The big day had come. At 6pm on the dot, Basel was standing at the door, trying to muster the courage to ring the bell. He was about to sit the most difficult exam of his life, one he didn't want to fail at any costs. Mai's mother had briefed her husband about Basel and he said he'd like to meet the young man. Basel sat before Mai's father like a naughty schoolboy hauled up in front of the headmaster. Her father looked at him fiercely and launched into the conversation himself. “How did you get to know my daughter?” Basel began to panic, but managed to answer him politely: “I knew her from college; she's the friend of a sister of one of my friends and…” Her father interrupted him with another question: “What did you like about her? Her good looks?” Basel's cheeks turned red as he answered: “No sir. It's definitely her decency, moral standards and religious attitude.” Basel realised that he must talk fast and not give her father the chance to get a word in edgeways. “Sir, I'm in my last year at the Police Academy. I have a car and a small apartment to start my married life in. I still have my whole life ahead of me and, if you let me marry your daughter, I promise to work day and night to offer her a comfortable life. So what do you say?” Mai's father suddenly stood up, feeling very disappointed. In a harsh, challenging voice, he said: “You're a Jordanian.” “No sir, I'm a Palestinian.” “And of course you'll have to go back to Palestine to work there?” Basel replied: “Only, sir, if they call me officially. I have my apartment there and my father's car since he passed away last year and I'm his oldest child. Also I…” “That's enough, Mr Basel. I consider this meeting over and my answer is a big NO!” Basel stood up out of respect for his lover's father and said politely: “May I ask why?” “It's obvious. Firstly, I want my daughter's husband to be Egyptian and, secondly, I don't want her husband to take her away from me and her country. I guess two reasons are more than enough. Thank you for your visit!” He stretched out his hand for Basel to shake, but Basel was trembling with grief and the tears began to roll down his cheeks. He ran to the door, where his eyes met Mai's eyes and she knew this was the end. After he left she ran to her father and said sadly: “Dad, please don't let him go away. You'll ruin my future. He is a very respectable young man. Give yourself a chance to get to know him better. How can you judge him when you don't even know him?” Her father screamed with anger: “I'm right. You never met that loser at university like he said!” “I love him; I've loved him for four years. And all that time he's always respected me and my country. He is a man with a vision. He's got a positive attitude, is only afraid of God and always makes me happy. “How could you break your only daughter's heart? Dad, please give him a chance to prove himself a man worthy of your respect and love.” “I only say things once. And I said NO. I don't approve of that boy and don't try to pressure me, young lady. “That's it and, if you insist on marrying him, you will do it on your own. Don't ask me for any financial or moral support. I won't give you a piastre and I won't come to the wedding, even if he can afford a decent wedding. Now get lost.” Mai ran to her bedroom, buried her face in the pillow and wept and wept, almost paralysed with grief. Would she give up her lover? Or would she stand by her father and lose Basel's love forever? She knew that Basel wasn't wealthy and wouldn't be able to handle the marriage expenses alone. But she loved him and had promised to be with him forever. It was a tough decision to take, but she believed in love, the love she felt for one man ��" Basel. Now was the time to make a choice that would affect her life forever. Mai married Basel. She made a large sacrifice to marry the man of her dreams. She sacrificed what every young girl dreams of ��" a big white wedding, attended by all her family and friends. Basel couldn't afford to give her a fancy wedding, so she settled for a small party wearing a humble wedding dress. Her mother and a couple of friends were there. Of course her father wasn't, so it was her uncle who gave her away. Her mother, torn between love for her daughter and obedience towards her husband, begged him with eyes full of tears to not let their daughter be alone on such a day. Her father looked away, which meant his wife could do whatever she wanted but he wouldn't be part of it. Mai kissed her mother and said: “Thank you, mom. I love you so much and please tell daddy that I love him too.” Her mother hugged her and said: “Stop crying my baby. Go to your husband now and everything will be OK.” Basel carried her across the threshold into their hotel room that night and kissed her tenderly. “You are the apple of my eye. I finally know what happiness is and I promise I will always be your faithful loving husband. I love you,” he said passionately. The first days of wedded bliss passed in a flash. Their love deepened as they realised they had so much in common. They were like two halves of a whole that had finally found each other.
