If they genuinely liked each other, why did Salah beg her not to come? Why the visible distain from both parts when they film together?
See, this is why I love KF! We can all watch the same thing, interpret it differently, and exchange our views and not get our pants in a twist if someone has a different vision. No harm, no foul to disagree here.
I see Salah's emotional distance as more of a cultural and Islamic thing. Arab boys/men are raised in almost complete isolation from any female that is not a relative. Salah simply does not know how and is not allowed to show romantic/erotic love in public. Sex and romance goes on behind closed doors.
There is no such thing as dating in Arab culture. Thus, Salah is the awkward and uneducated adult male that we see. If you are trying to understand Salah through Western eyes, you are doing it wrong.
At any rate, machts nichts, this is merely just a little of why I see Chantal and Salahs relationship the way I do.
Different strokes.
addendum: Salah didn't want the added burden of caring for a virtual toddler in a war zone. He still wants her money to do whatever the hell he is doing in Syria, he just didn't want Chantal to come along with the money. This is not to say he doesnt ever want Chantal by his side.
They are both basically social outcasts, and in each other they have found a kindred spirit. Is it a grand romance? Nah. It is like many other pair bonds. It is a partnership of convenience for both of them.