Too Little, Too Late

10

After Ibrahim and Fareeda left, they – Salama, Muhsin, Falilat, Ibtihaj, and Ayra – returned into the house. They cleaned up the living room in silence and then washed all the used cups, coasters, and teas kettles. Once everything was back in its usual position, they helped themselves with tea – and hot chocolate for some – and toasts and then made their way to the dining room.

"I know we should probably move on from what happened earlier," Ibtihaj said slowly. "But it's been bothering me. Ibrahim's mother was like a different person. It was very different from the woman who invited us for dinner when Ayra and Ibrahim's wedding date was fixed. I don't know if it's just me."

Salama shook her head, her hands wrapped around her warm mug. "It's not just you. She nearly felt like a stranger earlier and I've been thinking about it too...But then again, this is the first time we're actually sitting down to make decisions that involve both families. In the years Muhsin and I have known her and Salim, our discussions revolved around business and then the usual small talk. So we've been on cordial terms all these years and I used that to assure myself that Ayra was going to be fine. Now though..."

Falilat scoffed. "Abeg let's not even talk about it. My own happiness comes from the fact that Ibrahim can stand up to her for Ayra's sake. Because if he was a mummy's boy, na for that parlour I for cancel the wedding. Can you imagine the disrespect?!"

Ayra simply sipped her hot chocolate, choosing to stay quiet while her heart weighed heavily in her chest as the gravity of the morning's events dawned on her. She'd almost had her engagement to Ibrahim cancelled; her dream of being Mrs Fahad had been this close to going back to what it'd always been – a dream.

"We already said we'd have a meeting with Salim and Fareeda so let's all relax." Muhsin said, as calm as ever. "We'll draw the boundaries and state clearly the things we won't tolerate moving forward. I have no doubt Ibrahim would do the same on his end. Ayra has agreed to let the engagement stay and so we'll be pushing forward with the wedding. Let's focus on supporting her and Ibrahim, no matter the choice they make. At the end of the day they're the ones getting married so..."

Salama, whose expression was so much softer, faced her daughter and offered a small smile. "I'm really sorry, Leilani. They shouldn't have trampled on you like that."

Ayra smiled back. "It's fine, Ummi. To be frank, I'm a little glad it happened. Yes, it was painful to watch them act the way they did and to listen to the things they said, but I'm slowly seeing that sometimes life won't work the way it does in my head. I dreamt of every single person loving me and this morning's event has taught me that maybe I should have kept my mind open. That way it wouldn't hurt this much."

Falilat got annoyed all over again. She hissed, lowering her mug with a little more force than what was needed. "They're mad. Gbogbo won ti ya werey (All of them are mad)." She hissed again while the others tried unsuccessfully to hide their smiles. "Instead of them to be grateful that Ayra accepted their proposal, they're opening their dirty mouths waaa to say rubbish. Many women are dying to be in Ayra's shoes. They should die na! Is it because they have money? Do they know how many men would die to be chosen by Ayra and Ibty? They're mad!"

This time it was hard for all of them to keep their laughter in and the scene – when they all burst out laughing – was a beautiful sight to behold. They'd never know that in reply to what Falilat said, Ayra said in her head "I don't care about the men who'd want to die at my feet, as long as they're not Ibrahim then they don't matter".

The atmosphere stayed light until they finished eating and although Ibtihaj wanted to stay back with Ayra, she and Falilat had to go to the market to stock up on food supplies. Ayra assured her friend that she'll be fine and hugged her goodbye. She promised to keep Ibtihaj posted if anything came up. After assuring her parents that she was fine and just tired, she headed up to her room and locked the door.