U M É M A' S P O V
"EW! NO, MOM!" I shrieked, my face twisting in utter disgust.
"Honey, why?" Mom asked, looking at me helplessly.
"Ugh, Mom! How could you even think something like that? Me? And Shariq? Not even in my nightmares!" I couldn't believe she'd bring up something so absurd. It was the day after my lovely brother and sister-in-law's reception. I was in a perfect mood, but Mom decided to drop this bomb on me.
"But you two have been promised to each other since you both were toddlers," she said, as if that would make it any better. Where are Nada and Fahad when I need them? Right, off on their honeymoon—lucky, merciless people, leaving me alone to face Mom's insanity.
"Mom, how could you do this?" I cried. She and Aunt Sarah—Shariq's mother, a generally sweet lady but definitely not at this moment—had somehow fixed up this whole arrangement. The thought was revolting and ridiculous at the same time. Me? With that maniac? Absolutely not.
"It's just my wish, sweetheart. My wish to see my daughter in a happy marriage."
"Mom, I'm only twenty-one! I still have to become an interior designer!" I waved my hands around, trying to get her to understand just how wrong this was.
"I'm not saying you'll marry tomorrow. I'm just informing you that, a few years down the road, you'll be marrying Shariq. That's all." She placed her hands gently on my shoulders, as if that would somehow make it better.
"Mom, why h—"
"Or do you have someone else in mind?" She gave me a horrified look, as if the mere thought was a scandal.
"Astagfirullah, no, Mom! I've told you before, and I'll say it again—I'll marry a man of your choice," I said firmly, feeling cornered and trying to hold my ground.
"Shariq is my choice." She beamed, absolutely delighted with her own plan.
"Mama, why don't you understand? I'm too young for this!"
"Honey, why don't you understand? I'm just letting you know."
"But why Shariq?" I protested, exasperated.
"And why not Shariq?" she countered smoothly.
"He's a maniac, Mom! Anyone but him." I plopped onto the couch, massaging my temples in frustration. "And how can you be so sure he'll make me happy?"
"Because he will." She joined me on the couch, her face softening. "No one would treat you like Shariq would, beta."
"Exactly! No one would treat me like Shariq—he's that awful," I muttered, hoping she'd catch my drift.
"What nonsense!"
"It's not nonsense, Mom!"
I couldn't help but wonder how Shariq was handling this. Poor guy—he was probably just as shocked. Actually, I almost pitied him. (Little did I know.)
"Okay, let me ask you this: Did Shariq agree?" I knew the answer was going to be negative.
"No, h—"
"Then that's it, Mom. End of discussion. He doesn't agree, and I don't agree. Story over." I grinned, thrilled by my quick victory.
"Not yet." She still seemed convinced she'd get her way, but I was confident. Shariq doesn't even see me as an acquaintance—wife is a million miles away.
"Alright, Mom. Good luck convincing him," I said dismissively.
"And what if he says yes? Will you listen to me then?"
"Yes. The second he agrees, I'll be at the altar in my wedding dress," I replied confidently, knowing he'd never say yes. He's Shariq, for God's sake—we're like oil and water.
"Then start planning what you'll wear that day," she teased.
"And Mom, sorry to say—but you might want to brace yourself for disappointment."
"No, my lovely daughter, you're the one in denial." She clearly didn't understand the depths of mutual loathing between me and Shariq. She'd learn soon enough.
I sighed, picking up my phone to scroll through social media. This vacation was boring me to new levels. I couldn't wait for results to come out so I could start looking at colleges and finally move on with my life.
"I just want you to be happy," I heard Mom sniffle.
"Mumma, why are you crying?" I moved closer to her, feeling guilty despite myself.
"Who knows if I'll even be here tomorrow? Fahad is married now, and I just want to see you settled too."
"Mom!" I said firmly, though my voice wavered. "Nothing is going to happen to you, okay? Why are you getting so emotional over this?"
"I just want you to have all the happiness in the world."
"Mom." I hugged her tightly. "You've already given me more happiness than I deserve."
"I hope I have."
"I'm sure you have."
"Will you marry Shariq for me?" she asked, looking at me with tear-filled eyes.
"Mom, you're making this so hard." I looked away, feeling conflicted and overwhelmed.
"So...is your answer still no?"
"I'm sorry, Mom." I swallowed hard. "It's still a no, and it always will be."
"Alright, then." She sighed, looking defeated. "I'll inform Sarah."
"Yes, please do." I said quietly. One of the reasons I refused was that I couldn't bear the thought of two lives being ruined. Mom was just caught up in emotions; she'd never push me into something like this under normal circumstances. But all this planning had been decided when I was still a toddler. It was all so confusing.
Fifteen minutes later, Mom walked back into the room with her phone in hand.
"Hogayi baat?" I asked. (Done talking?)
"Yes."
"Hmm."
"Shariq declined as well." I knew it!
Phew! Finally, this chapter was closed for good.
Everything that happens, happens by Allah's will. And clearly, Allah didn't want me and Shariq married to each other.
Asalamwalikum and hello people!! I know this was a real boring chapter BUT the next one is gonna be really exciting! Stay tuned for that. Please share your thoughts on this chapter and don't forget to vote too. Until then, thank you, bye, stay home, AllahHafiz and take ^_^
Also, do tell me your favourite part of the chapter.
24-07-20
03-11-24
YOU ARE READING
A Delightful Tragedy
Romance"I hate you! Actually scratch that. I loath you." "Well, let's see for how much more time you will hate me, ohh, wait scratch that loath me, right?" This is the story of Uméma Layla Sheikh and Shariq Majnu Hadid who hates each other's guts. But wha...
