Two crossing paths

part 11: a conflict and a confession

**A New Morning**

Adam woke up earlier than expected, the morning air cool against his skin. He lay in bed, waiting for his friends to wake up, but the chill in the room urged him to start the day with a fresh shower. Grabbing his towel, toothbrush, and a set of clean clothes, he headed to the shower cabins. The water was invigorating, washing away the remnants of sleep, and as he returned with his hair still damp, he found his friends stirring awake. They followed his lead, and soon they were all downstairs, gathered around the breakfast table.

The meal was simple but satisfying: beans, eggs, jam, cheese, and tea. They ate heartily, the food enough to keep them content for the next few hours. Afterward, they took a leisurely stroll along the beach before it was time to head back home.

Meanwhile, Ann was in pain. Sharp, intermittent cramps twisted in her lower abdomen, radiating to her lower back and thighs. She couldn't find relief, no matter how she shifted or turned. Her mood was just as turbulent-a rollercoaster of annoyance and anger. She couldn't stand anyone, not even herself. The pain had killed her appetite, and she had managed only a cheese sandwich that morning. Curled up, hugging her pillow, she wished she could punch something-or someone.

As she lay there, her phone buzzed. It was a text from Adam.

"Hey, good morning. Today we're leaving. Inshallah, we'll be back around 7 PM."

Her reply was curt: "Okay. I hope you arrive safely."

Adam frowned at the coldness in her response. He still felt guilty about the way their conversation had ended the night before. "I'm really sorry about last night, Ann. I fell asleep before we could chat."

"It's okay," she replied, but her tone was anything but forgiving.

Frustration crept into Adam's voice. "Why are you still upset and talking like that?"

"Because all you care about is hanging out with your friends all day. You haven't even bothered to check up on me."

"That's not true," Adam protested. "I've been sharing every moment with you and checking in whenever I can."

"No, you haven't," Ann shot back. "I've been in pain all morning, and you didn't even notice."

"I didn't know," Adam admitted, his response delayed. "I'm sorry. Just take some Brufen; it'll help, inshallah." As a doctor, he recognized her symptoms as dysmenorrhea.

"Is that all you have to say?" she demanded.

"No, I have a lot to say, but I can't talk right now. I'll call you on the way back."

"Okay."

The conversation left Adam feeling hollow. He wanted the day to end just so he could call her without interruptions. There was an unfamiliar urgency within him-a need to take care of her, though he didn't fully understand it. Ann, on the other hand, was seething with anger and frustration. Part of her wanted to hate Adam, but another part just wanted to punch him.

On the way back, the familiar scenery passed by in reverse-seagulls, army camps, the Suez Canal, the desert, and finally, greenery. But the peaceful journey was interrupted by another argument.

"Ann, I'm sorry again that I took so long and couldn't talk to you on the way back," Adam began, his tone earnest.

"Yeah, that's all you're good at-saying sorry," she replied, her frustration boiling over.

"Why are you doing this, Ann? What's wrong?"

"You know what's wrong, Adam. You ignored me for a whole day. You didn't talk to me like you promised, not even on the way back. And when I told you I was in pain, you didn't care. I was ready to talk to you like a stranger because of that."