رحلة الحب

''The Flower of Sahara.''

The flow of sand could be heard due to the wind, the dust emitting from the sand would flow in the sky above. A woman with a long modest dress and a veil, would leave a trail of footsteps in the sand behind her. She was carrying a bucket of water as it flowed around the walls of the bucket. She had heard tales of its conquest by the four rightly guided Caliphs when she was younger, the conquest of Egypt that is..

Now she resides here, due to direct lineage to the Umayyads, she was known as a princess within the Caliphate. But did she really enjoy the attention? The palace could just all be a lie.. what if she wanted to strive for more? She'd struggle carrying the bucket, now reaching her city, the presence of sand dunes could only be found in its outskirts. ''Salam Ya Asma! How are you my dear!'' A old womans voice could be heard towards the right of the woman. Her name is revealed to be Asma, Asma Bint Ubaidah. She'd turn to face the old woman, placing the bucket down. ''Alhamdulillah Ya Aminah, I am doing well.. I could use some help though!'' Asma would let out a weak chuckle. Aminah stood up from her chair that was placed outside of her home. ''That's what husbands are for dear.. Alhamdulillah you will be marrying soon, have sabr. You won't need to worry anymore by then, and I'm sure your parents picked out a fine man.''

Asma would have a hard time speaking after the old ladies statement, she'd let out a slight stutter. ''W-What did you say Aminah? Husband?'' Aminah rose an eyebrow ''You haven't heard Asma? They announced it to the whole city, your parents have arranged a marriage for you!'' Aminah stated. This revelation would cause Asma to step back, knocking over the bucket of water, the stream flowing out of the bucket. She'd now run off towards the cities palace, tripping on her long dress, eyes were placed on her from everywhere, further increasing her anxiety.

Asma now came to a stop while running, sliding on the ground below her as she began banging on the entrance of the palace. A man with a bright turban that held the color white, opened the gate. It was Ubaidah, the father of Asma. ''Asma? You look like a mess! Where is the water?! I've prepared great news for you and this is how you come to me.'' Ubaidah stated.. He wanted to continue, but before he could Asma reeled back her arm, now slapping her father across the face. ''Why do you never check up with your daughter before deciding something! Maybe I don't want to just be married off baba?! I don't want to live in this damn palace anymore! I just want to go live on my own-'' Ubaidah now slapped his daughter across the face, sending her to the ground before she could finish speaking. ''I do it for you! You have done nothing good for yourself besides being a nuisance! Get up!'' Her father shouted. Asma placed her hand on her lip which was bleeding as she stood up. She'd brush past her father with tears in her eyes as she'd run to her room.

Ubaidah screamed from outside of the doorframe ''Dress well! Amir, your fiance! Will be here soon..'' Ubaidah gave a sigh of anger before storming off. Asma would cry to herself, she was trapped in an oppressive family, she couldn't tell the Umayyad rule, because every time she'd try her father caught her and did worse.. Her sister even suffered broken ribs because of her father, and no one has said anything.. She hasn't seen her sister in years.. ever since she ran away.. But Asma wont be given the chance her sister had.. Some say her sister didn't run off.. but was actually gotten rid of by her father.. Some say banished.. Some say killed.. Asma refused to believe any of them..

After an hour or so, Asma stayed in her previous dress and veil, fiddling with her fingers, unable to think straight, trying to devise a plan of what to do with her life that was dictated by her oppressive father. She was known as the bright flower of Sahara, yet she never felt bright.. While Asma was lost in her stressful thoughts, a sudden knock was heard on the door. She'd get up from her beg, walking over to the door, gripping the handle of the door as she opened it.

Amir, a short man with preyful eyes would stand Infront of the door, staring at Asma. ''I knew you were beautiful.. but wow.. no wonder you are talked so highly about..'' Amir stated, this sentence would boost Asmas discomfort as she backed up a little. ''I do not.. want to marry you..'' The rebelling Asma would state with somewhat faltering confidence.. The eyes of Amir would turn to what could only seem like anger, his predatory smile turning into an aggressive frown. ''You have to.. it's already established!'' Amir would shout, now forcing himself into the room.

Asma would be startled, backing up even more ''Just leave.. please..'' Asma would let out a beg to Amir. He would not desist in his actions and would get even closer ''You can't just take away what I've been longing for!'' He'd shout once again before Asma would shove him back due to how close he was. ''Go! I said I don't want you-'' Asma would scream out before she was cut off by Amir, who gripped her arm, he'd now attempt to push her back with the intention of pinning her onto the bed. ''Baba!'' Asma would scream for her father, to no avail.. ''Stay still and calm down! I'll show you why you should be grateful for me you whor-'' Amirs rage was cut off as Asma now reeled back her foot, slamming it into Amirs groin, causing his grip on her to release as he fell onto the beds frame in pain. Asma would grasp her elegant modest dress, adjusting her veil as she bolted out of the room, knocking over a candle that lit the rugs aflame.. Amir now regained his composure, noticing Asma trying to run as he charged at her.

Asma screamed in fear as she now shut the door behind her, quickly darting her eyes around the area, she'd see her father's shepherd's staff that he used for his herd. She'd quickly grab it, slamming and sliding it straight into the doors handle.. Amir now slammed against the door, attempting to get through ''Open the door, now Asma!'' He screamed.. His screams met no response by Asma as she pressed her body against the door, placing extra weight on the door if the staff wasn't enough to hold the door in place. Amir noticed the room was catching in fire, his screams of rage turning into roars of fear! 

''Asma! Open! Open it Asma!'' He'd cry out to yet again, not a single response from Asma as he held the door closed.. Smoke and flames would flow out of the open areas around the door frame. Asma would let out tears as she was panicking on what action to take. Flames would erupt near hear face from the door as she backed up.. the fire now spreading across the walls of the palace.. She'd hear guards running down from the floor above, the staff holding the door in place would snap as Amir was about to exit. Asma ran down the stairs of the second floor towards the first, tripping as she'd bruise several places of her body. She'd get up and slam out of the palace, running as she held her dress up.. 

Amir would break through the door as the guards reached him.. The palace was set on fire, as it was slowly but surely burning down.. ''We have to get out of here! Look what she has done!'' Amir screamed in fear as Ubaidah rushed past the guards and him, witnessing her daughter running.. ''Guards! Go get that worthless woman.. Now!'' The guards nodded as they scaled down the stairs, Ubaidah and Amir would be escorted out of the palace safely. Asma was on the run, as she'd run past the locals of the city, smoke following her from the burning palace. As chatter sparked among the guards, they'd identify and locate Asma as they began chasing her.. Asma would now skid on her feet, yelping as she slid into a small walk through in between two houses, fitting in with her small bodies. The guards were unable to fit now screaming at each other to encircle the area. As she came out of the other side, she was met by a guard who now swung his fist at her, sending her into the ground as her nose almost broke. She'd let out a cry as he'd attempt to grab her, she'd use her small and agile body to move away, pulling herself up and running. She'd run through another tight spaced area, and another, blending in with the large gatherings of people.

Asma would locate a clothes line, she'd now grab various clothes and dresses which she threw on herself.. the colorful clothes masked the outfit she was wearing below.. Asma ran towards the part of the city which had no walls, allowing her to run off into the Sahara, where the large amount of sand dunes increased her anxiety.. She scaled a sand dune, looking back and witnessing the great fire that has spread across not just the place.. but now the city.. The locals and the guards would work hard on trying to put out the fire, forgetting about Asma as she'd now take this chance to continue running off.