You're not marriage material
When Ola and I first became friends she said that to me nonstop
Frankly, she was right at the time
Every girl I met seemed like one thing at first
As soon as we got together, the stuff she was hiding would start to surface
Or maybe it was stuff I didn't see
This scared me from marriage
So when Ola and I fell in love I felt that it was the perfect scenario
Because we were friends and we knew everything about each other
We knew each other's flaws and virtues
So when we got married, Ola became my best friend, wife, and life partner
Which is why I ask myself every day
What happened?
The best thing about marriage is stability
Even though I knew all about marriage problems
And I'd seen them in all the marriages around me
I thought we'd manage to be the exception
I'm not leaving you alone today until we resolve this.
Answer me, don't walk away. Answer me
Don't you dare grab me again, have you lost your mind?
I'm not a dog you can just walk away from
Fine, I'm on my way up. Halloween party? Now it's the Halloween nonsense
Why did you do that, Sherif? She's watching a cartoon
What the... I was watching the game She's not even watching, she's playing
He's losing toni...
I'm in a meeting with a client. Is something wrong?
It doesn't mean your wife is nasty Not in the slightest.
It's just that you're required to put your wife, house, and kids,
and both your parents and friends before yourself
And no matter how hard you try to break the cycle,
you end up sucked in again
And when you think of something for yourself,
you're told that the family's needs come first
Sherif
You ask yourself what you actually chose out of all this
Sherif, come help me
And what exactly do you want out of all this?
Anything you buy comes with a grace period
So you can return it if it doesn't turn out to be what you wanted
Hang up and let her watch her cartoon on your phone
But this is an entire life that you have to keep pushing through
Simply because you once thought it was what you wanted
I'll call you back
Until you wake up one day to the most terrifying thing of all
It's not that you're not accomplishing what you want
It's that you don't even know what you wanted in the first place
And so you can't help it
The moment you feel the thrill of yearning again,
You hold onto it for dear life
Not only because you yearn for it but because it proves that you're alive
Captain Meedo, how are you?
Where did you disappear to? I thought you were never coming back
Work was impossible
A class is starting in 20 minutes, why don't you join it?
No time today, I have to go to work but I promise I'll be there next Tuesday
– You won't bail again? – No, I'm sure, goodbye
Bye
Ola, listen to this
Yes, Ola, listen to Captain Maged's latest adventure in Thailand
So we booked the royal suite and we threw him the best party ever
We got strippers and drinks and everything
For them, darling, you know me
Of course I know you, Maged, you don't need to tell me
So there was this gorgeous stripper and she turned the groom's head
Hossam Abu Areesha
So the bastard kept her to himself and took her to his room
While we sat there with the guy who organized everything
Suddenly the guy went, "He can't be late!"
I thought he meant the groom so I told him not to worry
The groom doesn't waste time And that she wouldn't be late
He said, "No, he is late," I swear, Sherif
She, I mean he was standing there at the distance between Menna and me
And she was gorgeous and well–endowed
– I don't understand – Because you're innocent
– The stripper was a man – How do you know?
Because this is the tenth time I'm hearing this story
Maged, this reminds me
That friend of yours who started a farm but got into trouble
How is he doing now?
He solved the problems, of course Money solves everything
So is this project worth the money? Or too risky?
You look like you're considering it
I have a little something put aside
– So I thought I'd invest in a project – What project?
– What's wrong? – Nothing
Forget about the project Investing is a big headache
It's better to focus on your work Who needs any project nonsense?
That was uncalled for. It's really not worth getting so mad. Be flexible.
There are two things you should never mention in front of a woman
A project you're going to invest in or a woman you find pretty
So, when do you want me to call up Zein?
So you still haven't told him you found out
Tell him? Are you stupid?
– How can you stand it? – Listen, darling.
If I followed my emotions like he follows his downstairs brain
this family would've fallen apart a long time ago
– So it's not the first time? – No
In the early days, I'd get mad and break down and confront him
And he'd come crying for forgiveness and promise it'd never happen again
And it'd happen again and I'd break down again. And then?
Then he got used to it. You fight but it never resolves anything
– So he stopped caring – No, I stopped caring
All I care about is raising my kids right
And I have no intention of raising them alone or wrecking their lives
All men have flaws, and honestly this is Maged's only flaw
Otherwise he's a kind, affectionate, generous father and husband
You forgot his biggest virtue He cheats
And what should I do? Leave him and be alone?
