🌙 Story The Light of the Lantern

🌙 The Light of the Lantern

A tale of love, patience, and prayer

It was a dark winter night. The sky was covered with thick, restless clouds, hiding the moon and the stars. Snowflakes kept falling, carried by the cold wind that pierced through the silence of the village. On the edge of the village stood a small, humble house. Outside its door, an old lantern glowed faintly, its light trembling but never going out.

Beside that lantern sat a young girl, her hands wrapped around her knees, her face pale yet beautiful in its sorrow. Her eyes, however, carried something stronger than sadness — a glow of unwavering hope.

Her name was Surayya, and her life revolved around two things: prayer and waiting.

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The First Meeting

Surayya first saw Haider at the village spring. She had gone there to fetch water, and he was helping an elderly man carry heavy jars. His tall frame, honest eyes, and gentle manners instantly set him apart.

At first, they exchanged only glances and polite greetings. But slowly, like winter turning into spring, their hearts grew closer.

On snowy evenings, they would walk together, leaving footprints behind. Haider often teased her with words that she would never forget:

“Even if these footprints fade, the marks of love never disappear.”

And Surayya, with a shy smile, would reply:

“Time itself cannot erase the traces of true love.”

Their bond deepened in silence and small promises — promises not of grandeur, but of togetherness.

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The Day of Parting

But happiness in life rarely lasts unbroken. One evening, the news spread like fire — enemies had attacked the borders, and the young men of the village were called to war. Among them was Haider.

That night, Surayya’s heart trembled as she packed a small bag for him. Standing at the doorstep, she held his hand tightly, unwilling to let go. Haider, with a firm yet tender voice, whispered:

“Wait for me. If I survive, I will return. And if not, remember that I loved you till my last breath.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she pressed his hand to her lips:

“I will pray for you every night. Love and prayer will bring you back.”

And so, with a heavy heart, she watched him disappear into the snowy path.

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Prayers and Waiting

From that night onward, Surayya lit the old lantern at her door. Every evening, as the wind howled and snow fell, she sat beside it, raising her hands to the sky:

“O Allah, bring my Haider back safely. Do not let my love end in silence.”

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. Villagers mocked her, whispering:

“A lantern cannot bring anyone back!”

But for Surayya, the lantern was not just a source of light — it was a flame of hope, a witness of her love, and a companion in her solitude.

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A Test of Patience

The long wait was not easy. No letters came, no news reached the village. Sometimes, when the silence grew unbearable, her heart trembled with fear: What if he never returns? What if his voice is forever lost on the battlefield?

One night, overwhelmed by despair, she cried bitterly in prayer:

“O Allah, show me a sign that he is alive. My heart cannot endure this silence any longer.”

At that very moment, a gust of strong wind blew across the yard. The lantern shook violently, and she feared it would go out. But instead, its flame grew brighter, stronger, and steadier than before.

Surayya wiped her tears and smiled:

“This is Your answer, my Lord. You are telling me he still lives.”

That night, for the first time in months, she slept peacefully.

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The Return of Hope

As the seasons changed, rumors began to spread. Some soldiers were returning. Some families rejoiced while others mourned. The entire village gathered in the square to welcome the survivors.

Surayya’s heart pounded wildly as she pushed through the crowd, her eyes searching desperately. One face, only one, mattered to her.

And then she saw him.

Haider.

Wounded, his steps unsteady, but alive.

For a moment, the world blurred. She dropped the lantern she was holding and ran to him, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.

“I told you — prayers are never wasted!” she cried, clutching his hand.

Haider, weak but smiling, whispered:

“And I told you — our love will never die.”

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The Ending

From that day onward, the lantern was no longer placed outside in the cold nights of waiting. It was now kept inside their home, glowing warmly, a symbol of love, patience, and prayer.

The villagers who once mocked her now said with respect:

“This lantern is a sign of the victory of love and faith.”

Surayya’s story spread far and wide — the girl who waited, who prayed, who believed when no one else did. She proved that true love is not only about joy and closeness but also about patience, endurance, and trust in God.

The light of that lantern never faded, just as the bond between Surayya and Haider never broke.

For in the end, love finds its way back to those who wait with faith, and prayer turns the impossible into possible.