Free Sweet Obsession by Theodora Koulouris

ripe veggies and skipped back inside the shack to show Abdul’s mother. She told me to wash them and place them on the table, where she had placed a clean cloth napkin.
    “This, my dear child, is our meal for tomorrow,” she said cheerfully. And then her eyes filled with tears as she stared at me. “Nadia, forgive me. I do not mean to cry, but you remind me of my daughter. She died of the plague many years ago,” she said sadly. “The same disease claimed my husband as well and left Abdul and me to fend for ourselves. We do not have much, but at least we have each other. Abdul is a good boy, and he provides for me. I just love him so much.” She wiped her tears with her apron.
    I walked up to her and gave her a bear hug. I felt sorry for her. She was a good person, and life was not fair to her. Thus, our relationship started and blossomed into a beautiful friendship.

    As the days flew by, thoughts of Nidal were torturing my heart. I missed him tremendously and knew not what to do. On the one hand, I felt comfortable around these people who already felt like family to me, but at night when I lay myself down to sleep, my mind wandered to Nidal, and my heart broke in two. I cried myself to sleep every night and prayed I would be in his arms again one day. But I knew it was too soon. Only time would heal our wounds and allow us to start over again.
     
     

Chapter Four
Loula
    M any days later, early in the morning, Abdul and his mother were outside taking care of the chores. I was deep in thought as I was sweeping the kitchen floor and did not hear the commotion outside. Suddenly, the door burst open, and I looked up, startled to find Nidal standing in the doorway. My heart pounded loudly in my ears as I froze and stared back.
    I saw the raw emotions that played on Nidal’s face. First, there was surprise. Then relief. And then pure love was written all over his handsome face.
    But quickly it changed to anger as his jaw clenched shut. He marched right up to me and barked, “Madam, have you any idea what you have put everyone through these last two weeks? Have you any idea the humility we have suffered because of your selfish acts?”
    I looked at him with disbelief. How dare he throw his words around as if I had done him wrong when he had tore down what we once shared! His gaze swept the room as if he expected an answer. His face looked more mature with tiny fine lines on his forehead I had not seen before, and it looked as if he had not shaved in the two weeks that I was gone.
    “Well, are you going to talk, or are you going to stay silent and admit to treason?” he sneered.
    He was so arrogant and sure of himself. My eyes were shiny with tears, but I pulled my back straight. With a firm and unwavering voice, I said, “How dare you march in here as if you own the place! How dare you try to scare me into submission! I will not yield to you, Nidal! Go back to where you came from!” I turned my back to him.
    Immediately, I regretted everything I had said, but it was too late to take it back. In an instant, Nidal’s hands grabbed me roughly and turned me around. His eyes searched my face. His beautiful lips were tightly closed, and a miserable silence followed.
    “That was a very bold statement, my fair lady,” he finally said. “Are you sure it is what you want?” he asked in a dangerously low tone and released me from his iron grip.
    I struggled for a reply, but none came. I glanced up at him. My chest tightened. I wanted to kiss his lips so badly, but instead, with a hint of desperation in my voice, I called out his name. “Nidal.”
    Nidal was unsympathetic to my feelings. He raised his eyebrow and said coldly, “An answer of yes or no will suffice, Madam.”
    In that moment, Abdul’s mother rushed in and fell to the floor at Nidal’s feet and tearfully begged, “Have mercy on the young mistress, my lord. Please do not punish her. She is young and innocent. Punish me instead,” she cried.
    The prince