Or marry someone else and give my kids a stepfather?
How do I know the new guy won't be worse? At least I know Maged's limits
He gets bored and finds a woman for a few days then comes back
And frankly ever since I got myself busy, I don't even notice anymore
In the early days, I'd catch every lie and confront him
Now I no longer check if he's lying This is more comfortable
I can't believe my sister Menna has this mentality
You're fine with your husband cheating and you won't say anything?
Why? Because he's a good dad and he's generous with money?
– Is that what marriage is? – What more could I want, sweetie?
He's not going to follow me around spewing poetry
Show me a husband who does that now
At least now he comes home after each disaster
And he's super nice to me, he gets me a gift or a new car or a trip
It's not a marriage, then. It's a business deal
What's wrong with that? People always say marriage is a partnership
At least nobody loses in our partnership
I'm not saying this is the right thing, Ola
But you find what works for you
I mean if someone saw Sherif with another woman...
Another woman? Sherif would never cheat. Ever.
And if he were to do it, he'd tell me
Not because he's afraid I might catch him or someone might see him
Because we always tell each other everything
Well, darling. Lucky you.
Come on, sweetie. Wake up and brush your teeth before you sleep
Sweetie, you promised me you'd wake up when we got home
Come on, wake up, sweetie
You're waking her up so she can go to bed?
No, so she'll brush her teeth before she sleeps, Sherif
Cavities won't happen if she skips brushing once
Come on, sweetie
Thanks for putting off the argument I didn't want Tia to notice
I wish you cared for my feelings like you care for Tia's
Or Menna's feelings or even those of Menna's cat
Maybe then you wouldn't have embarrassed me like you did
– I embarrassed you? – Obviously
Glaring at me while I'm speaking to your brother–in–law? That's not embarrassing?
What did you expect? That I'd beg him to stop talking about any projects
Because my wife's glaring at me? I'm not a scared little boy
Listen up, this is the last time I'm letting you interfere in my business
Ours. It's our business
When you risk losing all your money by investing in a project
Like the printer project that left us broke
That money belongs to the kids
And the time you're going to waste on that project belongs to us
Left us broke? Look around you!
Anyone can face money problems at some point
Why are you acting like I made you and the kids beg on the streets?
But we denied ourselves a lot back then
I have no intention to go through that drama again
You know nothing about trade
Why are you determined to do something you're not good at?
Why are you determined to make me feel like a loser?
– I never said you're a loser – Oh, you never say it
But you make me feel like a loser every single day
Also, I remember that period well Yes, money was tight
But I always got you three of everything you needed
I got you everything you asked for
The kids got everything they needed. What's the problem?
Or is it just that you like to humiliate me? To make me feel like a loser?
Now I'm the bad guy who pours cold water on your plans, right?
By the way, you already know how I feel about this
What's new now? Why is it suddenly a big deal?
– Are you going out of your way to fight? – I go out of my way to avoid fights
You keep complaining that I'm outside all day
Yes, it's because of your fighting I've had it with all the fights
I'm not a killjoy who's always itching for a fight, Sherif
I really no longer understand you
Because you're not trying. You've stopped trying, Ola
You never give me a chance. You keep shutting me down
If I suggest a trip, you can't because of work
If I ask you to hang out with me and the kids, you're too busy
But you have two hours to spend at the gym every day
What, an hour at the gym is too much?
And every time I find 70 missed calls as if the world has ended
It didn't end, nor will it end if you hang out with me and the kids
Do you even have time for me? I'm the last thing you care about
This is uncalled for. This may have been true back when I was a new mom
Lately any time I suggest going out you have a million excuses ready
Even when I suggest spending time together watching a movie
You either don't say a word or you spend the whole time looking at your phone
I don't get it. We're now supposed to chat while watching a movie?
You know what I mean very well
You can no longer stand me or the house... Or yourself
Because we have nothing left to say
All you have to talk about is the kids' expenses and the money they need
And the money we need to save to secure the kids' future
You turned the best thing in my life into a burden
We used to talk about everything
You knew what I wanted and I knew what you wanted
What we wanted to do, where we wanted to go. We don't talk anymore
I remember you even learned all about soccer to talk to me about it
I'm so grateful, how kind of you to remember one thing I did for you
– What did you do for me? – Oh no you don't
Don't you dare start that broken record or we'll be here all night
What I did for you and what you did for me. I did a lot for you.
