I don’t like judging people by their appearance, because I don’t want that to be done with me.
But this situation is confusing.

Location: A nice cafe in Masr el-Gedida
She looks like she comes from a nice family.
She appears to be in her mid-thirties and has a university degree.
He also looks like he comes from a nice family.
It’s obvious by his graying hair that he’s older than her.

They were talking about their individual experiences in America.
It seemed like they both lived there for some time.
I wasn’t eavesdropping.
They were sitting at the table right next to me, talking loudly.
I was intrigued.

Him: “So tell me, have you been married before?”
Her: “Yes. I’m divorced. I’ve been married twice.” (in a low voice, with a broken look in her eyes).
Him: “Oh, so you must be young.” (in a loud voice, with a surprised look).
Her: “You’re right. I’ve always had a personal driver who drove me to and back from university, and all my friends were females.
My father was very strict.
When my older sister got married, she was free to make her own decisions, so I wanted to be like her.
My first marriage wasn’t based on love.
He was my professor at university.
I thought it was a good chance to take a break and be away from my father’s control.
But it turned out that marriage wasn’t about that.”
Him: “Hmm. Then what?”
Her: “That’s it. We got divorced after a short time.
My parents were very upset, which was the reason behind the second marriage.
Things were similar.”

She gave him a gift.
A small box.
She was shy.
He took the box from the table without opening it.
He thanked her,
“Why go through the trouble?”
“It’s nothing. I saw it when I was abroad and thought you’d like it,” she said.
“Let’s pay the check and cruise around in the car. What do you think?” He then suggested.
She was quiet.
I wanted to see whether she agreed or if she was worried about losing the suitor and staying divorced.
She was a second degree citizen in a harsh, patriarchal society.
Did she really want to go with him in the car?
What’s even the point of cruising around?
They’re not teenagers.
What’s he thinking?
Does she have the right to say no?
Is it my right to pass judgement on her?
Is it her fault that she’s giving in to society’s standards?
Or is it society’s and the suitor’s fault because he thinks he has full authority over her and her family just because she’s divorced?
It’s not just that, but they’re also required to be happy.