Hazek's POV
I saw her leaving with a man whose face was covered. The fragile, shy, and covered Aisha I knew once was gone now. I could see it when she so boldly let the strange man hold her hand in public, she had gone too far away for me to convince her.
Now I'll be seen as an enemy if I say or do something against her choices. I had already become one and so I had no more confidence to deal with her affairs. To be honest I was no one right now. A mere engagement ring holds no value in our religion. If she was in my Nikkah (Islamic marriage) then I would have done my utmost best to make her look at me and the love I foster for her in my heart.
Shaking my head I went home with a very sinking heart.
After I entered the home, I saw Maleeha pacing back and forth in the living room with her hands folded behind her back as if she were in some sort of turmoil.
"Hey, you're here? Everything alright with your in-laws?" I ask as soon as I confront her.
"Hazek." She turns to me and the worried expression eases up a little when she looks at me. "What is Aisha doing?"
Her question had got me off guard but I knew what she had meant. "W-what?" I try to play innocent.
"Did you not know? Her TikTok videos?" She asks me for affirmation and I release a sigh of frustration while running my hands through my hair and beard.
"Don't tell mom, Maleeha."
"You're asking me to not tell Mom? When the whole world knows about her? I couldn't believe it when my friend called me and asked if she was my cousin. This was so much to take in!"
"Let Mom know at her own pace. Just like you got to know."
"What are you saying Hazek? The whole family would be defamed because of her bold videos. Did you think about Uncle Akbar and Aunt Sufia? It would break their hearts. Their world would collapse!"
"I know Maleeha. Did you not think I tried my best to convince her? She doesn't even acknowledge me as anyone. She wants to break this engagement thing to pursue that career."
"Ya Allah!" She held her head in her hands. "What has happened to that innocent girl?"
"Just pray for her, this is what we can do."
"I'll go talk to her. She'll listen to me for sure. I'm her baji (elder sister) and most of all her friend." She says while releasing her head.
"You can try. I won't stop you. But no word should get out between the three of us."
"Do you think I am stupid? I want the best for her too."
"I am sorry. I am just tired of it all." I give her a side hug and she pats my back.
It feels lighter actually after sharing things with your sibling who knows you through and out.
~~~
Aisha's POV
"Who was that man standing with you?" David asks as we sit together in a hotel restaurant.
"He was my cousin," I reply plainly as I twiddle with the food on my plate.
"Hmm… So he knows about us?" I nod my head in affirmation.
"So he's cool about it?"
"Why are you asking though?"
"Just because… Long-beard men are always touchy about their culture." He shrugs.
"You mean Islam?" He nods. "Why? Do you have something against Islam?"
"No. It's not like that. I was born in a Muslim family too but… It never clicked with me. To me Islam is just an idea and ideas can be mended with time. But looking at your cousin, I felt he would be strongly against us or this is what I have seen around, religious people tend to be really extreme."
Hearing David's words hurt me a little. How can someone belittle Islam so easily? Islam is not just an ideology… But then who am I to speak? I am the same as David. Only words and no knowledge.
"Not everyone is like that. He was against it at first but… He has made peace with my decision. He won't come in my way again."
"Wow. That's amazing." He leans closer to the table and places his hand on mine. "By the way, why are we talking like some old people? Let's talk about us."
Suddenly Hazek's words echoed in my head as I watched David's hand on mine.
'No respectable man would touch a girl unless he plans to include her in his future.'
But then wasn't it too soon to think that way? David and I have known each other for hardly a few weeks.
I somehow retrieved my hand out of his hesitantly and pulled a strand of hair behind my ear.
"Are you alright?" He asks.
"Y-yeah. Just feeling a little down." I made an excuse to avoid being further questioned but it did the opposite.
He takes my hand and pulls me up from my seat. "Come with me, I'll take you for a rest."
"N-no Dave. I'm fine." I protest but he keeps dragging me along and I give in just to follow him.
We ended up standing outside the hotel suite room. He unlocks the door with a card and pulls me inside with him, not giving me a chance to say a word.
"Dave, we should head out. I'm alright now. I don't really need to rest." I explain but he places a finger against my lips.
"Shh! Not a single word."
"But-"
"Shhh!" He presses both my shoulders and pushes me down on the bed. "Lay down. Rest for a while then we can leave. And I'm not hearing a no."
"I… I don't know-"
"Don't worry. You don't need to hesitate in front of me. I'll go sit outside on the sofa. You rest here." He left the room with a pat on my cheek while I was left alone on the bed.
Now that I looked around the suite, it was lavish and humongous. Only my room was as big as my whole living room. The suite had its own dining area with multiple sofa sets and expensive vases everywhere. The silk curtains complemented everything that was in the room.
I lay down on the bed with my head against the pillow. I clap my hands and the lights turned off. A giggle escaped my lips as I took in the wonder of this room and the luxury it has to offer. The bed was so comfy and jumpy, I couldn't have imagined myself to be in this kind of place had I been the old Aisha.
Suddenly the door of the room creaks open and David walks inside, freshly showered and without his shirt.
My eyes witnessed the glory of his body from the light that came from behind him, contouring his every feature- but then my subconscious slapped me and I instantly shut my eyes.
The bed pressed from the side and I could feel his presence behind my back and on the bed. He was too close to me.
"I know you're not asleep Aisha." His voice was deep and rough. I remained quiet, not wanting to be found out.
I felt his body getting even closer, much closer that I could feel his body heat. My heart was thumping hard against my chest.
A part of me liked it but a bigger part of me screamed at me to stop it at once.
I felt his hand against my thigh. It sent cold shivers down my spine.
I can't allow it. We can't. We shouldn't be touching like that. I have to set my boundaries straight.
I instantly jumped into a sitting position.
"W-we can't," I utter and cover my body with my hands.
"Aisha, I don't think I can stay away from you now… I want to show you my love properly. Oh God! This wasn't how you were supposed to know." He facepalms. "I love you, Aisha." He looks me in the eyes. "I just know you're the one for me and I want you to make mine."
"Marry me then." I blurt without a thought.
"W-what?" He looked a little taken aback.
"Marry me." I didn't hesitate to repeat it.
If I'm willing to give up everything for this person, he ought to give up his freedom for me to tell me he actually loves me. Isn't that what love is? Sacrifice what you love, for love.
Silence filled the room but I had my answer. I dust myself up and head towards the door. Hazek's words were still echoing in my head with each step I took toward the door.
'No man is sincere unless he plans to give you a place in his future.'
Damn! Why does his words feel like a slap on my face? Why does it sting so much?
I extend my hand towards the doorknob and turn to open it.
"Wait." David's voice froze me to my spot. "I'll marry you."