Reach

Chapter 2

AISYAH

I stare blankly at each and every one of my relatives in that room. Had that been the reason for their mysterious enthusiasm? I look at Nenda who looks hesitant yet her eyes are glimmering with hope. I feel sympathy and guilt arising within me.

"Why?" I manage to say. My aunties and cousins look among themselves worriedly.

"Ummi," I look up at my Ummi, "Can I please talk to you and Nenda privately?"

Ummi Farisha along with everyone in the room must have sense my desperation because they start to move out of the room quietly. Ummi Farisha comes up behind me and gently pats my shoulder before giving me a small assuring smile.

"Dahma." I call out, "Please stay too."

She nods her head and sit on one of the chairs facing the bed where I sit. I am in incredible need of someone that can be a moral support at the moment. Anger, confusion and a hint of the feeling of betrayal spirals in my mind. I am close to letting everyone hear a piece of my mind when Nenda takes my hand and envelopes it between her warm hands.

"Aisyah, I know how this must look. But Abdul Mateen is a great man. Far from the man Adeel was. At least we are close with Abdul Mateen's family and we have come to know them for a long time." Nenda says emphatically. I cringe at the mention of Adeel, my ex fiancé.

"It's been three years, Aisyah. Don't you think it's time to forget about it and move forward?" Ummi adds as she stands in front of me.

She looks at me fondly but I avert my gaze to my hands in Nenda's hands.

The truth is I have not fully recover from the disappointment and humiliation from my engagement despite it being three years ago. All I did was push the memory away when it resurfaced and cry to Allah about the sorrow it had drowned me in. What had happened scarred me from the idea of getting married to this very day.

"Besides, you can choose to refuse his hand. It is not like you must accept it. You have a choice, habibti." Dahma inserts kindly.

Nenda nods but I can see doubts in her eyes. I know she rather I accept his hand in marriage but she also have my best interest at heart. Our family grows close to Uncle Qayyum's family three years ago but it goes way back. Surely my refusal will result in immense tension in their relationship but I also must see for myself how Abdul Mateen is and decide.

"I can refuse, yes?" I ask, knowing full well the answers will be reluctant noddings.

Oh Allah, my heart feels heavy but I must try my best. After all, my family had been through a lot for me already.

"But keep in mind, Aisyah. We spoke to Auntie Leila and Uncle Qayyum. We questioned Abdul Mateen thoroughly and interrogated him as much as we could to be confident to consider him a potential for you, dear." Nenda states firmly.

I push the gut-wrenching memory of Adeel that is resurfacing to the back of my head. Oh, the shame I went through. I shudder reminiscing the action of his parents. Every second of this conversation are revealing memories that I want to be forgotten.

"Oh, Aisyah." Ummi mutters as she hold me in her arms. I restrain myself from crying. This is not a dreadful moment, I keep reminding myself. Nenda gives me a hopeful smile.

Verily, with every difficulty, there is relief. I reflect on it in my head. Allah knows best. Allah is the Best Planner. Who knows if Abdul Mateen is the ease after Adeel. I say Amin to that thought.

As I begin talking about other matters to distract myself from the fact that my possible in-laws might arrive in an hour and that I am only made aware of it minutes ago, my female relatives enter slowly and cautiously. They look rather hilarious to be honest.