Seems I've been updating more frequently now that uni has started. *cough, procrastination, cough*

#Chapter Sixteen#

Dark eyes and jet black hair. Defined jaw line. A slightly crooked nose, one that might have been punched too many times. Lightly protruding ears. No dimples. Just a simple, yet clearly determined smile.

I hated him.

I really did.

Anger and strong hurt bubbled up within me at baba’s words and I tried my hardest to repress the memories that were fighting to resurface. Memories of bitter betrayal. Of lies and deceit. Of fraudulent love. 

It was absolute agony; both sitting through the dinner and trying to tamper down my emotions. 

“I’ve decided I need a young and fresh outlook on life and who better than someone like Isaac? He was born and raised here, graduated three years ago with both a bachelor in politics and business as well as a masters in economics. He already has a seat in parliament at such a young age and has worked extremely hard for our communities.” Baba continued on and on, filled with praise for the seemingly perfect young man sitting to his right.

He must have felt the intensity of the glares I was throwing his way all through dinner. He glanced at me with an odd expression every time he felt my eyes on him and I didn’t even bother to mask my hatred. I internally scoffed. What, did he think because he was handsome, young, a man, that he was superior to me? 

I didn’t say one word for the full length of our meal and as soon as everyone had finished, I pushed my chair back sharply, handed Abir back to Sarah and stomped my way upstairs. 

I really couldn’t believe it.

I had honestly thought that baba would choose me, especially since I’d be graduating in less than three months. That I would be the one by his side in meetings, making crucial, defining decisions for this country. That it would be me who helped lessen the load on his shoulders, not some random, admittedly accomplished, man. I imagined myself staying up late with baba, peering over paperwork together, laughing and sipping on tea whilst we rubbed our eyes in exhaustion.

But it seemed, that baba didn’t even consider me for the role. 

He didn’t even see the potential in me. Nor the passion. 

And maybe that’s what hurt the most. 

My degree, how hard I studied to be the absolute best in class, was all done in an attempt to prove to baba that I have what it takes for the position. But I felt kind of lost now. What would I do once I graduated in three months? I’m sure there would be other positions lined up for me, but would it be the same? Especially since for years, my sights were set on this one job?

I could speak to baba; tell him how I really feel and what I was expecting. But what can he do now? He had already employed Isaac and he would most likely be broadcasted to the country tomorrow, with an official introduction and interview. He couldn’t very well go up to him and say ‘Sorry Isaac, it seems my daughter actually wants this job, so off you go!’.

And the worst part - Isaac would now become a part of our daily life. He’d be in an out of the house with baba. He’d be eating dinner with us, most likely, every day. He’d live no further than ten minutes from here. He’d be a constant reminder of my failed dreams.

I sighed, mentally exhausted from this day. I shut my bedroom door and proceeded to stroll around my room like a confused puppy. I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes. 

That was when the worst of thoughts began to plague me. Unsurprisingly, the tears were spilling down my cheeks within seconds and I stubbornly wiped every single one that fell, angered at my inability to keep myself in check. 

I decided a hot bath would do good for me right now, even though I had already showered a few hours before. I walked into the toilet, thankful that I had my own private bathroom and pressed the button on the jacuzzi. Instantly the hot water began filling up slowly and with a final glance to make sure the settings were on right, I walked back into my room to get changed. 

I groaned when someone knocked on my door. I just wanted to spend the rest of this night alone and in peace. I trudged my way there, ensuring that the last of my tears had been wiped off my face, before swinging the door open. 

“What do you want Faysal?” I asked tiredly.

“You forgot your phone on the dinner table,” he said, handing me back my sleek black samsung. I took it from him with caution. Faysal was one of few who knew about my ambitions as he had heard me telling Mira on the phone a few years back and so it was no surprise that he was delighted when he heard baba’s announcement at dinner.

“Thanks.” I moved to close the door but he stopped me, putting one hand against it. 

“Don’t be too cut up about Isaac stealing your position,” he said, almost sounding sincere. Almost. “Because it wasn’t yours in the first place, but hey, I’m sure your father had some other jobs lined up for you. His secretary, possibly. Maybe even his cleaner? Who knows?” 

Keep your calm, Sameena.

Keep. Your. Calm. 

He smirked victoriously, knowing he had hit a nerve and that was when I thought nope. I would not keep my calm. I pulled the sleeve down on my right hand, which was hard considering I didn’t have the left to help me, and went straight for it.

I punched him right in his disgustingly shiny nose. 

“What the hell?!” he yelled in shock, his hand flying to stop the blood that was pouring out like a tap. I shook out my own hand, before slamming the door right in his face, locking it as I turned to leave. 

I was angry. So damn angry. 

I peeled my clothes off with newfound rage and dipped myself into the steaming hot water. I turned the jets on and added some honey smelling soap. I slid down so that just my head was above the water and I squinted at the ceiling in contemplation. 

I had decided. 

If Isaac, or baba for that matter, thought that I would stop my campaigns, initiatives and influence, that I would step down from all that, now that there was an advisor in the picture they were dead wrong.

