—pressed it again, but there was no response. Anxiety began to creep into her heart, her fingers trembling as she waited for any sound.

Finally, she heard him speak, his voice sharp and surprising:

Samah: "Who’s the nuisance ringing the bell without an appointment?"

Samah opened the door to find Naomi standing before him, hesitant and slightly trembling. He looked momentarily flustered, but quickly regained his composure and said with a smile:

Samah: "Hello, Naomi. Come in."

He stepped aside, allowing her to enter the apartment. Naomi moved cautiously, her steps weighted with apprehension, as if afraid of every corner in the unfamiliar space. Samah closed the door behind her, then led her to the living room, gesturing to a chair.

Samah: "Please, have a seat. Would you like something to drink? Shall I make you some tea?"

Naomi smiled lightly:

Naomi: "No, thanks, Dad. I just got tired of sitting alone, so I thought I’d come and congratulate you both."

Samah smiled and sat beside her, trying to appear relaxed despite the nervousness that lingered.

Samah: "Good girl… well done."

A brief silence passed, then Ghada entered the living room with confident, steady steps. She stood in front of Samah and Naomi, her eyes gleaming with curiosity:

Ghada: "Hello, Naomi."

Naomi extended her hand to shake hers, astonished by the uncanny resemblance between Ghada and her late mother, Rania. It was as if she were standing before an exact replica. She shook Ghada’s hand cautiously and then sat, observing every detail with astonishment.

Ghada: "Who is this, Samah?"

Samah: "This is Naomi, my daughter."

Ghada: "Naomi, hello… but one should always ask permission before visiting, Naomi."

Naomi raised her eyebrows confidently:

Naomi: "I don’t think I needed to ask before coming to my father’s house."

Samah smiled, tense, while Ghada looked at him with muted anger:

Ghada: "She clearly doesn’t understand, Samah… seems like you didn’t raise this girl well."

Ghada spun around and headed to her room, her anger visible. Naomi stood up and walked quickly toward the apartment door, tears welling in her eyes, her sorrow and frustration evident.

Samah got up from the chair and hurried after her, grabbing her shoulders gently and pulling her toward him:

Samah: "Don’t be upset, Naomi… Ghada doesn’t know you yet."

Naomi: "I’m not upset with her… I’m upset with you! How could you marry someone like her? You told me she’s like Mom! Maybe she looks like her, even prettier, but she has no morals."

Tears streamed down Naomi’s face as Samah tried to calm her:

Samah: "It’s okay, Naomi. Go now, and I’ll come to you. But… why did you come?"

She looked up at him through her tears and whispered:

Naomi: "You’re right… I shouldn’t have come."

Naomi opened the apartment door and walked out, closing it firmly behind her. Samah rushed toward her, then hurried back toward Ghada’s room, trying to regain control before the tension escalated further.