Ready? For Marriage!

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

I walk to the one seater sofa that is across from where my Mum and Dad are sitting. "So what's this talk going to be about?.. Am I finally getting the car I wanted?" I joke nervously, the conversation Muhammad and I had a few days back resurfacing in my head.

My mum gives me a small smile. "Not quite putar."

"So what is this about Papá, don't tell me you're going on a business trip again so quick. And why isn't Muhammad here if you are or wait.. Are we planning a surprise for Muhammad." I guess I tend to ramble when I'm nervous.

My Dad smiles at me knowing what I'm doing, stalling. He clears his throat and then starts. "We've talked about this subject multiple of times but first I want to ask you. How are your studies going Mi hija?"

"Fine Papá. Just a year left till I get my qualification insha'Allah." I reply.

"And you are happy with what you are doing?" My Papá asks.

"Yes Papá. Very happy." I say then joke, laughing. "I can't wait to look deeply inside people's eyes."

My Dad looks at my Mum with a smile on his face and then looks nervous. My Mum speaks up "Afaaf I forgot, but is this qualification accepted everywhere, in the world."

"Urmm yes." I say getting a queasy feeling. "Why would you ask? Are we moving?"

My Dad chuckles a little trying to lighten the mood. "Not exactly." He responds.

There is silence for a few minutes, I breath relaxing as I realise we are not moving, because that would be the worst. Imagine leaving the country, leaving my cousins or even Khalid and Khadija. Before our exams we use to take it in turns and drive over every two weeks on the weekends to each others houses. And we FaceTime everyday, thrice a day to make sure we are in each others lives as much as possible. Being away from the people I love would drive me mental. I don't know how I handle it when Dad's away.

"Afaaf." My Dad voices. "On to the something, that is the reason why we are having this conversation."

I sit up ready to hear what he has to say. It can't be that bad can it.

I see my Dad take a deep breath before starting. "I know we agreed after your studies." He pauses.

I stay silent, not interrupting what he has to say even though my mind is going wild.

"When I went to Australia for my trip. I met up with an old friend of mine. It was so unexpected and we just got on like we use to before. We talked like we'd never lost contact and laughed like we'd never before."

Okay. I thought. What has this got to do with me.

"A couple of days before I was leaving, we met up again. And.." My Dad looked at my Mum and my Mum nodded for him to go on. "And he said he'd hope we stay in contact this time as he thought of me as great friend and as did I of him. We'd had a great time together. Then he went on to say how we could never be sure to stay in contact. He said he thought of me and my family as family and I said the same I thought of his. And then he..." Another glance at my Mum from my Dad. "He asked for your hand in.. marriage for his son." My breath hitched and I held it in, "I was shocked at his offer. But I did not agree Afaaf." I let out the breath, breathing again. "Because it was not my decision to make." No no no. I hate making decisions, especially when it concerns my parents. This can't be happening. My Dad carried on. "So Afaaf, what do you say?"

I sat there shocked, my mouth hanging open. What could I say? I can't exactly say yes but then I can't say no. What if this ruins my Dad's and his friend's relationship. I mean they just reunited. This is a life changing decision. My mind was exploding with how many stuff was going through it but one thought I was thinking was, Muhammad was telling the truth, he wasn't lying.

I was snapped out of my thoughts as I heard the door close. I looked up to see my Mum sitting across from me and my Dad out of sight. He must've been the one who had left the room.

"I know this is hard for you Afaaf. This is a life changing and scary. But it's a decision all women have to make. Whether a guy is acceptable for us or not. It's hard." My Mum says walking over to me.

I stand up and give my Mum a side hug inhaling her scent and relaxing in her comforting arms. Comfort that only a mother can give. I speak up collecting my thoughts, "But Amee I don't even know anything about this guy and the one thing I do know, just wants me to decline his request."

"What thing?" My Mum questions.

"The fact that he lives in Australia." I look up at my Mum. "Which is tens and thousands of miles away."

My Mum shoves my head back down so it's leaning against her chest. "You are right baby that is far. But haven't you always wanted to go there. You were dying to, when your Papá was going. And as for what you don't know about him. Here's three more things His name is Shakir, he's twenty three nearly twenty four in August to be exact, and he's half Pakistani, half Arabic."

I look up at my Mum with a raised brow. "What? My daughter might get married to this man of course I made your Papá spill everything about him." She tells me. "Oooh I forgot one thing he's self employed and is an owner of a small business. So basically he's the boss of a company"

I get out of the side hug and laugh. I turn to my Mum to give her a proper hug. "I love you Amee. You know that."

"Well if you didn't we would have problems." My Mum replies squeezing me into the hug more. Amee always knows how to cheer me up. I smile, feeling content.

*****

Papá: Dad

Amee: Mum

Mi hija: My daughter

Putar: My child

All the words you may not have understood. Sorry I updated after a while. I feel like I've been so busy although know I haven't. But anyways here's an update. Hopefully the next one don't take so long so, yeah. xx