The Red Line Read Online Free PDF Page B

visit her mom, Tamer used to drive her to the frontlines and wait until she had safely crossed to her car parked on the other side. When she was ready to come back, he was always there waiting to pick her up. The militia on both sides was amazed by their zeal to please and protect each other. They used to call them the "Romeo and Juliet" of the front lines.

XIII.
                 
    Mon ths went by…then a year went by. By her second year of residency, Nora was practically living at the Monzems ’ house. The neighbors were polite to her, especially when she was with Tamer or Mona. They didn't talk much; they just said hello, but that was enough for Nora. She kept feeling as though she were living in a different world.
    Nora met Kamil and didn't like him at all. She felt anger and malice behind his polite smile, and even some disdain. Was it because she was Christian? After she met him, she started looking around her for the first time, really looking at where she was. She was a lone Christian in completely Muslim surroundings! She started to get scared, but one look into Tamer's eyes made her forget everything. She was Tamer's, and that was enough. They would overcome all obstacles together, no matter what.
    "Hey Nora, did you get my note? I left it for you in our room." Nora was meeting Rheem this morning to discuss certain patients’ cases. They had a conference later with the Chief of Service.
    "No. I didn't have time to stop by our place. I woke up late and came straight here. Is something wrong?"
    "Do you remember Ramzi, the guy I used to date at the psychiatric hospital? He’s here. He moved to neurology, and when he saw me yesterday, he asked me a lot of questions about you. I think he’s seriously interested in you. Don't mind me. I'm happy with Farid , and we’re seriously thinking about getting engaged. So go ahead, girlfriend! He's one of our guys like Farid , a Christian from our area."
    "Did you tell him anything about my actual life? Watch out, he knows Tamer. "
    "Do you think I'm as crazy as you are? I just told him that you barely stay here since you have some cousins you frequently visit on this side of Beirut. Nora, listen to me. I keep telling you that you're playing with fire. Just try to get out. Come back to our room. Even Farid and I, who are actually getting married, haven’t dared to take that step yet. Even though our parents know each other at least, even we are scared to go against convention. Your mom is completely in the dark for now, but there are rumors..."
    "What rumors? Oh Rheem, I knew you would talk. You’re disgusting."
    "Me? Oh please, Nora. Look at yourself and the blunders you're making! People have seen you many times with a guy in the vicinity of the hospital, and even the Chief of Service asked me the other day if you're getting married! And you say it's my fault? You know what? You're on your own. I don't care anymore!"
    "I’m sorry, Rheem."
    "Okay, okay, let's get back to our cases before the conference starts."              
    The day went by as usual, but Nora knew that something had broken in her relationship with Rheem, and she didn't know how to fix it. At lunch, Ramzi was there. It felt awkward to lie in front of Rheem about the imaginary cousins. She had to make up reasons why she couldn't spend time with Ramzi, who was asking her out. She was burying herself deep, so deep under a huge mountain of lies that there was no way to get out.
    "I'm not backing away. I know you're shy, Nora, and I know you like to take your time. But I really like you, and we can all go out together in a group."
    "Okay, let me think about it." Nora didn't want to be rude to Ramzi, whom she liked. At the same time, she didn't wa nt to give him false hope for a future relationship with her.
    Since they were the only Christians there, they got used to sticking together: Nora, Rheem, Farid , Eli, and Ramzi. People around them were never threatening; on the contrary, most of