The Story of Us

I knew that this day would come, just not this soon. The day when it wouldn't matter if I dropped tea on his crotch; it wouldn't matter if I pretended like I was schizophrenic, when it didn't matter if blatantly disrespected them, it didn't matter if I said that I knew how to voodoo.

But I couldn't have ever in my life imagined the scene unfolding in front of me. I, Laila, Ahmed have run out of luck. I could feel the sets of eyes boring into me,awaiting my answer. My living room that had always been a place of relaxation had now transformed into a roomthick with tension.

I nervously twiddled my fingers and looked around. Everyone was looking at me with curiously. But one pair stood out, my father's. His dark brown eyes locked with mine, pleading me to say yes, to not embarrass him once again, after all these people were clearly not like the rest. They were much more important.

"What do you say Laila? Danyyal is perfect for you. He has his MBA from a prestigious school. Is on the board of one of the most successful accounting firms in England. He's only 21!" Mrs. Khan had managed to make this marriage proposal for her son and I sound like a business pitch. I eyed the woman carefully, no matter how many times I had met her I still got a nagging feel that something was right.

The truth is that I am well acquainted with the Khan family. My sister had gotten married to Hassan, who in turn is Danyyal's cousin. I really should've seen this coming. Everyone had made it a point to tease me about him. But I had brushed it off as just that, teasing.

Now there they sat all of them waiting for my answer. I felt the nervousness take a new high to the point where I started to fidget in my seat.

"I need to think!" I blurted out. Before anyone had a chance to protest I bolted out of my seat and to through the hallway and to the backyard.

The brisk November air hit me as soon as I stepped foot outside. The dark night engulfed me with the only light being provided by the few street lights. I stared up into the sky, a thing that normally calms me down as much as the ocean waves. It was hard to spot out the stars in New York. I released sigh.  This was not how my four day weekend was supposed to go. I was supposed to be getting ready to go black Friday shopping, not stepping into an arranged marriage.

Marriage, the word itself made me cringe. I am probably the least domestic person there is in this world. I can't stand people knowing everything I do. It bugs me. People bug me in general. How the hell was I supposed to put up with another person in my personal space?

My reverie was cut short when I heard the creaking of the patio boards. I didn't bother turning around. I already had a good idea of who it was. I couldn't stop the frown that was now emerging. What part of "I need to think" could he not comprehend?

"Danyyal what are you doing here?" I asked. He leaned against the railing standing next to me.

"I came here to think" He replied ever so casually. Aggravated I turned to face him to see him smirking. Danyyal himself was not a bad guy. As weird as it sounds, the guy had a great face. He had the whole cheekbones, strong jaw line thing going for him. He also had these really nice hazel eyes that sometimes looked green. I happen to have a thing for green eyes. Most importantly though he had a British accent. My freaking kryptonite.