#Chapter Nine#

“You’re going to make no effort to see me, huh?” Samir laughed, although there was no humour in it. He clenched his jaw and turned his face away from me. After a few minutes he finally glanced at me with tired eyes. “It’s funny, because just a few seconds ago you were begging me to stay with the family, that my presence with you guys is vital and now you say that if I ever did leave, you wouldn’t even bother to see me. Make up your mind Sameena.” 

“You don’t want to be around me, I don’t want to be around you,” I responded, shrugging my shoulders nonchalantly. 

“Stop being so immature, would you?!”

“I’m not being immature, I’m being honest!” 

“So do you think it’s wise for you to respond that way to your older brother who’s just told you about his dream job?” His tone was authoritative yet hurt. I flinched slightly and then crossed my arms over my chest stubbornly, remaining quiet and staring at the floor. He released a breath before coming to stand in front of me. He lifted my face up so that I was gazing into his eyes instead, giving me a small smile. “Don’t get me wrong Meena…I understand exactly where you’re coming from and I want you to know that I miss spending every day with you guys too. I know that you still feel mums loss strongly and I think you feel that my going away is just another loss to the family, although not permanently.”

He had hit the nail right on its head.

I sniffed and averted my watery eyes from his intense stare. I both liked and didn’t like the fact that he could read me so well. Right now, I was grateful for his ability to pinpoint my underlying feelings because I knew I was letting my emotions get in the way. And whenever my emotions ruled my tongue, I failed to express myself properly. 

“Then don’t leave,” I whispered. 

“Nothing’s set in stone,” he exhaled. “They’re being lenient and giving me a few months to decide, since anyhow, I won’t be able to start until I officially graduate and finish my training in ten months time. I still need to think about it long and hard.” 

I nodded my head meekly. Biting my lip, I looked up at him apologetically. “I’m sorry about what I said earlier. I just really, really, miss having you in the house sometimes. Actually, all the time.” 

His eyes softened and I knew any remaining feelings of anger or hurt he felt because of me had dissipated. “I’m sorry about what I said too. If anything, you know me better than I know myself. I guess I was just frustrated that you were making a valid point against something I desire so badly. But hey,” he started with a smile, punching my arm playfully. “You might be right and I’ll be coming back running to you within a day!” 

I managed a smile. “I hope I’m right then.” I must’ve still appeared pretty down as I made my way back to bed, since he asked whether I wanted to watch a movie. “I think I’ll just pray isha and sleep. Hit the sack early tonight,” I declined.

“Oh, come on granny!” he pushed. “For old times sake?” Seeing me visibly contemplating watching with him or not he finally convinced me with the one thing that can pretty much convince any human to do anything; food. I also felt bad since he was here for only another day. “I’ll make my awesome banana smoothie,” he persuaded, wiggling his eyebrows up and down. 

“Argh, fine! But you’re making me waffles too!”

“Coming right up!” He saluted and turned to make his way out. “Last one to the kitchen’s a rotten egg!” he suddenly yelled and I rolled my eyes at his childishness before running out after him. 

####

“Can you try to at least look a little excited for this?” Mira huffed, throwing the dress she was holding onto the bed with defeat.

“I’m sorry OK?! I’m just really not feeling this meeting Mira,” I explained tiredly, moving to sit on the one small patch of my bed that wasn’t covered in dresses, skirts and scarfs. 

“How come? What’s going through your mind?” she asked, a flash of worry in her eyes.

“I have no energy for the ‘so, what do you do?’, ‘oh, that’s nice’, ‘what’re your hobbies?’” I mimicked in an overly chirpy voice. 

It was Sunday afternoon, and I would be encountering the one and only Tariq Abdo tonight for our first meeting. After giving the answer to baba last night, he had called him first thing this morning to let him know, as well as asking if he was available tonight. I didn’t quite approve of how fast the meeting was set up, but according to baba, he had been waiting over a week for our answer so he felt it was only right to have him come over straight away. 

I think Samir might have something to do with it too. I heard him mumbling something to baba about how he was leaving tomorrow and wanted to meet the man before he left.

So here were me and Mira, attempting to create a semi-formal, modest outfit for this evening but failing miserably, since I was not co-operating at all. If I shrugged my shoulder at another item of clothing, I think Mira would self-combust. 

“I know it all seems a little monotonous but it won’t be like that all the time. Once you overcome this first formal and boring part, it’ll eventually flow nicely - once you’ve found the right person, that is.”

I sighed. “I just wish it was a little easier, that’s all.” 

“There is nothing easy about marriage, Sameena. And you know that Allah SWT will reward you for doing the right thing by staying within the boundaries and limits of Islam when it comes to finding ‘the one’. How many girls do we know who’ve taken it into their own hands to go off and find their prince charming.” 

“Too many,” I mumbled. “But you’re right. I just hope he comes soon! I’m sick of waiting!” I joked. 

She gave a short laugh. “Yeah,” she muttered, playing with her ring. “At least you get proposals though, right?” Although she tried to play it off cool, I could see the sadness she was trying to veil with her faltering smile. She stared down at the floor once she saw my expression and nervously began to playplast with a purple strand of hair.

“Hey,” I began, moving to put my arm around her shoulder. “Your time will come too. I guess we both just have to be patient. I know it sounds corny, but we’ve got each other right now and that’s all that matters.” 

She put her arm around my waist and gave me a side-hug. “Truth.” 

I wondered whether I should tell her about my little discovery with Salem. I hated seeing the crestfallen look on her face and I knew that little piece of information would brighten up her whole year. But it was also an assumption on my part, one that I wasn’t one-hundred percent sure was true, even though I had a strong feeling my instincts were right. 

