A Wound Healed by Love - Chapter One
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Chapter 1
A Sa'idi novel. A girl suffered greatly due to the injustice she faced, but God will compensate her with a love that will heal the wound in her heart.
Novel: A Wound Healed by Love
••[Chapter One: In which we will get to know the mansion and our heroes better]••
••[Characters]••
The events of our novel take place between one of the governorates of Upper Egypt (Sa'id) and Cairo.
Let's get to know the characters present in Upper Egypt.
In one of the luxurious mansions lives the largest family that rules the town, the Helaly family.
The head of the family, Othman Al-Helaly, lives there. He is characterized by a very serious personality, his word is obeyed throughout the town, and everyone respects and fears him.
His wife is deceased, and he has two sons and a daughter.
← The Eldest Son →
Hamdan: Deceased.
His wife, his cousin Fatima: Very kind and loves her family deeply.
She has a son and a daughter.
The eldest son [Younis]:
He is 33 years old, has the same personality as his grandfather Othman in everything, even in looks, and is very close to him.
He is in charge of managing the iron factories and the family's private company, and he is the head of the town after his grandfather.
He is married to his cousin Safa, but she cannot have children. He married her at his grandfather's request.
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The youngest daughter [Rahma]:
She is 25 years old, studied at the Faculty of Arts. Her personality is cheerful and very affectionate, just like her mother Fatima.
She was married to Tariq, Younis's friend, but she discovered after 5 months of marriage that she couldn't have children. Problems arose between Tariq and his mother over the issue of having children. He refused to divorce Rahma, but she didn't accept this and asked Younis to make him divorce her, despite her great love for him, and he also adores her and refused to marry after her.
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← Othman's Middle Son →
Metwally: Deceased. His wife, Ijlal, has a very malicious personality and hates Younis. Her only goal is for her daughter to marry Younis and have his child so she can be the lady of the house. Her goal was achieved when Younis married Safa, but it turned out she cannot have children.
She has two sons and a daughter.
The eldest, Selim:
He is 35 years old, deceased. He was a devil walking on earth, and we will learn his story together.
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The middle, Safa:
She is 28 years old, Younis's wife. She cannot have children and has the same personality as her mother. She loves Younis very much, unlike him; he doesn't love her and only married her for his grandfather's sake.
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The youngest, Ali:
He is 26 years old, has a very cheerful personality. He loves Younis and is very close to him. He inherited his father's kindness, unlike his mother and siblings, and he hates the way his mother and sister act.
*********
← Othman's Youngest Daughter →
Radia: Her husband is deceased and she has no children. She loves Younis, Rahma, and Ali, and treats them as if they were her own children, and they are also very close to her. Tariq was also very close to her.
This is Othman Al-Helaly's family, and they all live in the mansion.
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Now let's get to know the characters living in Cairo.
Tariq:
He is 33 years old, a friend of Younis and Ali, and very close to them. He works in the army with the rank of Major.
He adored Rahma and his only dream was for her to carry his name, but many problems occurred between him and his mother because she was late in getting pregnant. He divorced her against his will because Younis forced him to, as that was Rahma's request.
Since he divorced Rahma, he has been living in Cairo, refusing to return to the town, and completely rejecting all the brides his mother brings him.
*****************
In one of the apartment buildings in Cairo lives the heroine of our novel.
← Rouh:
She is 22 years old.
Her father died when she was young, around 7 years old, and her mother died when she was in high school. Since her mother's death, she has been living with her maternal uncle, his wife, and his daughter.
She didn't complete her studies despite her excellence (she scored 97%), due to the refusal of her uncle and his wife, under the pretext that they couldn't afford her education and that spending on her food and clothing was enough.
Rouh is a girl of peak beauty. She had many suitors since she was young because of her beauty, so her uncle's wife forced her to wear a niqab so no one would propose to her again, as she was jealous because no one ever proposed to her own daughter.
Rouh used to bring spirit and joy to any place she was in, but because of what happened to her, she changed. Sadness became her constant companion, and we will find out what happened to her together through the events.
**********
Mokhtar:
Rouh's uncle. He used to work as a driver for Selim, Younis's cousin. He gambles, drinks constantly, and listens to his wife in everything.