You didn't want to live in October 6th
You wanted to live in Heliopolis near your siblings. Fine.
I wanted to put off having children for two years after we got married
But no, you wanted kids as soon as we got married. Fine.
We have to enroll the kids in international schools
They're not less than your sister's kids. Fine.
Even though you know I can not afford those schools, but fine
I spend 24 hours at a time working myself to the bone
to make sure you have your family and friends' lifestyle
– But you're still not happy – All the men in the world do that
Are you trying to humiliate me because you're providing for us?
Humiliate you? That's what you got from what I said?
You're acting like I'm a gold–digger
who's making you spend your money on nonsense
At least I never asked you to take me to Europe every year
And buy me tons of stuff
I don't even have a nanny to help me out
If I was really going to ask, I'd have asked for my friends' lifestyles
Well, I'm not like them. I never want to be like them.
You've always known everything about my financial situation
– I never lied or changed – And I'm fine and never complained
You're the one who's living the comparison
I don't get it. Does it upset you
that the kids are getting a good education and upbringing?
No, it doesn't upset me.
No one sane would ever hate for his kids to be better than them
Do you want to know what I really hate?
I hate that you can't see me anymore
You no longer know my likes and dislikes
You no longer know what comforts me and what doesn't
You no longer know what I want and what I don't
You only see me as a husband
A husband who completes the picture that you want to live with your kids
My kids
They're mine only?
I don't get it. If I'm that unbearable, how can you even stand me?
Oh, you can't stand me. You can't stand a word I say
You can't even bear to touch me
Sherif, you've been approaching every intimacy like it's a duty
Am I getting this wrong too?
Or do you think I don't have feelings anymore?
I die a million times every day
because I feel that I'm no longer enough for you as a woman
I'm the one who initiates things every time
I tell myself it's normal and fine We are married, after all
I keep making up excuses for you
because I don't want to feel like you've changed towards me
But it's no longer just a feeling I'm sure now, I am
I've been afraid to ask, Sherif
Because I can't ask if you're lying and I can't take it if you are
The most difficult thing in the world
is confronting someone you love with something that you know will break them
Even more difficult is running away from the confrontation
and leaving them to their thoughts, which might break them further
Ola, we're not fine
It doesn't matter whose fault it is
What matters is I think we're no longer fine
Are you trying to say you're not happy?
You mean you're happy?
We're like everyone else
We have our problems and our fights but we're fine and the kids are fine
I'm not talking about the kids and the house and the family
I'm talking about you Are you happy? Is this what you want?
What are you trying to say?
Who says marriage is only about happiness? Marriage is a mixed bag
Yes, sometimes I'm sad and irritated and I can't stand you
But if I were to compare it to you not being around
I'd choose having you around
Because I love you
I don't know why you want to prove that I'm unhappy
Are you trying to clear your conscience?
Instead of finding and fixing the problem,
You'd rather jump out of the ship before it sinks?
What if I told you I think it's already sunk?
Are we at a dead end already?
So you can't find anything about me that can make me bearable?
– Ola, it's not you... – Enough
Don't give me every man's line about how it's not me, it's you
Did you think that would make me feel better?
When you'd rather run than fix the problem?
Run? You think I'd be sitting here if I wanted to run?
It would be the easiest thing in the world to play dumb
To pretend I can't see the problems between us
Do you know what other men do?
They cheat on their wives with a dozen other women
And the wife has no idea
But I'd never do that because I'd never put either of us in that situation
Is this whole fight because you're afraid of cheating on me?
Or is there someone else already?
The seconds between the drop and explosion of a bomb
The silence that makes these seconds feel like years
Part of you blames yourself for your decision
While another part wants the bomb to blow up and the waiting to end
So you're left with no option but to accept what happened
Everything Ola said was true
I had indeed been itching for a fight
so I could find a way to say the truth I wanted to tell her
I also didn't mean to lie
when I told her I didn't want to be the kind of man who cheated
What I was hiding, however, was that I had already met another woman
– Hi – How are you?
– I'm Sherif, how are you? – Fine, thank you
Mohammed Al–Ouda and Karim Qandil and everyone speak highly of you
Actually they spoke highly of you because they know you're going to be difficult
– Don't worry about a thing. Please. – Thank you
Just work. It was supposed to be just work.
