~Richard Bach

Even though I agreed to marry Malik Qureshi, it doesn't mean I have to be happy about it? Right? I have the right to be mad. I mean it's not like you see people get married because of a contract everyday. I am still mad at my Dad, and tears were forming in my eyes just thinking about leaving Omar behind.

I don't want him to stay with my dad alone, but I know I can not bring him with me, at least not for now until I am sure that it is safe to do so. I don't know how my future husband will react from the contract, because I am pretty sure he didn't choose me. Because if he did, he wouldn't stay this whole time without seeing me. Right?

I kept on walking outside, still not ready to face my father. I knew where I was going. Just few houses down, I could see Fatimah's house. My one and only friend, my best friend. She is an only child and lives alone with her grandma, having lost both her mother and Father. Her grandma is an old lady that I truly love, she is like the grandma I never had. Since my young age, She took care of both Fatimah and I. For the past 5 years, she has been a parent to me more than my own father, which I would be forever grateful for.

The small door of wood marked her courtyard. On the left, you could see fresh planted vegetables and on the right, few chickens just walking around. I opened the courtyard door and kept walking forward. I knocked on the door and waited patiently for someone to open it for me. Few seconds later, I heard a weak "coming" from Madam Hanifah, Fatimah's grandmother. She opened the door like she knew it was me and gave me a long motherly hug. Oh God, how I needed that

"Assalamou Alaykoum Madam Hanifah" I said before finally letting her go

"Wa Alaykoum Salam yasmin, come in" She says moving to the side to let me in

"Fatima went to do some shopping, she will be back anytime now" she said closing the door behind me, before sitting down comfortably on the only couch that filled almost the whole living room. I sat next to her, still trying to smile.

"How is your father?" She asked filing the silence "And how are you? You better not think about lying, I can read your eyes" She said not once looking elsewhere. I guess I just have to tell her the truth now. I sighed before starting.

"Madam Hanifah, my Dad doesn't want to change his mind, He wants me to marry in less than a week now. I don't want to. I really don't, but at the same time, I don't want to be selfish. I want to help Omar more than anything but I just don't want it to be this way." I paused, before continuing

"You know I will always do anything for Omar. With the money my Dad will get, Omar will get the education he deserves. If I don't marry that guy, I know I won't be able to help him go to school with the amount of money I am getting from my little job. Who knows when another opportunity like this would come? That is why I won't let it pass. But I am still sad mama. I am sad that my mother won't be here that day, I am also sad that I would have to go out of the country leaving my dad alone with Omar. I am not ready to leave you or Fatimah either. But I know this is the right choice to do, Allah is on my side"

She was still looking at me, and by this time, my scarf was already on my shoulders, and my face wet with tears. She pulled me towards her and put my head on her lap. I was sobbing by now and I heard her take a deep breathe

"You know dear, things happen for a good reason. We plan and Allah plans, and out of all, he is the best planner. I am sure this would turn out great. Trust him, as I am sure, he will guide you. Maybe this is for the best, even if you don't agree right now, you might be happy you know, and it won't be so bad." she said still running her fingers through my long hair.

That is what I was trying to convince myself, and hearing this from her, I feel a lot better. Maybe, just maybe, this won't turn out so badly. I wasn't feeling so bad anymore and was comfortable with the silence that now surrounded the place.

"Assalamou Alaykoum mama. Oh Meen (Yasmin), you are already here, I was about to go pick you up for us to hang out. But I see you read my mind again." said a too joyful Fatimah. I turned around and looked at her with my face full of tears. Didn't even bother to hide it, because She knows me too well.

"Oh I see" she says. "I got the perfect remedy for that. Give me a minute." She went in the kitchen and came back few seconds later with a bag and two spoons.

"I brought us something" She said before sitting down comfortably on the couch. Madam Hanifah got up and said she has some work to do, that it is a surprise and no one should go in the room.

"Guess what I bought? Nah, you should see it for yourself." She took out two pots of ice cream.

