Schizophrenia
A Novel by Asmaa Nada
Chapter 6
Inside New York’s domestic airport, Eric stood watching Nairoz leave—watching her walk away with his heart still locked in that same prison he’d built for himself years ago. He let her go, promising himself their reunion would come soon, once she rid herself of that arrogant old man.
She slipped back into the identity she had chosen long ago—the day her mother decided they would move to another state, change their names, and vanish after her father’s disappearance. At least, that’s what her mother had made her believe.
On the plane, she settled into her seat and closed her eyes. She didn’t want to remember. But quitting her treatment had its price—her mind always dragged her back to those memories, to the places she’d fought so hard to bury.
A tear escaped her eye as the first memory struck: the night she first met Daniel. It was at her high school graduation—five years after the incident. The ceremony had ended, and she was preparing to leave with her friends when her mother stopped her by the door.
“Apologize to your friends, Elise. Daniel’s invited us to his yacht.”
“Daniel? Who’s Daniel? And I already made plans with my friends, Mom.”
Before her mother could reply, a man’s deep voice interrupted.
“Let them come with you,” Daniel said smoothly. “The yacht’s big enough. I’m sure they’ll love it.”
Elise looked at him. She couldn’t explain why, but something inside her tensed—a quiet, instinctive fear she quickly disguised behind a polite smile.
“Alright,” she said. “I’ll ask them. If they agree, we’ll all come. If not, you can take my mom.”
She didn’t wait for his answer. She rushed back to her friends, who were thrilled at the idea. After all, a yacht trip wasn’t something you said no to. Her mother’s excited smile didn’t reassure her—nor did the sly grin she caught flicker across Daniel’s face. Something about it made her chest tighten.
Hours later, the music blasted through the yacht’s upper deck as Elise and her friends danced under the colored lights, the sea stretching endlessly around them. The yacht had two levels—an open deck above and sleeping quarters below the waterline.
Between songs, she noticed her mother’s eyes glisten with unshed tears, and how she kept disappearing for long stretches, always avoiding Elise’s gaze. The unease grew until she couldn’t ignore it. She left her friends and went looking for her mother, searching the upper deck, then descending the narrow staircase to the rooms below.
She was about to knock on a cabin door when she heard her mother’s voice inside—tense, low, speaking French. Elise couldn’t understand it then, but years later she’d recall every word clearly.
> “If you ever hurt my daughter, I’ll kill you myself.”
“Fine, then give me the money your runaway husband owes me, and I’ll disappear.”
“We have nothing to do with him! Go find him and take it from him.”
“Why should I bother? I’ll marry his daughter for the money—or maybe I’ll just hand you over to the police. The signature on that paper is yours.”
“It’s forged!”
“Then prove it.”
Elise pushed the door open suddenly. Her mother sat on a chair by the door, startled. The room was empty.
“Who were you talking to?” Elise asked. “And what language was that?”
“I was on the phone,” her mother said too quickly. “With the bank. They’re threatening to seize the house, and the idiot clerk only speaks French. I told him we’re traveling and will pay when we get back. He gave us one week.”
“One week? And where are we going to find that money?”
“I don’t know,” her mother murmured. “I was thinking of asking Daniel for work. But at my age, I doubt he’ll agree.”
Elise was silent for a moment, then said, “I’ll talk to him. Maybe he’ll give me a job. I’m not a kid anymore.”
She left the room, but the conversation haunted her. That night she made a silent promise to learn French.
Climbing back up the stairs, she almost bumped into Daniel coming out of the cabin next to her mother’s. He smiled at her—too kindly, too deliberately.
“I was hoping to talk to you,” he said.
“So was I,” she replied cautiously. “Let’s go up to the bow.”
“Why go all the way up?” he said with that same easy smile. “Come in here for five minutes. It won’t take long.”
“Here? Where?”
He gestured toward the door across the narrow hall. “Here—the kitchen. It’s where I relax. I love cooking for myself.”
He stepped inside, leaving the door open. She followed hesitantly. The kitchen gleamed—stainless steel, marble, soft lights that made the space look more like a restaurant than a ship’s galley.
He motioned for her to sit near the counter, then went to the stove, grilled a slice of fish, and set a plate in front of her. Sitting opposite, he smiled.
“So,” he said, “who’s going first?”
“I will,” she said. “You know I just finished high school, and I’ve got a while before college starts. I thought maybe I could work somewhere. Mom’s not thrilled about the idea but…”
“But?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“But if she knew I was working for you, she might agree.”
