True Love

In his final year of high school, Fouad, an eighteen-year-old, stands out as a strikingly tall individual with dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and a full beard. Though he can be bashful around girls and women, he is a bright and pious young man. He shines as the standout player on the school’s volleyball team, admired by his peers for his unwavering moral values, upbeat personality, and talent for spreading joy with his humor. Both on and off the court, his leadership and optimistic outlook set him apart as a remarkable student-athlete.

Despite his popularity, Fouad remains modest and respectful toward women. He tries hard not to look at girls when he sees them, whether at school or elsewhere. While he may catch a glimpse of a female entering or leaving a neighbor’s house, he refrains from turning his head to look at her.

In Iraqi culture, it is customary for families to share a portion of their delicious meals with neighbors. Typically, the recipient returns the container filled rather than empty, keeping it if they have nothing valuable to offer. Moreover, when they prepare a delicious dish, they portion some of it into a container and pass it back to the neighbor once more.

Fouad’s mother, Khadija, is a delightful and humble gynecologist with a great sense of humor, both at home and in her professional life. She asks Fouad to answer the door whenever the doorbell rings; however, Fouad has a unique response each time, saying, “Please go ahead, Mother. With all due respect, the person at the door could be a girl or a woman. Therefore, I am unable to engage in any conversation with them.”

One day, when the doorbell rang, Fouad found himself alone in the house. Reluctantly, he went to answer and was surprised to encounter a veiled girl standing there holding a plate of candy. She wore a stylish black scarf that accentuated her beauty, and her face radiated like the moon on a dark night. Their eyes met briefly, and it seemed as though she had cast a spell on him, capturing his heart in that moment.

Since he did not know her, he waited for a moment to see which house she entered in order to return the plate to her. He realized she had entered the right-side neighbor’s house.

He returned, positioned the dish in the kitchen, and took a small bite of that delectable food before returning to his room.

He frequently consumed this kind of sweet but had never had this pleasant flavor before; therefore, he would occasionally go back and nibble on a small amount until he had consumed half of that sweet.

She realized that she captivated Fouad, from his gaze towards her to his confusion. His striking good looks, impressive stature, strong moral character, and respectful demeanor toward women left a lasting impression on her. She couldn’t help but notice his reluctance to make eye contact with girls as she passed by. Many women admire a man who doesn’t chase after girls with his gaze.

He brought his book to study, determined to focus solely on his education during this critical time. However, a persistent, strange feeling continued to nag at him, making it difficult to concentrate.

When the doorbell rang on the second day, his mother was ready to answer it, anticipating that Fouad would come up with an excuse. However, to her surprise, Fouad rose from his seat and made his way to the door without hesitation. It was then that he realized he was an electrical meter reader.

“It’s not your usual practice to open the door. What inspired this behavior?” His mother asked and smiled.

“Now, every young person reaches a turning point in his development when he becomes spiritually mature, feels responsible, and recognizes his parental duties. So I won’t let you get tired anymore,” he replied with a laugh, shaking his head.

“Bravo, Fouad, bravo. My efforts in raising you have not been in vain,” she stated proudly.

Fouad had strong motivation to open the door whenever the bell rang. Every time he went to open it, he met someone else. He also does not want to stand in her way when she is going to or coming back from school, as he considers this to be a sin and damaging to his reputation and that of his family. This behavior towards the neighbors is considered unethical.

He said to his mother a few days later, “Mom, our neighbor has an empty dish that we have to return with some delicious food or sweets.”

“Sure, I’ll get right on that tomorrow,” she replied with a hint of surprise.

Fouad seems to be getting more and more impatient, acting like tomorrow is light years away. The following day, his mother lovingly whipped up a delicious meal and shared some with their neighbor.

“Oh, Mother, I simply can’t bear to see you bear yourself out like this. Let me take that dish off your hands,” Fouad declared as he reached for the plate.

He rang the doorbell and waited anxiously. When her father, Othman, answered the door, Fouad greeted him warmly and handed over the food before departing, feeling disheartened. As he walked away, Fouad couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment.

He conversed with himself while alone at night, reflected on his emotions, and attributed his behavior to the devil’s inclination. He subsequently resolved to place the incident in the past and concentrate on his studies, as he had reached a critical juncture.

Two weeks later, after the bell sounded, Fouad just felt that he was opening the door when, all of a sudden, his eyes caught hers. He felt as though an arrow had just pierced his heart, but he was able to control himself. He accepted the dish, nodded, and smiled as he expressed his gratitude for her.

