Bitter

"A man does not come to ask for a woman's hand alone," Natasha declared in a heavy tone that broke Omar's heart into pieces. "Now tell me, Omar, where is your family?"

Since Omar's arrival at Magreth's home, Mrs. Natasha had been probing him with many questions about his life. But whenever the topic of family came up, Omar grew silent as if touched by an unhealed wound.

"Son, why do you remain silent? Surely you haven't fallen from the sky. Or are you one of those city youths who have completely forgotten their people?" she asked again, her voice sharp.

Omar lowered his head, tears filling his eyes as they fought to escape. "Mother... I have no family. I have lived my entire life alone. I lost my parents when I was very young, then I was abandoned. Since that day, I've struggled alone against life," he said with tears streaking down his cheeks.

Mrs. Natasha stared at him in astonishment. "Wait! You mean you have no family at all, and yet you want to marry my daughter?" Omar shook his head slowly. Suddenly, Mrs. Natasha Abraham stood up and called Magreth aside. They went to the kitchen, leaving Omar slumped alone in the living room, tears falling silently.

Magreth gently wiped Omar's tears before following her mother. "Magreth, where exactly did you say you met this young man? How can you bring a stranger with no known origin to marry? Are you serious?" her mother asked with restrained anger.

"Mother, I've already told you how I met Omar. I believe we should look at his heart, not his origin. He loves me truly and can take care of me," Magreth replied softly.

Mrs. Natasha shook her head sadly. Magreth grasped her mother's hands. "Mother, please believe me. He's the first man I've introduced here. Omar is good, hardworking, and respectful. I thought you would see the good I see in him. I expected a loving welcome, but today you've made me question if you really are the mother I once knew," Magreth said as tears began streaming.

"Love in such matters? Magreth, what an old man sees sitting down, you won't see even if you climb a tree. As long as I live, this marriage will not happen. I cannot give my only daughter to a man with no known family or heritage!" Those words pierced Magreth's heart like a needle.

"Mother, please do not hurt Omar. What he needs most now is our love..." Before she finished, the door slammed shut forcefully. Mrs. Natasha returned to the living room, eyes resting on the drinks she had brought for Omar. She fixed him with a hard look before sitting down in front of him.

"Omar, I want to understand clearly. You mean no relative will come knocking on my door for marriage verification? You have no family? No roots?"

Omar swallowed a huge lump of tears. "Mother, Magreth is the only family my heart has ever found. She has given me the love I never had since childhood. I beg you to give me your blessings. I can take care of her and love her for all my life," he said with a trembling voice.

But Mrs. Natasha remained firm. "I'm sorry, Omar. Money is not everything. I cannot give my daughter to someone whose history is unknown. You didn't come with a witness or a relative even to the first introduction. Or are you a ghost?"

"Mother!" Magreth cried out in pain. "Omar is not a ghost. He is someone who has endured great suffering in life."

"Mother, I'm not a ghost. I would have brought a friend, but Magreth said it was not necessary..."

"No. Even if you come with a hundred friends, it won't change anything. If you cannot bring your family here, then forget marrying my daughter. That is my final word!" Tears streamed down Magreth's face uncontrollably.

"Mother, why are you doing this? I love Omar. Please..."

"Be quiet! What do you know about marriage? A marriage without foundation is a house built on sand!" After saying this, she left for her bedroom. Before entering, she turned sharply and said harshly, "And if he leaves, he should take those drinks with him!"

A heavy silence filled the house. Magreth held Omar's hands, wiping his tears. "I'm very sorry for all this..." she said in a broken voice.

Omar smiled bitterly. "Mage M, you told me your mother is understanding. I did not expect her to see having no family as such a great fault..." With a broken heart, Omar gathered his drinks and carried them to the car. Magreth ran after him and stopped him before he got in.

"Please don't be angry. Give me time to talk to my mother. I know she will understand. And even if she doesn't... nothing can separate us. I will marry you, Omar, because I love you with all my heart."

Omar looked at her with eyes full of pain. "Mage M, I don't want to quarrel with your mother because of me. If she doesn't want us to be together, then maybe..."

"No!" Magreth interrupted, shaking her head. "We won't give up so easily." Omar nodded slowly. They embraced with deep sorrow. After that, Omar got into the car and left. Magreth stood watching the car disappear, tears streaming down.

As she turned to go back inside, suddenly a man's voice called her name. "Magreth!" She froze. Her heart pounded fiercely. Slowly she turned around... and stood frozen in place.