He treats Rouh harshly and is the primary reason for what happened to her and brought her to the state of sadness she is in.
*********
Rabab:
The wife of Rouh's uncle. She hates Rouh and is annoyed by her because she is prettier than her daughter. She takes advantage of the fact that Rouh stays with them and makes her do all the housework; basically, she's a maid to her.
She has one daughter, Riham.
She is 24 years old, studies at the Faculty of Commerce, but she's a failure and takes two years to pass one. She dislikes Rouh and constantly causes trouble for her so her father (Rouh's uncle) would beat her.
************
Shahd:
She is 22 years old, Rouh's only friend and very close to her, more than sisters. She studies at the Faculty of Arts and chose the Mass Communication department because she wants to be a journalist.
She has a very strong personality, a sharp tongue, doesn't care about anyone, and is very cheerful. She lives with her father in the same building as Rouh. Her mother died giving birth to her, and her father is everything in her life.
Mohamed:
Shahd's father. The kindest of God's creations. He treats Rouh with all tenderness and is the embrace she runs to when she is tired or when her uncle beats her.
&&&&&&&&&
And these are the characters of our novel, sweeties. Of course, the novel will be a mix of the Sa'idi dialect and the colloquial Egyptian dialect.
The young men Younis, Ali, Tariq, and Rahma all speak colloquial Egyptian due to their studies and work, but in the presence of their grandfather, they speak Sa'idi out of respect and appreciation for him, of course.
The grandfather, Fatima, Ijlal, Radia, and Safa speak Sa'idi.
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In one of the governorates of Upper Egypt, specifically in the Helaly family mansion. When you approach it, you are amazed by its beauty and luxury. Of course, this is the mansion of the largest family in Upper Egypt, and the mansion is very classic from the outside and the inside.
Let's learn more about the layout of the mansion.
As soon as we enter from the large main gate, we find a very spacious garden with a large fountain in the middle. Behind the mansion, there is a large stable with a large group of Arabian horses, and of course, the horse belonging to our hero, Younis Al-Helaly.
We walk down a long corridor until we reach the mansion, which consists of 3 floors and a roof.
When we enter the mansion, the first floor is very spacious and divided into several sections. The first section is a reception area with a beige and olive-green salon.
On its right is a corner with a round table surrounded by 4 beige chairs.
In a corner close to them, we find a long dining table surrounded by a large number of white chairs with some golden touches, and the chairs are olive-green.
Next to it are two doors with olive and white curtains. These are the doors to the kitchen, which features a classic style like the rest of the mansion. There is a door inside the kitchen that leads out to a very spacious garden planted with many types of vegetables and fruits, and a special place for baking.
The second door next to the dining table is a guest bathroom.
In a place close to the dining table, we find a room's door, and this is not just any room. This is the 'Mandara' (guest house/reception) where men always gather to discuss council matters and townspeople's problems. It is a very spacious room with a classic salon and a set of tables.
Also, the room of the head of the family, Othman Al-Helaly, is located on the first floor.
And there is a guest room. That's the first floor, sweeties. Let's go up to the second floor, which is via the stairs divided into two sides and features a classic style.
The second floor has the rooms of Fatima, Ijlal, and Radia, and Safa's room.
Each room is equipped with its own spacious bathroom and a balcony.
There is a luxurious staircase that takes us to the third floor, which has Rahma's room and Ali's suite, as well as Younis's private suite because most of the time he doesn't sleep with Safa. There is also a locked room, which belongs to Selim, and a guest room.
There is a staircase that takes us to the top floor, which is the roof decorated with roses, with a seating area and chairs because most of the time the young men and women go up to stay up late there.
And this is the Helaly family mansion, sweeties.
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The sun of a new day rose over the Helaly mansion, specifically in the kitchen. Fatima and Radia were preparing breakfast for the family, assisted by Fathia the maid and two girls.
Fatima: Is everything ready like this?
Radia: Take the food out to the dining table, Fathia, because my father and the boys are about to come down.
Fathia: At your orders, my lady. Come on, girls, let's take the food out.
