Forbidden Love

"You cannot be with her! She's a sinner, a goyim shouted Mr. Yaakov! He had just received the worst news of his life. Yesher, his only son of three children had just asked permission to marry a girl out of their Jewish culture. There was no way he was going to allow that.

"Father please, I beg you. We love each other," Yesher pleaded on his knees.

"Never! You know it's against the Torah. We can't go against Hashem's word! If you marry her, I will only have two children and one dead." Mr Yaakov was too religious, nothing will change his answer. He lived according to his Jewish orthodox religion and he expected the same with his children.

Yesher was in love with Khadijah, a Muslim girl from Morocco. They had met on a Saturday, the day of the Sabbath for Jews. Yesher was walking home from the synagogue and it was getting late so he decided to take a short cut through the park. That's where he saw her. She was sitting on a swing watching the sunset. Her hijab covered her face, only revealing her eyes. Those big beautiful green eyes that went well with her long thick eyelashes

He looked around to make sure that no one who knew his family was around. Then, he did what his religion prohibited. He walked up to Khadijah and sat in the empty swing next to her. His father could give him a harsh punishment, as well as Hashem who was watching from the heavens. Being alone with a girl was a sin, especially with one that was not Jewish. Not only that but the veil she wore meant she was a Muslim. Muslims and Jews did not get along. But Yesher didn't care, there was something that Khadijah had that kept him there.

"I don't think it's a good idea for you to sit there. It is against my religion to be alone with a man who I am not related to" Khadijah said a little concerned. "Especially a man who is not Muslim like me."

"Why can it only be a Muslim? What's so special about them?" Yesher asked.

"He doesn't wear a Kippah and is not a Jew. He shares the same customs and beliefs as me & my father doesn't hate them. My father always told me that Jews are liars and thieves. They took our inheritance, the land that belonged to Ismael and for that reason we cannot get along with them. My father would surely give me a beating I will never forget if he ever finds out of this interaction with you. I'm also positive that you will receive a punishment from your father." she said looking straight into Yesher's gray blue eyes making him feel butterflies in his stomach.

"Maybe it's worth it." he answered. "There is something inside of me yelling that this is wrong, to leave. But it were your eyes that made me take the risk to talk to you and they keep me here. I can't help it, they seem to pull me towards you." Khadijah was glad most of her face was covered because under her veil she was blushing and smiling like never before.

Salam Aleichem, my name is Khadijah,"she introduced.

"Shalom, my name is Yesher". They sat in silence watching the sunset. For Yesher this was the best moment he had ever had.

"I have to go," Khadijah said breaking the silence. It's getting late and my father doesn't like me being out after dark". She started to walk away.

"Wait!" Yesher yelled grabbing her hand. His touch made her heart beat fast and she couldn't stop her hand from shaking. "I want to see you again," he said looking straight into her eyes. Khadijah couldn't decide. Should she be faithful to her father's rules or she continue to see Yesher?

"Meet me here at the same time next Saturday." she said before running off as fast as she could.