Imaan and Yahaya immediately rushed out of the kitchen, their faces a mix of shock and confusion. The living room was bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun, the curtains gently swaying in the evening breeze. Their fathers, along with their grandmother, sat on the plush sofa, deeply engaged in conversation.
"What did you just say?" Yahaya asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and respect. He rarely spoke back to his father, and neither did Imaan. Both had been raised to honor their parents' decisions, but this announcement was entirely unexpected.
"Oh, Imaan and Yahaya, come here, my lovelies," their grandmother called out, her smile warm and inviting as she motioned for them to join the group. Her silver hair was neatly tucked under a modest scarf, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of mischief and affection.
Imaan glanced at Yahaya, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. Yahaya, on the other hand, tried to maintain his composure, but his usually confident demeanor was faltering.
"Grandma, did you just say... marriage?" Imaan asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. She felt as if the ground had shifted beneath her feet.
"Yes, dear," her grandmother replied, patting the space next to her on the sofa. "We’ve been discussing this for a while now, and we believe it’s the right time for you two to get married."
"But... why?" Yahaya stammered, his mind racing. "We never even... I mean, we don’t even like each other!"
Their fathers exchanged amused glances. Imaan's father, Mr. Rashid, cleared his throat. "Marriage isn’t just about liking someone instantly, Yahaya. It’s about growing together, supporting each other, and building a future. We've seen the potential in both of you."
"But Dad," Imaan protested, her voice tinged with desperation. "Yahaya and I... we’re always at each other’s throats! How can you expect us to suddenly get married?"
Yahaya’s father, Mr. Aamir, leaned forward, his expression serious but kind. "Sometimes, the strongest relationships start with conflict. You both have a spark, and we believe that with time, that spark can turn into something beautiful."
"Plus," their grandmother interjected, her eyes twinkling with humor, "you two could use a bit of humbling. What better way than to learn from each other?"
"Humbling?" Yahaya echoed, his eyebrows shooting up. "Grandma, I’m already humble. It’s Imaan who needs to learn that lesson."
Imaan glared at him, her frustration bubbling over. "Oh, really? If anyone needs a lesson in humility, it’s you, Mr. Arrogant."
Their grandmother chuckled softly. "See? This is exactly what we mean. You both have so much to teach each other."
"But we’re not even ready," Imaan said, her voice softening as she looked at her father. "This is too sudden."
Mr. Rashid placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Imaan, you’re stronger than you think. And Yahaya, you’re more compassionate than you let on. We believe in both of you."
Yahaya sighed, running a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "This is... a lot to take in."
"It's not a matter of choice, Yahaya," his father, Mr. Aamir, said firmly. "We are your elders, and we know what is right and what is wrong." He looked at Yahaya with a stern expression, making it clear that he expected compliance. Yahaya, who had always respected his father's decisions, felt cornered.
"But as you know, I live abroad with my other grandmother, and my business is there. Surely, Imaan wouldn't like living abroad, right, Imaan?" Yahaya said, crouching slightly to catch Imaan's eye, hoping she would back him up.
Imaan, feeling the pressure of all eyes on her, looked down. "Um... I mean, it's hard to adjust," she mumbled, her voice barely audible. The thought of moving abroad was daunting, but she could see the determination in their parents' eyes.
Their mothers, who had been listening while working in the kitchen, exchanged knowing glances. They understood the children's reluctance but also knew the depth of their husbands' convictions.
"It will take time, but trust me, you'll settle," Imaan's father, Mr. Rashid, said gently, trying to reassure her. His voice was calm but firm, leaving little room for argument.
"But—" Imaan began, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
"I said it's done, my child. We have already fixed the date," Mr. Aamir interrupted, his tone leaving no room for further discussion. His words echoed in the room, final and resolute.
Yahaya felt a surge of frustration but knew better than to argue. "Dad, I understand your decision, but shouldn't we have some say in this? Marriage is a big step."
"You will have plenty of say once you are married," Mr. Aamir replied, his voice softening slightly. "But some decisions are best made by those who have lived longer and seen more."
Imaan glanced at Yahaya, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and uncertainty. "I don’t know if I’m ready for this," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Their grandmother, who had been watching silently, finally spoke. "Ready or not, life will always bring unexpected changes. What matters is how you face them together. You both have strong spirits, and I believe you can find happiness."
Yahaya took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind. "If this is what you all believe is best, we’ll try to make it work," he said, his voice steady but resigned.
Imaan's eyes widened. How can he just give in like that? she thought, her disbelief evident on her face. As their relatives began chattering and smiling, congratulating one another, her gaze stayed fixed on Yahaya, who was purposefully looking away. She hated him a lot; the very idea of accepting him as her husband, her life partner, seemed impossible.
"My sweet babies," their grandmother said, drawing them both into a warm hug. Her eyes sparkled with joy, and the room filled with the sound of laughter and conversation as more guests arrived.
Mr. Rashid interrupted the growing din, addressing Yahaya. "Yahaya, we’ve placed some wedding card samples in the other room. Go and look at them with Imaan. Decide which ones you like."
"That early?" Yahaya replied, still avoiding eye contact with Imaan.
"Obviously," his father said, a broad smile on his face. "You have to return abroad soon, so we’ve fixed the marriage date earlier than usual."
As a group of guests started entering, Imaan glanced at her mother, her eyes silently pleading. But her mother, busy welcoming the guests, could only offer a reassuring smile.
..............
