Love that kills.

In Mr. Ali Hefzy's house in Cairo, Mahmoud was sitting with his parents. Parents are the support, the pillar whose protection a person always needs. Each of us needs our mother's embrace and their father's wisdom no matter how old we are or how high our positions and ranks are. Fathers and mothers are like great, huge trees with firm roots and intertwined branches where you always find your place no matter how far you migrate and travel in search of yourself. You go a long way and when you return like a sad bird or one exhausted from seeking a livelihood and searching in this world, you find refuge, shelter, shade and comfort in the branches of these great trees. Mahmoud needed his parents, Mr. Ali and Mrs. Nagat, to tell them what was going on inside him. He had decided to marry Aaliyah and did not know how or when to tell his wife about this decision at this time when the final exams of the school year were approaching and the whole house needed calm and focus for the sake of the children's future.

Mahmoud sat with his parents drinking the cup of tea he liked to drink from his mother's hand, but he wasn't himself that day, he was sullen and frowning and it wasn't hard for his parents to realize that, so his mother looked at his father in surprise as if asking him what was wrong, so his father said calmly as usual:

- Drink your tea, Mahmoud, because it will cool down... What are you thinking about, son?!

- Nothing, Dad... I'll have some tea, okay.

- Why didn't Huda and the kids come with you this time?!

- Huda is busy with Toka these days because her exams are coming up.

- The important thing is that you are all well, my son.

- Thank God, we are all well thanks to your prayers for us.

- Thank God, my love, even though you look busy and want to tell us something!

- You're right, Najat. He wanted to say something but he is hesitant. What's wrong, Mahmoud?!

Mahmoud could not stop thinking of Aaliyah and his family, he thought he fell in love and couldn't hide it any more. He took a deep breath and said:

- Really, Dad, I'm hesitant and worried about what I'm thinking right now.

- Okay, just calm down and tell us, my son, may be we can help you.

- I want... I want to get married.

Nagat tried to hide her surprise or shock at her son Mahmoud's words, but she couldn't, while his father's face showed some understanding or anticipation, so he turned his face the other way as if he was thinking about what to say, while his mother asked with great concern:

- Why, my son, did Huda neglect you in anything?

- She never neglected me or the children in anything, Mom. I just feel that I have always been in a vicious circle, going around in circles so that I could provide everything for my home and see them happy in their lives, until I got tired, and when I woke up from my exhaustion, I felt that I did not have enough time for myself and my happiness.

- Your happiness was in your feeling that your wife and children were happy, loved you, and appreciated your sacrifices for them. Don't you remember when they used to run to you to hug you when you came home from work, and at that time you had that feeling the most beautiful thing in the world and you were satisfied and content with that? They made you happy when you were happy while they grew up and succeeded in front of your eyes.

Mahmoud didn't find what to say in response to his father, while his mother continued:

- And Huda!! The respectable, honored woman whom we have seen nothing but good, she sacrificed her life for you and your children, and she never complained about her responsibilities and duties, she endured your hardship with you at first with all love and contentment, so is this her reward that you marry another woman when God makes things easier for you?!

It seems that Mahmoud didn't expect that response from his parents. He said defending himself:

- Mom, it's not like that at all. I love them so much and I really appreciate all of that. I just want to live for myself the rest of my life without leaving or losing them.

Mr. Ali raised his voice interrupting his son:

- This is selfishness, my son. Can you tell me what you would do if Huda was in your place now and she was saying this?!

- What do you mean, Dad... I don't understand it!!

- If Huda came to you and told you that she wants a divorce because she sacrificed a lot for you and she wants to live the life that was wasted with you in any faraway place, no way. If she asked you for a divorce, when you tell her that you are going to marry another woman, what would you do?!

Mahmoud tried to prevent a tear in his eye not to come out saying:

- And why would Huda do this?!

- For no reason. She is tired and fed up, just as you are tired.

You want to change your life and ask for a fake happiness that you are the only one who sees from afar, just like we see a mirage from afar, water and hope for a new life.

- Mirage?!

Mahmoud looked tense and nervous, surprised by his father and mother's words. His mother tried to calm him down, saying:

- Of course it's just a mirage, my dear... You have all the reasons for your happiness, a good wife, good children, a peaceful life, and enough lawful sustenance for your home. If you do what you say, you'll lose everything.

- And just so you know, Mahmoud, most men think about doing what you are thinking of at a certain stage of their lives. You're not thinking different from them as you might think. They achieve most of what they've always wanted, and their ambition or love of life makes them think about going back in time, which can never come back, my son.

- But marriage is God's law, whether it's the first, second, or fourth marriage?! - Of course, my dear, but God is just and imposed justice between spouses. Will you be able to be just between them? And it's only fair that when you can compensate Huda for her loyalty and hard work for you and your children, after you've become a senior employee, you marry another woman? Is it fair that one person plants, waters, protects and grows, while another person reaps?!

- Your happiness is in your home, my son. Don't lose it. We love you and are happy for you. We only argue with you for your own good, for the happiness of your home and your life.

Mahmoud just realized that his battle would not be that easy at all.