I decided I wouldn’t say anything yet, just incase I happened to be wrong. It would bring her hopes up and then crush her if it turned out Salem really didn’t reciprocate her feelings. 

“Alright,” I said enthusiastically, pulling her to her feet. “Whatever dress you choose for me right now, I’ll wear it.” 

“Really? Anything?!” Her eyes immediately brightened and I smiled amusedly at her. She was so easy to cheer up. 

“Anything,” I confirmed. 

“Hmm.” She rubbed at her chin and scanned the clothes spread out across my king-sized bed as seriously as someone who was deciding the fate of a convicted murderer. “This one!” 

To my delight - and relief - she had chosen a dress I actually liked. It was a peach coloured abaya that was cinched at the waist allowing it to flow nicely to my feet. It had beige lace incorporated into the sides, giving it a more elegant and formal look. “I think that one’s perfect.” 

Once I was dressed and Mira had wrapped her scarf back on, we both wove our way down the stairs and into the kitchen. After the last incident with Mr Zayed, I was not risking going in without snacking on something, lest this man be as repulsive as he was. 

It felt weird to not find Lia traipsing around the kitchen as she always was. As usual, the staff all looked up from making dinner to utter their salams with a fond smile before returning their focus on the cooking. We annoyed them for a while, swiping some hot chips and munching on the already made salad before heading to the freezer that was abundantly filled with all kinds of goodness. 

“Cookie dough ice-cream?” We looked at each other, breaking out into grins.

“Hell yeah!” 

“Why not have some whipped cream and chocolate pudding too?” Mira asked oh-so joyously.

“Why not?!” 

We sat for a good hour, laughing and chit-chatting over food. At one point Sarah joined into our conversation and it was all fun and games for me until baba came down and reminded me that Tariq would be here shortly. 

“How do I look?” I asked, standing up and flattening out my dress. 

“Amazing!”

“Beautiful!”

“OK don’t overdo it guys,” I replied dryly, rolling my eyes. “Anything in my teeth,” I questioned, smiling so they could check for any bits of food. 

“Nope, nothing,” Sarah replied, shaking her head. “And for the record, we weren’t ‘overdoing’ it. You really do look good.” 

I gave her a genuine smile. “Thanks Sarah.” I wiped off the remaining crumbs laying on my scarf and snagged a bottle of water from the fridge. Just as I popped the bottle open, I heard our door bell ring. My eyes widened as I paused, the bottle poised in mid-air, just nicking my lips. 

“Go knock him dead Meena!” Mira jumped to her feet excitedly and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “I’m going to sneak out now but I really hope tonight goes well.” 

I gave her a tight embrace. “Thanks so much for your help, I appreciate it.” 

“Hush.” She waved dismissively before pushing me in the direction of the door. “He’s waiting! Oh, and don’t forget to look at his shoes! If his shoes are nice it means he’s got a good sense of fashion!” 

“What’s that got to do with anything,” I whisper-yelled. I didn’t even know why I was whispering. 

“Because he’s got to dress well, he might be marrying the Prime Minister’s daughter for God’s sake!” she explained, flailing her arms around. 

“Will you two just shut up?! Sameena, hurry up and go upstairs, I’ll come with you,” Sarah ordered, huffing at the both of us. 

“Love you!” Mira yelled before dashing out the door slyly. 

With one hand on my back, Sarah directed me towards the living room, where I’m sure baba and my brothers were already seated with Tariq and his parents. “I can do this, right Sarah?” 

“It’s going to be fine, stop stressing!” 

“My stomach hurts,” I frowned, rubbing at my belly.

“It’s just nerves, just take a deep breath before we walk in OK?” She rubbed soothing circles against my back and I took her advice, breathing in slowly before nodding my head.

“OK let’s go in.” 

“Awesome.” 

We headed up the last flight of stairs and now I could hear light chatter and voices emanating from the living room. We rounded the corner just as I heard baba mention that I would arrive at any moment.

“Aah, here she is. May I introduce my lovely daughter in law Sarah and of course my other daughter, Sameena,” baba announced and everyone stood up as we walked further into the room. I plastered on a smile and glanced at the two older looking couple first, not daring to glance at the man who was sitting in the far right corner just yet. 

“Asalamu alaikum,” I greeted, moving to kiss the older lady, Tariqs mother, three times on the cheek.

“Wa alaikum asalam,” they both responded. 

“How are you binti?” his mother asked with a large smile on her face. She was holding me at arms length, analysing me as you would a monument. It wasn’t a judgemental overlook but rather, a look that was searching for any changes; like she had known me before.

Which was weird since I didn’t recognise her whatsoever. 

“I’m good alhamdulillah, yourselves?” I croaked out, managing not to sputter. It didn’t help that I could feel Tariq’s intense stare on the side of my head. 

“We are just fabulous!” 

Fabulous? 

Interesting choice of words.

“And we’re very delighted to introduce our son Tariq,” his father spoke up, gesturing in his direction. I swallowed hard. I had to look now. I didn’t know why I was dreading it; maybe it was because it’d confirm this is all real. 

Taking what seemed like the millionth deep breathe today, I finally allowed my eyes to flicker to the tall man who was standing by my side. 

“Mystery Man?!” I blurted out.

####

Definitions:

Binti: 'My daughter.'

A/N

Salam everyone! Hope you are all enjoying the story as of yet. 

I just wanted to say that I know this story has a bit of Politics in it and I hope it's not boring you or putting you off! It is central to the story and the main character's personality. 

I also wanted to mention that this story is set in the future, thirty years from now. I should have made that clear in earlier chapters but will be sure to point it out in the upcoming ones, just in case. 

As always, comment and vote please!