THE BLACK KNIGHT

Chapter 2

Zainab P.O.V

The low rumble of thunder and pattering rain woke me the following morning. Was it all a dream? Perhaps I just dosed off in the morning and never woke up to that horrifying day. Even in a dream I couldn't believe how calculative my family's motives were. Marrying me off for a dowry that could pay off their entire loans? What selfish thinking! I had never shown interest in a marriage once, the one time my mother had mentioned it I refused to continue the conversation and left. I had never given it much thought except when my friends had sat in the school courtyards attempting to steal glances at the older boys who had grown into more men like figures over the summer. Each girl began to look carefully for her "future husband" and decided to proclaim them as a pair.

Of course it was a silly game, one that I had no interest in. Nevertheless I did have my eyes on one boy, or really I chose for the sake of choosing for about 5 minutes. No particular reason really, it was just the way he sat near the date trees and read books the entire lunch hour. He didn't hang around the other boys except when he went to play some badminton. I didn't know his name but like the rest of the girls I tried to picture my life with him. It was too difficult and it felt suffocating all of a sudden. I didn't want to become someones wife and take responsibility of building a home with him. I just wanted to look after my parents and stay at home. I knew someday I would have to, but right now I didn't even want to think about it.

When my friends had asked about who I chose and what I pictured with him I threw a mischievous smile at them, "there is no one up to my liking at this ridiculous school" and they all giggled away. One day I will be a normal girl and give it some proper thought. Or perhaps even imagine a certain someone and ponder about his character, no matter how disturbing that sounds. But it certainly wasn't supposed to start like this.

The pattering had gotten faster and louder, drowning out the thoughts in my head and refocusing them on my current state. My hand instinctively touched the side of my cheek and found tears streaming down. I wasn't much of a cryer. Emotions would be buried inside me for days but crying was not an option I allowed myself. The act was relieving and suitable for female characteristics but I never felt the need to start dragging my hand all over my eyes until they were too puffy and sensitive to touch. This time I just didn't care. No one was in the room and all I wanted to do was roll around the large bed, hysterically crying and curling up into the clouds of my soft feather filled pillows.

The door suddenly opened with a gentle turn of the knob and in peeked my brother. He came in and quietly closed the door, making sure it was locked as well. The room was darker now that the sun had set and heavier clouds drifted in carrying hours of rainfall. The thunder would vibrate and shake the cities' residents. They were loud and terrifying. You would almost think the lightning was next to your house, it was as if day and night were on a constant battle. As dry and heated this mysterious land of Basak could be, it was just as unpredictable with its sudden rainstorms. Thankfully it would be good for my larger plants that haven't gotten water for a while. Well, plants that I now no longer would be able to look after. Before my thoughts could trail off, Zain interrupted.

"Hey. Can I sit with you?"

I nodded and scooted over onto the other side of the bed. His huge figure plopped down with such weight that I almost ended up sliding down beside him. We both chuckled and I had to move further down to a more leveled surface.

He looked at me with serious eyes and spoke softly. "Zai, don't worry about what happened. I have spoken to them and they have agreed that-" he paused and looked down for a second before continuing.

"They would prefer if you meet him first. But listen, I think that you don't have to do anything they say. I will talk to them again if you tell me right now you don't even want to do that."