" Oh look Saba has arrived!" Exclaimed my aunt.
Why was she here? Saba is my cousin. And I do not like her. She is one year older than me, and SO much more perfect than me. Or at least that's what everyone in my family thinks. She's in her second year of Veterinary school, so basically a doctor. Everyone in my family LOVES her. She's smart, athletic, but in my opinion a very annoying person. I mean, she always has this " I'm better than you attitude" with me. She's so much friendlier with all of my other cousins, but with me she's just plain rude.
"Go and open the door for her Maleeha." Said my mom.
I dreaded opening the door. I really did not want to see her especially today.
"Assalamo Alaikum Saba" I said rather disappointingly.
"Hey!" She said. "Aunty Samar (my aunt) told me to come over today. Apparently there's a guy coming to see you so I thought I should be there too!"
Ugh. That's why she's here.
"How nice of you" I said.
" You know," She said stepping inside the home "I feel kinda bad for you. I mean my parent's didn't make me go through this. I told them I didn't believe in arranged marriages and they were mad and stuff but after I got engaged to Fahad, they came around." She said.
This is why I don't like her. What was she trying to say? That I didn't have the guts to tell my parents that an arranged marriage isn't fit for me? I wasn't really against them, I just didn't want to get married now.
"Well, I'm not against arranged marriages" I told her "And please don't feel bad for me, this is my choice I want to get married" I lied.
"Right ok, whatever you say." She said, giving me a smirk.
We walked into the kitchen, where everyone was.
"Saba!!" Exclaimed my aunt, mom and Naila.
"Come and sit, why are you standing?" Said my mom, offering her seat.
"Should I get you something to drink?" Asked my aunt.
See? They treat her like a princess! I just shook my head and told myself to ignore her. The mom's started their cooking and cleaning, with me and Naila and helping. Saba just sat there on the couch on her phone. She didn't even offer to help. Forget it, I told myself. Why was I bad mouthing her for no reason? Forgive me please Allah, I said.
7:00 came rather quickly, and the guy and his family were coming soon. I was starting to get nervous. My mom seemed serious about this one. What if she forced me to marry him? Think positively I told myself, maybe he wont be that bad. My mom called me into the kitchen after I had gotten all nicely dressed.
"When they come in," Said my mom "Don't come into the living room until Naila comes to get you."
"Uh ok," I said.
"When Naila comes to get you, bring in the tea and keep your head down! It shows that you are a modest girl."
What kind of weird ritual was this? Bring in tea? Why did Naila have to bring me in? I could come in myself. Anyway I kept listening.
"When you walk in with the tea make sure you say Salam to everyone there. Then serve everyone the tea, and sit beside me. Answer all of the lady's questions and don't give stupid answers. No one likes a girl who tries to be overly smart ok?" Said my mom.
"Ok" I said. I wanted to say alot, but I just kept it to myself.
About 5 minutes later, the doorbell rang. Shoot they were here! Saba walked into the kitchen to look at the security camera.
"Oh look they're here! I'm gonna sit with them." She said walking towards the living room.
"Put on your hijab" I said. They were gonna be men who weren't related to us, so she had to cover her head.
"It's ok," she said "I'm going to see my brother-in-law anyway." That wasn't a good reason, but I didn't say anything. To each their own.
About 10 minutes later, Naila walked in.
"I'm here you walk you in" She announced.
"Lol, I don't get why you have to bring me in. I can bring myself in." I replied.
"Yea, I know but who cares. Hurry and bring the tray of tea" She said.
I adjusted my hijab for the last time, and carried the tea tray. Naila walked beside me as we walked in. I was really nervous. When we entered, I set the tray on the coffee table.
"Assalamo Alaikum!" I said, trying to sound cheerful.
"WaAlaikum Salam" Said the lady in front of me. I guessed it was they guy's mom.
The guy was sitting at the side and I avoided looking at him.
I went and sat down beside my mom. There were 3 people there. The lady, A young girl who seemed about 14 or so, and the guy who was looking down at the floor.
"My name is Asma" Said the lady "I am Adil's mom. This is my daughter Laiba."
Adil looked up and shot me a fake smile and looked back down. Laiba gave me a small wave. She seemed nice.
"Nice to meet you" I said.
"I was just talking to your parent's about you. MashAllah you are so pretty!"
"Oh JazakAllah" I thanked.
"So tell me Maleeha, you are an elementary school teacher? Do you have a job?
"Yes, I recently graduated. I will be looking for a job soon InshaAllah." I replied. This wasn't going as bad as I thought.
Aunty Asma asked me more questions and I replied. It was a little awkward. Sophie kept jumping in the conversation which was annoying. But Adil, didn't speak once. My mom started to tell some story, so I quickly looked towards Adil. He had brown hair, that was swept over his forehead. He had a light beard which I like. He wasn't bad looking at all. But something about his attitude, was weird. Almost like he didn't want to be there. Well I thought, that's one thing we have in common.
My mom gave me the "you have to go now" glance, and I got up.
"It was very nice meeting all of you! Have a nice evening." I said to them.
"Oh you too! We will see each other soon!" Replied aunty Asma.
What..? Soon? Uh ok then.
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Have Faith In God
SpiritualMaleeha Ahmed always felt like she was pushed to the sidelines. She had few friends, and was far from extra ordinary in anyway. Her parents want her married soon, but Maleeha is not to sure if she wants to start a new life so soon. However, she has...