Running Out Of Time

Chapter 8

Ameera's POV
When I was done reading it, I was scared, afraid. I couldn't find any word to describe how I felt. What were they going to do with my family. I decided to sleep and pray to Allah for guidance.
I couldn't sleep throughout the whole night. I was just tossing and turning. When it was 4am, I couldn't take it anymore so I got up from my bed and went to the kitchen to get water to drink.
When I was done drinking I went back to room to observe my Fajr prayer, after which I had my bath and brushed my teeth. When I was done I went downstairs to get breakfast ready before my parents woke up. I knew they would be surprised.
By the time I was done cooking, both my parents were already downstairs. My mom chuckled when she came inside the kitchen and she saw me dishing the foods. "What are you doing habibti?" she asked. "I am cooking mom, as you can see" I said as I carried the food to the dining table . She helped me with it and we set the table together.
When we were done, we all settled down to eat. "This is really delicious" my dad said as he ate. "Thanks dad" I said as I played with my food. I was still scared about what happened last night. I didn't want to tell them about it because they had enough to deal with already. "Dad I wanted to tell you something" I said playing with my fingers as I looked at him. I couldn't believe I was about to say this.
"What's it habibti?" he asked. "I have decided to get married to Mr Ahmad this week as soon as I can" I said in a rush. My parents looked at me shocked. "Really?" my dad asked. Still playing with my fingers I replied "Yeah, I mean it's the best right, so I'll do it as soon as possible". "That's it. We will do it the day after tomorrow " my dad said. What!!! Arrrgghh. Why so soon.
I could see the look on their faces, they looked really happy. "Okay dad. That's good" I said. "Wow habibti. I am so proud of you" my mom said as she pulled me into a hug . "We have to start preparing now" she said again.

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When we were done eating. My mom got up and went to dress up to go out. When she was done, we headed out. There were like seven different men outside as I opened the door. I guess they were the security guys my mom was talking about the other time. "Two of the security men will be following you" my dad shouted from his office.
When we got to the bridal shop, I looked through the shop thoroughly before I found a gown I really liked. Throughout the day, we walked in and out of like a thousand shops. When we got home, I was exhausted. My mom was the opposite. She was jumping all around, making arrangements and calling different people.
"Ameera, Hanan is on the phone, she says she wants to speak with you" my mom said as she passed me the phone. Hanan was my best friend and cousin. We were really close since we were kids, but later her family moved to egypt so we couldn't live together anymore.
"AMEERA!!! What's wrong with you, you didn't tell me you were getting married and I am going to strangle you and kick your butt when I come. Are you kidding me and it's next tommorow" she shouted through the phone. I had to move the phone a few inches from my face so I wouldn't get deaf before I get married.
"Calm down Hanan. I just found out I was getting married too alright, but I'll be expecting you" I replied. "How is he, is he tall and handsome and cute and--" I slightly laughed as I cut her off, "Calm down woman, you'll come and see him yourself and judge yourself, I am in no position to answer those questions" I said. "Okay, fine but I'll be with you tomorrow, be expecting me" she shouted still.
"Okay. Byee" I said as I gave the phone back to my mom. That girl was a handful. I was just like her but I had calmed down a bit already. Unless I found someone to ignite the spark. I chuckled as I went to change, pray and go to bed.

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The next morning I was awoken by shouts of my name as someone came to wake me up shaking my body. "Ameera, Ameera wake it up" the person said still shaking me. "Uhh" I said still half sleeping. "It's me Hanan, you sleepy head wake up, it's 8am already" I bolted straight up when she said that. I had not prayed. I pushed past her and made my way to the bathroom to perform wudhu.
When I was done praying, I turned back to Hanan and greeted her properly. "As Salaam alaykum Hanan" I said. "WA alaykum Salam sleepy head" she replied. "Why did you guys get here so early?" I asked. "I wanted to see you and shout at you idiot." she said. "It's okay now, you've seen me. Let's go downstairs, I am hungry" I said as I dragged her down. "I thought you'd have changed, you are still a glutton" I laughed before replying "I always told you Hanan, look at the defect in your body before you abuse other people. Come on. Let's go, I am starving.
When I got down, Most of my families were already here. I greeted them before I pulled Hanan with me to the kitchen. We talked throughout till the Mendhi girls came to design our hands and legs.

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The next day everywhere was in a mess trying to get ready. A woman came over to do my make-up and all.
When I was done dressing, I looked at my image in the full mirror in my room. I wasn't happy, but if I had to do this to keep my family safe I'll do it. A tear rolled down my cheeks as my mom entered. She saw me and came beside me, "I am so proud of you Ameera, you don't have to feel bad about this, it's going to be fine" she said cleaning my face. "You look so beautiful. Masha Allah" she said and she hugged me. We were lead inside the hall were everybody was already waiting.
The female side was different from the male side. When Zayn came I couldn't see him but I could hear him and the imam. When we were done, we were both asked to sign some papers after which we became legally married. I was pushed into a room by my mom and Hanan where I was asked to wait for my husband. My husband. That sounded a bit odd. I started thinking of what I had gotten myself into as Zayn entered. "As Salaam alaykum" i said as he entered. "Wa alaykum Salam" he replied. We didn't say anything after that. We just sat in silence before he said " our families would be waiting for us now, we should get going" he said "Okay" I said as I got up to follow him outside.
When the party had finished and it was time for us to go. My mom hugged me and she started crying "Be safe habibti" she said. After her, Hanan pulled me into a hug "He is so cute, our prince charming, remember?" she asked beginning to cry too. She didn't know he was far from being my prince charming. I never in my life thought I would get married like this. I always pictured the perfect man and the perfect marriage. "Stop crying Hanan, or you'll make me start crying" I said as I cleaned a tear from my face with my hands. She laughed slightly before she replied "okay". Then she passed me to my dad.
Even though we had not been on good terms lately, I still loved him. "I'll miss you dad" I said as I cried in his chest softly. "I'll miss you too habibti and I'll always be proud of you" he said and he kissed my forehead before he let go of me.
I entered the car with my new husband as I waved to my family who were waving at me.
I cleaned the tears that were already falling as I thought of my future.

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Teeharh xx