"You do?" Munir asked surprised.
"Yes, and my answer is no." I said and watched his reaction.
He seemed surprised by my answer, like he was sure I would happily agree to his proposal. That I would be okay with just being the other woman. That I would stay in a loveless marriage for the sake of money.
"I am young and want to make all those stupid mistakes young people make. I want to feel love. I want to be independent and have control of my own life. I want my mistakes to be my fault so that when I pray to God for forgiveness, it will because I am truly sorry I did it".
"Independent lady, yes? Ok then, I respect your answer even though I won't lie that I am heartbroken. I guess I am too old to love" he responded jokingly.
"It's nothing personal".
I was relieved that we both behaved like mature adults and did not embarrass each other at the restaurant. I was also glad that the conversation had ended and we were soon leaving. The driver dropped him off first before me. I was quiet during the whole ride hoping and praying that he would still pay for my college.
He never stopped paying for the fees but the tack ticks of giving me the money changed. He would insist on me travelling all the way to where he was working from for me to obtain the money directly from him. He would get touchy and tell me how lonely he was but never force himself on me. And I would go just because I did not have any other choice.
I told my two sisters about the marriage proposal. His friend Hadija and the one I used to live with before I started college. They just laughed it off and never took it as an offence. To them, he was God sent and he could whatever he wished as long as he paid for all my college expenses. My father and my sisters were happy as long as the money kept flowing. In fact I was given an example of Celine Dion and her late husband Rene'. I knew that my degree certificate was my only way out.
Unfortunately during my last year in college, Munir's company was under investigation and was facing financial challenges. I panicked and could not imagine that I have come this far for me not to finish my last semester in college. I informed my sister Hadija with hopes that she may chip in, but she never did. In fact, she stopped talking to me altogether and went ahead to block my number without saying anything to me. I only realized the reason when I spoke to Munir.
"Your sister Hadija asked how much I was giving you. So I sent her the excel file which has all the money I gave you and how you spent it."
"Why would you do that when you were the one who specifically told me not to tell her?"
"She asked me about it"
"Well, I guess that's why she has stopped talking to then. Because I had turned to her for help when you told me you were facing financial challenges and I was afraid I will not be able to finish the semester."
"I am sure that is not the case"
Munir never realized the magnitude of what he did until it was too late. Eight years later and Hadija has still has not spoken to me and after my first apology where she denied me being her sister, I stopped caring. Munir's influence to get us to talk proved futile and he soon gave up. My family could not understand what had happened between us and neither could I explain, so I left it to her to fill the gaps. My sister and I have never met again since.
YOU ARE READING
The Forbidden
Short StoryThis is based on a true story about the Muslim girl Yusra who defies tradition, culture and religion in order to find her independence and love.