The Sky Between Us

Chapter Two - Tea

I had finally managed to pull myself together enough to slip on the kameez and pin my hijab properly, I decided to style it elegantly because if this was what was happening I would at least do it in style.

I gave myself a once over in my floor-length mirror attached to my wardrobe, I sure did look the part, the kameez fit me perfectly whilst still being modest, it flowed across my body with its delicate detailing matching well with my deep brown skin. All that was left were the bangles, I held them a moment in my hands fidgeting with each groove of the intricate flower patterns engraved in the gold, I had always admired them but it felt too soon to wear them. Though they had been laid out for me, so I was sure Ama expected me to wear them.

With one final look in the mirror, I slipped the bangles on and began my descent down the stairs, to say I was nervous would be an understatement, it was like every single emotion I was feeling decided to entangle itself in one big mess of a knot in the bit of my stomach and it just wouldn't let go. I don't think I've ever felt this queasy in my life.

I attempted to school my uneven breaths and hammering heart before I walked into the sitting room, I tried to plaster on my best and most convincing smile so that I was the picture of the perfect daughter when I walked out because I'd be damned if I embarrassed my parents, especially with guests over.

Once I entered the room I could feel all eyes on me, and I didn't know what to do underneath the scrutiny, I didn't know what to do at all. My eyes flickered to my parents in a desperate plea for help because I was so very out of my depth.

"Khadijah beta this is Amir Hafeez," Abba spoke in a cool tone and I whispered a soft salaam to him.

"Waalaikumusalaam," his voice was deep and smooth and stirred something deep within me, I couldn't look at him too long as I shyly cast my eyes downward. Even so out of my peripheral vision I could see that he never took his eyes off me, I was so out of my depth I had no idea what to do with myself.

"Beta, can you go make us some tea, I'm sure the Hafeez's are quite thirsty," I knew the trick, this was just a way to show that I had the skills to be a good wife, the only problem was my tea sucked, I could barely make a good cup I was too much of a coffee lover to ever be able to make a decent cup of tea, but I took it as a saving grace to get out of the living room and into the solace of the kitchen.

Once I was in the kitchen, I carefully shut the door, and leant against it for a moment, taking a deep breath I tried not to laugh at the absurdity of it all, it didn't feel real, I half expected myself to wake up in a cold sweat and realise this was all just some twisted nightmare.

I even pinched myself to check but it was no use this was as real as real could get. With another defeated sigh I made my way over to the kettle, filling it up enough for 5 cups one for everyone sans myself and I flicked the switch. I bent down against the counter resting my arms on top of it and watching the blue light flicker as water bubbled within.

It felt like it took an eternity for the water to boil and I wouldn't be complaining at all if there weren't guests waiting for me. I don't know why I cared so much but I didn't want to appear incompetent.

Finally, the water began to hiss and smoke, revealing that it was well and truly boiled. I reached into the glass display cabinet and pulled out five matching gold-rimmed tea cups that were strictly reserved to be used for the very specialist of guests.

I plopped tea bags into each and poured a generous amount of water into each making sure not to overfill. I had to rack my brain to remember how to make a decent cup of tea but then I added sugar into all five my hand slipped a little for one of the cups adding a little too much into one but I was too far along the process to start again so I just decided to go with it. I added milk to each and stirred vigorously before depositing them all onto the flower pattern tray.

I had to inelegantly half kick the door open to allow me to get through into the living room. With a soft smile gracing my features I passed each cup of tea out getting a flurry of thanks.

After handing out the tea I retreated to where Ama and Abba were sitting as far away as possible from Amir and trying my best to look anywhere but him.

Mr and Mrs Hafeez took sips of their tea and smiled warmly at me, I felt relief flood through me as Amir's mum spoke, "Mashallah beta you make a wonderful cup of tea," to which Amir's father nodded.

It was only when Amir put his cup to his lips that I realised that in a cruel twist of fate I had given him the cup I have messed up on and put too much sugar in. He took a gulp of his tea and had to control his features no to reveal how bad it was but I would see it in how he placed the cup down that it was far too sweet still I appreciated it when he agreed with his parents, "Yes very nice tea, Jazakallahkhair," with the thanks his gaze settled on me in a silent communication that he had just saved me from scrutiny a look that spoke the words you owe me.

My heart warmed at the look of pride on my parent's faces mixed with a little shock as they knew I was terrible at making tea if only they knew I had messed up Amir's tea.

"Now Khadijah, I know you must be wondering why the Hafeezs are here," Abba began his voice soft and well-spoken, " They have come with a marriage proposal for you and you know in my old years I may not have much longer left and it is one of my biggest duas that I see you married and cared for before I go,"

Tears pricked at my eyes and everyone else in the room faded I didn't care about anyone else but the hopeful look in my Baba's eyes, I went over to him and hugged him tightly, "Don't say that Baba by the will of Allah may you stay with us as long as possible," he smiled gratefully at my short dua before affirming:

"I still want to see you married and I and the Hafeezs think that you and Amir will be a good match for one another, that being said the final decision will always be up to you, I will never force you to do anything against your will,"

"I know Baba," I squeezed him tightly before reverting my gaze to Amir trying to gauge his reaction but his face remained as emotionless as stone nothing, nothing at all giving anything away.

"And Amir," his mother began placing an arm on her son and encouraging him to speak, "What do you think?"

He was silent for a moment that felt like eternity distilled in a second I couldn't help but pull my lip in between n my teeth as I waited for his response.

"Well, I believe Khadijah will make an adequate wife and if she agrees I see no reason why the marriage shouldn't go ahead."

Excuse me? Adequate? That's all. That is what I wanted to say aloud but I knew I couldn't so I merely bit my tongue and nodded.

"So Khadijah what do you think?" my eyes flickered to Abba and I thought of the words he spoke and when I said what I did I wasn't thinking about anything but him. I wanted him to be happy more than anything else in the world and I knew with Abba happy Amma would also naturally be happy. My parents had given me the world and Amir didn't seem like the worst person to have as a husband.

So I softly whispered the words, "Ok if you'll have me, I agree to this marriage."