Imperfect Endings

Chapter 10: Yes / No / Maybe?

“Zarry, Abbas really really likes you ... and ... he umm...he wants to marry you”

This phrase had been circulating in my mind since it came out of Zoy’s mouth at the chocolate date this afternoon.
I won’t deny it, I was surprised, still am in fact that yesterday’s events had unravelled such strong feelings so quickly.
But it was better this way, if it were to happen, I now knew that Abbas was looking for the same thing as I was; a Halal relationship where one meeting was enough and the constant need to ‘get to know each other’ wasn’t required.  Let’s face it, you only get to know a person’s true colours when you live with them.

More importantly, what did I think of Abbas?
I had told Zoy that he is a really nice guy, a gentleman to be honest, a quality only mature guys possessed in the world around me.
And that he has something I have always had a soft spot for; dark eye bags. I don’t know why but it gave me a sense of depth, a sense of pain, like those eyes have seen so much in the world, it made me want to know him more.
From our talk yesterday, I got to know that, inside he’s protective and caring about his loved ones though he tries to hide it with the funniness and masculinity.
His well groomed beard was not for a fashion purpose only, he, in actual fact, is religious. That was enough for me.

My answer to her very sweet proposal had been, and I quote,
‘It would be better if they called my parents and made things official with a proposal’

and

‘As long as I am concerned, I need some time to think, yes he’s a great guy and all, but you know how society talks right, and I know we shouldn’t make our decisions based on what people think but, it’s in this society that we have to live and it’s the same people that might help us someday, whether they taunt us for the rest of our lives or praise us. So I have to consider everything, as I always do’.

Zoya had just smiled at me as though knowing that it was a positive response.

~Later on that day, Mr. Yusuf had received a serious phone call from Mr. Sajjad regarding the proposal of Abbas for Zahrain. The two gentlemen had been acquainted from a few business deals in the past. Mr. Sajjad had made it very clear on the phone call that his family was flexible; the girl was free to remain Sunni or to become Shia and that there was no pressure on her or her family to any extent. Mr. Yusuf had thanked Mr. Sajjad Ally and requested a few days before giving a final reply since he had to discuss the matter with his family.~

Dinner
Zahrain’s POV

Dad broke the news to everyone that a proposal had come for me from a Shia family.

I was shocked at the rapidity of events. It hadn’t hit me yet but Abbas really was serious about marrying me.

Everyone remained silent, focusing on the mashed potatoes and pepper steak in front of them.

Aliyan being my eldest brother, was the first to speak,
“I know him, he is a nice person, and he has helped a few of my friends out when they were terribly ill”

“But he is Shia” Mum began. “We are all Muslims yes, however there are still some differences in terms of faith, belief and practice. Plus I have always wanted Zahrain to marry a Sunni man from our community so that the transition from this house to her in laws wouldn’t be as hard for her”

“What you are saying is true Halima, but you must remember that Zahrain has already had one engagement broken, that puts a red light on all the other proposals coming for her from our community.”
Dad explained to mum with guilt evident on his face
“And Sajjad made it very clear to me that it wouldn’t be a problem at all if Zahrain remains Sunni”

I stayed silent; one of the values inserted in me from a very young age was to never interfere when elders were in the middle of an important discussion.

“Yusuf, do you really think everyone will take it lightly that we are marrying our daughter to a Shia boy?
And that family may say that they don’t have a problem with her staying Sunni, but what if both parties cannot adjust with that fact later on?
Zahrain will face all those problems alone and I’m sorry, but I cannot let my dear daughter walk into fire as I stand idle and watch.”
Mum never said Dad’s name, this was a first and I was gaping at the intensity.

“You’re over-thinking, are you forgetting that my brother is married to a Shia lady and they are happier than ever?
Plus Zahrain is mature enough to know that marriage is not a bed of roses and every family has problems, but I believe that our daughter is also smart enough to handle everything that comes her way with perseverance”
I was happy that my dad believed in me.

“Your brother is living in the UK a place where no one cares about the others life, but we are living here, where everyone puts their noses up everyone’s business. Can you imagine the taunting?” mum questioned

“Zahrain what do you think?”
Dad asked, completely disregarding what mum had just said

It was my turn to speak but I was at loss of words.
“I have been told I will not find anyone better than him, and they do live close to home...” I broke off

“I’ll take that as a yes but before things get more serious, I want to do some research on Abbas”
Ziyan, my other brother, chipped in.

Mum got up and started clearing her plate with a stern look on her face. It was clear she was against the idea.