Hamida recognizes he is flirting
They exit the taxi, enter the building, climb to the second floor, and walk down a long corridor. As Faraj unlocks the door, he thinks about saving another day or two.
Faraj opens the door, which leads into another hallway with rooms leading off both sides, and finally into a medium-sized room, carefully appointed. He suggests she remove her cloak, but she declines. Faraj pours lemonade and remarks the taxi is waiting. Hamida observes Faraj, and tingles with anticipation. She has never felt this way before. When asked about the sounds of talking, shrieking, and singing, Faraj replies it is family, whom she will meet in time. She ignores his second request she remove her cloak. She allows Faraj to take her hand and lead her to the sofa, to move closer, to put his arms around her waist and kiss her passionately. Hamida is intoxicated but alert. Her heart beats wildly as he removes her cloak. Facing her wrath, he apologizes sheepishly. Hamida hides a triumphant smile, which vanishes when she compares his delicate hands with her coarse ones. She asks why she is here and declares the whole business absurd. Faraj insists this is a most wonderful thing and his house is her house too.
Faraj admires her hair and kisses it, ignoring the smell of kerosene. Hamida is delighted at the compliment but wants to know how long they will remain. Until they get to know one another, he replies and discounts the thought she could be afraid. Seeing that she wants to kiss him again, Faraj says he understands: she is a tigress and they are inseparably in love. They share a violent kiss. He points at his heart, says that is where she belongs, and disbelieves she could return to the alley and her family. They are made of different stuff from her. She is meant to stroll the streets like the beautiful women in fine clothes and jewelry. God has sent her to Faraj so he can restore her stolen rights. His words play Hamida’s heart like a violin. She wants this but wonders how it can be. He must be concealing something.
Faraj realizes they have reached a critical point in his plot, turns on the charm and seduction, and talks about Hamida enjoying the finer things in life. He asks why she should return to the alley with its wretched men who will enjoy her beauty and age her before her time. She is too daring and beautiful for that. Hamida recognizes he is flirting and gets angry. Faraj insists he respects, admires, and loves her and he needs a big- hearted “partner” in life. Hamida almost demands he marry her if he wants to talk this way, but restrains herself. He knows what she is thinking, but continues theatrically about saving her from a life of drudgery so they can live like film stars. Hamida’s face goes white with rage as she calls him a “wicked seducer”, to which he replies, sarcastically, “I am a man”. She insists he is a pimp, to which he says pimps are “stockbrokers of happiness”. Faraj claims to respects Hamida far too much to seduce her.
Hamida is outraged but cannot stop loving Faraj. The emotional stress grows unbearable as she declares she is not the kind of girl he thinks. Faraj pretends to be upset and disappointed that she would accept to be an “alley bride”. She shrieks at him “Enough!” and heads for the door, which he opens for her. Hamida leaves, miserable and confused. They enter the taxi by separate doors and ride in silence. Halfway down Mousky, Faraj orders the driver to stop, kisses Hamida’s shoulder, opens the door, and
