Warning: strong and offensive language.
Khalid's POV
It was the day after the proposal, and I had just finished a shift at work. I was exhausted but yesterday's memories were lingering in my mind so I was in such a good mood. I don't think I have ever felt as happy as I did yesterday. All my waiting had finally showed some fruit. Yes, it didn't go as smoothly as I would have wanted, but it could have gone much worse. At least now we know Leila wants this to happen as well. Mum kept talking about her yesterday night on our way home. She's determined to make this happen. I'm so thankful that I have many supporters in my decision.
Of course, I was a little worried about the next step. We have to tread carefully and be smart about it, since Leila's dad is not someone to mess about with and he is someone quick to react and he doesn't think much of the consequences. He is a person who just needs their family name clean. And it seemed that he clearly doesn't want someone like me associating with his family, by someone like me I mean, someone of colour. It's strange to think that people with this kind of mindset still exist in the world. However, I don't feel threatened by him.
I exited the police department and made my way to the parking lot. It was late at night, so it was pretty dark out here. I could spot my car from afar but that wasn't all. As I walked closer and closer, I realised it was none other than Leila's father leaning against the boot of my car. I slowed down and braced myself.
I was now face-to-face with him. He straightened himself up and puffed on his cigarette.
"Well, finally he decides to come! I was freezing out here! How are you , Khalid?" He asked with amusement clearly visible in his voice.
"I'm fine thank you. My apologies, I usually finish this late. I didn't know you wanted to speak to me."
"Well, here's the thing, Khalid. The best things in life happen unexpectedly. And right now something good is going to happen, because you are going to obey me and drop this whole marriage business." I exhaled and looked around me. It was quite late at night so thankfully no one was around.
"With all due respect, everyone is happy with this. There's no reason to cancel anything. Most importantly, Leila agrees."
He chuckled bitterly and tutted.
"You don't know anything about her. She is innocent and has no idea about the dark side of life. What does she know?"
"Mr Demir, you need to sit down and speak to her. She will explain her stance of this, but you need to let her do that. I'm not forcing your daughter. She affirmed yesterday, in front of a whole gathering that she approves of this. The choice is entirely hers and she used her choice to accept my proposal." He chuckled bitterly.
"You and your flowery language. You for sure fooled everyone else with it. Except me. Do you think you have won her over with your charming ways, your petty talk, some stupid flowers and a sh*t ring?"
"If you think I'm trying to impress her with these things then you are wrong. Those things were only a gift from me. Nothing else." He took a long, deep puff of his cigarette and stared at me coldly. He came closer to me,now only a few millimetres away from my face. He blew his cigarette smoke all over my face. I flinched at the disgusting smell.
"You can take your fu**ing gifts and shove them up your a**. Stay the f*** away from my daughter."
"No. I love her." I stated firmly. He scoffed.
"You love her? Sorry to break it to you but I have to be honest here." He scoffed again and started slowly walking around me. "Let's just admit it. You are not in her league. You are way off. My daughter is unique, beautiful and intelligent. She comes from honourable blood and she comes from a family who has a respectable name! It's spotless. Do you think I'm going to allow our name to be spoilt? Do you think I'm going to let our blood mix with you people? Who are you? What kind of family do you come from? Father is no where to be seen, history full of crime, no stability. I don't need to say anything else do I? Are you understanding what I'm trying to get at here?" He walked back in front of me and I gulped. His eyes had pure evil in them. His demeanour was cold, enough to make you shudder. I tried to see what part of him resembled Leila, but I couldn't see anything because she was the total opposite of this man.
"She was soon going to be married off to one of her kind. A man she was promised to ever since she was 15. 15 I tell you! I don't break my promises that easily. If there's something standing in my way, I wouldn't hesitate for a second. So why are you still standing here pretending to be brave? Just drop the act. Leila isn't here, you can be your puny self." I exhaled, trying to contain my anger.
"Do you think she's some object you can just give off to someone?!" I asked firmly.
"No. But she's my daughter and I'm her father. I decide what she does in life. I have raised her ever since she was born. Without me she wouldn't even be here." He spat and threw his cigarette on the ground and stepped on it to put it out.