Never before had he experienced such comfort, but he tried to neglect the situation and concentrate on his studies.

A month later, while walking, he noticed her returning from school. His thoughts raced as he concentrated on her stunning features and penetrating stare. He closed his eyes, rubbed his hair, and thought as he walked. The abrupt honking of a vehicle caught him off guard, prompting him to swiftly scan his surroundings and discover he was in the center of the road. Acting without delay, he dashed towards the sidewalk.

As he sat in the classroom, it was clear that his thoughts were elsewhere, completely detached from the lesson at hand. Despite his best efforts to reign in his wandering mind, it seemed determined to stray. The teacher observed Fouad’s lack of focus and inability to concentrate, which was a stark contrast to his typically engaged and well-behaved behavior.

“Fouad, do enlighten us on where we currently stand in this lesson.” The teacher inquired

Fouad flinched, meeting the teacher’s gaze sheepishly before responding, “Oh, my apologies, dear teacher.”

The teacher raised an eyebrow, patience wearing thin. “Perhaps you could grace us with a summary of my previous words?” he suggested.

“Sorry, sir, I was distracted.” He admitted

As the teacher stood before the class, a brave soul dared to speak up, proclaiming, “It seems that Fouad has found himself smitten!” The room erupted in laughter, causing poor Fouad’s cheeks to flush with embarrassment. He regretted his romantic entanglement and the public humiliation it brought upon him. The teacher, in a tone dripping with sarcasm, scolded the unruly students for their lack of empathy and assured Fouad that he could help him if he needed it.

Oh, the drama of young love! Put him in an awkward position.

Fouad expressed his gratitude to the teacher and clarified that he was dealing with a temporary personal matter.

Later that evening, he found himself alone, engaging in self-reflection and having a stern conversation with himself. He attributed it to the devil’s attempt to sabotage his life and thwart his future. How convenient. “Regardless of the result, I suppose I should probably end this behavior, no matter how much of a hassle it may be.”

For over a month, he stubbornly clung to his decision. When his mother requested his help opening the door or running errands for their neighbors, his excuse was always the same: “Sorry, Mom, but I have an exam to study for.” He used to see her going to or coming back from school, but he decided not to lift his gaze to look at her. He saw it as resisting the devil’s temptation, and he prided himself on his unwavering determination.

Fouad’s mother was ill. Layla and her mother visited their neighbor because, as is customary in Iraq, the neighbors go to each other and bring gifts when they visit the sick.

Layla rang the doorbell, holding a gift in her hand, but there was no one to answer except Fouad, who graciously welcomed them inside. Layla’s mother exchanged greetings with Fouad before entering the house, followed by Layla, who also greeted him. As Layla presented him with the gift, Fouad extended his hand to receive it without even looking at her. However, just as he was about to take hold of the gift, Layla intentionally let it slip from her grasp. The chocolates scattered upon impact, and the gift tumbled to the floor. “How clever are the girls! They always seem to find creative solutions to any problem thrown their way.”

Overwhelmed by embarrassment, he picked up the chocolates from the floor and expressed his deep remorse. Layla and her mother helped him collect the chocolates.

“I must offer my sincerest apologies, for it appears that I have committed a grave error by allowing the gift to slip through my fingers before you could catch it,” Layla confessed, attempting to alleviate the awkwardness of the situation.

Layla and her mother joined Fouad’s mother for a visit. Fouad found himself the soul caretaker of the guests because of his mother’s health issue; as part of his duties, he provided them with water, tea, coffee, and pastries, all while maintaining a cheerful demeanor and making sure to keep eye contact with her to avoid any further mishaps, like one that happened at the door.

“I deeply regret the unfortunate incident at the door,” he apologized. Confusion arose when his mother inquired about the incident, prompting Fouad to recount the entire embarrassing ordeal. Much to his surprise, his mother found the situation amusing, leading to a round of laughter from everyone present.

After spending about an hour together, Layla and her mother decided it was time to leave. Fouad’s mother called out for him to escort them to the door, bidding them a heartfelt farewell.

Fouad started living a contradictory life; although his will and reason stopped him from acting on his desires, his feelings pulled him toward her. Although his feelings for her returned strongly, she bewitched him with her charming eyes. He decided to withstand and resist indifference, and he addressed himself, saying, “This is a test of your willpower, Fouad.”

