In the name of of Allah the most Merciful the most Compassionate
........
He entered his home, sparks of fury radiating from him—a fire that wouldn't be extinguished until he vented it on someone. For now, he suppressed it, biding his time.
The housekeeper approached to greet him, noticing his thunderous expression immediately. He handed her his mud-stained coat without a word. Just then, a maid emerged from the kitchen and asked, "Dinner is ready, sir. Would you like to eat before or after your bath?"
He raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with icy sarcasm. "Since when do I eat before bathing?"
The maid hurried to apologize, shrinking under the housekeeper's disapproving glare. The housekeeper stepped in with a polite smile, "Forgive her, sir. She is new and hasn't learned the routine yet."
He exhaled sharply, suppressing the urge to snap at her. "Next time, I expect no mistakes. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir," she replied. He turned and headed up the stairs to wash away the mud and the remnants of the rain.
She knocked and waited a full minute before entering. She knew he was bathing and likely wouldn't hear, yet she was the only one authorized to enter his room under such circumstances.
The room was shrouded in darkness—black walls, a black bed, black sofas. It was a sanctuary of shadows, accented only by touches of gold that gleamed in the dim light. She walked to the center of the room, carrying freshly pressed suits to hang in the dressing room while collecting the soiled clothes for laundering.
Inside the shower, he stood under the spray, wiping his face as his mind drifted. The only thing occupying his thoughts was the past—a past he wished he had never lived, filled with people he wished he had never known. They were the ones who had destroyed him.
From his past, he had learned three absolute truths:
Never believe the nonsense others spout; everyone is a liar and a hypocrite.
Never trust anyone, even yourself; for one day, even your own soul will fail you.
Never fall in love; if you do, say your final goodbyes before you are buried in the graveyard of history.
He felt that memories would eventually betray him, leaving white blanks in his mind. His only "beautiful" memories were brief flashes—like a white spot on a black canvas or a narcissus blooming in a filthy swamp. They all revolved around a childhood where he lost his family at the most pivotal moment of his life.
At the age of seven, he had gone on a trip to an amusement park with his parents. Both were doctors, often away for work, so this holiday was meant to be their precious time together.
# Flashback#
Spain – 24 Years Ago
A Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W140) sped along the highway. In the back, the seven-year-old boy clutched a small camera his mother had bought him. He took photos of his mother as she leaned back to hug him or kiss his cheeks, which were flushed red from laughter. There were videos of them singing nursery rhymes together, laughing whenever they missed a beat.
Later, as his parents chatted, he pulled out his sketchbook. His mother turned around, smiling tenderly. "What are you drawing, my little one?"
He looked up with a matching smile. "A picture of a happy family."
In the drawing, a small figure waved happily between two tall figures holding hands. In the corners were a red house, green grass, M-shaped birds, and a bright yellow sun.
"And who are these people?" she asked.
"That's me, and the other two are my grandpa and grandma," he replied, defying her expectations.
His father chimed in from the driver's seat, "What about your mother and me? Won't you draw us?"
He shook his head vigorously. "No. You're always away. You don't read me bedtime stories or play in the garden. I only love Grandma and Grandpa."
His mother pouted playfully. "But I adore you, Your Majesty! How can you not love a woman as beautiful as me?" She began to tickle his waist, his laughter filling the car as he begged her to stop.
"Will you draw us now, or shall I continue my war?" she teased. He agreed just to escape the tickling. As he started sketching, she whispered, "I promise, we'll work fewer hours for you. We'll go on so many holidays you won't be able to count them."
His eyes widened. "And will you bring me a baby brother to play with?"
She laughed. "If that's what you want, we will. But you'll have to wait to meet him."
"If I have to wait, why didn't you bring him before?" he asked with the logic of an older soul.
His father chuckled. "Perhaps because we are waiting for God to give him to us as a gift."
The boy frowned. "What does God have to do with me getting a brother?"
"Look, my little one," she said. "When a man and a woman come together in marriage, they earn God's pleasure because they have chosen a path away from sin. And because they have stayed away from wrongdoing, He rewards them and grants them little children, so that their small family may grow into a large one."
His eyes widened, and his mouth fell open in awe at what he had just heard. Then, he spoke words that completely defied their expectations
"Oh, I see. Then I hate God, because He hasn't given me my little brother yet."
His mother was shocked and responded quickly, "My child, you must not say that. God is the only One who deserves your absolute and purest love."
As a result of her words, another question escaped his lips "Does that mean even my parents don't deserve the love He deserves?"
"Look," she explained, "you love your father and me because we brought you into this world, raised you, fed you, and bought you new clothes and toys. You love us because we play with you and spend our time by your side. But we love God because He is the One who created us. He created the plants and the animals so we could make our food and clothes, or use them for travel, or let them help us with our work, or raise them to be our friends, or even use them as beauty to decorate our home. He also gave us our minds, so we can think and learn, and He gave us feelings so we can love our parents, our friends, and heroes, and hate evil. He created so many things just so we could live in happiness."
"What about my gift? When will I get it?" (Son)
"His gift to you might be delayed, but it will arrive at some point in your life. All you have to do is keep the love of God in your heart, in your thoughts, and on your path. He will guide you toward goodness, happiness, and the love of people, making your life joyful. He will also keep away anyone who does not love you or wishes you harm."
"Then where does God live? I want to see Him." (Son)
"My dear, God is in the heavens. We cannot see Him, but He sees us."
"Then how can I love Him if I cannot see Him?" (Son)
"You don't always have to see something to love it, do you? And so it is with God; you will love Him without seeing Him, because you can feel His presence within you and in everything that surrounds you."
"Does God love me?" he asked.
"Why wouldn't He, darling?"
"Because I said I didn't love Him." (Son)
"Don't worry, He won't hate you. Just apologize and tell Him you love Him."
The boy immediately looked up. "I'm sorry, God. I don't hate You. Please give me my gift quickly."
His parents shared a look of pride and love. His father reached out to hold his wife's hand with one hand while steering with the other. "Listen, son. No matter how hard life gets, believe that God is hiding happiness for you. Love Him, and He will guide you."
He nodded and returned to his drawing. He had just finished the girl and started on the boy when his mother screamed:
"Mars, look out!"
But it was too late. A wild deer had darted across the road. As his father swerved, the car veered off course and began to flip.
Tumble... tumble... tumble...
On the second roll, the rear door burst open. Having unbuckled his seatbelt earlier, the boy was thrown violently from the vehicle. He hit the ground, watching in horror as the car flipped a third time, smoke beginning to rise from the wreckage.
He tried to stand, but his mother's pained voice cried out, telling him to stay back in case the car exploded. He sat on the dirt, his small body aching, watching his parents take their final breaths.
"Get up! Please, come out!" he wailed. "Stop joking... I'll be angry! Get up!"
His screams were met with silence. "I don't want a brother! I don't want toys or the colors I asked for yesterday! I just want you! I'm scared!"
Broken, he looked at the sky, tears streaming down his face. "God, I'm sorry I said I hated You! I love You! Please bring them back... I won't ask for anything else. Please..."
No answer came. Desperate and weak, he forced himself to stand and walk, hoping to find help. He stumbled for a distance until his legs gave out, and he collapsed into unconsciousness
# End Flashback #