-ASAD-
After the surprise visit from my parents, I was nervous about having dinner with them. They can be very analytical with situations, such as two strangers e-loping.
The interrogation at my house was nothing of would is to come at the dinner. Don't get me wrong, my parents are cool, but they can sometimes be extreme. Regardless, Zuleika and I needed to make preparations. My dad texted me that dinner was at 6 pm.
At ten in the morning, I took Zuleika shopping as she was in dire need of some clothes and other miscellaneous items. First, we went to a few clothing stores in Dearborn, Michigan, where most Islamic clothes can be bought. Next, she bought a few abayas, a hijab with pins to hold them in place.
Our net stop was Fairlane Mall. Zuleika's eyes lit up when we entered the stores. We had time, so we did some window shopping.
Zuleika found a few clothes at JC Penny's, which was modest. Next, we stopped at Bath and Body Works for Zuleika to buy lotions and body spritz.
"Mashallah! These smell wonderful. Which one should I get? "Zuleika presented to me three fragrances of "Waikiki Beach Coconut, Black Cherry Merlot, and Champagne toast.
"They all smelled great," I replied.
"can't decide which one I should get?" She asked me as she continued to smell, trying to figure out which smelled the best.
"Get them all," I replied. Zuleika's eyes lit up.
"Are you sure?" Zuleika asked for reassurance.
"Yeah, why not," I replied with a smile.
"Shukran (Thank you.)" Zuleika replied.
"No problem. Get anything you want," I stated. I made sure Zuleika got the full set; each consisted of a body wash and body spritz for each. The last place we stopped was at Icing, where she bought a few trinkets such as bracelets, beaded necklaces, and earrings.
After a few hours of walking, we started to get hungry. It serves us right to skip eating breakfast. The only restaurant in the mall that served halal food was a place called Shwarrmas'. She ordered chicken shawarma and a fattoush salad. I decided to have the vegetarian delight platter that consisted of falafel, grape leaves, hummus, tabouli, pita bread, and baba ganoush. We both had lemonade. When we received our order and sat down to enjoy our meal. We talked for a few hours, mainly trying to get Zuleika financially established. We discussed options about her school and finding work if she chose to do so.
"Zuleika, what do you want to do now since you have an opportunity to pursue a better life," I asked.
"I thought about going to school, but I never was giving a chance," I replied.
"I think you should go to college."
"College right now may not be a good idea. I did not finish junior high school." Zuleika replied with embarrassment. I totally forgot she married at a very young age and had dropped out.
"You can start fresh. You can start by enrolling in basic English classes. We'll start there."
"What about a job? I do want to work?" Zuleika replied.
"You really are not going to find work that will hire with good pay without a high school diploma. What job skills do you have?"
"I really don't have any. But I like to do makeup. I am really good at doing henna!?"
"Okay, that's a start."
"You think I can really make any money? Cosmetics, of course. Especially with henna. Muslim women here in our community love henna artwork. So you can make a good profit of around Eed."
"I don't have any supplies."
"I'll take care of it. Don't worry."
"Shukran habibi (Thank you love)," Zuleika replied.
Zuleika touched me and grabbed my hand as we shared a heart connecting moment. For the first time in eight months, I felt the sense of clarity that my ex-wife robbed from me. My body was flooded with a warm feeling. I could tell Zuleika was feeling the same as her face was blushed with a strawberry tone. We were like two lovers meeting for the first time. However, our moment was ruined by a distinct voice that I hoped never to hear again.
"Asad? Is that you?"
Zuleika and I both looked up and saw a woman in her mid-twenties approaching our table. It was my ex-wife Suffiya. Suffiya is an African American woman, two shades lighter than my skin tone. She wore a sky blue hijab, a long sleeve purple sweater, and a tan skirt that reached her high heel boots. When Suffiya finally was three feet away from our table, I caught a whiff of the white diamond fragrance oil she loved to wear. Unfortunately, I was not too fond of that scent.
