01x06 - The Calm Before the Storm

[bunniefuu]

[dramatic music playing]

[Mariam] I am human. I do have a heart.

Of course I feel bad

about what happened to Rania.

But the bruises on her face

will fade in a few days,

and then they'll be gone.

But the bruises I have because of them

will never fade.

[dramatic music continues playing]

Hey, listen. You know,

it's practically been a whole week.

I mean, we need talk to her.

[clicks tongue]

She still needs time

to realise what she did wrong.

[hisses]

Does it hurt?

Not as much as it did before.

Your dad

is completely insane, you know that?

Oh, and yours is way better, is he?

Hmm. My dad

has my brothers do his dirty work

while he's more subtle about it.

Hazem is the dangerous one.

Anyway, what matters now

is you're finally back at school.

Come on,

it's not like I've been away for ages.

It was only a couple of days, you know?

I know, but it's just

This was my first time on my own here

without you or Ruqayya.

[Rania winces]

Ow.

Sorry.

[Rania chuckles softly]

Is that why you're leaving me

here on Thursday? To get back at me?

Rania, it's only one day. You'll be okay.

Plus, this might be

my only chance to see Laith

before exams and the summer holidays.

Well, I mean,

before my summer "house arrest".

[Rania] Hmm.

I have no idea

if we'll be able to see each other.

Erm

So, about your date with Laith

I think it'd be better

if you lay low for a while.

I wouldn't bunk off school now.

What? Why?

[sighs] I don't know, but with everything

that's been happening to us lately,

I just think it's pretty weird.

What if your plan doesn't work

and someone sees you and Laith together?

Or your dad finds out?

Please don't worry.

It's all under control, Rania.

I've taken all the precautions, okay?

I've blocked all the school numbers

on everyone's phone at home,

including Ms Faten's and Ms Abeer's.

And anyway,

we're going to his family's

summer house near the airport.

That way,

we don't have to worry about being seen.

[sighs] Okay,

but please, please be careful.

You're the only

good thing in my life right now, so

Aw.

How sweet.

So you do have feelings after all?

I love you, Roonie. Mwah, mwah, mwah!

- Go away!

- [laughs]

[suspenseful music playing]

[tense music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, Rania.

I didn't get a chance

to thank you for what you did for me.

What did I do?

Well, you didn't dob me in to Ms Abeer.

I I mean, I get why you would

do that for Layan, but for me? Thank you.

Okay, look,

sometimes I can be a b*tch, yeah?

- But I'm not a snitch.

- [chuckles]

- So you're speaking in rhyme now, huh?

- [both chuckle]

You were right about Ahmad.

He's a prick. [chuckles]

- Anyway, thank you.

- [Rania] Hmm.

Want to sit with us?

Okay.

[Rania] You want a carrot stick?

[Dina] Thanks.

[tense music continues playing]

CREATED BY TIMA SHOMALI AND SHIRIN KAMAL

DIRECTED BY TIMA SHOMALI

[Arabic hip-hop song playing]

[Mariam] Layan, your time is up.

[hip-hop song continues playing]

[Mariam] It looks like

yours is, too, Ms Faten.

[Layan] You really like it?

[chuckles softly]

I can send you another one if you want.

[giggling]

Really? I'm so excited

to see you tomorrow.

- [door opens]

- [gasps]

Where's my charger?

[tense music playing]

What were you up to?

What if I'd been getting changed?

You should knock next time.

Who were you talking to?

- Rania. What do you want?

- Why are you nervous?

- I'm not nervous.

- Give it to me.

Hey! Give it here!

Do you see? It was Rania.

I've had enough of your sh*t.

I'm telling Dad right now.

Daddy!

[Khalil scoffs]

[newsreader on TV] And now

we bring you the latest headlines

Dad, please can you tell Khalil

to stop barging in my room

and going through my phone?

Khalil, stop annoying your sister.

Come on! It's not fair.

