My Heart Beats For You

Sample · Prologue

The imam’s calm voice filled the mosque, echoing softly against the marble walls.“Nahla, do you accept Khalid Haidar Ali as your husband?”Nahla didn’t blink. She folded her arms, her chest rising and falling with frustration.“No.”A stunned silence fell.“I can’t.” She swallowed hard. “I’m not living in Nigeria. I can’t survive in this culture.”Gasps rippled through the small gathering.Khalid’s head jerked toward her, eyes wide, hurt settling in his expression like a bruise.Even Haidar Ali — sitting in quiet dignity in his white babban riga — lifted his brows.Nahla turned to Khalid, voice trembling.“Khalid, I love you. Wallahi I do… I used to think I couldn’t breathe without you. But I can’t live here. I can’t adapt.”Khalid stepped forward, almost desperate.“Nahla… we talked about this, didn’t we? You won’t suffer. I’ll get you the best house, cars — everything. You’ll live comfortably.”She shook her head.“So what? A fancy house doesn't change anything. I’ll still have to live here, with your family, your traditions. Nigeria is fine — but your family?”Her eyes flicked sharply toward Haidar Ali.“I can’t fit in.”Khalid’s jaw locked.“What’s wrong with my family?”Nahla pointed directly at Haidar.“Look at him! Look at how everyone dresses, acts, talks… I can’t live like this.”A low murmur swept through the mosque.Khalid’s voice dropped, deep and dangerous.“Nahla… respect. Watch your mouth. That’s my grandfather.”She didn’t step back.“Well, I can’t marry into this.”The tension snapped like a rope.Khalid stared at her, chest rising faster now.“Then say it clearly,” he said, voice raw.“You don’t want this marriage. Because I won’t stand here while you disrespect my grandfather.”Nahla inhaled sharply.“Fine. I don’t.”A painful smirk tugged at Khalid’s lips — the kind that hides a wound.“…That’s it, then.”Her family rushed forward, chaos breaking loose.Nahla’s mother grabbed her arm.Her aunt hissed prayers under her breath.Her father kept repeating, “ Enough, Nahla!”Khalid didn’t wait to hear more.He turned sharply and walked out of the mosque, shoulders stiff with humiliation and heartbreak.Behind him, Nahla’s father raised his voice:“This wedding is CANCELLED!”The echo of that announcement lingered long after the crowd dispersed.---Minutes later…The mosque grew quiet again, replaced by the soft murmur of Qur’an recitation coming from a distant room.Haidar Ali remained seated — expression frozen between disappointment and shame.He watched silently as the next wedding party entered:Ayesha Muhammad Imam’s family and the groom’s relatives.A small, humble gathering.The imam began reciting the opening verses — but suddenly, Ahmed’s father stood up, face twisted in arrogance.“This marriage cannot continue.”The room froze.Ayesha’s father blinked, shocked.Ahmed’s father...

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