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The Love Story from Egypt

On a busy street in Cairo, the passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the beautiful young woman with a small stick made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the bus conductor and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he’d told her was empty. Then she’s settled in, placed her bag on her lap and rested her stick against her leg. It had been a year since Layla became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. ‘How could this have happened to me?’ she would plead, her heart knotted with anger. But no matter how much she cried or ranted or prayed, she knew the painful truth, her sight was never going to return. A cloud of depression hung over Layla’s once optimistic spirit. All she had to cling to was her husband Hesham.

Hesham was a Military Officer and he loved Layla with all his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength she needed to become independent again. Finally, Layla felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Hesham volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city.

At first, this comforted Layla and fulfilled Hesham’s need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task. Soon, however Hesham realized that this arrangement wasn’t working – it was hectic, and costly. Layla is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But just the thought of mentioning it to her made him cringe. She was still so fragile, so angry. How would she react? 

Just as Hesham predicted, Layla was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. “I’m blind!” she responded bitterly. “How am I supposed to know where I’m going? I feel like you’re abandoning me.” Hesham’s heart broke but he knew what had to be done. He promised Layla that each day he would ride the bus with her until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened. For two solid weeks, Hesham, military uniform and all, accompanied Layla to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat.

Each morning they made the journey together, and Hesham would take a cab back to his office. Although this routine was even more costly and exhausting than the previous one, Hesham knew it was only a matter of time before Layla would be able to ride the bus onher own. Finally, Layla decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Hesham, her temporary bus riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday…. Each day on her own went perfectly, and Layla had never felt better.

On Friday morning, Layla took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying for her fare to exit the bus, the driver said,”Boy, I sure envy you.” Layla wasn’t sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year? “Why do you envy me?” The driver responded, “It must feel so good to be taken care of and protected like you are.” Layla had no idea what the driver was talking about, “What do you mean?” The driver said,”You know, every morning for the past week, a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady.” Tears of happiness poured down Layla’s cheeks. For although she couldn’t see him, she had always felt Hesham’s presence. She was blessed, so blessed, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn’t need to see to believe – the gift of love that can bring light where there had been darkness.

Dear Readers, please suggest a fitting Moral for the story. 


38 Responses to The Love Story from Egypt

  1. Kholod July 31, 2015 at 3:29 AM #

    the militants in Egypt are very kind , never killed any body in street !!!!!1
    never tortured m never gailed ,
    it’s fake story to launder the dirty militants
    it’s holiday in Egypt on Fridays , no body goes to offices or work

  2. ???? July 31, 2015 at 3:25 AM #

    first of all their are so many ppl who will do the same thing all over the world
    why a military man is soooooooooooo kind in Egypt ? may be to clean the dirts that fulfill the heartless militants their
    beside Friday is a holyday in Egypt no body goes to work in the Islamic world !!!!!!!!!!

  3. Nizamuddin Danwer July 28, 2015 at 7:40 PM #

    This world is not empty of kind & loving souls.In my neighbor a paraplegic woman in wheel chair was married to a very senior officer & had children.I once visited them with my spouse as they had returned after performing Um rah.I was told that even before marriage the lady was physically disabled in wheel chair but his neighbor was determined to get her married & looked after her well with same affection,devotion after marriage & rising as Brigadier.

  4. Nizamuddin Danwer July 28, 2015 at 7:40 PM #

    This world is not empty of kind & loving souls.In my neighbor a paraplegic woman in wheel chair was married to a very senior officer & had children.I once visited them with my spouse as they had returned after performing Um rah.I was told that even before marriage the lady was physically disabled in wheel chair but his neighbor was determined to get her married & looked after her well with same affection,devotion after marriage & rising as Brigadier.

  5. Abdul Matin Sheikh July 28, 2015 at 4:01 PM #

    Long Live True Lovers.

    Really Love is Blind.

    Thanks for Sharing.

  6. Farouk Kamal July 28, 2015 at 3:58 PM #

    Sincere love and loyal spouses can overcome
    all the difficulties and obstacles that face them.

