Author POV
It was a fine evening. The sun was on his way to setting. The sky was beautifully painted with orange and yellow while few clouds are adorned in pink color which looks very beautiful. "Ma sha Allah, indeed Almighty is the greatest painter. How beautifully he has created this evening sky. It's breathtaking" praising her lord she started painting the same sky in her canvas.
Shafiya sulaiman was her name. She is 22 year Old girl persuading BA second year in law. She loves painting. whenever she is happy, sad or stressed she just started to paint. She believes it gives a peace and sometimes it was a relief to her.
It gives relaxation to her soul and mind.
Mariyam sulaiman, her mother who's in her late forties. Very kind and innocent. She knows nothing beyond her family. She is a housewife who adores her family the most.
Sulaiman, her father in his early fifties, he is working as a lecturer to provide his family enough. Very strict. He loves his children but never show that to them as he think it will spoil them.
Shahil Sulaimam, little brother of Shafiyya who is 12 years old. Has Down syndrome. Loved and cherished by every one of the family. He loves his didi a lot.
"Didi!!!!"
Shafiyya startled hearing his little brother shouting near her face.
"Ow Shahil, you broke my ear drums" saying this he faced her little brother shahil who is in the verge of crying.
"Shahil? What's wrong? Who made my baby brother upset? Tell me whoever it is, I will deal with them". Hearing what his didi has just said shahil started to whimper.
Shafiyya panicked seeing her brother. " you only made me upset. You don't love Shahil anymore. I know that" . Hearing Shahil's complain on her she knows what made him upset.
"Owww my cute brother, I got it now why you are crying I have something to make you happy" she pulled something from her bag and gave it to him.
Seeing the fluffy stuffed elephant Shahil became very happy. "I thought you forgot about my gift, sorry for being little rude to you" Shahil spoke in a little voice that made Shafiyya to hug him.
Shahil loves when people around him surprise him with sudden gifts. Sometimes he ask Shafiyya to buy gift for him. He loves stuffed toys so much. Kids with down syndrome needs more attention, love and caring than normal kids. For Shahil it's unlimited.
"How can I forgot my baby Shahil. That too when you asked for a gift. I saw very beautiful ornament in the mall thought to buy that for you but at same time some other person also liked it. As it is made of glass I left it there. Because my naughty brother will definitely break it and might get hurt"
"Thank you so much didi. Oh... no ! Didi mom was calling you downstairs. I forgot to tell you" Shahil said with frowning.
"I will be there in a minute. You go and play with your new toy" saying this she gave him a kiss on his cheeks which made Shahil giggle.
.....................
Shafiyya made her way to downstairs whereas her mother was busy making dinner. Sulaiman was interested in watching some local news.
"Mom!! You called me?"Shafiyya asked her mom.
"Ah yes beta. Me and your father has something very important to discuss with you. Hearing her mother she took a seat in their small dining table which is in the corner of the kitchen.
Sulaiman also joined them seeing Shafiyya in the kitchen.
Shafiyya's mind sent an alert whatever they are here to discuss with her is not good. " what is it mom?" She asked nonchalantly.
"Beta, we hope that you believe whatever we do for regarding your life is only for your better future. I expect you to not let our hope down. We have a proposal for you. It's a good and decent family. The groom is a very good man and works in private company as a manager with good salary. They have asked your hand in marriage" came sulaiman's strict voice.
Hearing the news she started to cough as she never expected her parents to drop a bomb like this. Not this soon.
"But dad! I'm still studying and I am not ready for the marriage. I need more time to think about it. The thought of leaving you both and Shahil makes me very upset. I don't want it now" she spoke and hopped they will understand her.
"If that what is your problem then you can still continue your studies after the marriage. The groom side has no objection in that matter. However you have to leave this family to make your own family. You can visit us whenever you want" her dad spoke sternly.
"But I am not ready for all this please!" She said in a pleading manner.
"No more buts, be ready tomorrow evening, the groom's family will be here visiting to meet you. Maryam, tell her to be ready on time." Saying this he left the kitchen.
Suliaman is the man who wants everything according to his preferences and likes. He never likes to listen others advice or opinions. Since the day Mariyam married him, each and every decision of her life was made by only Sulaiman. Even if she wants to buy a dress it will chosen by Sulaiman. As she is very innocent she will nod her head like a puppet whatever Sulaiman says.
For Shafiyya it's the same. In her school days she was very interested in sports but Sulaiman didn't let her do any sports as he said sports are not good for girls, instead he made Shafiyya to participate in essay competition, poem writing, speech competition and more. Even though she didn't like all these she did that for her father.
She had an idea to do a computer science course after school but she did teacher training and child psychology only because of Sulaiman. When she chose Fashion designing he made a her study law. She didn't like how her father made every decision of her life like her mother's. Sometimes she gets frustrated of how she is being helpless about her wishes and dreams yet she listened to Sulaiman believing that everything he decides for her is only for a her own betterment.
But when it comes to marriage, she is unable to accept it. It's not just a thing that going travel with her till death. It's another human. She has some expectations in her life parter. She doesn't want any prince charming. Though she wants someone who can love her endlessly, love her like there is no tomorrow, the one who respects her, supports her in every decision she makes, the one who give her freedom which she is longing for since her childhood, who is nice and gentle with her. She has more and more expectations. She didn't believe in love which is haram. So she was saving all her love for her future partner whom she will meet one day. She don't know who is this man her dad talked about, his character, not even his name. Then how she can accept this. What if he is some bad guy. She felt like crying.
It was late at night. She did her isha parey and asked her lord to don't let this marriage happen for her. Sleep was far away for Shafiyya as she drowned in her own thoughts that she didn't realize her mom was banging the door calling her name. She got up and went to the door to open without disturbing his little brother who is in his deep slumber. Shahil sleeps with Shafiyya every night cause sometimes he gets nightmares and he is scared to the sound of thundering. Whenever he is scared he wants Shafiyya by his side.
"Beta, you didn't eat anything. Come, have something before sleeping. It's not good to sleep in empty stomach" her mother spoke softly.Mariam knows that her daughter didn't like the idea of this sudden proposal but what can she do.
"I am not hungry mom, I will eat in the morning. I don't feel like eating now" came the Shafiyya's sad voice.
" i know why you're upset. Even i don't like this proposal but you know nah he won't listen to anybody, don't think too much, everything will be alright, let's hope for a good, meet them tomorrow, even after meeting them you don't like this marriage, we can talk to your dad." Mariyam tried to console her.
"Okay mom I am sleepy, Good night". Shafiyya fully aware that she can't reject this proposal if her dad made the decision. Mariyam left there without further conversation.
Shafiyya came to bed and saw her little brother who is hugging his new stuffed elephant and sleeping. She also laid down next to him and sleep engulfed her.
She didn't know that she was sleeping peacefully snatching someone else's sleep.
To be continued •••