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Chapter 35 - Meet the Parents

Alan arrived at Fiza's home the night before their departure to Thekkady. Due to the late hour, Fiza's family had only a brief interaction with him, with her mother showing him to the guest room. Farzana, Fiza's sister, would join them directly at the resort as she was traveling from Chennai.

As they set off in the car early in the morning, embarking on the long drive from Cochin to Thekkady, Fiza's father struck up a conversation with Alan.

"Do you drive?" he inquired, considering the lengthy journey ahead. "Yes, uncle" he responded.

The drive typically took around four and a half hours, but they aimed to avoid traffic and shave off around 30 minutes from the total travel time. Fiza's father had arranged a two-bedroom cottage for the family and a separate single bedroom for Alan at the resort.

"Fiza talks a lot about you," Fiza's mother began, initiating a conversation that Fiza had anticipated but still felt like a trap within the confines of the car.

"She says you are best friends?" Fiza held her breath, awaiting Alan's response. He hesitated for a moment before admitting, "Yes, she's my best friend." He considered adding more but decided against it.

"You are very close," Fiza's mother observed. Her curiosity then shifted to Alan's future plans.

"What do you plan to do after medical college?" she inquired. Alan, with a glimmer of pride in his eyes, replied, "I'm hoping to become a surgeon. I'm interested in orthopedic surgery."

Fiza beamed at him, knowing that she had played a part in helping him reach this conclusion. They had engaged in numerous discussions about their career aspirations during their late-night conversations.

"That's nice," Fiza's mother commented, seemingly satisfied. However, she couldn't help but mention the long road ahead. "It will take some time to get settled, though," she continued. "Two more years of MBBS, another three years of MS... that is if you get in on your first attempt."

Alan contemplated the length of the journey before him, acknowledging the years of hard work required to achieve his goals. "That's five years," Fiza's mother reiterated. "Fiza would be married by then." Her words pierced through both Alan and Fiza as they grappled with the implications.

Fiza's sudden question broke the silence, "Why? Why would I be married by then?" Her mother chose not to respond, leaving an uncomfortable void in the air. "I would just be turning 26 in five years," Fiza asserted, reminding them of the agreement that she would only be compelled to marry Fahad at the age of 26.

"Maybe we shouldn't wait that long," Fiza's father interjected, voicing his own desire to see his daughter married.

Fiza firmly stated, "I'd like to be settled in my career before I get married." Alan started shaking his leg nervously and Fiza instinctively placed her hand on his thigh to calm him. Her mother exchanged looks with her father upon seeing the familiarity with which Fiza was touching him.

An awkward silence settled in the car for a moment. "You met Fahad, right?" Fiza's mother asked, her gaze fixed on Alan through the rearview mirror.

Alan nodded, feeling the tension intensify. Fiza withdrew her hand from his thigh. "What did you think?" Fiza's mother inquired further.

Alan paused, carefully choosing his words, "I think Fiza deserves better."

Fiza's father chuckled, interjecting, "And you are better?" Fiza's instinct was to intervene, but Alan continued speaking, "I only meant that she deserves to be with someone who appreciates her and recognizes how amazing she is." He smiled at her with admiration, and she reciprocated the smile.