Chapter 35

Summary

• Yara and Fadi are driving with their daughters to Raleigh to celebrate their daughter Mira's ninth birthday at Disney on Ice.
• Yara attempts to discuss the state of her and Fadi's relationship, feeling they have grown distant and only talk about their daughters or daily routines.
• Fadi fails to understand Yara's concerns about their lack of deeper communication and feels their responsibilities as parents are paramount.
• Yara is experiencing an internal conflict where she feels she has changed, especially since she started journaling and reflecting on her life.
• She wants to discuss her thoughts and feelings with Fadi, including a desire for a more meaningful and self-aware life and her reflections on their monotonous daily routine.
• Yara hesitates to share all her thoughts with Fadi, fearing he'll think she is going mad, and instead redirects the conversation to talk about visiting Palestine.
• Fadi is unsure about the trip to Palestine, citing his busy work schedule, which frustrates Yara as she realizes his work always takes priority.
• Yara questions Fadi about his true desires in life, which he simplifies to financial security and taking care of the family.
• The conversation leads Yara to question whether Fadi is truly happy and if he ever thinks about life beyond their routine and work.
• Fadi's answers reflect a focus on his business's future success, not realizing the importance of living in the present.
• Yara feels a connection between her father's overworking and Fadi's current lifestyle, worrying about missing out on life and time with their children.
• Yara confronts Fadi, expressing a fear that they're both chasing an "imaginary finish line" and missing the essence of life.
• Fadi responds with frustration to Yara's questioning, emphasizing a need to fulfill responsibilities and dismissing the idea of wanting more from life.
• Yara tries to be honest about her sense of something being wrong, but Fadi dismissively compares her to her mother.
• The conversation ends with Yara feeling unable to express herself fully, retreating from the discussion and agreeing with Fadi to avoid further conflict.