He cut a piece of fish and chewed slowly before replying.
“What college are you planning to go to?”
“Art school. I love painting—I want to specialize in it.”
“Beautiful,” he said softly. “I could help you get into the art college in Florida. But we’d need to change your name. Start the process from here, so your diploma’s issued under the new identity.”
“Why would I change my name?” she asked, frowning.
He leaned back, folding his hands behind his head. “Because the name Nairoz—that was what your father called you. But on paper, your name’s Elise. That’s your legal name, right?”
“Yes. But how do you know that?”
He smiled faintly. “Your father was a friend of mine. He owed me a lot of money, but that’s not the point. When his family disappeared, they found a burnt body in a crashed car. The evidence… well, it pointed to your mother. But I knew how much your father loved her, so I hid the truth. Covered every trace, every lead. I protected her all these years.”
He paused, watching her pale.
“I kept looking for you. When I finally found you, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I told your mother I wanted to marry you. I said I’d erase your father’s debt, pay a large dowry, buy you a house—and this yacht could be yours too.”
Her voice shook. “So you’re threatening me? Marry you or you’ll expose my mother?”
“No,” he said gently. “I’m offering to protect you both forever. I’ll even change your mother’s name—and yours. As if neither of you ever existed before today. Because I love you, Elise. Don’t answer now. Think about it. Tell me tomorrow.”
The echo of his words faded into silence. A soft tapping pulled her back to the present. A gentle hand touched her shoulder. She opened her eyes.
The flight attendant was smiling down at her. “We’ve landed in Florida, ma’am. You can unfasten your seatbelt now.”
“Thank you,” Elise murmured.
She stood, gathered her things, and walked out of the plane into the bright Florida sun. But as she reached the arrivals hall, a security officer stopped her.
“Mrs. Maggie,” he said politely, “could you come with us to the office, please?”
She took off her sunglasses, meeting his gaze coolly. “Is there a charge against me?”
“Yes, ma’am. There’s been a report that your luggage contains prohibited items.”
Elise let out a sharp laugh. “And I suppose the reporter is anonymous?”
“If we find nothing illegal, you can file for disclosure of the complainant’s identity,” he said.
“Oh, I’ll file it,” she said with a half-smile. “And I’ll demand a generous compensation while I’m at it.”
“Follow me, please.”
She walked behind him to the customs office and sat as he began unzipping her bags. The smile never left her face. She remembered—just before leaving home, she’d noticed a hidden zipper in her suitcase. Inside were strange packages, neatly sealed. She’d taken them out quietly and carried them to Daniel’s room, slipping them into his car trunk under the lining. Then she’d repacked her bag and left for the airport, satisfied.
The officer finished checking and closed the case. “Our apologies, Mrs. Maggie. Clearly a false report.”
“I don’t accept apologies,” she said smoothly. “I want the name of whoever filed it. And yes, I’ll be demanding compensation.”
“Of course, ma’am. We’d already begun preparing the paperwork before inspection. We know who you are—Mrs. Maggie, wife of Mr. Daniel.”
“So you do know who made the report,” she said.
“Yes, but we’d need a court order to release the name. Though, off the record…” he hesitated, “it was a man named Richard Balkem. He’s an attorney, I believe, for one of Mr. Daniel’s companies.”
Her smile widened. “Ah. Then there’s no need for a lawsuit. My husband clearly sent him. I won’t ruin the career of a young lawyer. Thank you, officer.”
“Of course, ma’am. You’re free to go.”
Elise left the airport and drove home. Her mother was there, sitting with the children. As soon as Elise entered, her mother looked up in alarm.
“What are you doing here? Daniel’s lost his mind—he swore he’d have you arrested! I sent you a message!”
“I got it,” Elise said calmly. “Where is he now?”
“Still in the hospital. What are you planning? That man’s dangerous.”
“You knew what he was,” Elise said coldly. “And you still let me marry him. Never mind. Don’t worry—he’ll calm down soon.”
She dropped her suitcase by the door and turned to leave again. Minutes later, she was driving toward the hospital.
At the reception desk, she asked for Daniel’s room, then took the elevator up. She didn’t knock—she pushed the door open hard, stepped inside, and sat on the chair beside his bed. Daniel’s eyes widened in fury.
She turned to the lawyer sitting nearby and said evenly, “Go get me an espresso. Three sugars. Move.”