The Flying Dreams

CHAPTER ONE

"'Adia jan? Fix your hijab, Wahab's family is here.'

I readjusted my white hijab at my mother's wishes. I thought my hijab was perfectly set, it had to be if the stiffness around my ear was any indication. The train to Delhi was an hour late and we were stuck in the platform, that was when abbu called Wahab's father— to let him know, he'd said. After all, as being my future to-be husband, it was Wahab's right to always know about my whereabouts and there I was sitting on the iron bench with a small duffle bag on my lap; all the reasons for my father to report back to Wahab. There was nothing important on my bag, not even my phone— abbu had it safely placed in his pyjama pocket, but I kept it close— just in case I needed something to fidget with— ummi had strictly ordered not to do the fiddling with my hands as it may come childish and impolite which was a fat no in front of my future in-laws. I was not raised to be ill-mannered.

Wahab's face was all happy and smiley upon seeing me or my Waaladen – I could never be sure with him, I stood up to greet his parents and returned his smile with a nod and he inclined his head back. He was smiling for me. I liked that about him— he never failed to pass me an acknowledgment. It was rare for the husbands to do, especially while in others' company. That was one of the reasons why I immediately accepted the proposal of marriage from his mother. It's been almost a year, she had come to my mother for my hand, she said it was Wahab's request to marry me. I couldn't forget the day— she sat there on the sofa, holding my mother's hands as she poured each and every word Wahab had said to her regarding the topic of marriage— I felt bad for Wahab as I listened to her for hours, he had probably trusted her with his words and there she was ratting her son out in front of the person it was all about. Then again, maybe Wahab did want me to know how he felt and thus sent his mother instead of his father because the latter won't have been so colourful and full of details while asking my father for my hand in marriage. She made sure to provide every good reason of why I would be a perfect match for her son— she said I would sensitize him. Make him more responsible and sensible. Not like he was not already a perfect example of a son. In every gathering, his name would be brought up with such respect from men and admiration from women. So, I said yes. Without a second thought, I said yes. I had already completed my graduation and sooner or later marriage proposals were bound to rain down on my head and agreeing to take Wahab as a husband was the best choice, I thought I would make. And I was not wrong.

Soon after the acceptance of the offer, he called my brother and made a wish to talk to me too. I have never been more terrified of a phone call but it was different— I was about to talk to my to-be fiancé and aside from my little brother and father, I rarely talked to any male, Akira, my cousin was once scolded for sharing a laugh with a cousin of ours— her mother said she might receive a marriage proposal from him and it was not sensible of her, he might change his mind about her and not give any chance to her at all if he saw how she behaved. Since that day, Akira maintained her distance from him and two years later, they married. Personally, I thought he wouldn't have married someone else other than Akira, the boy was so smitten by her.

I talked to Wahab on the phone. His voice was deep with a rasp to it and my heart skipped a beat just by hearing him say my name. For a few minutes, I couldn't speak. The words were stuck in my throat and he understood. I stayed silent and he did too, but I knew he was there by the sound of his breathing and I assumed he too knew I was there. He understood why I wasn't saying anything. Then after a moment passed, he greeted me, I sensed a smile in his voice. He was teasing without even a word of it and I felt my whole face becoming hot with embarrassment. My first word to him was his own name. Wahab? I was surprised he heard me, but he replied with only yours. Then it was easier to talk to him. With each passing day, we talked, and it became a second nature to just be in his company. I didn't see him, but I always kept his framed photo while I talked to him on phone. One day I asked him if he did the same, he just chuckled and said he didn't have to, I close my eyes and I see you there. It was so easy to fall in love with him, he made it impossible not to.