Within the Sins

إنت باغيه واحد يكون دمّه بارد.

As he waits for Moutassem's arrival, Yazid texts one of his sisters; after she does not respond, he calls her. "Yalla Sandra, mshan Allah roddee," he says, pleading for her to answer for God's sake. "Come on, kid." He closes his eyes, exhaling a long breath. He and Sandra have always been extremely dear to each other. If she is not answering, then who will?

"Yazid," he hears Moutassem's voice call after him, a bit aggressively.

Opening his eyes, Yazid looks at Moutassem and stands up from the swing he is sitting on. "I need to tell you something," Yazid says calmly.

"Give me the money first."

"That's the thing-I don't have any."

Moutassem raises an eyebrow. "And you expect me to give you the needles and bottles for free?"

"No, I just hoped for you to. . ." He avoids the man's eyes at this point. "I'll pay you back when I have the money."

"I heard you got kicked out and disowned."

"I'll pay you back," Yazid repeats, ignoring his comment.

Moutassem chuckles with a smirk. "No, boy, that isn't how I do business."

He turns around to leave, but Yazid grabs his arm. "Then help me find a job so I can save up for something. I need money quick. Please."

Moutassem shrugs his arm away. "No, dabber haalak," he says, telling him to figure things out on his own. "Call me when you have the money, and don't you dare ever call me again thinking I do this for free." Staring at Yazid, Moutassem slowly pulls his green T-shirt up a little.

Yazid sees a gun holstered in his jeans. Unphased-dying is not that bad of an idea, anyway-Yazid looks at him. "I don't want to plead you, Moutassem. I need this. It's been a long time since I've-"

"That isn't my problem." He puts a hand up. "All I can say is that you can go and sell gum or candy in the streets. Sell roses or soos, make money and then come back to me."

Moutassem turns around and walks away. "Mabrook on graduating by the way," he says without looking back, congratulating Yazid on his university completion. He leaves Yazid alone in the darkness of the park.

With shivering hands, Yazid feels his chest radiating heat. His lips twitch, and he bites his tongue. Beginning to feel anxious, his heartbeat starts to accelerate. He fears what will happen to him from now on. How on earth will he live on without his best friend by his side? It has betrayed him when he thought it never would. As a substitute, he pulls out a cigarette and walks toward Nader and Majed's apartment.

Yazid is starting to doubt the loyalty of this so-called best friend of his.