  7. amina jamal July 28, 2015 at 3:03 PM #

    salaams
    very poignant lesson to be learnt

    true happiness is making others happy

    title Love and Patience reap great rewards

  8. Ramakrishnan R July 28, 2015 at 2:35 PM #

    Dear Admin,

    The story is touching and symbolizes the true love. But, I must state that I have already read this story more than a year ago and this is a repeat. May be new comers would enjoy it much
    Best Wishes

  9. Marsobosie July 28, 2015 at 1:11 PM #

    I wonder where does she go on Friday?It;s a weekend holiday in Egypt,like Sunday in Christian country;still,the story is splendid,&could be captioned”Loss of Sight Lead s to a Better Insight.”

  10. Ansari Mohammed Zubair July 28, 2015 at 1:07 PM #

    LOVE IS BLIND

    • ABDUL SALAM KHAN July 29, 2015 at 12:03 PM #

      ITS TUE LOVE IS BLIND BUT PROVIDED LIGHT FOR BLIND.

  11. eldaghmah,m July 28, 2015 at 12:25 PM #

    i qute the title from the words of holy QURAN , SURS ALHAJ ,” IT IS THE BLIDNESS OF HEARTS , NOT THE BLINDNESS OF SIGHTS “

  12. Stephen July 27, 2015 at 6:29 PM #

    The Military Officers Heart Must Have Been So Heavy, Filled with Compassion, Love, Anxiety, Thinking Of His/Wife’s Future, On Hearing The New Of His Wife’s Blindness, But He Gained Courage And Ruled His Heart With The Mind And Said All is Well And Never Looked Back. I Title This Story As “Military Officer’s Unconditional Love”

  13. Abubakar July 27, 2015 at 2:33 PM #

    Beautiful short love story. I caption it: “Is Love Really Blind?”

  14. akbar February 19, 2015 at 11:04 AM #

    If she is blind, than why she should do any job, her husband can provide for her needs. This does not make any sense.

    • Abdul Rasheed February 19, 2015 at 11:18 AM #

      Akbar, what you stated was nonsense. Whether blind, deaf or handicapped, let them and teach them to live like others with confidence.

      They don’t need anyone’s sympathy or empathy. They are just one among us. Just give them a hand to stand up when the fell down. nothing else.

      Here Hesham is model husband and fond of love is the magic worked between them.

      A big salute

  15. Nusrat Hameed September 5, 2014 at 10:56 AM #

    “Love is blind but it finds the way”

  16. Ramakrishnan Ranganathn March 25, 2014 at 12:45 PM #

    A very good love story. The physical love where people consider Lust as Love never stands scrutiny whereas the love from the heart stands eternally. The title could be “TRUE LOVE FROM THE HEART”

  17. sharif123 December 26, 2013 at 11:50 PM #

    There is no substitute of Love. Do you agree Sara?

  18. GAI NGUYEN December 10, 2013 at 4:43 AM #

    I shed tears when reading about the kiss he gives. Now I know the value of a wind kiss! I would title it ” The Wind Kiss”.

  19. Ahmed Khan July 2, 2013 at 4:49 PM #

    ??? ????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ? ? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ?? ??? ???? ????? ??? ???? ? ?? ???? ??? ???? ? ?? ???? ??? ???? ? ?? ???? ??? ???? ? ? ??? ???? ?? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ?? ?? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ? ???? ???? ??????? ????
    ??????? ???????

    “The most beloved of people according to Allah is he who brings most benefit to people, and the most beloved of deeds according to Allah the AlMighty, the Magnificent, is that you bring happiness to a fellow Muslim, or relieve him of distress, or pay off his debt or stave away hunger from him. It is more beloved to me that I walk with my brother Muslim in his time of need than I stay secluded in the mosque for a month.”
    (Tabarani – Hasan, Silsilah Saheeha, Al-AlBani)
    Vocabulary of the Hadith:
    ?????? – most beneficial of them
    ???? – happiness
    ???? – distress
    ???? – pay off
    ???? – repel/stave away
    ?? – holds back
    ??? -(he will) fill
    Lessons of the Hadith:

    Allah loves those who benefit others the most. Hence, the great reward for serving parents, fighting oppression, digging wells, removing obstacles from walkways, spreading knowledge, etc.

