Accepting You

Chapter Twenty

Asiya had downed her tea because she could no longer stand the taste. Yusuf had spoilt it, and even though she had extra packets of sweetener in her bag, no amount of sugar would've fixed it.

Everything made sense: Yusuf's family's lack of communication, his hesitation, and how he avoided her questions about them.

Yusuf's family wasn't the problem, or, according to him, the entire problem. She was.

Yusuf hadn't said that. Not exactly. But what was Asiya supposed to think?

Yusuf's family was still coming over, but did that mean they actually wanted to meet her?

Technically, Asiya only had to impress Yusuf's mother. She was the person Yusuf was closest to.

If Asiya and Yusuf got married, they wouldn't live with his external family or probably see them often.

But his mother sometimes acts as their mouthpiece.

Yusuf's words.

Did that make Yusuf's mother better than the rest of his family, or worse?

What did that even mean? That she could think for herself but chose not to?

Why?

If only Yusuf had given Asiya more time.

The few extra seconds Asiya had bought herself by guzzling down her drink hadn't been enough for her to decide whether she wanted to call everything off. The three-hour train journey hadn't been long enough, nor had the night.

Asiya had tossed Yusuf's words in her mind all night, and despite her turning and the wrinkles in her bedsheets, her mind had not produced a single thought she was confident in.

Yusuf's family didn't have to like her, but Asiya wanted them to. She wanted them to think she was good enough—for Yusuf, for them. Asiya wanted to feel like she was enough.

Yusuf's reassurances were like someone putting a plaster over a broken leg. They had done nothing for Asiya.

Asiya pinned her scarf under her chin, gave her reflection a once-over and left her room.

"You okay? Asiya's mum asked as Asiya walked down the stairs.

It was almost 2:00 pm. Yusuf and his family would arrive soon. Asiya's entire family, including baby Fawaz, had gathered at the bottom of the staircase to welcome them.

Asiya hadn't told anyone what Yusuf had said. If she had, her mother would've wrapped the meeting up before it started.

"I'm nervous," Asiya admitted.

Her mum took her hand. "Oh, sweetheart. Pele. They'll love you."

I wouldn't bet on it.

The doorbell rang, and everyone straightened. Asiya's mother dropped Asiya's hand and shooed her family backwards so there was enough space to open the door.

"Yusuf! Asalamu alaykum! Welcome! We're so glad you're back," Asiya's mum greeted, slipping into the role of the perfect host.

Yusuf replied and stepped into the house with two women. One was taller than the other, but they were both shorter than Yusuf.

"This is my mum and my khala, auntie, My mum's older sister." Yusuf's hands moved in front of the women as he introduced them.

Salam's were exchanged, names were told, and shoes were removed.

Kulthum gave Yusuf's family an animated tour of the house with Asiya and her parents before they sat in the living room.

Yusuf's aunt didn't walk with the group while they toured her home. She didn't stick with Yusuf or his mum.