#### 

Saturday morning, the next day, I acted completely normal. I gave no one the impression that I was annoyed or upset. I was ignoring Mira’s sympathetic glances and Faysal’s icy ones. 

I was saddened when I discovered that I didn’t break his nose; unfortunately, I had just twisted it. 

Just as I had expected, baba and Isaac had gone off this morning to make the announcement of Isaac’s employment. It made my morning a tad better, since I didn’t have to see his face, first thing after waking up. 

I was also a little pre-occupied as Tariq would be coming over in a few hours and he was bringing with him his sister, who I had yet to meet. With the way that Tariq spoke about her adoringly, I knew he very much loved his little sister and I was excited to meet her.

Thankfully for me, the hours had flown past and as soon as I heard the door bell ring downstairs, I practically flew down the stairs in excitement. Mira had rolled her eyes at me and made stupid kiss noises but I dismissed her, to happy to care about her teasing. It had been almost a week since I had last seen him and if you ask me, a week too long!

Don’t get ahead of yourself Sameena. Anything can happen at this stage.

I regained my composure as I walked up to the door, greeted by the sight of baba and Ziad shaking Tariq’s hand, before bowing slightly in the direction of his sister. 

When Tariq’s eyes landed on mine, he beamed widely and I smiled shyly at him in return. “Asalamu alaikum!” 

“Wa alaikum asalam,” I responded, my eyes flickering to his sister who was smiling as she observed us. 

“Oh,” he said dumbly, as if just remembering to introduce her. “Sameena, I’d like you to meet my younger sister Elisa.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” she said, as I moved in to kiss her three times on the cheek. 

“And you. Tariq tells me that you don’t like strawberries. We’re going to have to work on that,” I joked and everyone laughed. 

“I doubt you can convince me to like them but I admire your determination.” 

“Oh believe me, there’s a lot of that,” Ziad commented and I grinned in response. We all shuffled into the living room as usual and made ourselves comfortable on the couches. Conversation started swiftly as usual and I found myself deep into conversation with Elisa for a full twenty minutes. She was very nice and like her brother, outgoing. We had learned we had a lot in common but also quite a few differences.

I threw my head back and laughed for a full minute straight when she said she’d rather drink acid than take a subject on Politics. It was then I felt someone staring at me and I blushed as I turned to see Tariq’s grey eyes on me. 

He turned to his sister. “I didn’t realise your intention in coming here was to steal her away from me!” he remarked playfully, winking in my direction. I blushed even harder although this time I had the guts to comment back.

“She’s strong competition Tariq, you sure you can handle her?” I joked.

Tariq laughed and put an arm around his sister’s shoulder. “Handle her? I’ll defeat her!” 

I smiled as Tariq rubbed her head, ruining her hijab slightly and she in turn, wrestling him away from her body. “I can’t be defeated.” 

He shook his head at his sister amusedly before turning to me. “So Sameena, tell me something.”

“Like…” I trailed off.

“Anything and everything. But it has to be about yourself.” 

“OK.” I shifted in my seat and tried to think of something interesting about myself. “You’ll probably find this weird, but I love bees and think they’re one of the most fascinating creatures on this Earth.” Elisa frowned in distaste and Tariq nodded his head thoughtfully. “And you?” 

“Well I never ever liked bees,” he said, diverting from the question slightly. “But now I do…even though I’m allergic to them.” He grinned at me and I resisted the urge to either fling myself into his arms or melt at his sweetness. 

“Aww,” Elisa cooed. “Tariq being all mushy.” She nudged him in the ribs.

“And so what if I am?”

“It’s OK, I’m sure Sameena enjoys it.” 

“Stop it you two!” I exclaimed, covering my face with my hands.

“See what you’ve done? You’ve embarrassed her!” Tariq accused. 

“What?! You were the one wh-,” 

“OK guys,” I interjected. “Why don’t we go sit in the garden. It seems like baba and Ziad have retreated elsewhere.” 

So we sat outside. We joked, we laughed and had deep conversations together. 

“Do you guys ever feel so much happiness, that you actually ponder what good deed you’ve done to deserve it?”

I nodded my head in agreement. “Yes. Sometimes I feel like I’m too blessed and I feel like no matter how much gratitude we show and prayer’s we make, it’ll never be enough. Why do you ask?” 

“Because I’m feeling it right now,” he said turning to me with an intense gaze. The moon’s light was reflecting off his eyes and I could see the sincerity in them. “I haven’t been this happy in a long time Sameena.” My breathing hitched yet I appeared calm. “I really, really want this to move forward.”

I looked at him for a moment longer. “So do I,” I whispered. 

“Is it too much if I ask your father before I leave to set the date for the fatiha?” 

Oh my God.

Oh. My. God.

Don’t freak out. It’s a perfectly valid question. 

“Of course not,” I said in the calmest voice I could muster, although internally, I was bursting at the seams with happiness.

####

Definitions:

Fatiha: first step in the marriage procession, to let the community/friends know that these two people are interested in each other for marriage. It comprises of a small gathering, where a small speech is made and a verse from the holy Qur'an is read.