NORTON

Big ask

CHAPTER 7

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Zam continued to annoy Aayan with her effervescent personality and Pumla acted as her immediate protector. The quiet girl's observation and understanding of her family situation exceeded her age and she could sense and read her parents' moods. Pumla never left Zam alone with her father even when she needed to bath. When she returned from school; she fetched Zam from Penelope's house then bathed with her. They sat down for an afternoon snack together then she'd go outside to play with Zano for an hour or so. In the evenings, Pumla kept her sister close to her and always put her to sleep. Kim thought it adorable initially and thanked Pumla with all sorts of treats for assisting her with baby Zam. A few months later, Kim became dependent on her first daughter's assistance and it soon became a norm even to Zam. Zam somehow knew not to bother with Aayan. She played away from him and ignored him as much as he did her. Aayan was just happy with the order he found in his house when he returned.

One Monday afternoon, Kim received a phone call from one of the church leaders at the mosque. Mawlana Siddiqqui requested to see Kim on her own a day before the Friday prayer. Kim knew this wasn't a good thing because Aayan wouldn't take it well. She couldn't tell Siddiqui no, but feared her husband would find out. For two days she tried to imagine why she was being summoned and she couldn't find even a clue. On Wednesday evening, she finally decided she would rather get in trouble with the outsider than bring disharmony in her home. She sat down with Aayan after Pumla took her sister and herself to bed and requested for his attention. Aayan listened quietly then told her he had been waiting for the Mawlana to request to meet her. Bemused, she asked if she had done anything wrong. Aayan simply patted her hand and told her to not worry and just make the appointment.

Kim wished she could leave Zam at her usual day-time home but feared the Mawlana might ask where the children are then convey the conversation to her husband. Dolefully, she took money for a cab and travelled with her young one. She had saved most of the hundred dollars from the time Aayan had disappeared and every now and then, she would use some of it for her personal needs. The Mawlana welcomed her with a warm smile and directed her to a seat across from him. He took Zam and played briefly with her then turned to Kim. The conversation started easy with Siddiqui asking about her wellbeing and if she was happy. He inquired about the children and if Aayan was taking good care of them financially. Kim only had good things to say about Aayan's responsibilities. He paid rent on time, made sure they had food and was home when he needed to. Siddiqui's questions got a little personal and Kim wondered if this was a trap to get her husband into trouble. He surprised her when he penetrated into her bedroom life. Kim kept her head bowed when asked if Aayan made her happy in the bedroom. Kim thought of how Aayan had recently become attentive to her in their room. She hardly went through a week without taking the morning after pill - thanks to Pumla taking on the duty of caring for Zam. The man patiently waited for her to get over her shyness then finally, in her muzzled voice, Kim said, "everything is well in our home." The Mawlana then asked her if she would give her blessing for Aayan to take a second wife.

The next breath Kim took after that question drew in so much air, it made a sound that startled Zam. Without getting a response, the leader explained that there is a Muslim woman the Norton family felt would be a perfect fit for the family and that Aayan had already met her. "Why?" Kim asked, her voice shaking in its normal low tone. Siddiqui explained to her that she did nothing wrong and that it was normal in their religion for a man to marry up to four wives. Bravely, Kim asked if she had a say in the matter and Siddiqui explained she was welcome to communicate her concerns to her husband if she'd like but that Aayan would have their blessing if he proceeded with the second marriage. If Aayan could afford to keep both wives happy and well taken care of then he was within his rights to remarry. Kim didn't want to say anything else no matter how hard Siddiqui tried to push the conversation forward. Defeated, he asked if she'd like to leave and without bidding him goodbye, she took her child and left.