My heart skipped a beat, 'what was Ibrahim's mother doing at our house I thought as I felt tense. I looked at Ahmad who kept his stern look, How was I going to get Ahmad to take me home quickly? I texted Ruqayya back telling her I was with Ahmad on our way to a meeting. But she didn't reply making me feel even more tense."Are we going somewhere else again?" I asked, breaking the deafening silence and hoping Ahmad was talking me home. "yes, I would like to visit another client, if you don't mind," he said politely this time. I nodded. silently looking at the time. Ahmad pulled up to a beautiful mansion. Parking his car in front of it as a bulter stood by his side waiting for the keys."Let's go," he said to me as we both got out of the car, walking in to reveal a royally decorated mansion. The maids opening the doors were in elaborate uniforms. "Is your boss around?" Ahmad asked one of them politely as they led us to the visitor's living room, a massive space with golden royal cha

"Good morning" Jidda said to Ahmad as soon as we got out into his car. "good morning" replied with a warm smile. Ahmad. I gave Jidda room to sit in the front while I found space in the back seat. "Good morning" I said sliding into the backseat wanting to be unnoticed while the two bond. "Good morning Fatima" Ahmad said. He glanced at me for a second, "are you okay?" He asked. "I am fine, thank you" I replied, he probably noticed the eye bags around my eyes from lack of proper sleep. Without saying another word he ignited the car. I listened to Jidda and Ahmad talk about random things as he drove, his eyes weren't fixed on the road and he didn't have a stern look, instead, he occasionally glanced at her and laughed at the jokes she told. I couldn't help but feel jealous, my soon-to-be brother-in-law was friendly to everyone else except me, it was almost as though he forgot I was in the car, not even glancing at me or trying to include me in the conversation. My friend Jidda was wor

I looked at Ibrahim who sat quietly waiting for me to end the call. If I said no it meant my relationship with Ibrahim would be over. "Yes," I replied."you approve?" my uncle asked to clarify with me again."yes, I do" I said smiling at Ibrahim who smiled back. "Congratulations on your upcoming wedding," my uncle said. "Thank you" I replied as he ended the call "I better be going," I said. I wanted to go back inside to talk to Ruqayya about the call v"sorry about the lunch '' I apologized for cancelling the lunch date "It's fine" he replied with a warm smile, getting out of the car to open the door for me. I could get used to this I thought as I stepped out of the car like a princess. "Actually! Kareema asked me to invite you for a picnic tomorrow" he said with a mischievous smile."Kareema?" "your little sister?" "Uhum,” he said nodding. “she asked me to inform you” "and also escort the both of you" he said making

"Don't ask her that now?" Aunty Safina said to Ruqayya. Saving me from the Ambush. "life saver" I whispered smiling at her and nodding like a fool. I had no answer for the question and I was glad she intervened."Her uncle would ask her tomorrow," she said, reminding me of the awkwardness I was about the face tomorrow. "she would have to answer that in front of everyone," she said again, my smile fading as she spoke. I wondered why our tradition made the engagement day so hard for a lady. In our tradition, the engagement day Was a day when the in-laws came to the house of a lady with boxes of clothes, jewellery and every accessory you could think of. The gifts along with Date fruits would be handed over to the girl's family as a form of token for request. The family of the bride accepts the gift only after the bride is asked very important questions which are; "do you know this family?", "there here on behave on their son to ask for your hand in marriage do you accept." "Do you

My heart was pounding as I walked down the stairs. "Don't trip" I whispered to myself, making sure to watch my steps. the worst thing that could happen to me was falling face down in front of my in-laws. Ruqayya held my hand leading me into the living room. She guided me to the centre releasing me and leaving me alone. I felt alone as she stepped out of my view. Clutching onto the edge of the veil and staring at the ground."Don't choke" Jamila's words echoed In my mind "Don't throw up" I told myself. Feeling lightheaded.I could heavy eyes on me. I could tell the full room all had their eyes on me. "Fatima, these people are here to ask for your hand in marriage, do you know them" my uncle asked.I nodded hoping they could see me. I was tongue-tied and unable to open my mouth to a yes. "You accept them and their son" my uncle asked and again I nodded, thank you Uncle Faisal for not asking me to say an audible yes, like they did Ruqayya.I guess he learnt from Ruqayya that even a