I mean, I literally have no privacy.

Why does he get to

go do whatever he wants? It's not fair.

[Layan's dad] Okay, okay.

- Tell me, what's wrong?

- [Layan sighs]

- [TV clicks off]

- Hmm? What happened?

I was talking on the

She was talking on the phone

and she hung up as soon as I walked in.

[dramatic music playing]

Who were you speaking to?

It was just Rania.

[sighs] That's not the point. Daddy!

[sighs] Okay, sweetheart.

Come and sit next to me.

Khalil, I don't want you

going through your sister's phone.

Understood?

Hmm? Happy?

You seem overly upset about this.

Is this something you're hiding from us?

Hmm? No. I just need privacy.

[scoffs] Privacy? What for?

I mean, you're a 17-year-old girl.

Why do you need privacy?

Sweetheart, your brothers

have the right to worry about you.

And anyway, you're their baby sister.

They have to protect you.

So, this shouldn't bother you.

Quite the opposite. Hmm?

[chuckles]

Here you go,

the best cup of tea ever made.

Thank you, my love.

[mobile phone ringing]

Shh.

Hello? Yes, Your Honour.

I'm very well, thank you. How are you?

[chuckles]

You're absolutely right.

Of course. Very true, very true.

Absolutely not. Don't worry.

[gentle piano music playing]

[mobile phone vibrates]

ARE YOU OKAY?

PLEASE TELL ME THEY DIDN'T CATCH YOU.

YEAH, I'M OKAY. THANK GOD I HAD CHANGED

YOUR NAME ON MY PHONE TO RANIA.

OTHERWISE THEY WOULD'VE CAUGHT ME.

SO, I'M RANIA NOW? LOL.

[chuckles softly]

I HATE THAT MY BROTHERS

ARE ALWAYS IN MY BUSINESS,

WHILE THEY GET TO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT.

LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE.

WE'RE MEETING TOMORROW,

AND THIS TIME YOU WON'T HAVE TO HIDE XX

[melodious Arabic song playing]

And you're sure nobody will be there?

Nobody will be there, I swear.

It's just gonna be the two of us.

[Layan chuckles]

[imperceptible]

[teacher over PA system]

Good morning, AlRawabi girls.

Today, we are proud

to be hosting an awards ceremony

for academic excellence

amongst educational institutions.

At this ceremony, Ms Faten

will be receiving the honorary award

on behalf of our school

for all her many achievements.

We're therefore expecting

each and every one of you

to be on your best behaviour.

Thank you.

How wonderful. Very good.

Okay, now,

let's settle down, please, girls.

Layan's not here.

Is she absent again today?

- Rania?

- Yes, Miss?

Well, I believe

you take the same bus as Layan.

Did she get on the bus?

Erm Well, Miss,

if she's not in the classroom,

then she wasn't on the bus.

[girls chuckle]

Mariam, was Layan on the bus today?

[tense music playing]

Erm, if I'm honest, Miss, I don't

usually pay much attention to Layan.

So, maybe

she was there and I didn't notice.

[Ms Abeer] Hmm.

Fine.

Layan

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE SHEE

Absent.

Okay, let's start today's lesson.

Today we're going

to be learning about bacteria.

The different types

and their characteristics,

their effects on the human body,

and the diseases they can cause

[indistinct chatter]

Good morning, Ms Faten.

Mariam. Hello.

Erm, I was happy to hear about the award.

Congrats, Miss.

And to you.

After all, this award

is for the students and the school.

[Mariam] Of course, Miss.

[suspenseful music playing]

What's the matter?

It's Mariam. She's acting really weird.

And Layan hasn't come in to school today,

so you can figure it out.

What are you saying?

Layan actually

was on the bus this morning,

but snuck off

to see her boyfriend, as usual.

[Ms Faten] Today's an important day,

so make sure you set a good example.

I will.

[Noaf] Mariam.

Are you deaf? I'm talking to you.

