Zuhra rushed into her room, trying to hide the tears streaming down her face. She dropped her bag to the side and sat on her bed, staring blankly at the wall, unaware of the chaos swirling in her heart. This wasn't the life she had dreamed of — a life full of emotional neglect from her parents and a lack of complete support.
Her heartbeat quickened as she thought about how she had drifted into a darkness, where her parents gradually heaped burdens upon her. Even though she loved singing and was determined to chase her dreams, her father stood firmly against her, holding onto his belief that he could never allow his daughter to stand on a stage, striving for such a future.
Though she understood that her parents had their own point of view, her heart yearned to be strong — to achieve the success she knew she deserved as a human being, regardless of how they saw her.
Slowly, she took a deep breath, removed her shoes, and lay back on the bed, trying to find calm. But her heart throbbed heavily:
> "Why do I feel so powerless?
Why does it seem like I'm all alone in this world?"
---
Elsewhere, with Munir...
He looked at Kamal with pity, his mind burdened with thought.
> "Kamal," he said gently, "I know you won't understand right now, but in the middle of this hardship you're in, you'll come to realize that you'll never find peace or prosperity unless you give up alcohol and chasing women."
Kamal let out a heavy sigh, looking at Munir with eyes filled with longing for a better life, but deep inside, his heart carried an unbearable weight. Even though he lived under the privilege of Munir's support, his soul remained restless.
---
After resting a while at Kamal's house, Munir stood up, glancing at his wristwatch.
> "We should go home. Mama said she's preparing something special for my birthday."
Kamal frowned slightly.
> "Wait, you really want to take me to Mr. Perfect's house? You forgot your dad doesn't even want me near your gate."
Munir chuckled.
> "Don't say that, Kamal. Baba doesn't hold grudges like you think. Come on, it's my birthday. You're part of it."
Dragging his feet a little, Kamal stood up and slipped his phone into his pocket.
> "Well, may God protect us. Just know if Mr. Perfect shouts at me, you'll have to defend me."
Munir burst into laughter.
> "You'll be fine. Baba's much calmer now, ever since he saw you've been keeping it together — no more drinking or causing trouble near the house."
---
They headed out. Kamal started his motorbike, Munir climbed on behind him, and they made their way to Munir's house. The house was located in a wealthy neighborhood — quiet and orderly, lined with green gardens and elegant landscaping.
As they entered the compound, Kamal took a deep breath, feeling a familiar tightness in his chest — a mix of resentment toward his own parents and how Munir's father, whom he mockingly called Mr. Perfect, always looked down on him.
> "Mr. Perfect… same as ever. Flowers, neatness, perfection — like he's never made a single mistake in his life," Kamal muttered softly, just loud enough for Munir to hear.
Munir smiled but said nothing.
---
They entered the sitting room. Munir's father — Tariq — was seated, reading a newspaper. When he saw them, he put the paper down and looked up with a composed, dignified smile.
> "Munir, welcome. And you, Kamal..." he paused briefly, "...come sit down. How's school?"
Kamal lowered his head and replied quietly,
> "All is well... Mr. Perfect."
Tariq closed his eyes briefly — he heard it, understood the tone — but said nothing. Turning to Munir, he added:
> "Mama is in the kitchen cooking. Go and help her before your friends arrive."
Munir gently took Kamal's hand.
> "Let's go. But I told you, today you need to be present, even if your heart is still tangled with thoughts of Zuhra."
Kamal gave a half-hearted smile, his pain hidden beneath. He knew the name "Mr. Perfect" was never spoken out of affection — it was pure sarcasm. Tariq was a man of structure, discipline, and respect — the kind of man Kamal's own father admired and supported, while Kamal himself had been disowned for his reckless life of drinking and chasing women.