💎 S H A H Z A D 💎

SIX

'Enemy' - Zack Knight

Unedited

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"Why can't we just buy a new house?! This is small for us, the neighbourhood is so shitty and you literally have the money!" raged Sheheryar, eyes ablaze.

This wasn't the first time he had erupted on him. Taking on his father's role meant dealing with the shit that came with it too. He always turned a blind eye and left him, or any other of siblings to Ammi to deal with. One scold in Pashto shut everyone up. Besides, he had a point.

"Sheheryar. I've told you, I just cannot. Not because I can't afford it, but for other reasons. You'll understand when-" the unspoken word of if drifted between them but no one dared say it aloud "- Aboo recovers. Other than that I've nothing to say," he replied, monotone.

Shehry's shoulder slumped, his anger dissipating. He looked like he had given up, like he had lost hope.
"We're approaching four years, Lala," he whispered, his voice cracking, before turning around and stomping to the door. (Respected term for older brother/ endearment for a friend).

"Charte ze? Khafa nashe-" Shahzad called out to his younger brother before he slammed the door. (Where are you going? Don't be upset-)

Shahzad sighed, resting his head in his hands, elbows on his desk. He desperately wanted to confide in his family. He hated keeping them in the dark. He couldn't tell them why though. He didn't want to burden them, and they didn't realise the extent of his influence. Just simply telling their classmates or a friend that they were moving house could cause a great disadvantage to them. He had one thing in his favour, and that was him not knowing where they resided. They lived with their paternal grandparents in Luton, so he had to be even more careful.

"He is right though. Four years is approaching and you haven't found a girl yet," commented a wry voice from his phone.

Ah, yes. He had forgotten Majid had called him just before Shehry had barged in.

"Shut it, Jamal. I'm thinking," Shahzad purposely used his middle name, knowing he hated it.

"You don't think, my man. You just decide right on the whim," came the response, his voice cutting a little. Shahzad had even refused to change their shitty WiFi.

"I can't just marry any girl. She has to be from a family that's-"

-"Well into the business world. I know. You won't find many girls then: most don't want to be tied down so early, then they also wouldn't want to be dragged into your family drama. Then those spoilt princesses want a fairytale like love story. And you gotta marry someone of the right character, which is hard to find amongst rich folks. And you said she has to be a practising Muslim which leaves only one girl that we know," Majid listed off these things.

"And who would that be? I can't just waltz up to her with the nikkah papers. I gotta put the whole situation before her. Besides I'm far from being as rich as these mandem. So she has to be a girl who wouldn't mind sacrificing the lavish life her father gives and adapt to a more middle-class lifestyle. Of course she can study or work but for the first couple years, we barely will classify as the middle class. Maybe in the future, when Aboo-" his voice cracked, so he stopped his complaint short, rubbing his face tiredly.

He had long given up on love and shit. An arranged marriage was destined for him. He didn't exactly mind though. He didn't have time for love. The whole love shabang could come after they were wed. He just needed a girl of a mature and wise character who he could rely on and take advice from. Obviously he would reciprocate that and fulfil her rights, but his family weren't in a position to fulfil demands.