Ayesha At Last(101)

“When my father died, my mother fell apart,” Ayesha said. “She cried for weeks, and when we moved to Canada, she didn’t get out of bed for a long time. If that was love, I wanted no part. Love takes your heart and leaves you with nothing. It makes you forget your children, your family. It steals your very self. So I closed off my heart, telling myself I was better without it. Nothing could be worth such pain. That’s why I fought so hard when I realized I was falling for you.” Ayesha looked up, and they stared at each other.

“We’re so different, Khalid. You accused me once of not knowing what I wanted in life, and you were right. I was lost for so long, but you helped me see myself. I know what I want now: I want to travel the world. I want to paint pictures with my words. But most of all, I want you.”

Khalid gathered his courage. The time to speak was now.

“I asked you a question, at the wrong time and the wrong place and in the worst possible way. I was devastated when you refused me, but you were right. My mother taught me there was only one way to be a good Muslim, that any other way was misguided. You showed me that faith was a wide road. I was harsh; you taught me compassion. I was judgmental; you taught me to be brave and open. Please, tell me we still have a chance. I need you in my life, Ayesha. My heart is yours to take.” He closed his eyes, and prayed.

When he opened them, she was smiling at him.

“Yes,” she said. “Yes, I have changed my mind. I will marry you, Khalid.”

He wanted to be very, very sure. “Yes?” he repeated.

She leaned closer, until there was barely any space between them. “Yes.”





Chapter Forty-Eight

Ayesha was trying to distract Clara and failing miserably.

“Anything new at work?” she asked her friend.

“Sheila’s trying to find out who gave Khalid the security footage. She suspects me and Amir, of course.” Clara bit her lip. “I’ll have to look for a new job and a new apartment soon.”

“The only thing you’ll have to search for is honeymoon destinations.”

Clara started to pace. “What’s taking him so long? Rob is going to think this is stupid. I’m such an idiot!”

Ayesha smiled at her friend. She had been doing a lot of smiling lately. Her family had been surprised (except for Nana, Nani, Hafsa and Idris, of course) but happy to hear her good news. Her future mother-in-law was less happy, but Khalid had assured her that Farzana would calm down. Eventually. In the meantime, Zareena’s warm welcome made up for the frosty reception from Khalid’s mother.

She only had two conditions for Khalid. First, their wedding would be held next summer. Ayesha figured this would give them enough time to get to know each other better and be absolutely sure about the marriage. Second, the wedding would be small; one Mughal palace in the family was more than enough.

Clara stopped pacing. “I’m not even desi. What was I thinking?”

“Arranged marriages are not only practised by South Asians. They’re common all over the world. Think of it as a facilitated introduction,” Ayesha soothed.

“I don’t need to be introduced to my own boyfriend!” Clara said. She sank to the ground, moaning, her head in her hands. “What made me think it was a good idea to send Rob a rishta in the first place?”

KHALID was back in his white robe and track pants. His hair was neatly trimmed under the skullcap, but he had decided to let his beard grow out again. Ayesha had told him she liked it.

He sat on the couch and gazed at Clara’s boyfriend. Rob looked back, uneasy.

“What did you want to talk to me about, bro?” Rob asked, taking a swig from his Budweiser.

Khalid took a sip of his club soda. “I am here to present you with a proposal of marriage, on behalf of Clara Taylor,” he said.

Rob’s expression changed from wary to bewildered. “Huh?”

“As her representative, I am here to make an offer of marriage,” Khalid repeated. “After careful consideration of the many years she has spent in your company, Clara has decided you will make an excellent husband and father to her future children. If this proposal is acceptable to you, we can commence with formal negotiations.”

Rob put the beer down on the coffee table. “Are you nuts?”

Khalid, who had been warned that Rob would likely respond with these exact words, continued with his speech. “If her marriage proposal is not acceptable to you, she will withdraw her name from the lease on the apartment, as well as other aspects of your life together.”

Rob leaned back on the sofa. “Hold on a sec. She said that?”

Khalid nodded his head. “As her representative, I can tell you that Clara loves you dearly, and she is eager to move the relationship to the next level.”

Rob picked up his beer and took another sip, thinking. “Why didn’t she just ask me herself?”

“Why didn’t you ask her?” Khalid countered. “I believe she was also inspired by Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. His wife Khadijah was an older, very clever businesswoman who proposed to him.”

“This for real?”

“Marriage is no laughing matter. If you require further time to consider your rishta, you can contact me with your answer.” Khalid held out a business card with Khalid Mirza, Website Consultant embossed on the front, along with his email and phone number.