What do you want, Noaf?

What are you up to?

Still planning to go after Layan?

I think you both made it crystal clear

that you don't want

anything to do with me,

so why are you both suddenly dying

to know what it is that I'm planning?

What you're doing

is messed up. It's enough.

Right. So you guys

are BFFs because of this now?

[Dina] No, it's nothing

to do with that, Mariam.

It's about doing what's right.

Don't make a mistake that you'll regret.

"The right thing"?

The right thing would've been

not to turn your back

on your friend when she needed you.

The right thing would've been

to stop them when they were beating me up.

The right thing would've been

to tell everyone what you saw.

I'm sick of hearing about the right thing

when you obviously

don't know what that is.

If you want to be hypocrites,

that's your choice.

But at least have the guts to admit it.

Well, then. She's still planning

on doing something to Layan.

[Dina sighs]

[contemplative Arabic song playing]

[Mariam groaning]

Noaf! You were there! Tell them!

Noaf!

[Noaf] Those girls need to be

given a taste of their own medicine.

Otherwise, nothing will ever change.

Let's get 'em.

[Mariam] I'm so sick of always being

the target that everybody goes for.

Those b*tches

have messed with the wrong girls.

We'll stand by you.

[Mariam] Thank you, but

I'm done.

[Noaf] Er, but Mariam, if you do that,

you're giving up and letting them win.

You can't just give up now

after everything we've done.

We have to finish what we started.

[song continues playing]

What's the matter?

[clicks tongue, sighs]

I feel like such a hypocrite

after everything I've done.

Mariam's right.

It was me who

who encouraged her to do this.

Noaf, you weren't alone in this.

I encouraged her, too.

You really shouldn't

blame yourself for everything,

carrying all this guilt.

Yeah, okay,

we both thought it was a good plan

and wanted to be a part of it,

but when we realised

how serious it was getting,

we stopped

because we didn't agree with it anymore.

But that doesn't

make us a couple of hypocrites.

What are we?

It make us good people.

And do you know why?

We realised it was wrong, and we stopped.

[breathes deeply]

I don't know, Dina.

But it's done. Mariam's become a b*tch.

And I can't help feeling

that it's partly our fault.

Noaf,

listen, Mariam's

been through absolute hell.

She's not thinking straight,

you know? She's confused,

and the only thing keeping her going

is her plan to get back at them.

And besides,

remember, you and I

were the same at the start of all this.

But as her friends,

we owe it to her. We can't give up.

We need to get her to see sense

before she does something serious.

We still have a chance to fix all of this.

[sombre music playing]

PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - MS FATEN QADI

[knock on door]

Yes?

[door opens]

[door closes]

Could you spare a minute, Ms Faten?

One minute's all I have.

I want to talk about Layan Murad Fathi.

I believe that the girl

has been skipping school again.

What makes you think that?

Today, she hasn't come into school.

You and I both know it's a possibility.

It's not the first time she's done it.

Maybe the girl is unwell.

Ms Abeer,

will you please stop accusing the girls

of doing things when you have no evidence?

I'm not accusing anyone,

but just to be certain,

I need to call her parents.

[tense music playing]

Leave it with me. I'll deal with it

when the ceremony's finished.

- But it would be better

- Ms Abeer

Today's an important day for the school.

I'll make sure

it's all dealt with when I'm done.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[engine turns off]

[car door closes]

What's the matter? It's okay.

[chuckles nervously] Erm

I've never done

something like this, Laith.

Never done what?

I mean, I've never gone

to some guy's house before. Alone.

You do know we're just hanging out. Yeah?

Layan, do you really mean that?

I'm not just some guy, am I?

I mean, baby,

I promise, we're just here

to spend some time together

without you

having to worry about someone seeing us.

Okay, listen, we can leave if you want to.

I just want you to feel comfortable, okay?

Let's stay. I'm fine here. It's better

than having to worry about being seen.

