Fighting For Her- Imane Khelif

The Promise

Imane stood in her childhood room, the familiar scent of old wood and faint incense clinging to the air. Her parents' voices echoed off the walls, just as they had all those years ago when she had been caught kissing a girl for the first time. Back then, the shouting had terrified her, made her feel ashamed of something she didn't fully understand. Now, though the hurt cut deeper, she felt something else—a sense of resolve.

Her father paced near the window, while her mother wept, shaking her head in disbelief. "Imane, how could you do this? We raised you in the faith, we taught you what's right, and yet here you are, committing this sin again?"

Imane felt the familiar ache in her chest but remained composed. She had been here before, but this time, she was older, stronger—both in her faith and her love. "I haven't turned away from my faith," she said quietly but firmly. "I have done everything according to the Quran. I've prayed, fasted, and followed the teachings my whole life. I didn't stop practicing because of this."

Her father's brow furrowed in anger. "And yet, you still choose this path?"

"I never chose it," Imane said, her voice tight. "I fought it. After the first time, I stayed away from love. I dedicated myself to boxing, to my training. I tried everything—every prayer, every verse—to make these feelings go away. I didn't want this, but no matter how hard I fought, my feelings for Ellie never disappeared. I couldn't get rid of them."

Her parents exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of frustration, fear, and disappointment. "And what about Allah? You know what the Quran says about this."

Imane took a deep breath. "I know. I know what's written, and I know what my heart feels. I believe in Allah. I have never strayed from my faith, but I also know that this is who I am. Her voice cracked, but she pushed through. "There are other Muslims, people who live like me and are still practicing their faith. I'm not asking you to accept Ellie. I understand why you can't, but I'm not going to hide who I am anymore. I'll live my life privately, without bothering you, but I won't give her up."

Her mother's sobs grew louder, while her father sighed heavily, as if the weight of her words were too much to bear. "And what do you expect from us?" he asked, his voice sharp.

"I don't expect anything," Imane replied, her voice soft but steady. "I don't expect your approval, and I won't ask for your blessing. But I need you to understand that Ellie is part of my life now. I'm not bringing her here, and I'm not asking you to acknowledge her. I'll keep our relationship private, but I'm not leaving her."

There was a long pause before her father finally spoke, his voice filled with resignation. "We will never accept this. Ellie will never be part of this family. But if you're willing to keep this secret, to not bring her into our lives, then we won't stand in your way. You can continue boxing for your country, but Ellie cannot be part of your public life. She will remain a shadow."

Imane nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and sadness wash over her. "I understand."

With that, the arrangement was made. Her parents would never acknowledge Ellie or their relationship. Imane would live a dual life—publicly the champion boxer who upheld her family's reputation and privately the woman who loved Ellie. It wasn't what she wanted, but it was the best she could do for now.

Later, as Imane waited at the airport for her flight back to Miami, she called Ellie. The moment Ellie picked up, Imane's heart tightened, knowing how much her words would affect her.

"They're furious," Imane said quietly. "They'll never accept us, Ellie. They won't acknowledge you, and they want me to keep our relationship private. I agreed because I had no other choice."

Ellie's voice trembled on the other end of the line. "So... what does that mean for us?"

Imane took a deep breath, her voice soft but full of conviction. "I've thought about this a lot, Ellie. We'll start building our life together in Miami, just the two of us, quietly. I'll apply for U.S. citizenship, and we'll find a place we can call our own. I'll keep boxing for my country until I'm 35, and when I retire, I'll transition to coaching so I can stay close to the sport I love. After that, we'll get married, have kids, and settle down in the U.S. for good. It might not be perfect, but I've got a plan, and I'll fight for us every step of the way. Our life together is worth everything for me."

Ellie's voice cracked as she spoke, her emotions pouring through the phone. "Imane, I don't care how long it takes or what we have to do, as long as we're together. I'll wait for you—no matter how long. We'll have our time, and I'll always be here for you."

When Imane's flight finally landed in Miami, Ellie was waiting for her at the airport, her heart pounding with anticipation. The moment she saw Imane step through the arrivals gate, she ran toward her, tears brimming in her eyes.

Imane barely had time to react before Ellie wrapped her arms around her, holding her tightly. They clung to each other, both of them crying—tears of relief, of exhaustion, and of hope for the future.

"I'm here," Imane whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I promised you, and I'll keep fighting for us. Always."

Ellie pulled back slightly, looking up at Imane with tear-filled eyes. "I love you so much," she whispered.

Imane cupped Ellie's face, her thumbs gently wiping away the tears. "I love you too, Ellie. No matter what happens, we'll get through it together."

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world around them seemed to fade away. It didn't matter what obstacles they faced or how difficult the path ahead might be. They had each other, and for them, that was all that mattered.

Their love. Their promise. Their future together.