The small family gathered around the breakfast table in the house's courtyard. The mother, Farida, sat preparing bread, the father, Tarek, sipped his tea silently, while Zaid hurriedly devoured his bites before heading to school.
Farida looked at Yazan, who sat across from her, lost in thought, and said: "Yazan, you don't sit with us much anymore… is something on your mind?"
Yazan replied with a light smile: "Not at all, just a few things in my head these days."
Tarek intervened as he placed his tea cup on the table, his tone holding a hint of suspicion: "What things? Work? Or are you thinking about going back to the city again?"
Yazan shook his head, avoiding eye contact: "No, nothing specific… just some simple arrangements."
Zaid raised his eyebrows and said with excitement: "Arrangements? Do you mean there's a project?! Or a new job?"
Yazan laughed lightly and said as he averted his gaze: "Something like that, but I can't talk about it right now."
The mother was silent for a moment, then said gently: "We are your family, my son… and if something is bothering you, we can help, or at least share in it."
He looked at all of them and felt a small sting in his heart… how could he tell them he was preparing to get married without their knowledge? That he had decided to follow his own path, away from all their expectations?
But he didn't want to open that door now, so he smiled and said: "Believe me, I'll tell you when the time is right…"
The father, Tarek, said in a dry tone as he stood up: "All we want is for you to choose the right path, and not forget where you came from."
As for Farida, she placed her hand on Yazan's and gently patted it: "We're with you, my son. But don't hide from us what matters."
Yazan looked at her with gratitude, then stood up quietly and said: "I'll go out for a bit… I have some things to finish."
He left the house, and felt his chest tighten from the weight of secrecy… but he said to himself: "They'll know soon… when the time is right."
After a short while, Yazan and Karma were walking side by side in a narrow path lined with trees, the gentle breeze playing with the ends of her hair.
Karma said in a soft voice while looking at the ground: "Rahaf left…"
Yazan paused a little and said: "Rahaf, your friend?"
She nodded, trying to hold back hidden tears: "Yes… she left suddenly, without telling me why. She said she was going to visit her father, but… I feel like she's hiding something."
Karma knew the real reason behind Rahaf's sudden departure. She knew Rahaf didn't want to attend the wedding of the man she loved. But she didn't want to tell Yazan that.
Yazan looked at her face, noticing her sadness, then said in a reassuring tone: "Maybe she just needs some time. Sometimes people have things inside they can't express."
Karma shook her head and said with a faint smile: "I wasn't upset because she left suddenly… but because she won't be by my side on that day."
Yazan remained silent, not knowing what to say. He had only ever known Rahaf as just a regular friend of Karma's… he never imagined there was something deeper.
He finally said: "What matters now is that you're okay… believe me, when things get better, she'll come back and tell you everything."
Karma smiled softly, then leaned on his arm, saying: "Just don't leave me… you."
He replied with a smile: "Impossible."
The next five days passed quickly, between wedding preparations, final touches on the dress, decorating the venue, and the anxiety that comes before any wedding.
Karma was fully preoccupied, but in every joyful moment, something was missing… Rahaf's presence.
On the evening before the wedding, while the village was preparing for the celebration… Yazan was sitting at home with his family, trying to open up about everything, until he began speaking: "I want to tell you something important."
The family turned to him with curiosity, then Farida, his mother, asked with concern: "What is it, Yazan?"
Yazan cleared his throat and said nervously: "I want to get married."
His father, whose expression froze, said: "What did you say?"
Yazan repeated calmly, as if expecting the reaction: "I'm going to marry a girl I chose myself. Her name is Karma."
His father stood up slowly, shocked: "Karma?! And who is she? When did you decide this? And why didn't you tell us?"
His mother interrupted, her voice trembling: "And what about your cousin's promise? Didn't you know we've been preparing for this day for years?!"
Yazan lowered his head and said softly: "I never saw her as my life partner. I never felt anything toward her… but Karma is different."
His mother shouted, her face red with anger: "No, you're the one who's different! A stranger among us! How could you do this without consulting anyone?"
His father spoke firmly, his tone final: "This wedding will not happen. We don't accept her, and we don't accept what you've done."
Yazan replied, trying to hold back his pain: "I respect your opinion, but I've made my decision… and tomorrow will be the wedding, whether you approve or not."
The room was filled with a silence heavier than anyone could bear.
Yazan left without waiting for more words, while the family remained in place, stunned by his decision unable to believe that the obedient, calm Yazan had chosen to break from everything they had known.
To be continued...