Safaa became very famous, and wherever she went, she was treated like a big star.
But for her trainer, she was still the same—a young girl who had to listen to everything he said:
“Don’t eat this, don’t talk to her, don’t share your schedule, don’t forget it’s time for lunch … No, no, no, no….”
At home, she was also subject to many restrictions. While the rest of the family was allowed to stay up late to watch TV or go out with friends, she had to sleep early every day.
On top of that, her father took all the money she won at the beginning of the month, saying she didn’t need anything.
Sometimes, Safaa got angry and asked for her money, but then she would quickly calm down and think rationally:
“What do I want to buy with this money? Clothes? Earrings? A Mobile?”
But I didn’t need those things. I didn’t have friends to enjoy them with, and I had no time to go out of the house or to the club.
Her anger would fade, but she would feel a longing for a different, more beautiful life that she couldn’t clearly see.
When her trainer heard the news of her participation in the next Olympics, he jumped with joy.
“You did it! You did it!”
He was so happy and excited, but she looked at him coldly, as if it had more to do with him than her.
She said, “Congratulations.”
“Congratulations to you, Safaa! Congratulations to you!”