    Of the MOST BELOVED deeds to Allah are:

    “Bringing Happiness to a Muslim”: We can make others happy by giving them gifts, complimenting to uplift their spirits, smiling when saying salam, etc.

    “Relieve him of Distress”: We should rush to help whenever we hear of someone in trouble (e.g., car breakdown, illness, famine, etc.), but even if we don’t we can still relieve others by helping them in their chores (e.g., helping in their studies, find lost things, giving them a ride, etc.) or lending them things they need.

    “Pay off his Debt”: If we are able, we should never let this opportunity slide. Debt is a great source of distress & “whoever relieves a believer of distress, Allah will relieve of his distress on the Day of Judgement” (Muslim)
    “Stave away his Hunger”: We should donate to feed poor Muslims around the globe.

    “Allah is in the help of His slave, so long as he is helping his brother” (Muslim

  20. Niaz Adil June 29, 2013 at 10:20 PM #

    Suitable title would be “The Real Love”

  21. ADEGOKE WAHAB June 21, 2013 at 6:36 PM #

    I will tittle the story “WHAT LOVE IS”

  22. MR June 21, 2013 at 4:46 PM #

    It’s nice but not true cause in Egypt the first working day in the week is Sunday not Monday and Friday is not a working day.

  23. Prince Akuzamus MG June 21, 2013 at 4:37 PM #

    I suggest this title; “MY LOVE IS BLIND I STAND BY YOU:”

  24. hussein kanah June 20, 2013 at 12:34 PM #

    V. touching. Eye-filling tears story.Is there nowadays such a
    Hesham? I doubt it.

  25. shakil June 20, 2013 at 12:03 PM #

    tears welled up in my eyes at the end of the story

  26. Abubakar Sadiq June 20, 2013 at 10:32 AM #

    Love for Allah’s sake! Alhamdhulilah, mashaallah.

  27. Hussain R Haji June 19, 2013 at 6:27 PM #

    Hi Sara,

    very tuchy love story that i have read, rear to see such happinings – very intresting, our youg generation must take that as example in bulding up their life style and devote some of their time with some sacrificings.

    Hussain

  28. Ayman Zaafran June 19, 2013 at 4:17 PM #

    I really couldin’t Holding back my tears at the end of this story .
    May be because i love my wife of all my heart and if i were Hisham i would give her my eyes.
    Because i’m sure she would do the same for me.

  29. Ahmed S June 19, 2013 at 3:12 PM #

    If you really truly love someone, Show it, do not keep it to yourself. This will boost the other party’s moral and make you both feel good and confidence
    Watching her cross the street safely is not enough, Accedient could happen in a fraction of a second. The cost of driving her arround is part of live, part of love. Take your time and give her a ride or keep her at home with dignity. Be a man and show her that you care. Love is bigger than money. In a nutshell “Grow up Mr. Husband and be thankful to God that you still have your eyesite”

    • Yunus June 20, 2013 at 4:24 AM #

      This is a better option – Keep her at home and drive her around for leisure.

  30. Qadeer Ahmad Mir June 19, 2013 at 12:24 PM #

    Blind love…..eternal love.

  31. Anas June 19, 2013 at 12:24 PM #

    Its a very emotional love story. It gives the lesson that, when you love some one …. you should love like this….

  32. khaled June 19, 2013 at 12:12 PM #

    Beautiful people. This story comes like a cold breeze in avery hot summer day.
    Thnx

  33. Mark Anthony June 19, 2013 at 11:49 AM #

    Wisdom filled story.
    Thanks a lot sara

    • Ali - Admin June 19, 2013 at 11:50 AM #

      Am so glad you liked it Mark.
      Please share it with your friends as well.

  34. Sami Akhter June 19, 2013 at 11:48 AM #

    Long live Egyptians!
    Great people.