Arranged Marriage

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I woke up the next morning with a huge headache. I wanted to lie in bed for a while, but after seeing how far up the sun was I quickly jumped out of bed. My parents were not a fan of sleeping late. I quickly brushed and washed my face, then got dressed for the day. I hurried down the stairs to an oddly quiet house. I guessed my parents must have been out, so I peered out the door. I instantly held back a shout of happiness and surprise; the mail man was here!

I opened the door and practically ran down the walk.

“Is there…mail?” I asked.

“Yes, here it is,” he said with a smile.

He handed me a thick stack. I sighed.

“It’s in the middle,” he said with a wink.

“Thank you!” I said brightly.

I went back inside and carefully sorted the mail. When I got to my mail, I hid it in my shirt in a way so that nobody could tell it was there. I wasn’t taking chances because for all I knew people could be home. Once that was done I snuck up to my room, feeling stealthy and crafty all of a sudden. I tore open the envelope once I was in my room with the door shut. I put a book on my lap and a sheet of math problems I had already done on my desk so it would look like I was busy working.

'Dear Aisha,

I understand that you would not like to marry this older man; however it would be extremely dangerous for you to come all the way here. I know you are to the west of me, but the means of travelling would be a problem since I cannot afford to send someone for you. Of course if you can get here somehow, then I would be glad to welcome you. The address is on the envelope, but since I live in a smaller town just ask for Zaquib. I wouldn’t want you running with some dangerous boy who doesn’t know what he is doing anyways. 
   --Zaquib'

I nearly screamed for joy. He would be accepting me! This was fantastic, I could leave…wait. I had to get there first. I could travel with the mailman, but I didn’t know if I could trust him. Hassan did have his car…I quickly shot that down. Zaquib wouldn’t accept Hassan, and Hassan would want something in return for the ride. I pondered the route of the milkman. I guessed he didn’t go far enough for the distance to be significant; I could walk that far. Maybe I could walk to town and catch a ride from there. I decided to plan every step out carefully and thoroughly.

The next day I went to town with Amina.

“What are we even doing here?” she asked.

“Well, I just want to enjoy the city while I can without one of those cursed head scarves. You know, see things with a full range of vision,” I said trying to act normal.

“Good try. What are you planning,” she asked.

I sighed. The answer I gave her was true; it just wasn’t the big main reason for today. I decided not to tell her. I couldn’t tell a soul, and if they asked her then she wouldn’t have to choose between lying to her family or saving me. Besides, I wasn’t too sure about her family’s beliefs on honor killings. If she didn’t know, then they couldn’t blame her for anything.

         “Seriously, I just want to enjoy life before being at the mercy of…Fareed,” I added a shudder for effect.

         Amina let it go, and I was thankful for that. We walked around, and I took note of slight patterns. I could catch rides with people around, but I would need a ride to get to places far away enough. Hassan crossed my mind. I hated using him. It made me feel dirty and evil, but I knew there really was no other way. He was a constant pest, but those deep brown eyes…who was I kidding, everyone had brown eyes. I could find another. I would wing it, I decided. If I was forever stuck in town, or hiding, so be it. I didn’t care. Marrying Fareed was something I had contemplated, but now I didn’t want anything to do with him. I kicked a random rock while we walked. We stopped at a store and I bought something for my mother. I kept my happy, bubbly attitude up for the rest of the day. It got darker and darker, so Amina and I had to take a bus home. I knew then I should just take the bus, all I had to do was walk to town. It was so simple and I felt so stupid…I sighed. I always over complicated things. Why would anyone care if I was on a bus on the other end of town? I could just be doing chores, and by the time the bus got that far people that were close to my parents or were even associated with them were rare.

After dinner that night I pretended to sleep until the whole house was silent. I had to escape as fast as possible, so I quietly snuck around my room, packing a travel bag. I scribbled a quick note and put it on my bed. I contemplated what to write. I was nervous and unsure of what exactly I should express in my farewell notice to my parents, but settled on a simple expression of distaste of marriage, then the “I can’t come back because too much honor has been spent”.

         “Dear mother and father,

                  Do not fear for me for my well-being is not any better or worse than it was when I was home. I am on a personal quest to find my purpose in life, and please do not come looking for me. It will be better that way. I would cancel the marriage; to save the honor of the family tell them I died or something tragic. Anything. I love all of you, just know this is for the better, and if you cared you would let me go on this personal journey. I wish I could stay to accomplish it, but I need more time. I love all of you,

                           Aisha.”

         Then I went outside, walked down my path, and towards town.

**sorry its a bit short, ive had so much homework and tennis that's al ive been dooing since i uploaded last, thanks a lot fo rthe support (whatever i get i appreciate...)**