But there was something about Dana
Beautiful, elegant, smart, confident, and funny
– Okay – I'll see you soon
– Okay, thank you so much, bye – Goodbye
She captivated you. When you saw her, you didn't want her to leave
Sherif, remember where we saw this movie for the first time?
Sherif
Will you pay attention? Leave your phone alone for once
But I've come across 50 other women with all those traits since I got married
I won't lie and pretend to have been a saint who never looked at a woman
Or that flirting almost got me into trouble
But I always knew when to stop before it was too late
She was unlike any other woman I'd ever met
Good morning, sorry for keeping you waiting
Good morning. Go ahead and park. We're going in my car
Your car? No, my car is better It's a long trip
I love driving. Come on
She was flying and free
She wasn't like anyone else and she didn't care about anyone else
I know you're going to love this
It's not a giant villa or a tiny cabin It's something in the middle
You'll be getting it just as it is, fully furnished
– Your view is the lagoon and the sea – It's great
One bedroom, a spacious kitchen
Surely you don't take all your clients to show them the house yourself
Am I getting special treatment or did I misunderstand?
Sometimes I do go with my clients but not most of the time
The bathroom is light and airy
– I knew you'd like it – It's exactly what I want
Fantastic
You like me, right?
I caught your vibes
I can always tell Call it confidence, arrogance, insight
– Or chemistry – So I'm right?
Absolutely
The problem with chemistry is that one wrong equation
can blow up the lab and everyone in it
I like fireworks. Don't you?
I like to look at them. I don't like them blowing up in my face
Married men naturally carry a big Stay Away sign for me
All the drama is too much for me
Relationships start simple and get complicated with time anyway
So why get into something that's already complicated?
Does this mean we're involved?
– You got that from what I said? – This is what I want to understand
I want to be happy. I don't want anything else
The problem is there are a million voices in your head that confuse you
Reason and commonsense and propriety
What you want, what your family wants
What your friends are pressuring you to do
I like to follow the universe. Its call is the only one I will follow
And she called me It was like a whirlwind
No matter how hard you try to swim away it'll end up swallowing you
Where are you going?
I'm going to fix myself something sweet. Want some?
– I do – What are you in the mood for?
Careful with your questions or I might misunderstand
The problem is I'm too straightforward Terrifyingly straightforward
What's wrong?
This is the first time I've been with a married man
By the way, it's the first time for me too since I got married
Really?
Really
I was never someone who said one thing but did another
I always have self–control I don't know how this happened
So you regret it?
– Then why are you upset? – The problem is I'm not upset
I'm making crêpes
– Chocolate or caramel? – Chocolate for me
Oh dear
Sorry, sweetie. Did I wake you up?
It's fine, honey. I was waiting for you
Sorry, I stayed too long at Hussein's
There are problems with his loan
So we made a lot of calls trying to find a solution
I feel sorry for him. He's in a bind. I saw your message too late
– I have a surprise for you – What is it?
The kids are spending the night at Menna's
Really?
– Well? Notice anything new? – Of course I do. You look gorgeous
– Really? – You always look good in black.
Well? Didn't you miss me?
Sometimes you discover that everything you thought you knew about yourself
What you can do and what you would never even contemplate...
They all fall apart at the first test
Right and wrong blend together and you can't tell them apart
Either because you like the wrong thing and want to justify it
Or because the differences between them are hard to make out
I can't believe you've read all these books
These are treasures, son
– Here's Afyoun Asho'oub – Ah. Bring me all Al–Akkad's books
I'm giving them away. I don't think I'll read them again
You of course don't have enough intellect to read these
– Not enough time, you mean – No, intellect
I know that you don't like reading
I tried so hard when you were a kid. You take after your mom.
So if it's bad, I take after my mom and if it's good, I take after you?
– Of course – Fine
I read a book here once called Ka'en something
– Yes, Ka'en La Tohtamal Kheffatoh – That's it. It had a man and two women
A man and two women? It's a great novel
In one sentence you turned it into a pornographic movie
Forgive me. Anyway, who did that man choose in the end?
His wife? Or his lover?
In real life? Or in the novel?
Why? Did he cheat on his wife in real life?
Is there anyone who hasn't cheated on his wife in real life?