"The mint chocolate chip for you, and the vanilla for me, like always"She said grinning before giving me a spoon. All tears left my face and now I was only thinking about the savory ice cream in front of me. Who wouldn't love to have ice cream in a hot day like today? My mouth was already watering in anticipation, so I opened it quickly, took a spoonful of it, and just focused on the delicious taste on my tongue

"Oh God, slow down, it's not like the pot is going to run away from you"she said chuckling

"You know how long I wanted this? But considering our refrigerator is really small, I only keep the necessary food to cook"I said smiling sadly

"I know, I am the best, you don't have to keep repeating it sweetie"

"Oh please. Since you are the best, I hope you brought the prettiest dress for my wedding"I said grinning. I guess now I finally came to term with it and it doesn't hurt that much. Maybe that crying earlier was for the best.

"But of course, I will be the prettiest witness ever." she said smiling

"Pretty? You better not steal the spotlight. Remember whose wedding it is" I said half joking and half serious

"Me? Never, just wait and see. You will be the prettiest bride ever. Your husband is a lucky one and wouldn't be able to take his eyes off of you" She said, now grinning like a crazy person

We kept on bantering throughout the whole afternoon. I realized that the sun was setting off soon. Even though I wanted to stay here, I knew I had to leave. I got up and went in the room to say bye to Madam Hanifah. I knocked once before opening the room door and going in. I saw her move really fast and stand in front of her sewing machine.

"Haaa"She screamed "What are you doing in here? Actually don't answer that. What do you want?"She asked me averting her eyes. Ok, this is really suspicious. I tried to look around to see what she was up to.

"What are you hiding from me mama?"I asked her, trying to figure it out

"Oh, God, just get out of the room" she said now turning red

"Mama, I will once you answer my question. You know I will figure it out anyways"I said now smiling after seeing her face change. I figured she knew I wouldn't let it go so easily.

"Fine" She said moving on the side to let me see what she was sewing. A long white dress, fit for a princess.

The dress was so beautiful even though it wasn't finished. I figured that this was a wedding dress. Whoever who would have the chance to wear this will be so lucky. I heard a wow behind me and turned around to find an impressed Fatimah. She came next to me to analyze the dress, just like I was doing right now.

"This is so beautiful mama. It's like a princess wedding dress. Don't tell me this is for meen here" said Fatimah, still impressed. Now it was my time to gasp from surprise.

"For me? Is it true mama"I asked, not knowing what else to say

"Since you ruined the surprise, I guess it's time to just tell you the truth now. Yes, this dress is for you yasmin, but I didn't want to tell you until it was ready. Yeah, so this is your wedding dress, I hope you will love it" she said now looking at me hopefully

"Are you kidding Mama? This dress is more than beautiful, it is breathtaking" I said while going to give her a long hug. I can't believe this is going to be my wedding dress. It is so gorgeous, that I couldn't take my eyes off of it

"Yeah, this is it, but as you can see, it is not ready yet, I have few more changes to make for it to be perfect. It will be ready before your wedding date"she said now smiling

"This is so perfect mama" I said, still smiling like a fool. I guess the wedding wouldn't be so bad then

"I wish you could stay here meen, but you have to go home before your dad starts wondering where you are" warned Fatimah, just thinking about facing him tonight made me cringe

"You are right Fatimah. Mama I have to go, but this dress is so gorgeous. I wish it was over already and I could wear it today" I said smiling before giving her a hug

"I will finish it later, and then you can try it on. See you later yasmin."

"Alright mama. Salam" I said before going outside of the room, giving the dress one last glance, before closing the room. Fatimah was grinning now. I fixed the hijab on my shoulders

"Guess who is going to be the most beautiful bride?"

"Me" I said grinning before high fiving her. I gave her a hug before running outside the door.

"See ya tomorrow" I told her before running off towards home. It was starting to get really late. It is probably around 8 pm right now, and I am scared to go home on my own, so I started running to get there faster, but one thing was sure. I was not looking forward to facing papa tonight.

☆☆☆

Constructive feedbacks are always welcome

~ChocolateLoverQueen

September 28, 2017