4

Elara (Seeing Asrar enter the kitchen, she trying to smiles warmly): did you sleep well, sweetheart. Come, sit at the table. I'm making your favorite – pancakes with strawberries.

(Asrar sits at the table, her gaze fixed on her plate, though Elara hasn't put any food down yet. She avoids looking directly at Elara.)

Elara (Noticing Asrar’s subdued mood, she sits beside her ): Asrar, what's wrong, my love? You seem a little sad.

(Asrar hesitates, then whispers): Papa was angry last night

Elara (Sighs softly, trying to keep her voice light): Oh, darling, he wasn't angry. He just… well, sometimes

Papa doesn’t know how to… express himself properly. He loves you very much, you know

(Elara places a plate of fluffy pancakes in front of Asrar, decorated with sliced strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream.)

Elara: Eat up, little one. They will make you happy.

(Asrar picks at the strawberries with her fork, pushing them around the plate. She doesn’t seem interested in eating.)

Elara: (Gently) Maybe just one bite, habibti? For me?

(Asrar reluctantly picks up a piece of pancake with a strawberry and takes a tiny bite. Her expression doesn't change much.)

Elara: (Trying a different approach) You know, I was thinking… maybe today we could go to the park? There’s a lovely swing there, and lots of pigeon. We could feed them breadcrumbs. Would you like that?

(Asrar looks up, a flicker of interest in her eyes.)

Asrar: Really? Can we?

Elara: (Smiling) Of course, darling. As long as you eat a little bit of your breakfast.

(Asrar takes another, slightly larger bite of pancake. Elara watches her expectantly.)

Elara: That’s my girl! Now, how about we finish this plate, and then we can get ready to go?

(Asrar nods and starts to eat a little more steadily. Elara stands up and pours herself a cup of coffee, her eyes still on Asrar. She knows that a trip to the park won’t solve everything, but it’s a start. It’s a way to show Asrar that she is loved, that she is important. It's a way of shielding her from the harsh realities of her father's temperament, at least for a little while)

After a few moments, Elara prepares a tray with a simple breakfast and quietly carries it through the hall. She hesitates outside a closed door, takes a deep breath, and knocks .)

Elara: Khaled? I've brought your breakfast.

(She places the tray on the floor just outside the door and retreats back to the kitchen, a mixture of hope and apprehension in her eyes.)

Elara enters kitchen, with a quick steps went to the window ,she didn't want to look at asrar , trying so hard to change her tone.

Elara: (Softly, without turning to Asrar) A Are you feeling a little bit better now, habibti? The p pancakes seem to be helping.

(Asrar nods, taking another small bite. Her eyes are still downcast.)

Elara: (Turning back to Asrar, forcing a brighter tone) Good! That's my brave little girl. So, while you finish up, I'll get our things ready for the park. Sunscreen, a hat for you... and maybe that book you like about the little bird?

(Asrar finally looks up at Elara, a faint smile touching her lips.)

Asrar: "Pigeon Post?"

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