At these words, the bride began to tremble, shaking like a flower withering before the wind. In agony she said, “I will not return to this house, not even in the last breath of my life. I have left it forever. I have abandoned it and everyone in it just as the prisoner abandons the land of his exile. Do not send me away from you, and do not say that I am unfaithful, for the hand of love that bound my spirit to yours is stronger than the hand of the priest that delivered my body to the will of my husband. See, I have put my arms around your neck, and no force will release them. My soul has drawn near your soul, and not even death will separate them.”

The youth tried to escape from her arms. In a voice of loathing and aversion, he said, “Leave me, woman. I have forgotten you. Yes, I have forgotten you and I detest you. My love now belongs to another. The people said no more than the truth. Have you heard what I said? I have forgotten you and no longer remember your existence. My hate for you is such that my soul recoils from your sight. Leave me, and let me go on my way. Go back to your husband and be a faithful wife to him!”

The tormented girl replied, “No! I do not believe what you say! You love me. I read words of love in your eyes, and I felt its touch when I touched your body. You love me. You love me as I love you. I will not leave this place except at your side. I will not go into this house so long as there is a remnant of free will within me. I came to follow you to the ends of the earth, so now you must seize me and spill my blood.”

Raising his voice, the young man said, “Leave me, woman, or I will shout and call into the garden all these people who have been invited to share the joys of your wedding. I will show them your shame and make you a bitter morsel in their mouths, an object of scorn on their tongues. At my bidding Najeeba, whom my heart loves, will mock you, laughing in her victory and scorning you in your defeat.”

As he said this, as he took her arms to push her from him, her features changed. Her eyes blazed. All her entreaty, hope, and pain turned to anger and cruelty. She became a lioness who has lost her cubs, a sea, its depths stirred by hurricanes. “Who will enjoy your love after me? Which heart other than mine will be drunk with the kisses of your lips?”