Amal Unbound

While Jawad and Nasreen are away, two policemen arrive at the estate. Although frightened, Bilal lets them inside. The police are dismissive towards Bilal and Amal. They arrogantly decide to look around the house. Their feet are muddy, and Amal knows they will get the carpet dirty, ultimately getting her and Bilal in trouble. She tells the police not to go any further and offers to give Jawad their message. Jawad and Nasreen return as Amal is speaking. Jawad angrily tells the men to remember they have more than one boss, and Nasreen praises Amal for her action.

The other servants are impressed that Amal stood up to the police. Bilal thanks her personally. He and Nabila offer to cover for Amal, alerting her of Jawad’s movements, so she can return to the library and borrow books. Amal is suspicious, but Nabila apologizes for making things hard for her in the past and insists that Amal is now one of them. Amal worries Jawad would notice books missing, but Bilal and Nabila show her a file cabinet pushed up against a bookcase. Jawad would never see if books behind it were gone.