Hidden Beauty In Hardships

Chapter 4

"My credit card!?" I said surprised looking up at my parents.

"Yeah after searching for you every possible place we could think of we went to the police; they recommended that we allow them to keep a tab on your credit card and also your phone. So if you were to use either we'd find out exactly where you were located" baba explained as mama weeped on and on.  

"But-"

"We were informed the next day about an hour before I showed up… you've brought nothing but shame to this family what were you thinking running away?!" baba said sounding very upset and angry I could tell from the heaviness in his voice.

I could feel my eyes starting to tear up but I quickly blinked the tears away. How could he say that; nothing but shame? 

"Zarah… your our daughter and we'll decide who your to be married to do you understand? Whether you like it or not we know best" baba said in the most harsh tone of voice.

Those words were all I could take and before I knew it there were tears trailing down my cheeks. It hurt so much knowing I was forced to marry whoever my parents choose and that my feelings didn't matter. This wasn't right in Islam forced marriages were haram (forbidden) but little did my parents care. Mama left the room crying. I hate seeing her so upset and knowing I'm the cause just makes my heart sink. I looked up at my dad weeping my eyes out.

"Listen here Zarah because of everything thing you caused and because of all the shame you've brought to this family it will be hard to find a man willing to marry you but when I do thats it don't you dare disagree or ever think of pulling a stunt like that again. Do you hear me" he said without an ounce of understanding.

I nodded feeling the pain building up inside unable to speak.

Few days later…

I sat at the dinner table with my parents eating lasagna that my mom had made. I've always loved her lasagna its never been less than great but today it didn't feel the same. I mean we were all together but we weren't enjoying it as a family. Nothing between my parents and I have gotten any better over the past few days. It was all very silent no one made any noise nor look up from their plates.

"Your father has something he needs to talk to you about and I want you to listen to him" said ma in a very gentle and calm voice.

I turned my focus to baba and he looked up to meet my eyes.

"I spoke with a really nice man at the masjid (mosque) today his names Kareem.  He has just finished medical school and is looking to get married" baba told me.

I knew what was coming.

"I told him about you and he seemed interested in meeting you so I've asked him to come over tomorrow after dhuhur (afternoon prayer)" he continued.

"Alright" I said.

Wasn't much I could say I was told to say yes to whoever they choose for me so meeting this guy wouldn't matter because I didn't have a choice. Baba started telling me more about him. At least this time I knew exactly what I was getting into.

"Kareem is also a hafiz (a muslim who has memorized the Quran by heart) and he's 29" that was the last thing baba said before helping ma clear the table.

29! Thats 10 years older than I am. I didn't exactly want my husband to have such an age difference with me but I will have to put my trust in allah (god) and if Kareem was the man I was meant for than so be it.

            *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

"No no go put on something else you have to make a good impression on the guy" mama said pointing me to go back and change. 

None the less I did as I was told not understanding what was wrong with what I already had on. Why did I have to dress up anyway. I took out a beautiful simple long lavender dress and put it on. It was sleeveless so I put on a long sleeve cropped black cardigan with little crystals going down the front. Tying my hair up in a bun I got out a black hijab (head scarf) and pinned it perfectly in place with a beautiful purple flower pin.

I went down to find that Kareem was already here sitting with my parents in the living room. Mama called me over to sit beside her. When I walked into the room I looked at Kareem who was already looking at me so I quickly lowered my gaze.

Kareem's POV

Zarah is beautiful. Her big hazel eyes, that quick sweet smile she gave me when she walked in and that beautiful dress she's wearing looked amazing and modest. I couldn't help but wonder what she would look like without her hijab (head scarf). I couldn't look away she was just so beautiful.

I lowered my gaze this wasn't right. After a while her mother left and her father followed allowing us to speak to one another alone for a few minutes. I'm so damn nervous.

"Your father has told me you wish to become a teacher in sha allah (if god wills)" I said trying to break the ice.

"Yes in sha allah… he's told me you've just finished medical school?" she said in the most softest voice I've ever heard.

"Thats correct it was pretty tough but alhamdulilah (praise be to god) its over" I replied.

"Alhamdulilah" she also said.

After speaking to her for a while I knew she was the one I wanted to compete half my deen with. She was perfect only hope she thought the same of me. Her father came back and interupted us wish I could talk to her forever; it was definitely a yes from me!

Her father walked me to my car and asked "so what did you think?".

"I think your daughter is wonderful and I would be more than lucky to marry her, it's a yes from me" I said smiling at him.

[Salam :) hope you guys enjoyed that!  pleaseee vote and leave a comment and let me know what you think Zarah's feeling about everything thats going on and what do you guys think about Kareem?]