"Have you even asked for her permission? Did she have any say in it?"
He chuckled. "She will do what I say, alright? She's never even raised her voice at me. She wouldn't then dare to reject this marriage."
"You are sick." I said and shook my head. This man is crazy. Suddenly he charged at me and grabbed my shirt at my collar. He was so strong, it felt like he was going to literally lift me up.
"You are the sick one. Tell me, why do you want my daughter, huh?! So you can use her and then throw her away, like you dad did with your mum? So you can look at her and touch her ,you pervert? Huh?! Tell me. You just dying to get in bed with her, aren't you?!" I snatched his arm away harshly.
"You are my elder so I can't raise my hand at you but I won't let you run your mouth at me and my family. Keep my parents out of this! I'm not blameworthy for my dad's actions! How dare you accuse me of being a pervert? God knows that's not my intentions with Leila. I'm not that kind of man! I love her for who she is, not for her body."
"Cut the crap. I won't repeat myself. Stay the f*** away from my daughter. Call everything off. If you don't, you are going to have deal with the consequences." He said and pushed me harshly with his hand. He gave me a disgusted look and walked off.
"I'm ready to deal with the consequences! I will marry Leila whether you like it or not. You don't know me but I do not give up easily." He stopped in his tracks and turned around.
"Keep dreaming, little boy,keep dreaming. If you step anywhere near her, I will not hesitate to murder you with my own hands. Try me." He said through gritted teeth and walked off. I watched him get into his car and speed off. I exhaled sharply and ran my hand through my hair. I realised this wasn't going to be easy. This is going to be the most difficult trial of my life. But I'm not faint- hearted, anyone who knows me, knows that as well. My priority was marrying her but now, most importantly, it was to take her away from this toxic man.
Leila's POV
Mama and I were in the dining room talking about yesterday's events. Mama was really impressed with Khalid and she adored the ring. Whenever I would think of him or hear his name, I just smiled and I got this warm feeling inside of me. No one has ever made me feel this way before.
I was in the process of making tea when our front door suddenly closed so harshly it made the room shake. Mama stood up alarmingly and suddenly Baba stormed into the room with his shoes still on his feet. He looked furious. He charged at me and suddenly grabbed my right wrist. I was holding a cup of tea with that hand but Baba grabbed it so hard, the cup immediately fell to the ground, shattering the glass to pieces and scalding my feet. I screamed out in pain, both from the hot water landing on me and Baba's tight grip on my wrist. Mama called out my name and ran to get Baba off me but she was nearly thrown to the floor.
"Emir get off her!" Mama shouted.
"Stay away I tell you!!" He shouted. He looked at me disgustingly. I tugged my arm away but he was too strong.
"I will not let you put shame on to my name! Never! I would rather die!" He took hold of my hand, and nearly broke my fingers. He grabbed my ring finger and took the ring of. I gasped.
"No, what are you doing, Baba!" I asked and tried to get it off him. He pinched my cheek hard. I whimpered because of the pain and managed to take his hand away from my face. I held my cheek in pain and felt a few tears slip from my eyes. I watched him put the ring in his pocket and he stormed out, but he didn't go upstairs. Mama pulled me towards her, away from the broken glass, and gave me a hug. Baba stormed back into the room and in his hands were the bouquet of roses. He slammed them against the wall repeatedly while shouting curse words. I watched the beautiful petals coming off and being thrown all over the place. He walked into the kitchen and opened the bin. He looked at me coldly and stuffed the entire bouquet in the bin.
He drew nearer to me and put his finger up, in warning.
"Forget about that man. Forget about him. If I ever hear you mention him, or worse, see you with him, I will kill you with my own hands." He said in Turkish. He stormed away into his room, leaving both Mama and I startled and sobbing.
I could feel all the happiness and warmth I felt earlier on getting crushed with every sob I made. My own dad threatened to kill me if I ever associate myself with the man I started liking so much.
Is he my dad or my enemy?
YOU ARE READING
The Art Of Halaal Love
Romansa*Formerly titled as ' Allah is with you '* If you had to choose between family and love, which option would you go for? For most people it's a situation which sounds like a nightmare and they would never imagine themselves in that dilemma. But for...
