Kohled Eyes

Nikah | Part Two

I was hyperventilating. My hands were trembling.
I tried bringing the kohl-stick to my eye one last time, and gave up as I ended up pricking my eye. I let it fall on the table and took a deep breath, sighed, and looked at the mirror. I had oiled and combed my hair and beard, I had trimmed my moustache to honour the occasion, my dress was perfect, my eyes were at the whitest they've ever been and a stupid grin was permanently plastered on my face. I just couldn't complete the picture. Stupid kohl-stick. Nope, stupid hands.
Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in!" I shouted.
My younger brother-in-law walked in and fell down face first on my bed, making himself well at home.
"Mnmnmnnnmm mmmhhnm" he mumbled.
I threw my comb at him.
"Aah! Wavas dat forr? I said I came to accompany you to the mosque! As an escort..." He mumbled and continued getting comfortable.
A defeated sigh escaped my lips as I picked up the kohl-stick for the twelfth time, this time determined to do it.

***

"...And God is our best Witness." I said. I took the pen and signed.
I bit my bottom lip. It was over. Oh God.
I am married.
I could see but wasn't looking. My brothers-in-law were hardly stifling their laughter at the expression on my face.
I could hear but wasn't listening. There was a gentle buzz of conversation among the small crowd that had gathered, and then a silence as the man who had officiated the agreement stood up and gave a small sermon.
The air I was breathing felt newer. More wholesome.
Through the window, the sky looked beautiful. Younger.
The trees looked...greener.
My mind was now clear. Clearer than it's ever been.
I stood up and happily got congratulated, returned the embraces. I smiled at everyone, every time somebody embraced me, I returned with wholeheartedness. Everyone were happy. I was happy.

I walked home with my new family, my father-in-law and brothers-in-law. They accompanied me as I invited their neighbours over to the marriage feast. Dinner, in the ship. I had the catering all sorted out. It hadn't even taken one-third of my savings. Although the Cap was beyond happy to give me the entire ship for this day, I had managed to plan it within the mess hall.
We had informed everyone. Now I was truly hyperventilating. Every step that took me closer to their house made my heart beat faster. I kept adjusting my dress and wiping the sweat. Yes, I know, she isn't gonna be bothered about any of that; she had waited nine years. But still...
My palms were sweaty, I give up trying to play it cool. I am definitely nervous. Will she still like me? Man, obviously! But, but... I give up.
We were now at their doorstep. She and her mother had come home directly from the mosque. 

I could hear...shouting inside. I looked at my escorts in alarm, only to be met by looks of sheepishness, or was that embarrassment? My mother-in-law was in the doorway in a minute.
"You're here" She cried. And then let out a hopeless sigh.
"She's throwing a tantrum. There's this dress she loves, it tore this morning by mistake. I think she was reserving it for this day. And the rest is history." She explained, and continued,"She still refuses to see you"
"He's her husband now, I'm pretty sure he's well within his rights to see her." Her father said, and looked at me.
"Err... I think... Let's meet tonight."
My wife was throwing a tantrum. I didn't want to be anywhere in the vicinity. I was only too glad to take this excuse and hurry back to the ship. Nope, I definitely wasn't mature enough to be married.

***

I sunk into a chair in my room. Now that I wasn't sweating anymore, or trembling, I felt the disappointment. Stubborn idiot. I hugged my pillow and rested.

***

The feast was well underway. I had chosen to have it the traditional way. Big plates called sawans. On the ground. Five people sitting around. Eat their fill.

"Brother, do you have a plan?"  A friend of mine asked, as people started getting up after the meal, "or are you gonna bring your wife aboard?"
"Are you crazy? Be careful with your words mate!" Cap'n Omar exclaimed, coming up from behind. Just in time too. I had gotten angry. He apologised and went his way. I know he never meant harm, but-
"Seriously, do you have a plan?" Cap'n continued. Now this is a genuinely concerned man.
"I've thought 'bout it Cap. I haven't got enough to live on. I've decided to spend another year at sea, get more savings, and settle on land. I put a lot of thought into it. I can't take her on voyages, and I don't want to stay away from her for too long. I have no choice but to settle on land."
"So one last year with us? Or another ship?"
"Are you crazy Cap?" I shot him an incredulous look,"Obviously you guys"
"Yes,yes," he laughed heartily," but you never know... So she's okay with it?"
I shook my head in disbelief. " I've not yet talked to her, heck even looked at her properly! But they'll hopefully be okay with it... When's the date?"
"We'll stay for a few weeks. Probably next month"

The neighbours leave. Then the crew leave. Each congratulating me and gifting me, they assured me that I was a lucky man to get such a good wife. Apparently they had congratulated her already. I kept looking around, trying to spot those pitch black eyes. I never found them.
"I feel sorry for you mate" my younger brother-in-law states as we make our way to their house.
"Not anymore, Don't worry. She's at home, how can she refuse to see her husband now?" The elder one states.
I walk in silence. I was getting excited again.
Her parents, her sister-in-law, her brothers and me. We sit around in the hall, speaking and exchanging stories. As I've mentioned, they're a pleasant folk, yet even the most pleasant folk can't make a newly wed husband to stop thinking about his wife. I had mentioned my plan to them. They were okay with it. They kept assuring me that it will only be their pleasure to be with their daughter for another year. They assured me that she wouldn't have a problem with it either. Speaking about her, I was to go to her room any minute now.

Knock knock. Someone's at the door.
The youngest, as tradition says, goes to answer the door. He returns with Cap'n Omar in tow.
He looked worried. He didn't sit.
"I don't want to do this. I really don't. But a ship just came in. You know the Pirates you worked wi-" he stopped short. Reflexively, everyone in the room shot me a look of disbelief.
"Errr, that ship narrowly escaped Pirates. The Pirates were heading the way we are to head apparently. We can no longer take that route. We have to go around. And you know that it'll take longer that way. And...the others have got their homes too. I'm really,really sorry, we have to set sail early. I'm sure the other ships will be willing to take you-"
"Forget it. When are you'll leaving?"
He visibly swallowed. "Tonight"

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