Episode 4

Alejandro.

We left the house and went to the hospital. Leo is my childhood friend; he became a doctor and takes care of our family when we need him. We're here in the waiting room.

Pablo: I didn't want to hurt her.

Alejandro: Dad, revenge always hurts someone. Even though she's the daughter of the person you hate, it's not her fault.

Pablo: I know, but...

Leo is coming.

Alejandro: How is she?

Leonardo: Well, she's fine, no fractures. She'll just be under observation for a while.

Pablo: Thank God!

Leonardo: Ale, can I talk to you?

Alejandro: Sure, I'll be right back, Dad.

We went out and stopped in front of a room.

Leonardo: Who is this girl? What do you mean, wife?

Alejandro: Dad arranged it for me. Actually, I don't even know her; I only saw her this morning.

Leonardo: How are you going to marry someone you don't even know, someone you've never met?

Alejandro: Oh Leo, don't even get me started. You know our families are complicated, and for me to take over the factories, I have to get married.

Leonardo: At least choose someone who isn't problematic.

Alejandro: Why do you say that?

Leonardo: I observed her arms. There are razor cut marks, cigarette burns, and that cut on her wrist doesn't fool me.

I run my hand over my face. What has Dad gotten me into?

Alejandro: Okay, it'll only be for a year, then she'll leave.

Leonardo: That's if she doesn't kill herself first, then my friend, you'll be a widower.

Alejandro: God forbid, don't even say such a thing.

Leonardo: Well, my friend, your father got you into a mess, so good luck.

The nurse comes over.

Nurse: Doctor Leonardo, the patient has woken up.

Leonardo: Okay, thank you! Let's go.

Alejandro: No, you go. She might react badly to my presence.

Leonardo: Suit yourself. And we'll have to go out to celebrate this so-called wedding, have a few drinks.

Alejandro: Okay, anything to get me out of the house will be welcome.

He leaves, and I realize the mess I'm making of my life. I need to stay away from this girl, and this year needs to fly by.

Safira.

I wake up with aches all over my body, my head hurts. I look around, and my arms are exposed with an IV in one of them. I lift the sheet, and someone has changed my clothes. A nurse enters and looks at me, so I cover my arm with the sheet.

Nurse: Oh, you're awake. How are you feeling? You're in the hospital and you're fine, no fractures. You'll be under observation because you hit your head. You have a cut on your right eyebrow, but nothing serious.

I touch my eyebrow, and it has a bandage.

Nurse: So, how do you feel?

I shake my head, show my hand, and make a so-so gesture.

Nurse: Okay, I'll call the doctor to see you. I'll be right back.

And before I can do anything, she leaves. Damn, a doctor, is it a man? Where are my clothes? I look under the hospital gown and I'm in a bra and panties. I want my blouse.

I look around to try and find my clothes.

And I see them on a chair. When I'm about to get up to get them, the door opens and a man in white enters. I cover myself and my arms too.

Leonardo: Good morning, Samira. I'm your doctor, Leonardo. How are you feeling?

How am I supposed to say what I feel if I don't speak? I make the same gesture I made to the nurse, just with my hand.

He takes a step closer, and I immediately get scared, and he notices.

Leonardo: It's okay, Samira. I'm a doctor; I won't hurt you, okay? I need you to tell me how you feel because you hit your head, and I need to ask you some questions to know if everything is alright so I can discharge you.

I know he's a doctor and I'm safe, but my fear is greater than my certainty, so I speak to him in sign language.

Safira: I'm fine, I feel pain all over my body, and my head hurts a little.

Leonardo: Okay, I understood what you said. Another question, why don't you speak but you can hear? Usually, people are deaf and consequently mute.

I make gestures.

Safira: My problem is psychological.

Leonardo: Right, have you received adequate treatment?

I shake my head no.

Leonardo: I understand. Well, it seems you're fine, so I'll fill out your discharge papers. Your husband and your father-in-law are outside.

My eyes widen.

Leonardo: Look, I don't know what happened to you, and I'm realizing you're more confused than I am, so I'll give you some advice. I've been friends with your husband since childhood. Despite their reputation, they are good people, don't worry.

He approaches me, and I start to breathe heavily and break out in a cold sweat. He sees my condition and stops.

Leonardo: What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?

I make a stop sign. He's a doctor; he'll understand if I tell him.

I make gestures.

Safira: I have a phobia of males.

His eyes widen.

Leonardo: Oh, I understand. I'll ask a nurse to remove the IV from your arm then, okay?

I nod my head.

Leonardo: Okay, just one last question. If you have a phobia, why did you get married?

Maybe he can help me.

I make gestures.

Safira: I was forced. I don't even know who these people are; I just want to leave.

Leonardo: Okay, unfortunately, I can't help you. I'm very sorry. Just stay calm. I assure you they are decent people and won't harm you or hurt you. I'll leave my card here. If anything, you can message me. In two days, I'll stop by the mansion to see how you are, okay?

I nod yes, then he leaves, and a nurse enters.

Nurse: Doctor Leonardo asked me to remove the IV from your arm.

I nod my head.

Nurse: Excuse me, Doctor Leonardo is an excellent doctor. You'll be fine. Do you want help getting dressed?

I shake my head no.

Nurse: Okay, here are your clothes. You can go to the bathroom. I'll wait for you here.

I get out of bed, grab my clothes, and go to the bathroom. I look at myself in the mirror, and my eyes fill with tears. I look around to see if I can escape. The bathroom has a small window, just for ventilation. I need to escape. I'll find a way, and then what will I do? I can't go back home, and I have nowhere else to go. And my job, what happened to it? Did my mother go there?

Nurse: Is everything okay?

I open the door and nod yes, then close it again and put on my clothes. I need a shower.

I leave the bathroom, take the card the doctor left, and she accompanies me out of the room. Then I see Doctor Leonardo, the gentleman who was in the room with me, and the other man.

Leonardo: So, I'll stop by in two days to see how you are, Samira.

I nod yes.

Alejandro: So, let's go.

He gets close to me, and I move away. He looks at me.

Pablo: Let's go, Samira.

The gentleman says and looks at me with a scowl.

He goes ahead, and I follow. The other man stays and talks to the Doctor, saying goodbye, and then comes over.

Pablo: I'm going to the factory, son. Take your wife home.

He leaves in a car, and I stand frozen in place.

Alejandro: This way, Samira.

He points to the car and opens the door for me to get in. I hesitate for a moment and get in. He goes around and gets into the driver's seat.

The silence in the car is a relief for me.