The Fading Hope

In a quiet, small village, there was a house at the end of the village where a happy couple, Zainab and Ahmad, lived. They were very poor, yet they were happy together. As the days passed, they tried to live in peace and safety. They decided to expand their house by building another room using mud and wood from the trees. No one in the village helped them; they worked hard all by themselves. After many days, the house was finally complete, and it became beautiful.

One bright, beautiful morning, Zainab said, "Ahmad, I want to have a small flower garden in front of our house. What do you think?"

Ahmad smiled and replied, "A garden? Of course! It will be a wonderful garden, especially because I know you'll take good care of it and plant beautiful flowers. I'm excited! How about I help you plant it and take care of it so we can finish it together?"

Zainab smiled warmly and said, "You're such a wonderful man, Ahmad. I'm so happy that you're with me and that you always share everything I love."

Her eyes sparkled with happiness as she looked at Ahmad, who was just as excited about the idea of the garden. Zainab hurried to prepare the garden. She dug the soil and planted different kinds of flowers, while Ahmad helped her. They were both happy as they worked together, and joy filled their hearts. They ended their beautiful day exhausted but happy at the same time.

A month passed, and every day became more beautiful than the one before, filled with unforgettable moments.

One dark evening, Zainab suddenly felt a sharp pain in her stomach. She quickly walked toward the bathroom with weak steps. Ahmad noticed and rushed after her.

"What's wrong, Zainab? Are you sick?" he asked worriedly.

"No, don't worry, Ahmad," she replied. "It's just a little pain. It'll go away, don't worry about it."

But Ahmad refused to leave her.

"Alright, but I'll wait outside the door until I'm sure you're okay."

"No, go to sleep," Zainab said. "You have work tomorrow. You shouldn't stay awake."

"What work?" Ahmad replied with frustration. "I'm not leaving you alone. Right now, focus on yourself and tell me, how do you feel now?"

A few moments later, Zainab came out of the bathroom. Ahmad was waiting anxiously.

"How are you now? Do you feel better, or are you still sick? Come on, let's go to the doctor, please."

She laughed softly.

"What's wrong with you? The pain is gone. Don't worry. Let's just go to sleep."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied with a laugh. "Come on, let's go, don't worry. I just wanted to test how much you love me."

"You must be joking," Ahmad said. "I know you're sick. The proof is that your hands are trembling, and your eyes are red. Don't hide it from me."

"There was a little pain in my stomach," she admitted, "but it's gone now, and I feel like I'm on track. Don't worry, believe me, I've become good now."

Ahmad sighed.

"Alright. Come on, I'll support you on my shoulder until you fall asleep, and once I know you're asleep, then I'll sleep too. Deal?"

"Alright, you're stubborn," Zainab said. "Good night."

"And I wish you a good night filled with health and happiness," Ahmad replied.

The next morning at six o'clock, Ahmad woke up but couldn't find Zainab. Panic filled his heart as he rushed through the house, calling her name.

"Zainab! Where are you?"

"I'm in the bathroom, Ahmad," she answered. "I'll be out in a minute."

Ahmad waited for Zainab outside the door. As soon as she came out, he said to her, "You're still sick, aren't you?"

"The truth is... there is some pain in my stomach. I don't know why."

"Then we're going to the doctor."

"No, no doctor," Zainab said.

"Yes, the doctor," Ahmad insisted. "I know you're objecting because I don't have money, but that isn't the problem. The problem now is that you're sick, and we must hurry. I can't stand watching you suffer."

"But..."

"Please, don't speak, and let's go."

As they walked toward the hospital near their village, Ahmad suddenly stopped.

"Wait here. I'll go to my friend Ali and return quickly."

"Alright," Zainab replied.

"Be patient. I won't be long."

Ahmad hurried to Ali and gave him the watch his father had given him.

"Ali, please take this watch," Ahmad said. "I want to leave it with you as collateral. I need money. My wife is sick, and I want to take her to the doctor. Please help me. This watch is a memory from my late father, and despite its great value to me, Zainab's health is far more important."

Ali looked at him with sympathy and said, "Alright, don't worry," and handed him the money.

Ahmad rushed back to Zainab and said, "I know I kept you waiting. Forgive me."

"No, don't worry about it," she said with a gentle smile. "I was enjoying looking at the flowers and the trees. I didn't even notice the time."

"You're so beautiful, Zainab," Ahmad said softly, his eyes shining.

"Alright," she said shyly. "Let's go."

"Alright, let's go."

They arrived at the hospital. The doctor took Zainab into the room and performed a full examination while Ahmad waited. Zainab came out and waited with Ahmad. When the test results were ready, the doctor called Zainab and Ahmad into the office.

Ahmad sat before the doctor, unable to hide his intense anxiety. Zainab noticed and gently held his hand with a smile.

"What's wrong with you? Calm down," she whispered.

"Alright," Ahmad said.

The doctor looked at them and spoke. "I have two pieces of news. One is beautiful, and the other... I don't know what to say."

Ahmad immediately jumped up from his seat. "What is it? Tell me!"