Rahma entered the kitchen: Morning of beauty and sweetness.
Fatima: Morning of roses, my daughter.
Radia: May God make all your days beautiful, my daughter.
Rahma hugged them: And may God keep you for me.
Fatima: Did your brother wake up, Rahma?
Rahma: Yes, Fatouma, he is coming down, him and Ali.
Radia: He's still sleeping in his suite alone?
Rahma whispering: Well, honestly, he has a point. Can anyone live with that Safa or her mother?
Fatima sharply: Shame on you to talk like that, my daughter. Safa is your brother's wife, too.
Rahma: But Younis isn't happy with her, Mom. By God, it's a shame.
Radia: Hush, my daughter, because if anyone hears you, the world will turn upside down.
Rahma: I'll be quiet, Auntie.
Fatima: Come on, breakfast is ready.
Everyone left the kitchen, and at the same time, Othman was coming out of his room. Rahma ran to him and kissed him on the cheek: Good morning, Grandpa.
Othman kissed her head: Good morning, my daughter.
Radia: Look at the girl, as soon as she saw her grandfather she started speaking Sa'idi, and just a while ago she was chattering in Cairene.
Othman looked at Rahma: My sweetheart does whatever makes her comfortable.
Fatima: Keep spoiling her like that, uncle.
Rahma: I'm telling you all, no one comes between me and my grandpa, ever.
Radia laughed: Come on, Father, let's eat.
Othman sat in his place at the head of the table. On his right was an empty chair, Younis's place, and next to him Fatima and Rahma. On his left was an empty chair, Ali's place, and next to him Radia.
Othman: Where are the rest?
Fatima: Coming down, uncle.
Younis and Ali came down and kissed their grandfather's hand. Younis kissed Fatima's and Radia's heads, and Ali did the same. They sat at the table in their places.
Othman: Where is your wife, my son?
Younis, annoyed: I don't know, Grandpa.
Othman: What do you mean you don't know? Are you sitting up there by yourself or what?
Ali: We had a lot of work, Grandpa, and Younis and I stayed up late finishing it in his suite.
Othman: And what did you do about the new deal?
Younis: Everything is fine, Grandpa.
Othman: Younis, you go to the company, and Ali will come with me to the factory.
Younis and Ali: Alright, Grandpa.
Fatima: Enough talking now, eat.
Safa and Ijlal came down together.
Ijlal: Good morning.
Everyone: Good morning.
Ijlal sat in her place next to Ali, and Safa kissed her grandfather's hand: Good morning, Grandpa.
Othman: Your husband woke up and came down while you're still sleeping? Since when do women wake up after their husbands?
Safa looked at Younis, who was eating: I was a bit tired, Grandpa. I'm sorry.
Othman: Don't let it happen again.
Safa: Yes, Grandpa.
Safa went and sat next to her mother, and everyone started eating. After a while, the men left for work. Fatima, Radia, and Rahma went into the kitchen, while Ijlal and Safa remained in their seats.
Ijlal approached and sat next to Safa: Are you fighting with your husband?
Safa, annoyed: I swear, Mother, I didn't do anything except tell him I wanted to buy a gold set I liked.
Ijlal slyly: And why did you ask him?
Safa: What do you mean, Mother?
Ijlal: Get what you like, and the bill goes to the company.
Safa, gasping: Younis would kill me, Mother.
Ijlal: Keep being naive like this your whole life. The money is your money, girl. And besides, he'll get a little annoyed and then forget, and the rest is up to you.
Safa, thinking: You're right, Mother. I'll go tell them to send me the set.
Ijlal: Go ahead, my heart.
Safa went up to her room, and Ijlal smiled maliciously.
=======================
Let's go to Cairo now, moonlights.
In one of the apartment buildings in Cairo.
Specifically on the third floor, in the apartment of Mokhtar, Rouh's uncle. Everyone is still asleep, but our beautiful heroine is standing in the kitchen preparing breakfast, feeling sad. Rabab walked in on her: Why isn't the breakfast finished yet, Lady Rouh?
Rouh: Just a few minutes and breakfast will be on the table.
Rabab: I wish you would move a little faster, sister, so your uncle doesn't make your life a living hell.
