The hearts Dilemma

First look

The next few days felt tense, and Fatima seemed more worried than usual. She kept looking out the window, her face full of concern. Narymel and Asiyah noticed but didn't say anything; they could tell something was wrong.

One evening, just before sunset, there was a knock on the door. The girls froze, remembering their mother's warning. Fatima quickly went to the door, opening it just enough to see who was there. It was the same woman again, but this time she had a young man with her.

Fatima stepped outside and closed the door behind her. Narymel and Asiyah leaned against the door, trying to overhear what was being said.

After a long time, Fatima came back inside, her face serious. The girls waited, anxious about what she would say.

"Narymel," Fatima said slowly, "that woman came here because of you."

Narymel's heart began to race. "Because of me? Why?"

Fatima took a deep breath. "Her son saw you that day when they asked for directions. He's fallen in love with you, and they've come to ask for your hand in marriage."

Narymel's eyes widened in shock.

"I know what you're thinking," Fatima continued, her voice firm. "I told them you're too young. I also told them that your older sister, Asiyah, should marry first."

Asiyah's heart sank. She had never considered getting married and didn't want to. "Mother, I don't want to get married," she said quietly.

Fatima looked at her daughters with sadness. "I understand, but I need to talk to your father about this. *"MOHAMED, COME!"*

When Mohamed entered the room, Fatima explained the situation to him. He listened carefully, and after a few moments of silence, he spoke firmly, "If Narymel is too young, then Asiyah will marry the man. We can't refuse."

Narymel and Asiyah looked at their father in shock, but he seemed resolute. "They're insisting," he continued. "They've made it clear that they want one of our daughters, and Asiyah is old enough. This is how it will be."

Narymel felt guilty. She knew Asiyah didn't want to get married, but she also realized that she found the young man attractive. The thought of him marrying her sister instead made her heart ache.

"What are we going to do?" Narymel asked in a small voice.

Fatima sighed heavily. "I'll try to talk to them again and see if we can delay this. But in the end, we might not have a choice."

The following days were filled with serious talks between Fatima and the woman. Narymel and Asiyah could only catch snippets of what was being said, but they knew it was important. Asiyah grew more nervous each day, while Narymel struggled with her own emotions.

Finally, one evening, Fatima called her daughters into the kitchen. She looked exhausted.

"I've tried everything I could," she said softly. "But they're set on one of you marrying their son. I've managed to buy us some time, but eventually, Asiyah, they will want you to marry him."

Asiyah felt her heart drop, but she tried to stay strong. The sisters hugged each other tightly, knowing their lives were about to change. They would have to face difficult choices and find a way to move forward, even if it meant sacrificing their own dreams.