5

Elara: (Her own smile widening) That's the one! Shall I pack it?

Asrar: (Nods eagerly) Yes, please .

(Elara turns to rummage in a basket near the door, deliberately keeping her back to Asrar for a moment. She takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself. She hates seeing Asrar so withdrawn and knows the root of it lies just behind a closed door upstairs.)

She sighed and went to get the things from Asrar's room. While she's walking through the hall to get the things, she thinking , I raised her she is my daughter that I never had . I am her Mather but not with blood, I want her to be strong .

Elara reached the room, she opened the door, she looked at every corner in the room, she walked with quiet steps went to the closet, opened it, took out a small bag and started putting things in it and then She went to the shelves and started looking for the book.

Elara: (Returning with a book and a small bag) Alright, everything's ready! Just a few more bites, my love, and then we can go.

(Asrar eats a few more bites of her pancake. A cough wracks her small body. She covers her mouth with her hand, her face flushing slightly.)

Elara: (Immediately concerned, she rushes to Asrar's side, sit down on the floor beside her chair.) Are you alright, Asrar? Did you swallow too fast?

Asrar: (Shakes her head, her voice a little raspy) Just…just a cough.

Elara: (Feeling Asrar's forehead.) Are you warm? You were a little pale this morning.

Asrar: (Leaning into Elara’s touch) I’m okay, Elara. I promise. Can we still go to the park? I really want to see the pigeons.

(Elara hesitates. She knows pushing Asrar too hard isn't good, but she also knows how much the outing means to her, especially after a difficult night. She makes a decision.)

Elara: Alright, habibti. We'll go. But we'll take it very slowly. And if you start feeling tired, we'll come straight home, okay? No arguing.

Asrar: (Nods enthusiastically, finishing the last of her pancake.) Okay! I promise!

(Elara helps Asrar down from her chair. Elara tells asrar to go and pack the dress she want to wear. Elara glances towards the upstair, a shadow crossing her face. She needs to speak to Khaled, but the thought fills her with dread. Still, she can't ignore it. The constant tension is wearing down Elara .)

Elara: (To Asrar) Why don't you go grab your shoes, sweetheart, and meet me by the door?

(Asrar hurries off, her small footsteps echoing in the hallway. As soon as Asrar is out of sight, Elara takes another deep breath and starts to ascend the stairs. She pauses outside Khaled's door, her hand trembling slightly as she raises it to knock.)

(Sound of a door creaking open slightly)

(Khaled's voice, muffled): What you want, Elara. i thought i asked you to leave tray and leave.

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