Maria (In progress)

Zafar Residence

Wales, 8.20am

The Zafar family reside in a tall, snowy white mansion in the outskirts of the town in Wales, England. The house is surrounded by neatly placed trees and vibrant rose bushes on areas of freshly trimmed grass.

Dr. Mahmud Zafar parked his BMW in the spacious driveway alongside three other cars; he took off his glasses and carefully placed them in its case.

"Get up Zareena, come on." Mishal said nudging Zareena into conciousness. Mishal was a 40 year old woman but age never phased her; she was dressed in a purple floral kurta and slim ankle length cotton trousers, pairing the modern Pakistani attire with glossy cream heels, and a loosely wrapped beige hijab.

Zareena grumpily mumbled. "What is my life? When will I have a good rest ever? Look at my destiny, I am stuck with these two crazy women. Why did our husbands want all of us to live together, why? Only rest I will get is when I die, it seems." Zareena was 46, the oldest of the aunties. She was also the most careless, according to her, she has endured enough in her 'young days' and now deserves endless idleness.

"Arey, stop moaning, I thought I was bad. Chup kar, and let's go inside. I'm starving." Ariba, 42, also known as the queen of gossip. All news from Punjab to Wales reached her ears first before the community in Wales or Punjab itself. She tends to be critical of almost everything, her comments in fact come as a side-dish along the samosas and chai on most afternoons.

Mahmud laughed heartily. "If you three are done quarrelling, may we go inside? My brothers married crazy women."

Asiyah Zafar, dressed in a taupe salwar suit, scarf loosely wrapped around her head, descended the long, hardwood spiral staircase as she greeted her husband and the hyper aunts. Behind her ran down 15 year old Laila, dressed in western clothing and a charcoal grey turban.
"Careful Laila!"
"Sorry!" She shouted, heading towards the living room. "My friends are coming by the way."
"-Oh Asiyah..." Zareena started hesitantly.
"Yes don't worry, I'll bring the tea. You all sit down, rest yourselves."

Laughter embraced the air in the living room. "Poor guy, but why not? It's his wedding day, so many people will see the couple and judge their match." Mishal replied, sipping her tea.
"Oh but we all know Anwar is short, come on. Who is he fooling? A man wearing heeled shoes for pictures, I've never heard of it." Ariba responded.
Laila collapsed into the sofa beside Ariba. "Men can be fussy about their appearance too, plus as Mishal aunty said, its his wedding day after all."
"Do you know what?" Ariba whispered, leaning forward. "I think he may be gay."
Zareena dropped her tea cup. Everyone paused, as Laila smirked rolling her eyes.
"What? Don't look at me like that. I estimated the same thing three years ago in Omar's wedding to Neelam. Was I not right?"
"Yeah but we also know a lot of times where your estimations were not right." Laila replied grinning, glancing at her mother who laughed.
"Chup kar."

Idris' voice could be heard in the hallway, he just entered the house. Taking off his gym bag, he made his way upstairs.
"Idris, come here. Your aunts came." Asiyah said getting up. "I'll get you something to drink, sit down for a second."
"It's okay mom, sit down." Idris replied, dropping his bag aside.
"Oye hoye. Look how handsome he is, get him married off quickly or my daughter will take him." Mishal said, reaching out for a croissant.
"21 is a bit early isn't it?" Zareena suddenly snapped. "Why are they getting you married at such a young age?"
"Isn't Sara 22?" Ariba added casually, buttering her croissant.
"Oh come on sisters. Our husbands married us around this age too. It's not about that." Asiyah replied. "Plus, they're one of the most respected families in the Punjabi community. Think about that."
Laila and Idris exchanged looks.
"I mean, its not solely about that, I think it would be good for Idris to forget some things." She added, hesitant.
"I'm fine though?" Idris said immediately. A pause followed, the aunts smirked while Asiyah's smile faded. "Laila pass the plates, please." she asked softly, getting up.

Footsteps emerged. "What's going on today?" Mahmud entered the living room, folding his newspaper. "What news?"
"Nothing, we're talking about Sara." Idris replied, glancing at his mother. "The date was good." He suddenly added.
Asiyah looked back at him.
"Oye hoye! Tell us more." Mishal said, leaning forward.

Laila put her phone aside. "They're coming in ten minutes, with some other girls. Don't know them properly but we talked on whatsapp, they seem cool." She sat next to Idris who laid on his bed. "Why don't you just tell them you don't want to marry her? I don't get it."
"Have you seen mom downstairs?" He replied, sighing. "I think it's unfair for me to keep letting her down. I don't know."
"I think it's unfair that you are not thinking about what makes you happy."

"I don't know what makes me happy anymore."