FATE'S PLAY

C H A P T E R . O N E

It was 1 am at night, and I was eavesdropping at my parents door. If my Mama found out, I'd be grounded for a month, but the piece of information I discovered was so vital to my life that it was worth any amount of grounding.

"I'm telling you, Akram, there's no good coming out of this girl. It's best if we move matters soon, and fast."

"Alveena," my father whispered. "What's the big deal?  What's this sudden haste? For the past few days you've been bringing up this topic - are you sure they are still interested? After all, it's been years and years since. It was just a spoken word between us. Perhaps they are not serious about it anymore." My father hazarded.

"They made a promise. They wanted our daughter. They can't go back now. And we need to hurry, before this daughter of ours disrespects us completely in society," her voice lowered. I adjusted myself to hear better but her voice kept fluctuating, which hinted at her pacing the room. My knees complained, but I ignored, and controlled my breath to be as noiseless as possible. 

Her voice rose again. "You know the other day, when she said she was going to Zehra's to study? She went to a party with her. Full of boys and lower class people! Can you imagine what would happen if they get to hear of it? You should be concerned - think of how useful such influential people can be to you! Imagine the loss if they decide they no longer want our daughter! That's why I say we hurry." 

At this point I could hear footsteps hurrying towards the door. I had gotten enough information to give me an idea of my mother's plans. I was sure dad wouldn't be as merciless as her. I tiptoed back, and melted into the shadows, silently finding my way back to my room, my head spinning with what I'd just heard. I had known that I was betrothed at birth, to my mother's friend's son, that they were an important family. In a way, I had been brought up with that goal in mind, to be a perfect wife and daughter in law. Everything about me was decided by my mother. Down to the degree I studied in University. I had wanted to pursue arts but she made me take up economics. But - but weren't they supposed to wait until I had graduated for the official engagement?

Relax, I told myself. Dad will make her see rationally. He will calm her down, like he always does. If not, my brothers will support me. I entered my room and heaved a sigh. 

I'll only have to weather tomorrow's storm. There is no way Mama is going to let the topic of that party go away lightly. 

************************

It was a pleasant evening. I was in my room lying on the bed with my legs up resting on the headboards, listening to music, when a loud knock on my door startled me. It appeared that whoever it was had been knocking for some time, that I, in my loud music induced reverie, had failed to notice. Thinking it was Mama, my heart panicked and I quickly jumped into position, glancing in the mirror to see my appearance passed the test of Mama-approved, ditched the iPod under my pillow, grabbed my dupatta off the back of my desk chair and hurriedly opened the door. All in a matter of ten seconds.

Heart thumping wildly, I sighed in relief to see it was our young maid, looking bored. "Auntie Malka has sent me to tell you that dinner is served," she intoned in a tone that signalled she was done with this world and headed towards the staircase without any response from me. The attitudes in this young girl! I'm sure Mama secretly wished I'd learn something from her. 

Smoothing out my braid once more, I wrapped my dupatta around my shoulders and headed downstairs. My family was gathered round at the table, with only my chair left vacant. Damn. I risked lifting my eyes toward Mama, in the thousandth part of millisecond, but she was already glaring at me and I was scorched under the radiation steaming from those icy green eyes of hers.