Doctor: Tell me, Nadeem, everything that's on your mind. I'm here to listen.
Nadeem: Thank you, doctor. The truth is, I feel like I don't want to continue living—I'm angry and sad.
Doctor: Calm down first and take a breath. What do you think are the reasons behind these feelings?
Nadeem: I really don't know, he said in a sad voice and started crying in pain.
Doctor: Where is your family, my son?
Nadeem: My mother passed away, and my father died when I was little... I think.
Doctor: I'm sorry to hear that. But why do you think your father died?
Nadeem: That's not really the point... but my mother told me he died while traveling when I was young, so I didn't see him much.
Doctor: I'm really sorry, son. I think you need to start a new life. But try to remember—was there any moment in the past that made you angry? Or anything that bothers or scares you?
Nadeem, while crying: I'm very afraid of being alone. I'm scared of living and being forgotten by everyone. No one loves me. None of my friends want to talk to me. Nadeem tries to smile. Do you know what kind of notifications I get on my phone? Only the ones telling me my battery is low.
Doctor: You mean no one texts or calls you, and you feel sad because you think everyone hates you?
Nadeem: Yes. The only one who protected me from all this was my mom. She was my mother, father, friend—everything. After she died, I felt how truly alone I am. I just want someone to check on me, to ask how I am.
The doctor looked at Nadeem, who had a shaved head and sad features, crying silently.
He hugged him and said:
Doctor: Don't worry, my son. You will get better. What you're feeling is called emotional need—you just need someone who cares about you. Don't worry. What do you think about going out with your friends? Ask them, and trust me—they won't say no. Or even offer something in return. The important thing is to make friends. Don't be afraid. Face the world. Don't stay alone. Try—and I'll be here for you anytime.
---
Nadeem went to the university and told some of his friends that he wanted to go out with them.
One friend: I don't think going out with us is really your thing... but fine, since you want to fight loneliness. Just know we won't be talking much—we'll be doing our own thing.
Nadeem: Where are we going?
Friend, smiling: To the disco.
---
At the disco. Loud music, dancing, and noise. Nadeem wasn't ready for this. He realized it was a stupid decision to come. He was heading for the exit, but something stopped him—a girl walked in with her friends. She was very beautiful. Her black hair and her face were stunning. But Nadeem saw something in her face—he recognized pain and sadness. He forgot about leaving and stayed a little. He kept looking at her and got closer to her table. Of course, his friends left him. He listened to her voice and what she was saying.
One girl: Hey, Ghofran, listen to this news.
Nadeem smiled—now he knew her name.
Ghofran: What is it, Laila?
Laila: A guy in my university was arrested today because he killed his girlfriend's father. He said the man was torturing her and was sadistic.
Ghofran: Wow, the news these days… She paused for a bit. I really wish I had a friend like him.
Laila, laughing: So he can kill your already-dead father?
Ghofran: So he can kill me and end my pain.
Laila, now serious: Why don't you tell me what's bothering you? Maybe I can protect you.
Ghofran, sadly: I can't.
Nadeem heard the whole conversation and became even more interested in Ghofran. He felt she was just like him. He decided to get to know her more.
Ghofran: Sorry, Laila. I have an urgent call from my manager at work.
Laila: At this hour?
Ghofran: Sorry.
Ghofran left the place. A car was waiting for her outside, and she got in.
Nadeem took a taxi to follow her. The car stopped at a building called "Al-Adel Group." She went inside and took the elevator.
Nadeem got out of the taxi and followed her to the building. He thought to himself, "Strange… why is she going to a company building at this hour?" He asked the doorman where she went.
The doorman gave him a creepy smile and said: "Come with me."
He took him to the elevator.
Nadeem: Which floor are we going to?
Doorman: You're not going up. He pressed his hand on an empty spot, which turned out to be a fingerprint scanner. The elevator went down. Nadeem was shocked.
He got out of the elevator and found many rooms on both sides. He looked around until an older woman smiled at him and said:
Woman: Who are you looking for, young man?
Nadeem, smiling: I'm looking for a girl named Ghofran. I just want to know if she lives here or something.
The woman laughed loudly and said: "Okay, Ghofran." She showed him her picture on a tablet.
Nadeem: Yes, that's her.
Woman: Good choice. An hour with her costs $3,000.
Nadeem, surprised: What? I don't understand.
Woman: You're strange. You come to a brothel and don't know anything? You're really strange.
Nadeem: Wait… a what? I didn't mean—
Before he could finish his sentence, the woman sprayed something in his face. He fell unconscious to the floor