Shaheera is a caged bird in a vulnerable state.  She has just taken an emotional risk in going out to meet a boy she met online. It’s not only risky in the sense that he is a stranger, but it’s also a risk to her reputation.  She has decided to go out without her hijab an act that could jeopardize her father’s trust.  Not only would she be grounded, but she may never see the light of day again.  Grounded for life.  Forced to marry Zulfikar, the boy who works for her father.  What a name?  Sword of the Prophet.  Peace be upon him, but seriously?  

Okay, so maybe she didn’t go out without her hijab.  One of her friends, who recently recovered from breast cancer, offered her wig to Shaheera.  (Or maybe Shaheera asked to use it for a play at the mosque, an all-women’s one).  She felt safer in the wig because the boy was a non-Muslim.  She had reason to believe that he would not be genuine with her if she arrived wearing her head scarf.  And honestly, she was on the fence about the scarf.  She didn’t want to compromise her beliefs so she chose to wear a wig.

However, she discovered that he was a predator, a man seeking only to devour her body.  He was not interested in her spirit, mind our soul.  So she left.  She ran away from the cafe (Les Amis) and the boy ran after her.  She found refuge in Les Mille et Une Cadeaux, a gift store mainly to serve the tourists in the town.  She immediately tries to hide her fear and act as an interested customer.  She browses the tables and the shelves of the shop.  A man is working behind the counter.  He pays no attention to her at first, but ...