Even you?
You thought I was a monk throughout 38 years of marriage to your mom?
Hand me that cigarette, kid
Cigarette? If you don't want to listen to your doctor,
Listen to that poor woman If she smells the smoke, you won't hear the end of it
I won't smoke it. I just want it in my hand. Come on. Give it here.
– Fine. Here, on one condition – What?
– Tell me about your bit on the side – So you're bribing me
– Yes – I was going to tell you anyway
Listen up. All men will tell you the same story
Boredom. No attention at home.
He found another woman who paid him attention
Or a woman he liked who ignored him
It became a challenge and he vowed to get her. In both cases, he'll do it
– So you did? – We all do it, kiddo
So were you in love with that girl?
I fell head over heels She made me feel young again
She was the most beautiful woman on earth
– And I was the happiest man on earth – And then what happened?
Gradually you get bored and you feel despicable
and that nothing can ever be enough for you
But if a man is unhappy at home, he's bound to look elsewhere
If you're unhappy at home, you're bound to cheat
If you're happy, however, you're still going to cheat.
There's a difference, though
In the first case, you may never go back
But in the second case, reason will make you go back
So did you follow reason?
Do you see me resorting to visitation rights to see you once a week?
– So you have no regrets? – Over what? Cheating or coming back?
Both
Just between us? Cheating is fun I did regret it though
What I have never regretted is keeping the family together
Your mom is an amazing woman No one else can put up with me
Also, I love her. It's a different kind of love. Companionship. Familiarity.
It's still love.
Didn't that amazing woman ever suspect anything?
I think she did, but she never confronted me
That kind of confrontation is very hard and life is never the same after that
The best thing is for both partners to play dumb
So over 38 years of marriage you only cheated once?
There were some other brief encounters
Mostly you want to feel that you're still young and desired and a playboy
And it scares you to imagine spending the rest of your life with the same woman
– Well, just between us, it is scary – You know what's even scarier?
If women turn out to have the same mentality
I made you your favorite konafa
Thanks, Mom, but I'll take a raincheck I'm in a hurry
Hang on. I called your wife yesterday and she didn't sound fine
– Did you upset her? – It's none of our business
It may be none of your business
but she's an orphan and she's like a daughter to me
Hang on, did she call you to complain?
She didn't call or complain
Your mom has nothing to do and wants something to keep her busy
– I have nothing to do? – No, you're an amazing woman
– Alright, goodbye – Goodbye
Let's see who's going to cook for you and take care of you, Aly
I think one of the first things that attracted me to Ola
Is that she was nothing like my mom
But with time, or maybe when she became a mother
Little by little, she became like her
And with time, I started to fear I might become like my dad
So I decided to be my own person
Without worrying about right or wrong
And we started going out everywhere
I didn't care that someone might see me
Or maybe I wanted someone to see me
What's wrong? You look taken aback
Not at all, I just don't know anyone here
Half the people here don't know each other in the first place
They just know each other by appearance
The place feels like one big happy family... What the...
– Unbelievable – I've missed you tons
– Where have you been? – How are you doing, sweetie?
– Where did you disappear to? – I'm not the one who disappeared
– How are you? – Yeah, fine
– I'll call you – Okay, darling. See you.
Monica!
Don't tell me you only know him by appearance
No, Ramy's an old friend
Friend as in... friend? Or friend as in you two were involved
Friend as in friend and I know all his secrets so we can't be together
– Dandoon – Hey!
– Long time no see – How are you, darling?
How are you doing?
– Great, and you? – I'm fine
Sherif. Reem.
– Hi – Hi, how are you?
– How are you doing? – Fine, thanks
– I know you but I'm not sure from where – Oh, if we met, I'd remember you
– You hang out at El Gouna – I do, but not that often
– Where do you work? – I work at...
I'll get us drinks. What will you have?
– I'll have what you're having – Reem?
– Nothing for me, thanks – Sure
– Mo – You're a lawyer or something, right?
– An architect – You're here? What's up?
– I came here twice but didn't see you – Too busy for the likes of you, sweetie
– Who are you here with, then? – Sherif
– I have a house in Ain Sokhna – A house in Ain Sokhna?
Yes, if I wanted to sell it, could you help me with that?
– Sherif – Thank you
Of course, I can call someone from our resale department
And they'll sell the house, sure
Save my number, then. I'll text you a picture
Sure
What's the number?
