Closer To You

𝟕. 𝐀 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚

"Rishta (Marriage proposal)." The words taste foreign on my tongue: "for you."

Despite the irk on her face from our 'humorous' exchange, she nods her head happily.

I purse my lips. My brain is starting to hurt. Today has been a very emotionally stimulating day.
One, it is a Monday, so naturally, I am tired. Two, the events at Afifa's house have left me feeling winded and in dire need of some alone time to process everything. Third, but certainly not least, there is still the mystery about the cat! Like, who cat-napped Layla? Where is Layla? Is she okay? What were the motives behind the cat-napping? Was it even a cat-napping? There are so many questions and scenarios to consider!

So yeah, like I said. A very. Emotional. Stressful. Day.

And this talk of a rishta (marriage proposal) will certainly not help my already fried brain.

I touch my head tentatively, already feeling the beginning of a painful headache. "So let me get this straight. Dad has outright told you that a rishta (marriage proposal) has come for you and that their family will be coming here today?"

Her smile falters. "Well, no-"

"And he specifically told you to make some food for those guys, who, again, have come to see you?"

Annoyance flares in her eyes. "Well, don't be jealous, Zahra."

"I'm definitely not jealous, Hania," I speak slowly. "I'm just trying to understand what he's said that makes you think that a rishta (marriage proposal) has come." Hania has the tendency to read too much into things. I am certain this is one of those cases where she expects something to happen and then depresses herself when it doesn't go according to plan. And as her sister, it is my job to let her down gently.

She laughs unamusedly. Have I done something to offend her? "You know what, Zahra, I think you are jealous." I am beginning to shake my head when she continues, "Not only of this rishta (marriage proposal) but the attention dad has been giving me." She smiles smugly. "You don't think I realise Dad has been not talking with you since we've come back? How does that make you feel?"

Empty inside.

She chortles, "Bad, right? Well, newsflash, Zahra, spending a year with Dad and Inaya didn't suddenly make you his favourite. Sure, he may be humouring you while it's just you two in the house, but when Saba and I return on weekends, he doesn't even remember you."

That is true.

"I'm the oldest. He'll always love me most."

That is also true.

"Ok." I nod my head. "If I offended you, I'm sorry. But even if you are right, it doesn't take away the fact that when Dad told you guests were coming over, it may not have been for you. I want to know what he's said that gave you that impression." I don't want her to feel let down. She's always wanted to get married, and I don't want her to break when she realises Dad hasn't been thinking about it.

She scoffs in response. Seems like I can't say anything right today. "Zahra, you annoy me so much. How about you stop acting like a know-it-all, huh? You're 17 and younger than me, so act your age! Show some respect." She steps forward into my personal space, close enough to smack me if she so wants to. I think she wants to. "You act like you know everything, that you know everything about Dad. I've known him longer than you have, and I understand him a whole lot more than you do!"