One day, when Layla’s mother turned on the cooker to begin preparing supper, she noticed that the natural gas cylinder was empty. She had bought an unused cylinder a few days earlier, but when she went to bring it, she discovered that it was empty since there had been an infrequent gas leak from the valve.

She pressed her neighbor’s doorbell. Fouad opened the door; no one else was in the house. After explaining the situation, Layla’s mother requested a replacement cylinder of natural gas and assured him that she would return another one once she replaced the current one. In response, he said that this was the neighbor’s binding duty and then brought the gas cylinder.

Despite Layla’s mother’s interest in taking the bottle from him, he refused, stating that it would not be honorable to have her carry the heavy cylinder. “This is too much for you,” he said.

He confidently walked towards the kitchen, feeling the strain of the heavy cylinder on his muscles. Meanwhile, Layla was engrossed in washing dishes, oblivious to his arrival. Suddenly, he let out a loud cough, almost as if to signal his presence—a custom apparently observed in Iraqi society. Startled by the unexpected noise, Layla turned around to see him walking toward the kitchen, a small smile playing on his lips.

Upon hearing his cough, Layla swiftly adjusted her attire, draping a sleek black scarf to cover her hair and around her neck and smoothing out her sleeves. She stood poised, anticipating his entrance.

As he entered the room, his eyes met hers, and he greeted her with a warm hello. Layla responded with a shy smile; her cheeks turned red with a hint of color.

As his heart raced, he dramatically declared, “I shall expertly place the cylinder in its designated spot, as this task is clearly too challenging for you to handle.” In a comical turn of events, Fouad struggled to remove the old cylinder from its cramped location and ended up cutting his finger on the sink’s sharp edge. Blood gushed out, prompting Layla to start wailing in horror. She quickly fetched the sterilizer and instant dressing, all while apologizing profusely. She courageously stated, “I would prefer to have the injury on my finger than to witness you in pain.”

Upon hearing Layla’s words, he momentarily forgot about his wound and the pain he was enduring. Following Layla’s mother’s care of Fouad’s injury, he managed to effectively install the cylinder; once he finished the task, he emerged from the kitchen and proceeded to the outdoor entrance, where she followed him to slam the door. She overheard him humming the poetry of the hermit ’Amer ibn Abi Rabee’ah, and he was unaware that she was walking behind him.

Tell Maliha with the black veil. What have you done to a worshipful hermit? Who had rolled up his clothes for prayer until you stood next to him at the mosque outlet?

She was filled with overwhelming joy upon hearing those words, convinced that he was referring to her in the hymn. This was the most beautiful song she had ever heard, and she found herself humming it to herself from time to time, feeling immense joy when she did.

I wish the wound was on my finger, not yours. Its echo reverberates in his ears. Since he heard those words, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

One day, as he was engrossed in his studies, the doorbell suddenly rang, jolting him out of his concentration. Without realizing it, he found himself standing at the door, ready to greet whoever was on the other side. His heartbeat raced as soon as he caught a glimpse of her eyes. Her piercing eyes shot out an arrow, sending his entire body shaking. In his expression of appreciation, he remarked, “Your cookery is exquisite; I have never tasted anything comparable, and you are the most beautiful young lady on the planet.”

She smiled silently, leaving him feeling regretful and bewildered. He had no idea how the words had come out of his tongue. Fouad found he was unable to resist the urge to see her; his desire was growing uncontrollable. He knew he was in love and powerless to stop it. Realizing that his conflicting emotions were hindering his studies, he reluctantly confided in his mother.

“I want to marry Layla,” the son declared.

“Son, as you approach the end of your academic journey, it is crucial that you focus on your education full-time. It would be wise to wait until after you have completed your studies before considering marriage.”

“I find it difficult to focus on my studies unless I complete her betrothal,” the son forcefully retorted.

“Please discuss this issue with your father. I doubt he will agree,” his mother said.

During the dinner, Fouad’s mother casually dropped a bombshell, saying, “Tell your father about it.”

Fouad was startled. “Tell him about what?” he asked.

“You know it—the thing you told me yesterday. Spit it out; don’t be shy.” She replied,

“What’s going on?” His father inquired, sensing the tension.

After mustering up the courage, he finally confessed, “I am deeply in love with Layla, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. She consumes my thoughts, and I cannot imagine my future without her by my side. She has me completely enamored, and I can’t stop thinking about her.”

His father, clearly annoyed, asked, “Have you really thought this through, or is it just a passing fancy?”

Fouad, determined, replied, “I’ve thought long and hard about it.”

