"Amina I know I've messed up in the past but please, give me the chance to prove to you that this can work."
I couldn't believe it; after all these years Aaron finally reciprocated the feelings I had towards him. But before I could even utter a word...
It is raining when I leave my apartment complex the next morning, I could feel the slow transition of fall taking place.
As I get into my car, I wondered what important news my father wanted to speak to me about. Listening to George Ezra's Budapest, helps to ease some of the nervousness I felt.
Twenty minutes later, I am pulling into my father's driveway. It is always hard for me to come back to my childhood home after my mom passed away. Nothing felt the same, the warmth and inviting nature of our house left the day my mother died. Ten seconds after I rung the doorbell my father opens the door. I could see that he has aged a lot this past year, the dark black hair that I inherited from my father, was greyer than usually. Wrinkles are clearly visible on his bronzed face, his frame is also lighter in build.
"Amina dear, how are you?"
"Good dad," I say pulling him into a hug. "How about you?"
"Well I've seen better days," he murmurs. "Anyway come in, I wish to speak to you about your future."
Apprehension fills me as we cross the foyer into the livingroom. My father motions for me to take a seat on the beige coloured couch across of him.
"I first just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you, for continuing your studies when times were tough last year. Your mother and I worked hard so you could have a proper education. Now that you are entering your final year of university, sorting out your future is of great importance."
"Yes, I do have some internships lined up after graduation. I hope to be a full time counsellor in two years," I added fidgeting under my father's stern gaze.
"That's good to hear, you've truly grown into an exceptional woman."
"Thanks dad, but what is it you have to tell me?"
"You see Amina, you are half Indian and with that you must fulfill some cultural responsibilities. After I spoke to your grandmother today, we feel that you are of age to have an arranged marriage."
"A what? An arranged marriage?" I stutter, completely flabbergasted from my father's words. "But you and mom didn't have an arranged marriage, why should I?"
"I understand that I deviated from the norm regarding traditional ways, however your mother and I were in love. I paid greatly for choosing your mother over my religious upbringing but tradition is tradition. Your mother respected our Indian ways, and so will you. I have already found a decent man for you, he actually lives here and is studying to become a doctor, I feel you two would make a great match."
By this time I am hyperventilating. Never in a million years would I think that my own father would force me to get an arranged marriage. I know my mom wouldn't allow it if she were alive.
"Dad I can't I.... cannot dedicate my life to something so outdated."
"You can and you will Amina," my father says his voice becoming louder and more fierce. "I have given you everything! I paid your way through university, and I paid for that apartment you live in with your friend. Which I may add I did not want you to have, but your mother convinced me otherwise. Listen," he says his voice becoming softer, "Abel is mixed just like you. I have invited him to have tea with us tomorrow morning so you two can meet."
I start to shake my head furiously because I cannot fathom what he was trying to make me do. My eyes begin to sting and my heart drops as my father continues to talk, with no remorse whatsoever in his voice.
"THAT IS ENOUGH AMINA." he booms. "You will listen to your father, and you will meet Abel tomorrow morning. I expect for you to be dressed properly and I will not tolerate any deviance, is this understood?"
I know better than to test my father because he is a master manipulator. He could easily take everything away from me- my apartment, car, even my schooling. I depended on him financially and because of that, he could exploit this weakness.
I meekly nod my head, knowing I am signing away my freedom and happiness all due to tradition.