"Asad, where have you been," the Suffiya asked.
"Suffiya, what are you doing here," I asked with a cold tone. Zuleika looked at Suffiya with a confused glare.
'Well, it's a mall, silly? I am here to do some shopping. Now answer my question."
"I've been out of town. I went to Mecca for Hajj and toured the middle east."
"Wonderful. If I knew you were going to do that, I would have waited for a divorce." Suffiyalaughed atrociously. I put an end to it. Not once did Suffiya acknowledge Zuleika's presence, so I decided to introduce my wife.
"Suffiya, it was great that you did. I would not have met my amazing wife from Iraq. I like you to meet Zuleika." Suffiya chuckles immediately stopped. Suffiya glared at Zuleika. Suffiya tried to pretend that she was not surprised that I managed to marry so quickly. She was not that good at hiding her true feelings. Suffiya gave a smug look when her feelings were hurt. It was not my intention to be petty, but I wanted Suffiya gone. Zuleika gave the cutest Islamic greeting in her Iraqi accent."
"Oh, you got married again so soon?"
"You did before the Eddah period was over."
"How long did you known her?"
"That is none of your business."
"You sound bitter. I just came to say hello," Suffiya replied with an attitude.
"If you don't mind, I like to have some privacy with my wife,"?
"Well, I know when I am not wanted. Awe-salaam Alaikum!" Suffiya replied as she stormed off. Zuleika looked at me with the same confused look.
"Who was that," Zuleika asked.
"My ex-wife."
After meeting my ex-wife for the first time in months, I felt mixed anger and frustration. Was there still love for her? I would be lying if I said no. I took a ride home with Zuleika to help me forget about Suffiya. Zuleika and I returned to the car. Once the bags were loaded into the trunk, I attempted to start the car, but Zuleika stopped me. She put her hand over on my hand that had the key in the ignition. I was concerned because I thought that she wanted to talk about Suffiya. I was wrong.
Zuleika put her hand on my cheek and kissed my lips. I felt a surge of warmness as my heart raced. The feeling I had for Suffiya was gone. When Zuleika released my lips, she looked at me.
"Let's hurry home," Zuleika requested.
Within a 15-minute drive, I was parking the driveway. After taking all that we purchased into the bedroom, Zuleika entered and immediately removed her clothes. Zuleika jumped into my arms and kissed me. We both fell onto the bed, where I joined her in nudity. We passionately made loved.
Since we had a few hours to spare, I laid in bed with my wife. Zuleika's back was turned towards me. I was slightly surprised when I saw the scars. I caressed her scars in concern, but soon as I touched them, Zuleika pulled away. I have seen her naked before but never really paid attention to her back.
"How did you get these wounds," I inquired. Zuleika was reluctant to tell me, but she did. Zuleika set up on the bed, exposing more of the scars on her lower back.
"Some of the men I married were sadists. One beat me with an extension cord until I bled. I can remember marrying a man who wanted sodomy. When I refused, he beat me beyond recognition before choking me until I passed out. When I woke up, I was bleeding from my anus. It was so much blood on the sheet. I thought I was going to die."
Zuleika broke down into tears. I could not believe that men from my religion would do this. What these men did to her was inhumane and went entirely against Islam. I felt the need to protect my wife and make sure I could smooth her transition to a better life here. I put my arms around Zuleika and kissed her neck before whispering kind words.
"I am so sorry that you had to go through this. But you are with me now. I promise I will do my best to love you as you want, and the Qu'ran mandates me to do." With those words, Zuleika kissed my forearm with her tear-soaked lips.
"Maybe we should shower and pray," I suggested
"I would like that."
After we showered and prayed at the Asr hour, we got dressed in our best clothes. Zuleika wore a magenta abaya and white khimar that complimented her make-up. She applied coal eyeliner, light foundation, and hot pink lipstick. I see the reason why she was interested in doing make-up for a living. Zuleika had skills.