Okay, come on, then.

[woman] And that is why

we firmly believe

the education that these children receive

creates the foundation

for a promising future.

And of course,

we must not forget about moral education,

which is the foundation

for building

a virtuous generation of children.

[tense music playing]

[woman] AlRawabi School for Girls

is a true pioneer with a strong legacy,

and boasts the highest standard

of both academic and moral education.

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL - MS FATEN QADI

[suspenseful music playing]

[exhales]

[typing]

ALRAWABI SCHOOL DOCUMENTS - PARENTS' FILES

[sighs]

PARENTS' CONTACT INFORMATION

[sighs]

Layan

There you are.

[engaged tone beeping]

[sighs]

ONLY USE IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES.

[sighs heavily]

[continues dialling]

[line ringing]

Er, hello there. Well, thank you.

I was wondering if it's possible

to speak with Mr Murad Fathi?

[sighs]

[suspenseful music playing]

What?

Dina?

[sighs]

Let's try and talk to her again.

Maybe this time she'll listen to us.

Yeah, sounds good to me.

What if Mariam

still has access to Layan's phone?

Not possible.

She must be up to something else.

So, it was you?

You've been playing us all along?

What are you talking about?

[scoffs] I thought

you were just a stupid little girl,

but it turns out you're behind it all.

Rania, listen.

Just calm down and tell us what's wrong.

[hesitates] What is it?

That's you in the reflection, isn't it?

- [Noaf] Er

- [Rania] Hmm?

Er, listen,

before you jump to any conclusions,

let me explain the situation we're in.

Did you say "we"?

So, you were in on it as well?

[scoffs] So Tareq was you all along?

You do realise that you've

utterly destroyed Ruqayya's life?

[Noaf] It wasn't supposed to go that far.

What did you expect,

that your games

wouldn't have consequences, huh?

Oh, really?

So ask yourself the same question.

Look, I'm not justifying what we did

and I'm not saying it was right,

but look in the mirror.

Did you really think

that people would just sit back

and take your sh*t forever?

So, how does it feel? I mean,

now that you've taught us a lesson?

I swear, you're gonna regret this.

Oh, could you spare

the threats for a second? There's no time.

Erm, there's something

that we need to deal with.

What do you mean?

It's about Layan.

Noaf

[Noaf] We need to warn her.

- Noaf, no.

- [clicks tongue] Warn her about what?

[suspenseful music continues playing]

Warn her about what?

[Layan sighs] This is heaven.

Where's your phone?

It's in there.

- So I can

- [squeals]

[Laith chuckling]

Laith! Why did you do that?

My clothes are all wet!

[both laughing]

[joyful Arabic song playing]

You're beautiful.

Let's race, come on.

- You wanna race?

- Yeah, come on.

[both giggling]

Hold it right there!

[both laugh]

[imperceptible]

[scoffs]

I can't believe it.

You guys were behind all of it.

And now she's gonna finish Layan?

Er, maybe. We're not sure.

She might not.

Are we gonna just sit around here

and wait to see what happens? No.

We have to stop this mad b*tch.

Look, do you see that? Do you see that?

This is nothing compared

to what they'll do to Layan.

It's horrible.

Her dad is crazy

and has zero tolerance for this stuff.

You have no idea

what her family's capable of.

[sighs]

Do you know

that her eldest brother has a g*n?

[dramatic music playing]

[sighs]

Let's go and find her

before it's too late.

What's the matter?

[Rania] That's Layan's dad.

sh*t! And her brother, Hazem.

sh*t!

Er, do you think this means

Mariam went ahead with it?

Try to stay calm, okay?

I think I have a good plan.

I don't think they know where she is.

I'm sure

they just think she skipped school.

Let's go. We need to find Mariam.

Will you all please join me

in welcoming

the head teacher, Ms Faten Qadi.

[imperceptible]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. This really is an honour.

My colleagues and I are

very happy to have you with us today.

