The Art Of Halaal Love

14 | Hasan

Leila's POV

"I'm expecting you to be nice and polite to him and his family, yes? No sad looks, no awkwardness, no funny comments, none of that. Do you understand?" Baba instructed me while he was driving.
"Yes." I muttered and looked out the window. This was actually happening. There was no escape. Not now, not ever. I'm being dragged into this wrongfully and forcefully. How can I even consider another man while my heart is filled with love towards another?
"And put a smile on your face. I'm not torturing you, in the least. This man is one of a kind. And his family is very important, like I told you the other day. Just keep that in mind and don't screw this up. Or you will have me to answer to." I caught Mama giving him a dirty look and turning away from him. She isn't talking to Baba and they had many arguments, one that nearly turned violent. She was fighting against this, but it was surely a loosing battle.

This family we are going to meet is supposedly a very important family, one of high class. They apparently flew in from Turkey just to see me. The father of this man is a boss of some company and the man is the heir of the company. I learnt that his name was Hasan and just thinking about him made me sick to my stomach. I couldn't give a toss if he was rich and had a good reputation but for Baba that's all that mattered.
All I was thinking about was Khalid. The guilt in my heart was too much to describe. Only God knows this is absolutely against my will and I hate that I was doing this. I can only imagine how heartbroken he will be when he finds out...he was so sincere and honest but none of that mattered to Baba.
I was so scared. I spent nearly the entire night crying and crying to Mama. There was nothing we could do. I was so frightened of this stranger I have to meet. Who is he? What's his personality like? Is he kind? Or is he just another bully like Baba? Whoever he was, good or bad, I had to get along with him or I would pay the consequences from Baba.

As Baba pulled in to the parking lot and started circling to find a parking spot, my heartbeat quickened and my hands started feeling sweaty. Shortly after the car was parked, I got off the car and straightened up my outfit. I was wearing a lilac buttoned Abaya with a dark purple silk hijab and suede flats. I could have worn a bin bag for all I care. I held tightly to my black clutch as we entered the restaurant we were meant to meet them. The urge to run away was so strong...but I couldn't. I looked at Mama nervously and she held my hand tightly, giving me a reassuring look.

This place was out of this world. I had never seen or been to such a luxurious-looking place. Heck, there was chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, they looked like they were going to fall off. There was also a huge aquarium with countless of fish, which Aminah and Alinah found interesting, but Baba told them off for acting silly. After checking our reservation with the staff, they led us to a huge hall where there were many tables set out with flowers, plates, wine glasses and napkins. The main theme colour was red. The whole place had a dimmed, romantic feel to it but it was making me feel extremely uncomfortable. We were led further in to a rectangular table with eight chairs around it. Thankfully, we were the first ones there. We sat down and I noticed the amount of detail that was on the table. The flowers were arranged beautifully with roses and there were candles laid out. The plates and cutlery had been meticulously arranged in front of us and they looked spotless. It was like I was at a wedding. Although it looked beautiful and sophisticated, I hated all this luxury. It's all for show, it's all meaningless. It would be beautiful if the reason we were here wasn't so ugly. But it was the bitter truth.

We waited for quite a while and they still hadn't arrived. I felt increasingly nervous and began feeling claustrophobic. I stood up and intended to go to the toilet.
"Where are you going?" Baba asked,gruffly.
"Toilet." I responded and froze in my steps. Baba gave me an annoyed look and turned to Mama saying, " Go with her." I looked at him confusedly.
"I don't trust you. How do I know you won't run away and embarrass me?" Mama gave him a dirty look and lead me out of that horrible place.
We found our way to the toilet and the luxury in here made me want to gag. The whole place was decorated with picture frames and flowers. Give me a break. I leaned on the sink area with my hands and looked at my reflection. My pale, tired looking reflection. All this makeup I had on me made me feel sick. I seriously wanted to just rub the stupid eyeliner,mascara and lipstick off. I washed my hands with cold water and patted my cheeks with the wet hands. I dried myself off and leaned on the wall and closed my eyes, wishing to be somewhere else when I opened them. But that was just a wish that would never come true.
"Leila, don't be too worried. I will do something about this." Mama said.
"What? It's too late to stop anything."
"Listen." She whispered and looked around. "Just act normally tonight when we meet this stupid family, okey? Before the wedding, I will help you run away. You will run as far as you can...with Khalid." She smiled. I looked at her like she was an alien.
"Mama, are you listening to yourself? He will kill you and track us both down and slaughter us! This is Baba we are talking about." I shook my head.
"Leila! We will plan this carefully. I will not let you live a depressing life with whoever this man is." I sighed.
"Mama, this is just something I have to accept. This will be my life from now on. I don't want to put anyone in danger. I will put up with this. I have Allah with me. That's all I need." I explained, feeling hopeful. I observed Mama trying to swallow her tears and looking emotionally towards me.
"No. I will do something about this. Ask any mum out there, they would never stand back and watch their daughter live such a life." I smiled towards her and crashed into her arms and hugging her.
"I love you, Mama." I said and embraced her tighter. She hugged me back, "I love you too. Don't worry. I'm here for you."
"We should go now." I said. She nodded and we returned to the table, where the family still hadn't arrived.