CHAPTER 2 !
“I’m not divorced, I promise.” I said after I caught my breath. Saleem wiped his forehead dramatically. “In that case, go ahead.” I looked down at the floor. “I just wanted to let you know before hand that my parents can be overbearing and it sounds like your parents can too so … I mean.. I just don’t want you to be talked into coming here or ultimately marrying me..” After a few seconds of silence I looked up and Saleem was looking at me with a weird expression.
Why are you looking at me like that?” Saleem leaned forward and kept staring at me. I moved around uncomfortably. “Stop it. Why are you staring like that?” Saleem laughed. “I’m trying to understand you. You’re weird.” I rolled my eyes. “How would you know that? I haven’t even done anything weird yet!” He nodded. “Yeah actually you have. Did you hear yourself?” He stood up. “I know we just met but I want you to know, you don’t have to like me or marry me.” He imitated my voice in this high pitched sassy tone, I laughed. “I don’t sound like that.” He threw his hands up. “That’s what you got out of that??”
“I was just letting you know. I don’t want you to feel obliged to..” He put a hand up. “Shut up. Just.. shh. Go back to telling me about what you like. What’s your favorite color?” I thought for a minute. “I guess it’s blue even though I do like black because it’s such a strong color but it can also be inconspicuous. Black can make you stand out or allow you to blend in, it’s one of the most …” I stopped when I saw his amused expression. “What now?” He waved his hand. “Nothing, nothing. Keep going.” I had forgotten what I was talking about. The color black. I didn’t have much to say all night but now when he asks me about my favorite color I just blab on. Saleem opened his mouth to say something but my mother walked in. “Okay I have lemonade, mini sandwiches, cookies and tea! I hope you like it, Saleem. This is my special chai recipe.” Saleem smiled at her. “I’m sure it will be delicious then.” My mom sat down on the couch next to me and began her not so subtle interrogation. “So what made you come here? Is it you that wants to get married or is this pressure from your family?” Saleem took a sip of his tea and shot my mother another beautiful smile. “This is great. You could make money selling this.” My mom lit up. “Oh, and I was looking for a wife. My parents were happy that I was ready to settle down and wasted no time in finding potential wives for me.” I shifted in my seat. How much competition did I have? How many girls did he smile at and see? Was I a last resort? I sat there lost in my own thoughts and doubting myself while my mother and Saleem talked about his trips, his job, his family, his favorite food. I knew I should join in but my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of girls prettier than me sitting across from him that were capable of holding an actual conversation
“Right, Leila?” I looked up at my mother. “I’m sorry, I missed that. What did you say?” My mom frowned at me. “Saleem was just leaving, I said we’d love to have him back. Right?” I looked over at Saleem and saw that he had his jacket on and was heading towards the door. “Yes, of course.” He smiled one last time, said his Salaams and left. Just like that the energy that had previously lit up the living room died out. The light seemed dimmer and the snacks in front of me seemed less appetizing. Saleem was an odd ball of energy that had found its way into my house and now that it was gone I wanted it to come back. I wanted to tell him about the time that I’d swallowed a bug on a dare from my brother and that I liked to draw, too. I wanted to tell him about my parents and their fighting, I wanted to tell him that he needed to stay because once he left my father would walk out too. I had so much I wanted to share but none of that had come out, instead I had sat there ..silent as the ninja I saw in the mirror with her all black abaya and niqab. I leaned back into the pillows and sighed. If he came back it would be out of pity, I was the worst possible potential wife there was. I couldn’t even talk.
