MARRIAGE DECISION

In a house shrouded in sorrow for years, Sameh lived with his wife Rania and their only daughter, Naomi. Illness stole Rania's youth and health, confining her to bed, while Naomi became her caregiver, sitting by her mother's side all day, giving her her medication, helping her bathe, and preparing her meals, as if the weight of the world rested on her small shoulders.

Every evening, Sameh would return home and enter Rania's room. Naomi would then leave the room, and Sameh would sit beside Rania. He would try to ease Naomi's exhaustion after a long day spent caring for Rania. Naomi would go to her room, lie down on the bed, and try to steal an hour or a few minutes of sleep in this house that breathed sorrow because of Rania's illness. Naomi would set her alarm to wake up in the middle of the night and leave her room to take over, ensuring her mother's care until morning. Sameh would then go to his room, also trying to steal an hour or a few minutes of sleep before waking up and leaving for work. He would lie down on his bed and set his alarm. The alarm clock rang before he fell asleep, leaving his heart and Naomi's heart bleeding with silent sorrow.

The days passed in this exhausting whirlpool, a suffocating routine mixed with a faint hope that Rania's condition would improve. But time was cruel, and her condition remained unchanged, leaving the house drowning in endless grief. A heavy silence of sorrow hung over the house until that day came that turned everything upside down.

Sameh slowly opened the door and entered, his eyes reflecting a hint of worry. He carried paper bags filled with fresh fruit and a bouquet of red and purple roses. He turned and closed the door behind him, then carefully placed the bags on the dining table, as if this simple gesture could bring some joy to the monotony of their days. Then he walked with heavy steps towards his sick wife Rania's room, a faint smile trying to hide his anxiety. He reached for the doorknob, opened it, and called out in a low voice:

Sameh: Rania.

Sameh was calling for Rania even though he knew she was unable to speak, but it had been his habit since her illness that whenever he entered her room, he would call for her, and she would smile. Rania tried to turn her head towards him. But this afternoon, as soon as Sameh approached Rania's bed, he froze. Rania's eyes were wide open, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her soul had quietly left her body and ascended to heaven. Sameh's tears flowed, and he bent down to her, reaching for her forehead and then gently closing her eyes, as if these were her final moments, to protect her from the illness she had suffered for years, while he, too, lived in eternal sorrow. He turned with heavy steps and left Rania's room. He reached for the doorknob and slowly, quietly, pulled the door shut. He went to his daughter Naomi's room and knocked gently. After a moment, Naomi opened the door to find her father standing before her, tears streaming down his face, his features etched with grief.

Naomi:Daddy, why are you crying?

Sameh opened his arms wide to embrace Naomi, pulling her tightly to his chest. His voice trembling, he whispered,

Sameh:Rania is gone, Naomi.

Naomi's eyes widened in shock, and tears streamed down her cheeks and trickled onto Sameh's shoulder.

Even after Rania's death, the atmosphere in the house hadn't changed much. Grief still hung heavy in every corner, suffocating her. Naomi felt an immense emptiness in her life and tried to fill it with any activity she could find. She would leave the house, wander through the markets, choosing vegetables, meat, and everything else the house needed. Then she would return to prepare food in a desperate attempt to fill the void left in her heart by her mother's passing.

One quiet night, as Naomi lay on her bed wrapped in a warm blanket, Sameh stood outside her door. The silence of the night was broken only by the ticking of the clock and the cold breeze from the balcony. Hesitantly, Sameh reached for the doorknob, then slowly, quietly, hesitantly withdrew his hand, bringing it back to his side. After a moment of hesitation and inner conflict, he mustered his courage. He raised his hand and knocked gently on the door. After a moment, Naomi slowly opened it, still half asleep with her eyes barely open.

Sameh: The food tastes really delicious. Well done!

Naomi smiled, slightly annoyed at being woken, but she couldn't suppress her smile and said

Naomi : He only woke me up to tell me the food is delicious!

Sameh laughed, and Naomi laughed with him. Then Sameh said in a low but serious voice

Sameh:Honestly, there's something else I want to tell you.

Naomi:Go ahead, Dad.

Sameh:No, come sit outside. It's a long story.

Naomi:Okay, I'll put on something warm. It's very cold.

Sameh:Okay, I'll make you a cup of tea.

Naomi went back to her room and stood there putting on more heavy winter clothes.

Naomi headed to the door of her room, left, and walked into the living room. Sameh followed her, carrying cups of hot tea. Naomi sat down on the chair, and Sameh knelt down, placed the teacups on the table with a slight smile, and sat facing her.

Naomi: So, what is this story you wanted to tell me, Father?

Sameh: Drink your tea first.

Naomi took a sip of the warm tea, which eased her tension a little. Then Sameh began cautiously.

Sameh: To be honest, she is a very respectable woman, very beautiful, just like Rania, may God have mercy on her. The same words, the same manner, the same laugh. From the moment I saw her, I liked her. She even resembles your mother in appearance. I prayed a lot that she wasn't married. I went to her and said, "I want to marry you." Thank God she wasn't married. So, what do you think of that? Naomi smiled faintly, trying to hide her feelings.

Naomi: I don't have an opinion on such a matter, Father. Do what you want.

Sameh: I knew you would agree. You know I endured a lot with dear Rania for many long years, ever since I... With her illness, and you were only twelve years old, we were deprived of children and of life itself.

Naomi:You have indeed endured much with my mother. Thank you. But what is the bride's name?

Sameh:Her name is Ghada.

Naomi:Okay, Dad. Good night.

Sameh:Finish your tea.

Naomi:No, you drink it.

Naomi got up.

Naomi returned to her room, opened the door, and entered quietly. Her face showed nothing but coldness and indifference. She closed the door behind her, leaving Sameh alone in the living room with the silence of the night, the pain in his heart, and his confusion.

Naomi seemed hesitant, unsure of what to say to her father, Sameh, who wanted to remarry and had left the decision to him, even though it might harm her life, her feelings, and perhaps even her future. Naomi seemed hesitant to express rejection or acceptance, despite her deep loyalty to her late mother. Would her father's marriage affect her? Would Sameh's relationship with his only daughter, Naomi, be affected, or would he remain devoted to her? Naomi's relationship with Basma was much deeper than that; it was a father-daughter relationship of affection and friendship, even though she hid some things from him that shouldn't have been hidden.