Call your number so you can save his number
So you can reach Sherif if he doesn't see your call
– Oh, we'll stay in touch – For sure
– Okay, enjoy your time. Bye – Bye
You drove away a potential client It was strictly business on her end
She was going to send you pictures of her, not of the house
– I'll go get her – Hey, come here, where are you going?
– I already have her number – No kidding
– Jealousy looks good on you – Me? Jealous of her? Why on earth?
FYI, Reem only approaches a man if he's with a woman
She's not interested otherwise so don't let it go to your head
And here I thought I was unique
I didn't pay her any attention, though You did
I didn't. People will do what they want to do. I was just trying to read you
Trying? I'm an open book
I'm still at chapter one. Who knows how the book ends?
– Fine. Cheers – Cheers
You've been at this for an hour. I can help you out of this mess.
– Killjoy. There's a part missing. – What could it possibly be?
– Stop being so stubborn – I'm not stubborn. I'm determined
You're even stubborn about the word stubborn. Hand me the manual.
– What are you going to do? – I'll find the missing part
Nothing's missing when you're next to me, honey
I found it. Now you know your life would be a mess without me
I know it and I don't need any proof Leave this alone now. I'll do it later
– What's this? – Here. Open it
– Do you like it? – Like it? It's amazing
How did you know I'm into this stuff?
I know your personality. You're an overgrown child
All grownups play these
Happy birthday
I wanted to give it to you on your birthday
but I figured you must have other plans
How about we celebrate on Thursday? If you're free, I mean
I can't. I'm going to the North Coast tomorrow and I'll be back in a week
Why don't you come up there on Thursday?
I don't know if I'll be able to
Coffee?
Your phone's ringing
Sherif, can I ask you a question?
– Ask – It's an annoying question though
Forget it. No need
I'm not going to forget it. In fact I insist on hearing it.
How does it feel when you're asked about where you were, with whom,
Or why you were late? When you have to lie. Does it annoy you?
It feels like you get nervous every time your phone rings
Too much drama, huh? It must be all my female hormones. Come on
By the way, I want to answer
I was just thinking it through so it's not any old nonsense
I feel guilty
I lie
so I get nervous
so I lie again so I get more nervous
I feel like I'm two–faced
and that I'm in an endless vicious cycle
– I'm not comfortable – Then don't lie
Sure
So next time she asks, you want me to come clean
No, I don't want anything. I'm saying this for your sake
As long as this is how you feel, you'll never be at ease
Even the thing that should make you happy won't bring you happiness
Why do you say it like life is black and white?
If you ask any random stranger on the street if lying is good or bad
They'll definitely tell you it's bad but they'll be lying
Sometimes you lie because you don't want to hurt the other person
No, the real harm is in the secrets that aren't said, not what's said
No matter how painful the truth is, it's bound to be more comforting for both
I'd hoped for a fling. Something that would be over in a few days
Like any child who insists on a toy only to lose interest later
Gradually, though, she turned into the most important part of my day
The call I'd long for
The time that passed in the blink of an eye when we were together
But refused to pass when we were apart
When I finally got off the tightrope I'd been walking, I had to tell her
That we'd no longer have to worry about the time we spent together
– Cool, tell me if you decide to sell – I will
– See you – Bye Nader, darling
You're even crazier than I am
Your phone was switched off I called and called
Yes, we were on the boat all day and it died on me
– Do you like my hair? – It's so short now
But I like it
And if I get bored, it'll grow back anyway
By the way, Ola and I broke up
I don't know what to say. Are you okay?
I think this is better for both of us
Maybe it's better for the three of us
Sherif, if you want something else besides cheese, I can make it
– Who were you riding with? – Nader. You don't know him
Obviously I don't know him. It's why I asked who he was.
We're old friends. He just came back from the US.
Welcome back. Where were you all day?
Why are you acting like a district attorney all of a sudden?
Nothing like that. I have a right to ask though
Consider it jealousy
Be jealous all you like, but pick something that counts
I think this counts
– I'm serious – Actually, if we're serious
We never agreed that I wouldn't have any friends
or that I'd never go out with people you don't know
We never agreed on anything in the first place
And... it's too soon to drag your "rights" and all that tiresome stuff into it
– Things are fun the way they are – Fun?
