Compromises

Proposal

Four months. Just four months ago my life was different. I was careless and had nothing to worry about. Well except my job. I had always dreamt about getting married to a man I love and living a perfect fairy tale like life. Everything would be just perfect. Deep down I knew this wasn't true, looking at my parents and all the struggles they went through I knew I would have to face them. I used to get so confused when my mom would compromise or deal with utter bullshit. She always told me 'Dear, I don't want to ruin this marriage', I was naive at that time. Now I'm married. I understand my mother, why she did all those things. Strangely my life did turn out like I dreamt about it. I've my own share of struggles but they're very different then what my mother went through. Or what we went through as a family. I can't say I wasn't happy living with my parents, but I won't say I loved it. My life right now, is what I love. I married a man who I knew for a long time and who I loved. Its funny when I think about how he came and proposed to me. Poor him, almost got beaten up by my dad.

"Aliyah where's my towel," Ayaan yells from the washroom.

"Ayaan why do you always forget to take it," I yell back. I grab his towel and enter the washroom. He's still in the shower singing so loudly. I hand him the towel and he tries pulling me in with him.

"Come on baby," he pleads.

"Now who's getting late for work?"

I head downstairs to make breakfast. We met in university. I had some classes with him and developed a crush. We talked a couple of times but I never told him about my so called crush. Talking turned into becoming friends and soon we spent almost every day together. But still none of us had confessed. Last year of university he showed up to my house unexpectedly, with his parents. Luckily I was dressed nice as I've never met his parents I was so confused and scared the only thing I said to him was 'why are you here?' His dad looked confused but his mother had a look that says I understand. She smiled at me and told Ayaan 'You've chosen me a beautiful daughter-in-law' at that sentence my heartbeat was rapid. Shortly after my mom came and asked me who was at the door. Ayaan and his parents introduced themselves and my mom invited them in. I was just plain scared. I knew my mom was looking at marriage proposals for me but a guy who I'm friends with shows up at my house with his parents, yeah I don't know how my parents would react. I decided to just lock myself in the room and never come out. After what seemed like an eternity someone knocked on the door, I opened to see my mom and Ayaan's mom. I'm screwed. They came in and sat down, my mom looked happy for some odd reason.

"Aliyah. Ayaan has came for your proposal, do you accept it?" My mom asked me.

I was shocked. I liked him but I didn't know he liked me too. So I literally just looked between my mom and Ayaan's mom. Confused. Happy. Shocked. Unable to form words I just said yes. We all went downstairs to see my dad have Ayaan in a headlock. Poor guy, he looked terrified.

"So you just come here to ask us for our daughters hand in marriage when you didn't even tell her you have feelings for her that run deep?" my dad asked Ayaan in a very serious tone, then he burst out laughing. Everyone was laughing, except me. I was kinda pissed that he straight up told my parents and didn't even think about asking me first. But really it's not his fault, as Muslims we have to ask our parents and have them agree. Muslims don't date, they don't do the deed before marriage. And I love this about my religion. Why waste your first kiss on someone you know your not going to be with in 5 years? Why loose yourself to someone who won't be there forever. Ayaan then whispered something in my dads ear and my dad nodded.

"Aliyah you're going out with Ayaan," my dad kind of asked me and told me.

I went upstairs and got ready and then me and Ayaan were off. I yelled at him a lot but he kept quiet. He had a proposal and all that sappy shit planned for me at a lakeside. Anyways that's a long story for another time. I quickly finish making breakfast and just in time my lovely husband comes downstairs.

"Make sure you come home on time Ayaan. Mama has invited us over for dinner and you know all my aunts are going to be there," I tell him knowing all too well he's very excited about going to my parents tonight. Him and my dad have a very close relationship. It's closer than a son and a dad. They're basically best friends. And my mom, my god. She treats Ayaan as if he's some king.

"Of course babe," he whispers and winks.

"I'm coming back from the hospital at around 2 today can you come home at 3 or 4?"

"I've a meeting with my Singapore clients today that should be done around 2:30. I'll come back as soon as its done," oh yes. Today is a huge day for Ayaan, he has been preparing the presentation for these clients for over a month now. He is competing against another big business tycoon. His business is going down though. Ayaan's company is in a very good shape.

"Good luck, Ayaan. Inshallah you'll get this deal," he kisses me on the cheek and leaves. I quickly put on my scrubs grab my files and head out myself. I've two major surgeries to do today then I'm out. As a gynaecologist I've a lot of patients coming in every day and it gets really hectic. Since today's Friday I told the secretary to lower the number down. The day passes by really quick and soon I'm at home getting ready for my moms place. Today should be fun.

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