Would you mind explaining

why the school insisted

that I had to come in person?

I left important business

to come here with my family.

Well, Mr Murad,

I think it's important for you to know

you daughter, Layan,

didn't show up

at registration this morning.

[Layan's dad] Then maybe she's ill.

Marwa? Why isn't she

in school today? Is she ill?

I don't know. She was fine this morning.

She left to go to school.

I even saw her getting on the bus.

[Layan's dad] I don't understand.

How is that possible?

Tell me right now, where is my sister?

Calm down, sir.

She's not answering her phone.

Your sister is fine.

Now, I assume

that she probably snuck off the bus.

What are you saying?

Layan would never do that, do you hear?

Who's the bus driver?

I want this sorted now.

I can't just sit here in this office

whilst my daughter could be in danger.

She's fine. I'm sure of it.

This isn't the first time

she's snuck off the bus.

[Layan's dad] What do you mean?

[suspenseful music playing]

YOUR SISTER IS HERE WITH HER BOYFRIEND

[Layan] Well, after PE,

we all went to get changed,

and I noticed Mariam

staring at me whilst I got changed.

So I said to her, "What are you doing?

Please stop staring at me."

Next thing I know she got closer and

- So, I can tell you like what you see.

- She got closer and

[voice breaking]

she grabbed me.

[gasps]

[girl 1] Get out.

- [girl 2] Disgusting.

- [girl 3] That's not normal.

- [girl 4] Mariam, go away.

- [girl 5] She is a freak.

[girl 6] She's gross.

[girl 7] Get out of here.

And when I said

I was going to tell the school,

she threatened me.

- I didn't know what to do.

- [Mariam groaning]

If you ever try to stand in my way again,

there will be blood.

[Mariam's dad] What's all this?

What's going on?

[Laila] Your daughter has brought

shame to all of us! That's what!

A room full of your classmates

all agreeing that they saw the same thing,

and you want me to believe you?

[sniffling]

[Layan] Ladies!

What do we call a girl who's this awful?

[girl] Crazy psycho.

[girls chanting] Psycho girl!

HATE THAT I'M FORCED

TO VISIT A PSYCHIATRIST.

[chanting fades out]

[Noaf] Mariam.

Mariam!

Please just wait.

[Ms Faten] And finally,

I'd like to finish off by saying

that at AlRawabi School,

our girls will always be our priority.

Thank you. Thank you all for coming.

Listen to me, Mariam,

you can't go through with

what you're thinking of doing to Layan.

Something bad

could happen if you send that message.

I'm serious. Something really terrible.

You guys told her?

Mariam.

We had to tell her.

You've taken things way too far.

Seriously?

You've both turned against me,

and now you're on whose side? Hers?

Her, of all people? [scoffs]

Mariam, please.

Fine, er, do you want me to beg?

I am literally begging.

I am begging you, Mariam.

Okay, yeah,

we might have hurt you a bit, but

You guys hurt me "a bit"?

[scoffs] You have literally

no idea what you've done to me, do you?

Okay, I'll reword that for you.

We really hurt you, big time.

I'm so sorry

for everything that's happened.

But what you're

about to do now is a lot worse, Mariam.

"A lot worse"?

You still don't get it, do you?

You have destroyed me.

You have ruined my life.

Yet you're lecturing me

saying that what I'm doing is worse?

Mariam, I am begging you here.

Please, just this once,

let it go, and I promise,

we won't hurt you

or anyone else ever again.

I promise.

[scoffs softly]

You're right.

You're not gonna hurt me

or anyone else ever again.

Because I'm gonna

make sure that you can't.

[Noaf] Mariam.

Listen, I know how you feel.

I know you're a good person.

So, just rise above it

and do what's right.

[tense music playing]

[mobile phone chimes]

[tense music intensifies]

[breathes deeply]

Never again.

