So this is basically a sequel to the Assisination story. We can gather that Fatiha has NOT succeeded in trying to kill herself, and instead has accepted her fate in marriage. However, she is unhappy with the marriage. Her usual happy and talkative personality changes into a meek and quiet personality, and many people can sense the change. Many people want to help Fatiha when they sense her distress, but they know they can't do anything about it because it is too late.
One example for this is Madam Suissi, Fatiha's former sewing teacher. We know from reading this that she has tried to persuade Fatiha's parents to cancel the marriage, but the father stubbornly refuses. Madam Suissi feels a sense of guiltiness and sadness because she cannot help her student
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However, this story takes a slight turn. The mother, who is depicted as an antagonist in the other short story (assasination of light), is depicted as kinder and a person who loves daughter.
" Houria was surprised at her daughter. Always so lively, talkative and gay. Now so silent! Why had she changed so much? She refused to believe that Fatiha was simply unhappy. As soon as the thought made its way into her conciousness, she energetically pushed it back.
More than once her mother believes that Fatiha is sad and quiet because she is unhappy about the marriage, but she quickly pushes it away because she doesn't believe that her daughter could be unhappy with the marriage. This shows that the mother actually thinks that her daughter is happy the with the marriage, meaning that she wants her daughter to be happy, meaning that she actually has feelings and isn't such a rock after all.
However, I think the mom is kind of messed-up. (referring to the assasination story) I mean, if your daughter refuses to marry this man, then goes to your room and you have to beat her until she is bloody then she tries to kill herself, do you think she WANTS to marry this man? Of course not... but somehow Fatiha's mom thinks that she does.
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Also, the story shows that the love between the mom and Fatiha is restored. It is the tender look from Houria that makes Fatiha happy and start dancing, even though she doesnt want to marry.
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Finally, the author decided to add a little bit of humor at the end, with the two parents deciding Yamina's fate as a husband, while Yamina has no idea what is going on. This just shows that these arranged marriages are just part of a cycle of life. Yamina will either react like Fatiha, but in the end, she will have to marry.
After I finished this story, I felt happy and sad for Fatiha at the same time, and worried for Yamina's fate.
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