Mercy postponed
The covered its darkness on her as she sat contemplating the
distant star scattered around her in a wonderful harmony, she sees from a
distance the lights of the cars passing along the road, a sublime atmosphere
that evokes a feeling in those who behold it that she in a moment of stillness
and inner serenity…. He approached her quietly and found tears fell from
her eyes, so he stepped away without a sound and respected the awe of the
moment … while she lost in her inner thoughts, she wonders when he will come. Why
does he leave me, drowning in pain?
Do I deserve some care from him? She fell asleep until she
heard the voice of her only child calling her, drew her out of her isolation,
rose to see what had awakened her child from his sleep… she hesitated in front
of her baby’s room for a while when she heard her husband speaking to the baby
with a gentle affection, his voice wrapping him in comfort and calm … she heard
him say don’t bother her now.
She is tired and needs rest, so all the burdens she had
carried melted away and a wave of his compassion washed over her. Her child’s
voice reached her saying, “Then her need for you surpasses mine.” A wave of
guilt washed over him then, he said to his child, ‘’You are right” I will hurry
to
her ….
“ No sooner had
the child fallen asleep than the night descended upon them both.”
As they both pondered the saying of Allah
and” “He has put between you affection
and mercy.”
Short story
Written by Salwa Saad
Translated by
Hebatullah Hany
