All for what

chapter four

Faridah

****

"Rise and shine. Wake up sweetheart." I heard a voice that sounded like my mum. Wait! My mum? When did she arrive? I guess I'm dreaming.

"Fareedah wake up!" She said and I was sure it was my mum. I groaned and turn around, lifting my blanket off my face. The morning light hit me right in the face. I put an arm over my face to shield my eyes.

"Good morning mommy, when did you arrive?" I mumbled.

"Last night." She said and I nodded. Mom and dad hardly ever stay at home, they are always at a business trip or another. Whenever mum and dad travelled, they left me at home with my sister, Ya Aliyah. Now that she's married and staying in the states, I had the house all to my self. They always call to inform me of when they are coming back. That gave me the chance to do whatever I wanted...

However, Mum did not inform she was arriving today. I thanked Allah that I was at home when she arrived or I would have been in trouble.

"Aliyah gave birth to a baby girl an hour ago." She said smiling.

"Oh MashaAllah. Have you seen her?" I asked excitedly.

"Yes. She send me a video. I'll show you the video." She replied. I collected her phone and played the video. Ya Aliyah was holding her baby closely with tears in her eyes. She looked so small and pink. I almost teared up.

"When is she coming home?" I asked still looking at the video.

"She won't be coming home." She said and my mood changed.

"But we'll be visiting her in three days." She added. I jumped up and down screaming excitedly. That earned me a glare from my mother.

"How many days are we going to spend there?" I asked when I finally calmed down.

"Two to three months." She said shrugging.

"What? Mum thats two long. Humaira's wedding is in two months, I can't miss it."

"Will you shut up. Is that Humaira more important than your own sister. We are staying there for three months and that's final." She said angrily and I zipped up my mouth. Mom had never really like Humaira. I don't know why thou.

I heaved a sigh of relief when she left my room. Freedom! I video called Yaya Aliya. And that was how I wasted more than two hours talking to Yaya Aliyah and her husband Ya Haneef.

****

They are a lot of situations that you find yourself let down. You mostly don't understand whether you are angry, sad or just in a bad mood. That was exactly what I was going through.

But I had a feeling that something would happen to my husband while I'm away. I tried to shake up the feeling but I just couldn't help it. I didn't want to go to the states, not because I didn't want to see my sister but because I didn't want to leave him all alone.

"Common hurry up or we'll miss our flight." Mum said

"Great! If we miss our flight then we have to stay here." I said peeking at her from under my lashes. Not that I was really hopeful, but hey it's worth a shot. Mum flashed me her 'don't even try to mess with me" look.

"Fine." I muttered under my breath, resigning to my fate. I sighed and dragged my trolleys. I was really having second thoughts about traveling. But well there was nothing I could do.

The drive to the airport was very quiet.

****

Ashad

Slowly, my eyes fluttered open. It was a bright morning, the sun was peeking through my curtains. I guess I overslept after subhi. Some many thoughts ran through my mind. I didn't want to marry Humaira because I didn't love her. Yes she's beautiful and smart but I just couldn't bring myself to love her while I'm in love with someone else.

I heard a knock on my door but I ignored it. I knew it was Abida, she's probably going to bug me or something.

The loud knock on my door didn't stop. I just wanted her to go away but Abida will never go away. I tried ignoring her, but I couldn't. I just had to open the door. I opened the door with a stern look.

"What?" I grunted.

"Mummy said you should come eat. You are going out today." She said flatly

Oh yeah the boxes! Ughhh I wanted to stay on my bed but now I have to go to the market to get everything ready for the box. I got dress in a black jeans with Ralph loren shirt, black shoes and a Rado wrist watch.

We went to Mama's friend's shop in the market. Aunty Hajara imports things from China and Dubai and sells them. Mama bought shoes, bags, make up, towels, lotions, bath gels, atanfa, laces, and lots of other things.

From there, we headed to another friend of her's who imported from Italy. We ordered chairs, beds, wardrobes, drawers, dinning table, consoles and so many other things that I didn't care to listen to. My house was already furnished but mama insisted that it should be refurnished. In our Culture the bride's family's responsible for furnishing the house. The groom's only responsibility is to provide a house. I had never liked that tradition and I was glad when my parents insisted that Humairah's parents leave the furnishing to them. It was not easy convincing Humaira's parents to let us furnish the house. Mama can be really persuasive. I had no idea that I'd pay for it.

"My account is going to be empty soon." I muttered under my breath when mama entered another shop. Mama chose a lot of bedsheets and carpets.

My phone rang and I excused myself to answer the call. 'Wifey' boldly appeared on my screen.

"Hello Fareedah." I said as soon as I answered the call.

"Fareedah? Omg you just called me Fareedah and not Hilwa. Are we fighting?" She said dramaticaly and I couldn't help but chuckle. She's such a drama queen but I love her.

"Nope. I'm sorry I'm just stressed. What's up." I wondered why she called me. She preferred texting.

"Uhm well I just call to tell you that I would be leaving for the states. My sister gave birth so mum and I will stay with her for three months." She said.

"Three months. Isn't that too long." I said. I heard a voice calling her name and I guessed it was her mom.

"I'm coming." She shouted. "I really have to go now. Bye take care. I love you."

"I love you too." I said and she ended the call. I didn't know how I'll be able to stay three months without seeing my Hilwa. But thinking about it, I think it would be good for us. I'll be able to sort things out before she comes back. We can't keep on hiding our relationship forever.

Also this Humaira's problem. I can't say no to mama and baba. So I have to marry her. I know that getting married to Humaira would make my parents happy, and their happiness is all that matters to me. If I make them happy by marrying Humaira, they'll be able to forgive me for marrying Fareedah without their permission.

"Ashad are you okay?" Mama asked bringing me out of my thoughts.

"I'm okay. Are you done?" I asked. I badly wanted to get the hell out of that market.

"Yes let's go home. I'll get the other things next time."

•

We went home and mama arranged the things in the boxes.

"You are in charge of getting perfumes and jewelries." Mama said and my jaw dropped.

"Seriously mama?" She laughed.

"The beds and other furniture are going to be here next week." She said and I nodded.

I called a friend of mine who was into perfume and jewel business, he imports them from different countries including Dubai and Germany. I ordered a lot from him not because I wanted to but because I wanted mama to be happy. She was so excited about this whole thing, you could see it in her face. I didn't want to ruin it for her. So I let things go according to plan.