So you view our relationship as something casual
– Since I'm married and everything – I never really think of you as married
I deliberately forget about that fact
That way I won't annoy you or myself
I assume you're busy, you do stuff that takes up some of your time and that's it
At the end of the day, I never ask or hint at anything
Not true. You talked and hinted a lot
– Me? When? – Back at your place
Wasn't it you who kept advising me to stop lying and keeping secrets
And that nothing beats honesty? Wasn't it you or was it someone else?
I meant you and her. Not me.
You want to pretend you had nothing to do with everything that happened
That you're not the reason, right?
Oh, I'm not the reason behind your problems with your wife
This problem never appeared until we got together
Try the other way around
If you didn't feel something was missing at home,
You wouldn't have gone looking elsewhere. So I never stole you from your wife
If you remember, I was against it at first. You insisted and I...
I don't know, I got confused. I was attracted to you and everything happened
– It doesn't matter – Yes, it does
Because you entered this relationship willingly. No one forced you.
Are you trying to make me feel guilty like you?
By the way, you cheated on your wife. I didn't.
I'm not attacking you or trying to prove you're in the wrong
You were in a place where you were going to do this anyway
If it hadn't been me, it would have been someone else
I... wanted you, not someone else
I want you too. Just not the way you think I do
Sherif, I was happy with our relationship
Not because you couldn't give me more. No. I agreed because that's what I wanted
What exactly do you want? I don't understand
Say I told you I'm single now
And that I want to make our relationship public and official, what would you say? No?
On the contrary, let's make our relationship public
But without pinning it down with labels and expectations and whatnot
We'll have a great relationship and if one of us is bored, they can leave
Leave? What are you talking about?
So you want us to start a relationship knowing it won't last?
Are you hearing yourself? Do you think that's normal?
You only think it's abnormal because it came from a woman, not a man
I know it sounds weird, but so am I. Isn't that what you liked about me?
That I'm my own person and unlike anyone else on earth?
Think about it and you'll find that I'm right
You won't feel like you're suffocating or that you're someone's property
Nor will you feel guilty for being stuck in a relationship you want to get out of
Where's the security in a relationship I'll always know is temporary?
Where was the security in a relationship you expected to last forever? It's over
Who said anything about temporary?
What I'm saying will make it last longer
Last longer?
Is your theory based on your experiences in similar past relationships?
Okay, I'll let it go this time
Sherif, we've known each other for two months, right?
I see you a few hours each week which we spend doing only what we like to do
As soon as that situation changes, though,
and we start getting used to being in each other's life
You'll start trying to change me and I'll start trying to change you
And we'll expect certain things from each other and if they don't happen,
without meaning to, we'll judge each other's actions
If one of us makes a sacrifice that the other doesn't appreciate
they'll remind the other person of their sacrifice at the very first problem
We'll start repeating what we say and we'll start talking less
While problems and details increase
And everything that makes you look at me in admiration right now will disappear
In fact it'll probably start irritating you
Did I ever tell you why I got divorced?
Because Hassan was no longer happy He felt like he was suffocating
When we first got married he'd tell me I was wild and needed to be reasonable
When I did that, he got bored. He felt I was no longer me.
I, of course, was very upset because I felt I'd sacrificed for him
In the end, we couldn't stand each other or ourselves
Sound familiar?
– You're saying that you're all the same – And all of you.
We're all the same.
The grass isn't always greener on the other side. That's the truth.
And I want to be on the other side
I don't want problems, blame, and boredom I don't. I want to be happy
No matter how attached I get to a man, no one can make me go back voluntarily
– Clearly I never read you right – I never deceived you, though
You're right. I deceived myself
Why are we in such a dark place?
I'm not trying to upset you. I'm just trying to explain my thought process
So we don't annoy each other because I'm happy with you
I'm really happy, and I want us to stay the way we are
You have no idea how happy it made me that you surprised me and came
– Nothing happened to make you so upset – Nothing? After everything you said?
When you calm down and think, you'll find that I'm right
And you'll ask for directions to the other side
Let's go for a swim. Come on. Please. Don't be so glum.
Suit yourself. I'm swimming alone.
Maybe I was unfair to her. Maybe she was unfair to me.
Maybe I was unfair to them both. Because at least each of them was herself
Each of them chose the side she wanted to be on and defended it
Clearly, the problem is me
I don't know which side I want to be on.