[kicks desk]

[sniffles]

I don't understand

[mobile phone chimes]

how a young girl, a minor,

sneaks off the school bus

and you do nothing about it.

You just let it slide

as if it were nothing.

I swear,

if something happens to her I swear.

Father, I have to go.

Where are you going?

You have to stay here. We might need you.

You can both go home.

I'll deal with it. Leave it to me.

[birds chirping]

[cartoon playing on TV]

[chuckles softly]

[tense music playing]

[tense music intensifies]

[tyres screeching]

[horn blaring]

[breathing heavily]

What's this?

A fortune cookie.

Why don't you open it

and see what your fortune is?

[chuckles softly]

[cookie breaks]

[chuckles softly]

"I love you."

[Laith] Mmm-hmm.

[banging on door]

[tense music playing]

Who's that?

You said no one would see us here.

I know. I'm not expecting anyone.

- Layan!

- [gasps]

sh*t! sh*t!

That's that's my brother.

Who? How?

I don't know. I don't know.

[banging continues]

FAMILY'S AT SCHOOL,

HAZEM KNOWS WHERE YOU ARE! LEAVE!

[gasps]

[banging continues]

[Hazem shouts] Layan!

Layan!

[sombre piano music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[Layan's dad] This is unacceptable!

I'm going to make sure

this school gets shut down!

I am gonna destroy you!

[Ms Abeer] Mr Murad, please wait!

Would you excuse me?

What an honour to have you here, Mr Murad.

To what do we owe this pleasure?

Oh, I'm here because one of your teachers

called me in to tell me

that my daughter, Layan, is not at school.

We were under the impression

that our daughter

was at school safe and sound,

but now we find out that she's not here

and you don't even give a damn!

I think there's been

a misunderstanding, Mr Murad.

Would you

come through to my office, please?

[Layan's dad] After what's just happened,

I don't think

there's anything else to discuss.

[scoffs] An honorary award?

[sarcastically] Yeah,

you really deserve it.

[award clatters]

I'm disappointed in you, Faten.

If anything has happened to my daughter,

I will hold you entirely responsible!

Make no mistake!

I will shut down this school

and I will destroy you!

Do you hear me?

Let's go.

[tense music playing]

[banging on door]

Calm down, okay? I'll go speak to him.

And maybe it'll be okay.

Are you insane? You can't do that!

Okay. Okay.

We'll just stay completely silent

and when he's gone, we get out of here

[lock clattering]

What the hell are you doing?

Hazem.

[sombre piano music playing]

[Laith] Take it easy.

It's not what you think.

[Layan whimpers]

[grunting]

[Layan] Hazem, please, stop!

Hazem, Hazem, please!

I swear, we were just watching a film!

[breathing heavily]

Well, you just couldn't

keep your mouth shut, could you, Ms Abeer?

I told you I would deal with it.

Are you satisfied now?

Get back to your classrooms!

[objects clattering]

[tense music playing]

What have you done, Layan?

You know what

people will say about us now?

Hazem, they won't say anything

because there's nothing to say.

Hazem, please. Don't do this!

[Layan sobs softly]

Think about our father.

Think about our mum, please.

What's gonna happen to them

if you do this to them, Hazem?

[sombre piano music playing]

Hazem!

[sobbing]

[Hazem sniffling]

[birds chirping]

- [g*nsh*t]

- [birds flying away]

[sad piano music playing]

[singing in Arabic] We, AlRawabi girls

To the peaks we are soaring

AlRawabi girls

In the horizons we are shining

[woman] We, AlRawabi girls

To the peaks we are soaring

AlRawabi girls

In the horizons we are shining

We are forerunners and innovators

In science we trust

We are promising and inspiring

And we have supreme ethics

We, AlRawabi girls

To the peaks we are soaring

AlRawabi girls

In the horizons we are shining

[instrumental music continues playing]

We, AlRawabi girls

To the peaks we are soaring

AlRawabi girls

In the horizons we are shining

[serene music playing]