Al Hayba (الهيبة)

In the last period, the atmosphere in the office was all messed up.

We lost a lot of important cases.

There was a lot of tension.

But I never would have guessed that this tension...

would cause him to depart from us.

I am still unable to understand what happened.

There was nothing wrong with him.

He never complained of anything.

I am so remorseful.

I wish I had spent more time with him.

Lately, our life had become a routine.

I don't even remember the last time we went out for dinner together.

AIRPORT SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

So, the death certificate was issued two weeks ago?

Almost.

And now you have come to bury him in Lebanon?

-It is his will. -And?

-It's a bit of a long story. -Let's hear it.

I lived with my husband in Canada.

When I met him, he had already cut all connections with his parents.

Have you tried to learn anything about them?

Yes, I did, when I had my son.

But Adel insisted that must we keep our distance.

And I respected his choice.

When he died, I tried to search for them, but with no result.

After a while, I found my husband's will.

And in it, he had left his parents' address.

Here, in Beirut.

He had also left the number of his brother.

So, I called him, and we came here.

Is it possible for somebody to not know anything about his relatives?

I live in the other side of the world.

And if my husband didn't want to talk to his parents, then what can I do?

Anyway, that is the story.

His brother, Jabal, is supposed to be waiting for us outside.

Do you know Mr. Jabal?

No, I don't know him. I only saw him in pictures.

So, you don't know anything about him?

Is there a problem, sir?

No problem at all from our part.

The papers are ready, and you can take the body.

Is there something that we should know?

Please accept my condolences.

Let's go, son.

I knew that Adel was hiding a secret.

But I never expected him to have no family ties whatsoever.

-What? -Strange, I am losing the coverage.

I don't know, maybe there is no connection.

He said the funeral will be outside Beirut, right?

Didn't he tell you whether he is coming or not?

He didn't say anything, but he is supposed to be here.

Every time I ask him, he answers, "Don't worry about anything."

Actually, we are going to worry indeed.

I'm really sorry, Naim, for making you come here with me.

I wish you had listened and buried him in Canada.

We would have saved a lot of time going through all these procedures.

We could have come and met his parents on some other occasion.

What am I supposed to do, Naim?

It is his wish, and I shall fulfill it.

It's the least I can do for Adel.

I never met his parents. I really want to meet them.

Actually, "This book can be judged by its cover."

It's a strange number. Maybe it's them.

It's me, excuse me, ma'am.

Hello.

I apologize, really, but I was working on securing the cars.

I'm sorry for being late.

I am Chahine, Jabal's cousin.

You must be Alia.

That's right.

-My condolences. -Thank you.

Come on, let's go now.

This won't do you any good, ma'am.

There is no coverage in the area up there.

And if Jabal wants to talk to you,

he has to cross a distance of around four kilometers.

-What do you mean, "up there"? -Up there, ma'am, means in Al Hayba.

Jabal will meet us on our way. Don't worry.

Welcome, Jabal.

My name is Joe.

Your name there is Joe, but here, your name is Jabal.

How long will it take us to reach the village?

That depends on the traffic, ma'am.

Sometimes it takes six hours, and sometimes just two hours.

Pray that the road would be empty.

Anyway, we have to start our trip.

This good fellow will be with you.

And I will be ahead of you.

And who is he?

"He" is the one who will drive you there.

-Please get in the car. -Hold on a second.

I am not leaving this place before I talk to Jabal.

I told you that he will meet us on the road.

I said I'm not moving until I talk to him.

There is no coverage, ma'am. What is the matter?

Well, this is not my problem.

Just a second. Is there a landline?

-I mean, a fixed line? -No, there is none.

Do you think that I'm lying to you?

Or perhaps I might kidnap you?

I would be so stupid to do such a thing.

No, mister, that's not what we meant.

We need to know how to communicate with Jabal and reason with him.

Your phone is working, ma'am, right?

Then keep trying until you get hold of him.

I have to go now.

There is a coffin that I need to deliver before the night falls.

I just... Can't I reach him on another number?

You have the only number. So, keep trying until you're satisfied.

Debb will stay with you.

If you want, he can take you to the hotel or to any other place. No problem.

But there are things I need to get done. I am not staying here.

So, excuse me.

So, what's it going to be, ma'am?

What are your orders?

CUSTOMS

Don't take a lot of luggage with you. You might cause them to notice us.

Talk to your brother and have him bring you here to the gas station.

Don't argue with me! I am waiting for you.

Don't move!

Put him in the car.

Hello.

No, there's no traffic.

But I don't feel good about the atmosphere, cousin.

I will take the other road. It's faster and safer.

All right. I hope all will go well.

You are finally busted, Mansour.

I beg you, sir, have mercy.

-Shut up, bastard! -As you wish.

-Be quiet! -As you wish.

I swear to you, ma'am. I am just a taxi driver on commission.

And I had agreed with that good fellow on a $100 payoff.

So, don't you already know this good fellow?

Ma'am, do you expect me to know all those who ride in my car?

That wouldn't be reasonable, right?

He told me to go to Al Hayba, and I said okay.

And I am taking you there. That's all.

This is the first time you'll go to Al Hayba, right?

Something like that. I have been near the place.

It's true that they say it's a very dangerous area.

And that there are some kidnapping cases and so on.

But it's just empty talk.

Nothing will happen, God willing, right?

It seems the situation is terrible.

I hope nothing bad happens today.

Take it easy, ma'am.

It's all good.

Mom, where are we going?

Don't you want to come down?

Mona, why are you crying?

I can barely hold my tears.

I can't help it.

It's true that I got used to him being away from us.

But I feel as if he travelled only yesterday.

After being so distant, we only know of his death. Is that possible?

Help me, God.

Oh, God, how afraid I was of this day!

How I wished

that the day of my death would come before I hear this news.

God forbid.

May God bestow long life upon you, and may He keep you for us.

He died alone in a foreign land.

No brother, no cousin.

As if he had no one at all.

May God have mercy on his soul.

Jabal won't be coming to the house.

He went directly to receive Adel's family.

And why aren't you with him?

Don't you know your own son?

He is carrying the whole world on his shoulder.

Even so.

Many people are watching you closely.

But they're watching Jabal the most.

From now on, you have to stay with him.

I don't want to lose another one.

Go on, son.

Go down to receive the people.

Our house will soon be filled with them.

And those who shame us are more than those who love us.

They are waiting for us to make a mistake.

Come on now. Go now, son.

Come on, let's go.

Look, Mom, there are three cars behind us.

Get back.

-Greetings, officer. -Welcome.

I pray for God's mercy on your dead ones, officer.

I am in a funeral procession, and it's a huge convoy.

Go back and park to the right.

Sir, the convoy is big, and people are waiting for me up there.

Go back and park to the right and have the car's papers ready for me.

Come on now.

-Sir, I am telling you, I have a convoy. -Come on now, get back.

Hold on, just a second.

What is the matter?

What are you bringing with you?

The body of my cousin, officer.

And these are the legal papers approved by the airport's authorities.

Ask them to send me his police record.

Officer, you checked it this morning and it was all clean.

I beg you to let us go.