A Delightful Tragedy

08. Agreed

I WASNT SUPPOSED TO UPDATE, NEVERTHELESS I DID. MY EXAMS STARTS FROM NEXT WEEK. I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO UPDATE NEXT WEEK THAT'S WHY I DID TODAY. now happy reading :)

U M É M A' S P O V

"Mom!" I whined. "I don't wanna go!"

I trailed behind Mom like a lost puppy as she took it upon herself to pack my bags, claiming she couldn't trust me to do it on my own.

"Why, Uméma?" She turned to face me. "Sarah, who is your mother-in-law now, is older than you, and she's personally invited you to join her at her niece's wedding. You shouldn't be disrespectful to her," Mom explained patiently. "Nada, beta, doesn't the navy blue color suit Uméma? Shall we pack that too?"

"Yes, Mom, Ummi looks really beautiful in that color," Nada agreed, pulling the dress out of the closet.

"What yaar, Nada? At least you could support me!" I complained, stepping away from Mom, knowing she was no help, and turned toward Nada.

"Look, Ummi, if I were in your place, I wouldn't disrespect Aunt Sarah by not going," Nada said, raising her hands in mock defense. "Also, it was you who was so eager to get married. So, all this comes along with it," she added with a whisper, disappearing into the closet again. What have I gotten myself into?

"Plus, you've already been rude by not paying attention at the dining table yesterday," Mom added.

"Mom, she was busy talking to Shariq. Newlyweds, spare them," Nada grinned, and Mom smiled in amusement.

"Nada!" I whisper-yelled, mortified.

"What?" She feigned innocence.

"Yo—"

"If she doesn't want to go, then let it be, Mom," Fahad, my savior of a brother, finally stepped in.

"Fahad, you don't understand these things. These small gestures mean a lot in new relationships," Mom insisted, her eyes wide for emphasis. "Plus, she and Shariq will get to know each other better," she added, making me scoff internally.

"But Mom, for one week?! Won't you miss me?" I cried.

"Of course I will, but sometimes I have to let go so you can become more independent and understand the importance of certain things," she replied, sounding like she was reading from a script. My goodness, her dialogue felt like a lecture directed at me.

"Mom, but what about my vacation? This was supposed to be my break," I argued.

"Your vacation lasts two more months, Uméma. Don't give me invalid excuses. This is just a matter of a week."

"What if their plan gets extended?!"

"That won't happen. And if it does, we'll deal with it then."

"Mom, why me alone?! Why don't you guys come with me?"

"Sweetheart, you are their daughter-in-law, not all of us. You're part of their family now, so why would we intrude on their privacy? Besides, Sarah mentioned that the whole family is excited to meet you, especially those who couldn't make it to your Nikah," Mom dropped the bombshell. Ya Allah, why did I have to get married?!

I had to admit, Mom was right. On short notice, many of Shariq's relatives couldn't attend the Nikah. But the real question is, WHO THE HECK IS EXCITED TO MEET ME?! I am the most introverted person ever, and ever since our 'father' left, it's affected me more than I care to admit.

"Uméma, come here for a second," Nada called from my closet.

"Yaar, Nada, Mom isn't listening to me at all!" I complained.