He is ready to offer a very high dowry, in addition to a special car of your own.

He is ready to offer a very high dowry, in addition to a special car of your own." "Are you serious? " asked Warqa. "Did you think I might agree to marry him? His wealth and his cars won't tempt me at all to sacrifice my religion." "What does religion have to do with it?" "You know he is not a committed person. He does not even pray." "It isn't for you to judge him. He, too, has a God who will call him to account." "I won't marry such a person-be sure of that," insisted Warqa.

Her grandmother persisted, "He is very respected. I know he is not a committed person, but he can't harm you. Think it over a while so you won't regret refusing him." "I’ll never regret it," stressed Warqa. "If you don't get the man of your dreams, Warqa, what will you do?" "Then I won't marry. Anyway, it is quite possible to marry the man I wish." "You are still a child.

You should not reject your cousin's offer from sheer nonsense." Warqa smiled bitterly and said, "Why do you think it is nonsense? I refused Sinad because you said his father killed my father. Yet he has done no harm to my father. Mr. Mahir has committed a crime against his Creator; he is an infidel who disobeys and disrespects Allah. He mocks the Hereafter. My religion is the dearest thing I have, even dearer than my father.

How could I live with someone who is my enemy?" Her grandmother was quite annoyed by this time as she said, "You still speak well of Sinad? I know you have rejected Mahir because of him!" Warqa replied, "I speak well of him because he deserves it. But to say that I have refused Mahir because of him is not true. To me, that is finished. He may be planning to marry someone else for all I know." "He is good and praiseworthy although he is the son of your father's murderer?

Mahir is your cousin and so you should consider the matter seriously. You will do your father, as well as me, a great injustice if you refuse him." Warqa did not sleep well that night. The next day, she visited Dr. Miyad and she forgot about her troubles for a while. She did not tell her friend about Mahir, but listened carefully to the useful discussion. She asked, "Will you please continue where we left off last time?" Dr. Miyad said, "You don't seem to be happy today.

I am afraid you won't enjoy the subject." "I will enjoy it," insisted Warqa. "I intend to forget my problems by listening to you. The best times for me are when I am learning something new." "Let us argue with them then," said Dr. Miyad.