Episode 4

In the past week, my younger brother Kafar, who is a lawyer and works in my company, and I have been thinking of ways to make young Najla give up on the idea of getting married. However, since we were not successful, we decided to look for loopholes in the prenuptial contract between my father and Mr. Omar.

"Brother, are you really sure this is the best way?" he asks, concerned.

"I am!" I affirm, keeping the papers in my personal safe in my office. "It will be beneficial for both of us. Since the contract allows a 6-month period for annulment if the marriage is not consummated and both parties agree to dissolve the agreement, I will propose to young Najla that we have a friendly relationship without physical contact. At the end of the contract period, I will give her a substantial amount of money that will allow her to continue her life wherever she desires."

"But what about the girl's reputation, Samir? She will be tarnished, known as the returned wife. Have you not thought about that, brother?!"

I sigh, deep in thought. I hadn't considered this fact.

"Well, as far as I know, this young woman was raised in Brazil, and they don't follow our customs there, so she won't have any problems rebuilding her life."

"And her family? Or worse, what if she refuses to accept your proposal? Are you denying your wife her right to be treated as your zawja?!"

"Kafar, don't bring me any more worries..." I shake my head. "I am in a very difficult situation, my brother. I don't desire this marriage. We will be two unhappy people living under the same roof, without building love, without either party wanting it."

"Brother," he squeezes my shoulder and sighs, "I know I don't have much experience. I'm the youngest of the siblings, just turned 23, but believe me, I would never deny a wife the right to try, and you are denying this girl that, without even knowing what she expects from this marriage. Perhaps she also doesn't want this union, but think, what if love were to emerge between you with time?"

"My brother, I have no intention of denying anything to this girl. I just don't see myself building something with someone within a marriage that was imposed on me. I have always made my position on arranged marriages clear to our parents, and yet our father forces me to accept such an agreement."

"Is that why you allowed rumors about being a rude, bohemian, and irresponsible man to spread among the local traders and businessmen?" he looks at me, incredulous. "Brother, this is unforgivable! No family wanted their daughters married to you, and it was all planned?!"

"I don't need a good reputation, since I don't aspire to draw attention from the patriarchs, but I must admit I am amazed at Mr. Omar's courage. Even in the face of such rumors, he agreed to proceed with the agreement and hand his daughter over to me. He is truly willing to obtain money at any cost, even if it means delivering one of his daughters to a man of ill repute."

"From what I've heard, he doesn't seem to care about what this girl will go through after the wedding, as his only intention is to obtain the dowry money."

"How is it possible, in such an advanced world, that there are still people capable of using their own daughters as bargaining chips?" I shake my head, but then my phone rings. "I need to go, brother. See you at home, for the signing and delivery ceremony of the dowry."

My brother nods and we say goodbye.

Today, Silvia arrives in Qatar. I know this conversation will be difficult, but I have to clarify my current situation, and I need to do it face to face, as a man should.

I leave the company and, as a precaution, wear a mask to cover part of my face. I don't want to be identified and have pictures of me with another woman spread around.

I know, this marriage will be just for show, but I won't expose my future wife to gossip, and I don't want her to be pointed at in the street as the betrayed woman.

I intend to follow tradition and honor this commitment, even if it is not consummated, but I will remain faithful to the agreement I made.

As soon as I arrive at the airport, I spot my family's driver... but what bad luck!

He recognizes me, even with the mask, and greets me, and I discover that he is here to pick up Mr. Omar's family, who has just disembarked.

I say goodbye to him and walk as if in the opposite direction, but an intriguing scene catches my attention.

A girl, seemingly older, harshly pulls the hijab of another, shorter and simpler girl, who stumbles with the gesture and falls, but the older one throws the poor girl's scarf far away, who seems desperate to have her hair uncovered.

I see the girl on the ground, and the older ones shout at her, who clearly has a hurt foot. I am irritated by the situation, as I do not tolerate injustice.

I walk to a nearby bush, pick up the hijab, and return it to the girl, who covers her face with her own hair, and hurries to thank me and cover herself again.

Her voice is sweet, but sounds sad.

I am intrigued by the young girl, who didn't even look up, while the other two looked at me with curiosity and admired my body. I am a man and notice such looks.

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