Threads of Fate (Chapter One)
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Chapter One
At the heart of life's journey, where disappointments intertwine with hopes, there is always a fine thread connecting fate to our choices. Dalia, a girl who knows no impossible, defies the harsh conditions she has faced since childhood, yet she never lost hope. From the death of her father at an early age, to facing daily challenges between studying and working, Dalia goes through difficult life situations, but is she about to face a new crossroads? Her story is not just a tale about defiance, but about the ability to withstand fate. Will Dalia be able to achieve her dreams despite the hardships she faces? Follow her journey, for in every chapter there is a development that may change the course of her life, and reveal the threads of fate that might be stronger than we imagine.
I am Dalia Medhat. Today, I wanted to share my story with you. I am a very ordinary girl. I had a small family consisting of a father, a mother, and a sister. Unfortunately, my father passed away when I was in primary school. I was quite young, and my sister was even younger, in kindergarten. I had to take responsibility, and of course, the pension wasn't enough for my tutoring and studies. When my sister entered middle school, I started working in clothing stores, supermarkets, and many other things. I suffered; it was a huge burden for me at that age to study and work, but I endured. After days and years of exhaustion, I reached the decisive year, high school (Thanaweya Amma)—the year that determines most people's fate. I studied, worked, and tried my absolute best. There was a period when I got tired and depressed, but I tried to resist and continue. I took the exams, days passed, and the day of the results came. That day was extremely difficult; I can't describe my feelings that day, a terrible sense of fear. I spent the day praying and supplicating a lot.
Suddenly, they announced that the results were out. In that moment, I felt as if my heart had stopped and the whole world around me had gone silent. But I said, 'Oh Lord, I trust in You, and I am confident that You will compensate me and write goodness for me.' I logged in and entered my seat number. It was loading; that moment was so hard. Suddenly, the result appeared. I saw it, staring at the screen, unable to comprehend. A state of astonishment and shock, I couldn't believe it. I opened several sites to make sure, and I confirmed it. I screamed with joy: 97%! Oh, how great is God's generosity! My mother rejoiced and ululated for me; it was the most beautiful day. Days passed, and of course, I wanted to study medicine. But unfortunately, when I found out that medicine requires a lot of expenses, books, and materials to use, and that it takes many years, and that our living situation and the pension barely covered us, unfortunately, I didn't enter the college of my dreams. I entered the Faculty of Education. I told myself that if I couldn't become a doctor, at least I would graduate the ones who become doctors. I entered the science department. Time passed, and then a new phase began in college, and my work aligned with my studies. The important thing is my mother came to me and said she had been saving money all these years, and thankfully, it was a good amount. We opened a business with it. A year passed, and I was in my second year of college. The business was running very well, our income improved, and thank God, God compensates and always writes goodness for us. Days and months passed, and I was in my third year of college. I was focused on my studies, and my grades were always excellent, thank God.
One day, someone came to propose to me. Of course, many had proposed before, but it never worked out; there would be differences in opinions or a lack of comfort. Anyway, this person's name was Youssef, and what I knew about him was that he was an ambitious young man working in software. He came, and of course, we had a get-to-know-you session—he, I, my mother, and his mother. His father didn't come that day; he wanted it to be just an introductory visit. I talked with his mother; she was a very arrogant woman, speaking with terrible haughtiness, and her gaze looked everywhere with condescension. I didn't feel comfortable with her. I talked with Youssef so I could make my decision. He told me, 'I knew you from the internet; we had a work chat.' Yes, Youssef is a businessman and has a software business too. I needed a few things, and several people recommended him to me at the time. He told me, 'I loved the way you spoke, which was full of respect. I searched for you, observed you for a while, and fell in love with you.' I went back to his mother, and I found her saying to me, 'I came for my son, but as for me, I don't like you, and you are not of our level'—even though my living situation is good and we are a middle-class family. I told her, 'Alright, Auntie, you have your answer now. Everything is destiny and fate.' She stood up, took her son, and they left. I told my mom I wasn't comfortable with that woman and she said this and that. I recounted what happened and his words, and I just ended the matter entirely.
Time passed, and he kept trying to contact me. I wouldn't answer at all, until one time I got fed up and answered him. I said, 'Mr. Youssef, I have given my answer, and your mother understands and knows it's not meant to be. May God write what is better for you. You are a good person; please do not contact me again.' I ended the matter there, and time passed. One day, while I was at home, I found a message sent from a number saying that some guests were coming to our house shortly. I tried to contact the number, but no one answered. So, I told my mom, got ready to see what was going on, and after a while, we indeed heard the doorbell ringing, and I found...