The Forbidden

Part 13

I looked at him with bewildered eyes. No words formed in my mouth due to shock and insanity of the man's proposal. I just sat there silently looking at him.

"Don't look so worried, it is not difficult." He tells me

"Why? Have you done it before?" the cat finally let go of my tongue.

"Yes, there was this lady called Mariam that I really liked and we agreed to do it. I paid for her apartment and all her expenses. We didn't meet every day for I am a busy man plus I travel a lot. "

"What happened?"

"Well, I found out that she was cheating on me with other men bringing them to the apartment. So I ended it with her"

"Did your wife know?"

"Of course no. she would have killed both of us!"

I sat there waiting for him to say that it was some sick joke. That he was toying with my mind. That he cared for me like his own daughter or granddaughter. But the words that came next made me realize that he was damn serious. "Remember, your response will not affect your sponsorship. I will still pay for your college till the end".

I then looked at him and a thousand questions ran through my mind at ones. I examine his face, even though the years had been kind to him, the wrinkles on his face were visible. He was not bald but his hair was a mixture of black and grey hair. He was still in good shape but I wondered how long that would last.

Will I have my own apartment with designer clothes and expensive perfumes? I could assist my family and pull them out of the claws of poverty. Do I want to jeopardize my education right now after I have reached this far? Only two years remained. Do I want to marry secretly without my family's knowledge? Do I want to spend my prime years with a man old enough to be my father? What would happen if I say no? What would happen if I say yes? How will this even work? What will people say?

This was a decision of a life time and there were no second chances in living. I could choose to live my life to the fullest the way I wanted with no regrets or allow other people dictate it. The choice was mine to make.

"Don't think about it too hard. I didn't mean to stress you. In fact, forget I said anything ok?" Munir pulled me out of my trance.

"No, I have my answer".