The Blind Beggar: Part IV

The day of her fifteenth birthday, Amal’s father announced she would be married before her next birthday.  Shock and fear consumed Amal as she realized her childhood was coming to an end.  No more could she play with Ali and her cousins and friends.  No more would she puzzle over work in school.  She couldn’t imagine a husband who would allow her to finish school.  She would be expected to be a housewife and have babies.  Her mind rebelled at the thought. 

That night after the evening meal, Amal went to tell Ali the news.  After handing him a plate of food, Ali could feel something was wrong.  “What is wrong, my Amal?”

“Father tells me I am to be wed before my next birthday.”

“You will be 16, yes?”

“Yes.”

“It is time, I guess.  Who has he chosen for you?”

“No decision has been made yet but I’m sure it will be soon.”

Boulos felt his heart break within him.  Though he loved Amal, he realized he could not provide for her.  He turned to Amal and gazed at the outline of her head.  He could hear a flock of birds suddenly take flight and then a baby crying off in the distance.  He said the only thing true love could say to someone it could never have.  “I want you to be happy and live a long life full of sweet memories.” 

His arms moved toward Amal and she reached to him and they held one another in a warm embrace.  Their touch spoke volumes of their hopes and dreams that would never come to be.  In spite of their love, they could never be together.  He could curse the sky.  He could wallow in self-pity.  Instead, Boulos chose to memorize each moment he ever spent with Amal.  They would be the fire to warm him on a cold night.  Memories of Amal would be the riches he would never possess.  Her memory would be his greatest treasure. 

Two weeks later, the tension was getting the best of Amal.  She pleaded with her father not to force her to marry.  For some time, her father said little only that she must obey him.  Finally, she desperately said she was in love with someone and couldn’t marry another.

Her father retorted, “What do you mean you love someone?  Do you mean that blind boy you feed, Boulos?”


Shock muted her.  How did he know she brought him food?  How did he know Boulos’s name?  Father continued, “You are a silly stupid girl!  How can this boy give you a life?  He is blind.  He does not work.  Can I trust him to care for you?  He cannot care for himself.  No!  You will never marry him.  You will marry the one I choose.  I am nearing my decision and you will know soon enough.” 

Amal ran to her room and cried bitter tears.  Each tear that stained her pillow weakened her resolve to fight the tide that was now against her.  Eventually, she suppressed her dreams.  She realized the rest of her life she would have to accept what she got and make the best of it.  She would never have full happiness.  The joy she felt, if the ever did, would be because she made it.  It would never come looking for her.