an arranged marriage between a 18 year old muslim girl named Zara and 24 year old muslim guy named Hamzah. Zara and Hamzah are two different type of people. Hamzah is from Turkey while Zara is Nigerian. she thinks arranged marriage is the worst kin...
I went to my room and locked the door behind me. I got ready for my graduation with a swollen and wet face and cried myself to sleep.
I woke up to someone knocking on my door "small madam please open the door madam said I should dress you up for your graduation". I heard comfort, our house help she has been with us for years now and my mum trusts her enough to send her to help me get ready for the day. I sluggard to the door and opened it.
She gasped in shock and immediately it turned to the look of pity, the look I most definitely hate in my life. I rolled my eyes and went back to bed. Comfort also rolled her eyes and immediately dragged me out of bed.
I forgot to add, comfort is my second friend of the two friends I have. She and Abdullah are always there for me, its what ive grown to learn.
Comfort sat down beside me and looked at me again with pity. I pushed her head away and hissed. "you know how much I hate the look of pity comfort " she nodded and stopped looking at me. She walked into my closet and brought out my lilac dress and straightened it on my bed.
I watched as she walked up to my dressing table and picked up my makeup kit and dropped it on my bed without looking at me. Its strange to me because comfort talks every time even when im pissed off.
I held onto her hand and I felt a tear drop on my finger. I looked up at her wiping away tears with her free hand. "ill prepare your bath zara" she removed her hand from my grasp and walked into my bathroom. I knew she didn't want to talk about my marriage because she didn't want to accept that I would leave her in this house.
I walked into the bathroom and she turned back to me with her biggest fake smile that im not used to. I cringed and she laughed earning a smile from me. "congratulations zara" is she joking right now? I gave her that eye "no not that. Its your graduation today and you should be happy. Put all that behind you till tomorrow its not that you....you are married tomorrow right?" I nodded and smiled "thank you comfort".
She nodded as she turned to leave and shut the door giving me privacy. She also graduated last year. Yes she attended my school too. She was invited too but she doesn't want to attend. When I finished cleaning up I went back in the room to see her set all the things I needed.
She helped me put on my dress an she is helping me with my makeup. I would lke to say I trust her with my face because she is good
"Zara your mom came in when you were in the bathroom" I hummed and she proceeded "her eyes were swollen and it looked like she didn't sleep well last night just like you this morning. I think you should talk to her she isn't the cause Zara its your dad."
"ok ill talk to her." I sighed. Comfort was silent but her body was saying a lot. I figured she wanted to say something. I wanted to ask but I dropped it. I looked away. I also want to tell her about what Abdul said. But I'm scared. She always thought I liked Abdul until I swore that I did not. If I tell her now she would freak out
"Zara I'm ready to convert to a Muslim." I was in shock and I was happy at the same time I screamed and looked at her she had a beautiful wide grin in her face. "I have been living with guys since your mom saved me from those guys. She took me in a house help but she never treated me like a house help. She gave me the same food as you guys and I graduated from the same school you are about to graduate from. "I have watched you guys for years and I love how you worship, its so peaceful and blessed. You accommodate and help. You convinced me what true serving and worshipping is. I want to also perform what you perform and do what you do, celebrate what you celebrate with your family. You guys have proved to me that Islam is the religion of peace. I really appreciated you, your mom, your dad even though he is so strict I walk on egg shells around him and ....Zayn"
she said that without even looking at me. I felt so happy for her I looked at her as she focused on my eyelashes. I stood up and hugged her "I'm so proud of you. And happy for you I can express how happy I am" I smiled widely. "me too. I wanted to tell Zayn this morning when I bumped into him but...I....I couldn't" she didn't look up. Wait a minute does she like who I think she likes.
"no way you like Zayn" I screamed. She quickly covered my mouth with her hand. "shh... no I don't what are you talking about. If I say you like Abdul now you know what you will do." I knew she said it for me to stop talking but ill let her win for now. after like 2 minutes of silence, she spoke up,
" I want to say the Shahadah now" she was so eager. I told her how to say it and she repeated after me. she smiled wide after saying it.
I was finally ready after 30 minutes. I looked at myself in the mirror and i was surprised. i looked so beautiful. I have never felt this beautiful before. I was in a beautiful lilac gown that looked so elegant and made me look matured, defined, like a woman. comfort gasped when she looked at me from head to toe and wiped an invisible tear. I chuckled and shook my head.
she brought out my silver sparkling shoe out of my shoe closet. one of those I've worn before. I was 5'3 and wearing the heels made me look 5'6. it made my dress more beautiful and added to mine too.
"common lets head down stairs Zara, Zayn is waiting for you" hearing his name made me sad and angry at the same time. yesterday he didn't even run after me. I rolled my eyes . comfort held my hand "remember what i told you. today is a happy day for you don't let what happened yesterday destroy today. okay?"
"ok " I sighed.
I walked down stairs and saw my mum, my dad and Zayn all dressed up, ready to go but didn't see hamza. Has he left? I hope. I think? my mom hugged me and told me how beautiful I was. I looked at my dad and he just smiled at me and I smiled in return.
Zayn gave me a hug and I hugged him back I was about to say something when I saw Hamza too. he was also dressed up liked my family members as if he was coming with to my graduation. He was busy adjusting his cufflinks. its weird seeing him in a native attire but it was cute. the wore a grey Buba and Sokoto. which matched with his grey eyes. when he looked up from him hand to look at me our eyes met and his gaze lowered immediately.
I also looked away from him to my family. as if Zayn noticed the awkwardness between us he talked "ok everyone is ready lets go" i walked to the car not sparing him a glance but i felt his eyes on me.
what was that?
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