Rouh looked at her sadly: Yes.
After 5 minutes, Mokhtar came out of his room, and breakfast was on the table. He sat in his place, and Rabab sat down to eat as well.
Mokhtar: Is Riham still sleeping?
Rabab: She doesn't have lectures today, so I let her sleep a bit.
Rouh came in carrying a tray with two cups of coffee. She placed one in front of her uncle and one in front of Rabab.
Rouh: Good morning, Uncle.
Mokhtar, without looking at her: Good morning.
Rabab sarcastically: Sit down and eat, Madam Rouh, so you don't faint like you do every day.
Rouh: I don't have an appetite... Uncle, today is my appointment with the doctor.
Mokhtar: Are you going alone?
Rouh: Shahd is coming with me.
Rabab: Go, sister. As if we aren't short on expenses as it is, we have to pay yours too.
Mokhtar: Go, and don't be late.
Rouh: Yes.
Rouh went into her room, tears falling over the way her uncle and his wife treated her. She was snapped out of it by her phone ringing; it was Shahd.
Rouh: Hello... Good morning... Yes, Shahd, I'll be ready by 2 o'clock... May God keep you for me.
===============
After a long time, Rouh had prepared lunch and went to get dressed to go to the doctor. She left the apartment and found Shahd waiting for her.
Rouh: Sorry for being late.
Shahd: The beautiful one can be as late as she wants, my heart.
Rouh: Really, Shahd, I don't know what I would do without you.
Shahd: Are you an idiot, Rouh? You're my sister, girl. If I don't stand by my sister, who will?
Rouh smiled from under her niqab: Let's go so I won't be late.
Shahd: Let's go, the taxi is already waiting downstairs.
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At the Helaly Iron Company, in Younis's office. He is sitting, working on some papers. There's a knock on the door, and Ali enters.
Ali sits on the chair exhaustedly.
Younis looks at him: What's wrong?
Ali: Your grandfather worked me to the bone today at the factory.
Younis: Was the shipment delivered?
Ali: Yes, and it arrived too, boss.
Younis: We need to push hard these days because there's a lot of work, and I want you to follow up with the chief accountant. I don't want any mistakes.
Ali: Consider it done, don't worry.
Younis: I've finished my work. Let's go to the mansion.
Ali: I wish, because I'm dying to sleep.
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At night, Rouh returned home and entered. Her uncle, Rabab, and Riham were sitting in the reception area. She lifted her niqab: Good evening.
Mokhtar: What kept you so late, girl?
Rouh: The doctor was very busy, I swear, Uncle.
Rabab: And did you check on yourself, Miss?
Rouh: Thank God... Uncle.
Mokhtar: What?
Rouh nervously: I wanted... to get the medication the doctor prescribed for me.
Mokhtar: And where am I supposed to find the money? From your food expenses, the doctor, or the medication, girl? Did I father you and forget you?
Rabab: You don't have to get medication every time the lady doctor prescribes it. Eat well and you won't need medication.
Riham: But she eats the best food with us, Mom.
Rabab: Right. Go change your clothes and prepare dinner.
Rouh sadly: Yes.
Rouh went to her room, changed, prayed the Asr prayer she missed and the Maghrib prayer, then went out to prepare dinner. She refused to eat with them, went to her room, prayed Isha, read her daily Quran portion, and lay down on her bed, recalling the doctor's words.
••Flashback••
Doctor: Rouh, last time I told you that you need to rest and eat well. Your weight has dropped since the last time, and your body is very weak.
Shahd: And is this dangerous for her, Doctor?
Doctor: You must rest, and I prefer you sleep on your back a lot, eat well, and take this medication I'm prescribing regularly. If you do otherwise, there will be danger, and not just on you. The danger will be on you and the fetus.
Rouh and Shahd left the doctor's clinic.
Shahd: Give me the prescription and I'll get you the medication, Rouh.
Rouh: No, Shahd. I'll make my uncle get it for me.
Shahd: And what if he refuses, like last time?
Rouh: Don't worry about it. Let's go.
••End of Flashback••
Rouh placed her hand on her stomach and cried hard: God is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs against you for what you did to me...