A Sea Of Brown

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 9

'Sum!' I shouted for her the moment I walked in, 'Sumayya!'
'What?!' She answered, her eyes were on the tv and she was watching Doctor Who.

When 'The Doctor' was on getting Sum's attention was a battle. It was like she gets into the TARDIS with him and zooms off to planet God Knows Where and fights the daleks with him. I was a fan before David Tenant was replaced, me and the new Doctor don't gel.

I smacked her head lightly to send her the message that she did something wrong and I needed her attention.

'Ya Salaam! Safiyya what is it?' she grumbled 'it's Doctor Who time'
'You cotton candy brained traitor' I started, 'what did you tell Ali? I know it was you so don't even think of denying it'

I lowered my voice a bit because though she was alone I didn't want maama to hear about this or anyone else in fact.

'Oh' Sum said, 'that'
'Yes, that. When did you even speak to him?'
'Ehh... He begged me not to say anything'
'Since when did you do as you were told? Tell me what happened'

'Ok... so Ali was here yesterday to supposedly (making a quote sign with her fingers) drop a message for his mother, I didn't even buy the excuse, but Maama was not home so before he left I got him talking'

'I'm listening' I said a bit impatient

'You know me, my mouth runs away with me sometimes' did she really say sometimes? Sum could chat up an 80year old if she met them for the first time on the bus.
'You won't believe it, the moment I mention you man starts blushing, it was all he could do to stop himself from smiling. Anyway, I told him if he wanted to be my brother in law for real he had to stop being all mysterious'

My jaw dropped. Did Sum honestly say that to Ali?!

'Poor guy couldn't say anything so I said if he wanted to talk to you he could find you there, I didn't even think he would really, but his face lit up after I mentioned it and before he left he asked me not to say a word'

'Sum something like this happens and you thought that was the right moment to do as you were told, seriously?' She shrugged.

I have said that Sum is weird before but really even I haven't comprehended the full extent of her weirdness.

'So I take it that he did show up' moving closer as she did when she wanted gossip.
'He did!'
'Oh my God! Ali showed up?!' Not hiding her excitement 'what did he say??'

I told her what happened and how odd Ali was, how he kept laughing and saying whatever came to his head.

'Lets just say I met a totally different Ali today' I said
'Yeah' she nodded, 'he's weird but refreshingly so... and he really likes you'

there was a "thank God for that" note in her voice. Her head snapped back to the TV remembering what she was watching but the credits were already running. 'I help you out and then you make me miss Doctor Who, Safiyya how fair is that really?'

I gently pick up my bag and made a show of slowly getting away.

Up in my room I try to finish a bit of work and add some finishing touches as I let my thoughts loose.

I knew I've reached a point where I had to lay things bare for myself, admit some things and open up to a lot more.

Ali.

What Aisha said about me talking about him a lot was true, I admit, it's just that I have been so used to inhibiting myself it comes naturally to me now. It's part of the reason why Aisha thinks I'm completely odd, boys were never my favorite topic of discussion, I listen to her go on about their neighbors son all day because if I didn't listen who would. Ali was the first person I ever spoke of and it was a kind of warning sign I ignored. Why would I even entertain the thought when I knew I had agreed to my parents?

I can't over state how unexpected this whole Ali thing was.

I have always had a thing for things that were mysterious, not that I had a thing for Ali but I was always curious to know more about him. I see him come in and go up to his room when we were at there place occasionally and I'll be like what's his deal? From the brief moments I've heard him converse with other people I gathered he wasn't arrogant or going through any sort of phase it was just his way. He was just this quiet person.

Now thinking of it (opening up and admitting) if I didn't have all my inhibition buttons set right I probably would have been crushing on him (cringing a bit from my use of the word 'crushing')

Today I saw Ali in a whole new light. I can't make a summary of his personality from a less than 30minutes conversation but I liked the person I met today (admitting more).

I realized I was done and for a while I was just staring at the papers in front of me.

I need to clear my head of Ali a bit I thought, that re-run of Downton Abbey I promised myself was perfectly in order. (I'm crazy about Downton Abbey, so much so that after watching it on tv I had to buy a DVD of the first 3 seasons while I wait for the 4th. I just love drama)

I get off my table and bring out the DVD and I contemplate getting something to munch when Maama knocks on my door 'Safiyya' and she lets herself in.

'Won't you come down to eat?' Maama said and she sat on the edge of my bed.

Oh God, I know that move, I've watched this scene play over and over in my room and I know Maama wants to 'talk'. If she only wanted to remind me to eat she'll send Ahmad or talk to me from the door and then leave, but now...

'Safiyya dear...' Here it comes I thought, 'you know we have left matters hanging'

I take in a deep breath and nod.

'Your father and I wanted to give you space for a while we didn't want you to feel any pressure so that you could think clearly. Now I want to here from you but before I here what you have to say I want you to here me out a bit', she looks at me with steady eyes.

I don't know how Maama does it but she has this way of calming you without doing much or making an effort. So I nod again.

'Ali is a really good boy (she called him a boy I wanted to chuckle) and I know it. I don't have to state the obvious but his parents are also good people. Your father wouldn't have even bothered to bring this thus foward if he hadn't seen any good in it. We have all been a bit tense waiting for your decision even if it doesn't look like it'

'Now be honest with me Safiyya I have a feeling you've made up your mind already and even if you haven't let me know where we are headed'

This is it Safiyya. This decision right now changes your life forever or rather determines how your life turns out. You've prayed really hard about it and deep down you know what your answer is, all you have to do is voice it out.

'What if I need more time?' Speaking to the voice in my head. Stop dragging this and trying to bid more time sooner or later you will have to...

After being quiet for a while I looked up and then slowly smiled at Maama, not open teeth and wide eyed, No! I just simply smiled and she smiled back.

'I take it to be a yes then', her smile widening.

'Maama make this easy for me, come on, do you need the words from me? Isn't the smile enough?' I was saying in my head. My life is full of awkward moments like these.

Maama hugged me 'thank you Safiyya' and then she released me. She cupped my cheek with her hand and looked really happy. 'I'll let your father know straight away' and she left.

Though I felt a bit of tension lessen this new feeling I can not describe came over me.

I know quite a number of phone calls are being made right now. My aunts and uncles are going to be next, possibly before Abbu gets to talk to uncle Kabeer...

...and my door bursts open interrupting my thoughts.

'You said yes!' Sum exclaimed
'Wow news travels fast' I said with a sarcastic tone
'I just saw Maama really close to dancing her way to Abbu. So it's official'
'Yes... It is' saying it more to myself and letting it sink in.
'Ms. Safiyya abdulfatah is going to be a Mrs' Sum wriggled her eye brows
'Shut up' I throw my pillow at her
'Mr Ali Masroor is getting himself a Mrs', she continued and at this point I get up and chase her out of my room