Next, Zuleika put on Cuban zirconia earrings that matched the knee-high leather boots we bought earlier. The bath and bodywork fragrance of Waikiki Beach Coconut was making my heart beat fast. Alhumdulilah, I have a healthy heart.
I wore a beige thobe that buttons up the color, matching pants in paint and textile, and beige Timberland boots. I oiled my medium size beard with shea butter that gave it a soft texture and luster.
My mother texted me that dinner was at 8 pm; however, Zuleika and I left the house around 6:30 pm in my 2010 Honda Civic. The rush hour traffic would be ending; however, a few accidents would extend the time. It took twenty minutes to get to my parents' house after taking the Southfield freeway.
When I parked my car in my parent's driveway, Zuleika started to get out of the vehicle; however, I told her to let me get out first. I walked over to the driver's side and opened the door. I extended a hand to assist her out of the car as a courtesy. Zuleika's eyes lit up with appreciation as she took my hand.
"Shukraan lak habibi" She replied. Once Zuleika was out of the car, we made our way to the door. My mother must've heard my car because she didn't even give me the chance to ring the doorbell. My mother quickly opened the door and greeted us with a motherly hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Awe-salaam Alaikum," My mother greeted us.
"Wa' Alaikum Salaam, " Zuleika and I replied.
"Well, you two are early!" My mother replied with a cheerful tone.
"We wanted to make sure we got here on time," I replied.
"Well, come on in and have a seat while I finish up cooking."
After we made salat for our Maghrib prayer, my parents, Zuleika, and I ate dinner. My mother cooked red beans & rice, Ethiopian collard greens, garden salad serving Balsamic vinaigrette dressing, homemade mango juice, and baked lemon garlic chicken. My mother loved cooking a diverse meal that she only prepared for special occasions. I guess her son introducing a new family member was more of a reason to do so.
We all were in a moment of silence during dinner, except for the clatter of silverware touching the plate. I guess my mother was getting tired of the silence and decided to start a conversation of her own.
"You know, I was thinking about the perfect colors for the wedding. I was thinking about the colors of bronze, silver, or maroon. Maybe Zuleika could help with some ideas. I love the way she coordinated her outfit. She has taste." My mother replied.
"Inshallah," Zuleika replied.
"I thought that Zuleika and I could have a private wedding," I stated. Then, finally, I guess my father decided to speak. I looked at his plate, which had nothing left but bones.
"Why not? You know it's our family tradition to have big weddings."
"My last marriage ceremony was long and tiresome. Besides, Zuleika does not have any family support from her side of kinship."
"Understandable. Suppose that's what you two want. We can still have a small wedding dinner," My mother stated with a disappointed tone.
When we were done eating, my mother asked Zuleika to assist her in cleaning the dishes. I offered to do it in Zuleika's place, but my dad asked me to talk with him outside. I was a bit worried because I knew he had a lot more to say about getting married on a whim. So my dad and I went to the backyard patio. Again, my dad was blunt with his words.
"Son, you know that I trust you and your decisions, but the one you made with Zuleika, I have my doubts about your judgment."
'What do you mean? I got married."
"Off of a whim to a woman, you don't know or went through the proper introduction to marriage."
"Zuleika and I did not have time for that. When I found out she was being sold off for profit. I had to act quickly."
"I admit, you did a great deed rescuing a woman in dire need. But you know nothing of this woman. Did she have an S.T.D test?"
"It was the first thing we had when immigration took us to the medical clinic. We are clear."
"Fine! I'll drop it. This time protect your money and your heart."
"I'll make sure," I stated.
"Good, come on in. Your mother made some caramel cake," I replied as she retreated into the house.
VOCABULARY
Iddah- Generally, the 'iddah of a woman divorced by her husband is three monthly periods, but if the marriage was not consummated, there is no 'iddah. For a woman whose husband has died, the 'iddah is four lunar months and ten days after her husband's death, whether or not the marriage was consummated.