His father, still skeptical, questioned, “And does Layla even know about this plan?”

Fouad sheepishly admitted, “I’m not sure, but you can talk to her father and find out.”

“Remove this idea completely from your mind before finishing your studies, and then talk about it later. And then for every recent event.” His father said it with a hint of impatience.

“Dear beloved father, please understand my feelings; I am unable to focus on my studies if I do not complete her engagement.” Fouad replied

“I am reiterating my statement for the second time. Please refrain from compelling me to restate it in a more severe tone. Get this idea out of your head before you complete your studies,” said his father.

Fouad rose from his seat and politely excused himself before retreating to his room. As he took a small bite of food, his expression twisted with sorrow.

His mother followed him to his room and saw him lying on his bed, almost in tears. She began advising him to postpone this idea until after the exam. She informed him that his father desires what is best for him. Once he completes his studies, they will organize his engagement. Despite this, he remained silent, not uttering a single word as tears started to flow down his cheeks.

Mothers have tender hearts and quickly show compassion towards their sons and daughters. Khadija went to her husband and asked him to fulfill Fouad’s wishes, because he was now sad and heartbroken. However, his father remained adamant in his opinion and refused to discuss the matter further.

Several days passed, and Fouad did not attend to the table during meal times. When he did come, he would only eat a bite or two to please his parents and then remain silent without speaking.

One day, three of them sat down for dinner. Fouad ate two bites and stopped. Fouad’s mother did not reach for the food and remained still, sadness evident on her face.

“Why aren’t you eating?” his father asked, surprised.

She replied, “I won’t eat unless you fulfill Fouad’s wish and ask for Leyla’s hand in marriage.”

His father’s face darkened, and his cheeks puffed out, indicating he wanted to speak. However, he held back his words, left the table, and went to his room. Fouad’s mother followed him but found that he had closed the door.

She sat on the sofa in the living room, and the atmosphere of the house suddenly turned gloomy. Fouad’s father appeared to have fallen asleep, and after two hours, he opened the door and came out. He sat next to his wife, looking visibly upset. Placing his hand on her back, he began to rub it gently. He apologized for leaving them on the table and storming out angrily, saying, “How can we resolve this issue? The situation at home has turned upside down.”

“My belief is that we should start by asking for Layla’s hand in marriage because our son does not eat or read; his health will deteriorate, and he will fail in his studies.” She replied,

“Alright, you can start making arrangements according to tradition.” He ordered.

Fouad’s mother paid a visit to Layla’s humble abode, graciously informing her mother of her son’s desire to take Layla’s hand in marriage. Her mother made sure to emphasize that the final decision would be contingent upon Layla’s wishes and the approval of her father. Her mother praised his impeccable morals, and she also acknowledged the family’s renowned reputation. This behavior demonstrates the girl’s engagement in Iraqi culture.

During dinner, her mother set off a bomb in Othman’s house. Layla’s face lit up when she heard the news, but she remained silent out of respect for her father. However, Layla’s father firmly stated that he would not engage in discussing the issue at hand as Layla was on the brink of her final exams, and he believed it would negatively impact her academic performance. But quickly, her expression changed from joy to sadness.

Days later, Layla heard via Fouad’s mother that the situation was dire and that the boy was not eating or studying. Layla decided to follow the same path. She sat at the table, refusing to eat and abstaining from studying. Her mother informed her father that the condition of the boy and girl was deteriorating rapidly, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling their wishes.

Leyla’s father remained stubborn for two weeks, refusing to engage in any discussion on the matter. In the end, Layla’s father, Othman, accepted the inevitable.

A few days later, Layla’s father, Othman, finally gave his blessing to seal the deal on the engagement, and Layla’s mother sent the good news to Fouad’s mother.

The tribal sheikh, Dr. Suhail, along with his siblings, journeyed to Othman’s residence to attend the grand event. Of course, they didn’t forget to bring a lot of chocolate and candies, as sweet days need sweets.

The sheikh buttered up Othman by praising his family’s impeccable reputation. Othman, in turn, returned the favor by complimenting Fouad’s chivalrous nature and noble morals. So, there you have it: Layla and Fouad are officially on the path to marital bliss.

The wedding will conveniently take place after their final exams, which are about two months away. Layla and Fouad got engaged that evening in accordance with their religious and cultural traditions, and they later signed a formal contract in court to formally consummate their marriage. They immediately began preparing their house and making plans for the impending nuptials.

But the unthinkable occurred.