"The first piece of news is... congratulations, Zainab is pregnant."

Ahmad and Zainab smiled. But the second piece of news came like a striking lightning bolt upon them.

The doctor continued, "I know how happy you are to hear the news of the pregnancy, but this pregnancy is extremely dangerous for your wife’s health, Ahmad. The baby must be aborted, or she will die if she gives birth."

Zainab gasped. "What? No, I will not abort my baby! What are you saying? No, it doesn't matter, I will endure it."

Ahmad listened to Zainab in utter shock.

"What? What are you saying?" Ahmad cried. "The doctor is saying your life is in danger! Are you not concerned about your health? Do you not care about yourself? Wake up! The doctor says it’s a danger to your life, and if you hold on to the baby, you will die! Do you hear me?"

"I heard," Zainab replied quietly. "But it is my child, and I want him."

"But you will abort him!" Ahmad said firmly. "Do you hear me? I will never allow myself to lose you because of a child, do you understand this?"

Unable to bear it, Ahmad walked out of the room in absolute anger.

Zainab couldn't stand up; she broke down in tears. The doctor spoke to her gently, "Your husband is right. There is a huge risk to your health. Right now, you are in your first month, and you have a little time to abort him, but it is preferable to do it today."

Zainab stood up and said, "No, I will not abort the child. I will keep him."

She ran outside after Ahmad. He was standing outside the hospital, furious.

"Ahmad..." Zainab called out.

"What do you want?" he asked angrily. "You must abort the child, do you hear me?"

"No, I won't abort him."

"What? What are you saying?"

"You heard what I said."

"Have you lost your mind?" Ahmad cried, tears filling his eyes. "Why? Why are you like this? Do you want to leave me so easily? Do you want to die? You heard the doctor say you will die if you keep him! I don't know what you're thinking, but I will never allow you to do this!"

"Ahmad, don't always believe what doctors say," Zainab said through her tears. "They always give news like this. Don't worry, the baby and I will be fine. Please don't worry, God is with us. Please, if you love me, let me keep him." She wept bitterly. "I have already loved this child. I know it is still just a drop of blood, but a profound feeling of love was cast into my heart the moment I heard I was pregnant. Please don't deprive me of this feeling. And look, so you won't worry, we will go to a doctor my mother knows. She is an excellent doctor, and I've heard a lot about her from the women in our family. Please, Ahmad, let us go to her, I beg you."

Seeing Zainab's tears, Ahmad relented. "Alright, we will go and make sure. But if the doctor your mother knows says the same thing as this doctor, you will abort the child, Zainab. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, Ahmad, I hear you, don't worry," Zainab said. "I will fulfill your words, just please don't be angry. I don't like to see you angry with me. Come on, smile, come on."

"Alright," Ahmad said. "But we will go to the doctor tomorrow. I don't want to waste time. Every minute that passes feels dangerous to your life. And know, Zainab, that I was flying with joy when I heard the news that we would have a child. But when I realized the danger of this child to your life, I became terrified. I felt like I was suffocating from fear. I don't want to lose you even for a moment, and I don't want you to be in any danger ever. I only want you to be happy, always happy, and I want you with me always, never to separate."

"Ahmad, don't ever be like this," Zainab said softly. "You make me feel scared. Please be strong, for I am stronger through you. You are everything I have in this life. Don't worry, we believe in God, nothing bad will happen. Come on, let's go home. I will prepare lunch for you, and it will be delicious."

"Alright, let's go," Ahmad said, finally smiling.

As they walked back, Zainab kept talking to him along the way. "Ahmad, why are you smiling? Do you doubt my cooking abilities?"

"No, I don't doubt it," Ahmad said, laughing.

The day passed peacefully. In the evening, Ahmad went out to the garden, filled with sorrow, thinking about the child and how dangerous this matter was for Zainab.

Zainab was watching Ahmad from the door, knowing exactly what he was thinking.

"Ahmad, why are you sitting alone? What are you thinking about?" she asked, walking out to him.

"No, it's nothing," Ahmad replied. "I just came out to breathe some fresh air. The weather today is beautiful. Come, Zainab, and look at how beautiful the stars are in the sky. Every time I look at the sky, I thank God so much that He made me meet you and made you my wife. This is the greatest thing God has given me. Oh, if you only knew, Zainab, how much I love you. You are dearer to me than my own soul. Zainab... Zainab, are you here?"

Ahmad turned around and saw Zainab's tears flowing heavily.

"Zainab, what's wrong with you? Why are you crying?" Ahmad asked anxiously.

"Why am I crying?" Zainab sobbed. "I cry because I know the extent of your love for me. You, Ahmad, are my heart that beats with life, and without you, I am nothing. You are my beautiful world, you are the air I breathe. Every breath I feel inside me is only because you are with me. Ahmad, you have made me the happiest person. You made all my moments joyful and my days bright. No matter how big my dreams were, you were the impossible dream that I kept praying to my Lord for, until my dream finally came true."

"Praise be to God that we are together, Zainab," Ahmad said softly.

"Praise be to God," Zainab replied.

And they walked back inside, wrapped in immense happiness.