A Love Sentence
A Love Sentence: Synopsis
A Love Sentence is a poignant and evocative short story set in the early 1960s in Lebanon, narrated by Zeina, a young girl caught in the throes of familial duty and personal desire.
Zeina, the eldest daughter in a large, hardworking family, carries the weight of household responsibilities and the expectations of her strict father. Life in her village blends laborious routines and the warmth of close-knit familial bonds. However, her heart is drawn to Wajdi, a kind and honourable young man from a neighbouring family.
Despite her affection for Wajdi, Zeina faces a formidable obstacle: her father’s disapproval. Her father, a stern farmer, is adamant about her marrying a cousin, rejecting Wajdi due to the ill reputation of Wajdi’s father. Zeina's fervent prayers to God reflect her desperation and deep longing to marry the man she loves, but her pleas seem to go unheard as her father’s decision remains resolute.
The situation escalates when Wajdi, in a bold move, attempts to prove his worth to Zeina's family but is met with unwavering hostility. Tragedy strikes when Wajdi is unjustly accused of a crime he didn’t commit, leading to his imprisonment. This event plunges Zeina into deep despair, her health deteriorating as she grapples with the weight of her unfulfilled love and the injustice of Wajdi's fate.
Zeina’s life becomes a shadow of its former self until a clandestine letter from Wajdi, smuggled by his sister Nabila, reignites her spirit. In the letter, Wajdi professes his undying love and urges Zeina to take care of herself, promising that once he is pardoned, they will be together if she has him.
Buoyed by this promise, Zeina finds new hope and strength. She begins to recover, her heart lifted by the knowledge of Wajdi’s love and the dream of a future together. Her renewed vigour brings back the colour to her cheeks and a sparkle to her eyes, much to her parent's relief, though they remain oblivious to the true source of her happiness.
As Zeina navigates the tumultuous landscape of love, duty, and hope, A Love Sentence captures the essence of her emotional journey, portraying the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love amidst societal constraints and personal hardships.
Title: A Love Sentence
Genre: Romance
Age Range: 13+
Author name: A.M Gharfield
My project is a good fit because it is a story inspired by real-life events and mixed with real-life turmoil of emotions, coloring life for a girl, 15 years of age, and shaping it for decades to come.
Target audience: Story lovers
My bio: An English Literature Masters student seeking literature as a way of life, whether in reading, writing, or indulging, literature knows its way around a human's soul.
Platform: this page
I am 24 years old, in love with writing poetry and reading fantacy, let me know if you'd like to check out my work.