Blossom

08

Z A R A H P O V “What?” Ayan yelled out of shock. I guess he didn’t expect me to say no. Was he hoping that I would say yes? 

Turning toward Ayan’s mother, I explained, “I know this is shocking to you. I am not saying no to this marriage, but I need some time to think about it. Marriage is a huge step for me. Please let me think about it overnight.”

“No! That’s not happening,” Ayan stood up from his seat. 

“It’s okay. I am sure that I can convince Zarah about this. She is just not thinking straight at this point. Please, I will personally give you the news by midnight,” mom begged. 

“Mom-”

“No, Zarah. What I say goes,” mom snapped, turning toward me with mortal eyes. 

“Good. Well, we have to go. I have to wake up early tomorrow,” Ayan nodded his head and walked out of the house.

“I am sorry about my son. I don’t know why he is behaving like this?” Ayan’s mother smiled. 

“It’s okay,” mom assured her. 

I was flummoxed about mom’s actions. I wanted time, Nothing else. I wasn’t going to give my decision right away; I want to think about it first; mom turned back and gave me a disappointed look.

“Mom? Please listen to me,” I pleaded, grabbing her small rough hands. 

“No! You have embarrassed me in front of your future husband and mother-in-law. What do you think they will think about us? This marriage will happen. If not that, I will forget that you are even my daughter,” she said, not showing any emotion in her eyes and walked up the stairs.

My heart is troubled. I fell on my knee to the ground. Bring my hand over my face I started to cry.

Brick by brick, my walls came tumbling down. As I ran from my sister, the tears in my eyes turned the rainy day into a whirlwind of grays and yellows. I slammed the bathroom door. I just broke down.

The sobs punched through, ripping through my muscles, bones, and guts.

I pressed my forehead against the door as my heart sank in and out of my chest. I was hollow. My life crumbled at my fingertips. Then, suddenly, my sister was there, patting and rubbing me. I spun around and hugged her.

“Oh, Mariam. I don’t know what to do now,” I sobbed on her chest. 

“Shh! It’s okay. Everything will be okay, you will see. Allah is probably testing you right now. Allah does everything for a reason,” Mariam explained.

“What will I do?” I asked.

“You can do Istikhara (A type of prayer),” Mariam suggested.

“But I can’t pray,” I said, looking at her.

“Lord! Did your period have to come at this time? Couldn’t it come later,” said Marian.

“Thank you,” I smiled.

“Anytime, Sis. Anytime,” she kissed my cheeks.

I sat up, went to my table, and started working on my Calculus class and the history project; I was exhausted. My eyelid keeps falling, but I jerked up.

I got up and went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and ready for bed. I wanted to forget everything right now and sleep peacefully, but that peaceful was devastated when mom stormed into my room. I sat up on my bed and waited for mom to speak. Seconds passed by. Mom didn’t say a word.

“Yes, mom?” I asked, looking at her.

“What’s your answer?” mom crossed her arms over her chest.

“I wish I could do Istikhara, but I can’t because of my menstrual cycle. I wanted to think over this,” I looked down, fiddling with my finger.

“You had time to think over after they left. I promised Ayan that I would give him an answer before midnight,” her mother said.

“But, I,” I sigh in defeat “It’s a yes from me.”

Mom couldn’t be happier than ever. I mean, her daughter was finally getting married to a jerk that she has no idea about. She walked up to me and kissed my head.

“I am very proud of you,” she muttered.

Mom tucked me in the bed. She laid next to me and patted my shoulder. I smiled, seeing my mother very happy with my decision. It felt like just like when I was a kid again, my mother putting me to bed. I sigh, falling asleep.

M O R N I N G

I groaned, waking up for University. I wasn’t very excited about today because I had to face Ayan. I got up and went to the bathroom since I had to get ready. I went downstairs and ate breakfast. I waited for Mariam outside. Finally, Mariam came and got in the car. We soon arrived at the University. 

As soon as Mariam got out of the car, I saw her looking at Ayan’s direction. Please tell me she is not thinking of doing what I think she is! Allah, She was about to go up to him, but I grabbed her hand.

“Where are you going?” I questioned her. 

“To teach someone a lesson,” Mariam answered, not looking at me.

“Don’t Maria,” I warned, knowing what she is about to do.

“Just trust me on this,” she spoke, pulling her hand away from me. 

I watch her walk up to Ayan. I quickly ran to her. I was ready to stop Mariam from doing something stupid. Mariam tapped Ayans shoulder.’

Turning around, Ayan smirked “Well if it isn’t my-”

Mariam cut him off by punching him in the jaw hard, “that’s for being rude to my mother yesterday and destroying my sister’s life, you bastard.” 

“Let’s go, Zarah,” Mariam grabbed my hand and walked away. 

“What if he tells mother,” I questioned. 

“If he knows what’s best for him, then he won’t,” she replied, glaring back at his direction. 

“I don’t know how to thank you, Mariam,” I looked down

Slapping me on the head, she said, “you i***t. That’s what sisters are for.”

Nodding my head, I went to my class. Seeing that there is no space left for me, I sat at the back of the class. It bothers me very much that I wasn’t able to see that much of the board due to my shortness.

I was only 5’2. Compare to my twin sister; I am pretty short. Mariam was 5’6. Everyone in my family was very tall except for me. I don’t know where I got my height from.

I was doing my math classwork. To the side of my desk, I saw my Professor’s shoe. I looked up from my work and gave him a big smile.

Mr. Poel wasn’t one of those grumpy teachers. He was delightful and kind in his mid 70’s; he loved me like his own daughter, who passed away in a very tragic accident. 

“Yes, Mr. Poel?” 

“I need a favor from you,” he answered, “there is this student that needs major help in calculus. You are one of my top best students. I was wondering if you can help her.”

“Sure. Who is this student?” I looked at him.

“A new one, to be exact. The new student is sitting over there,” said Mr. Poel, pointing toward the left side window

“Do you want me to go now?” I asked, looking at the new girl

“That would be great, and also, can you do it after school too?” He wondered

“Sure. I am free, but she has to come over to my house, though,” I muttered, remembering that mom only lets people come to the house; she never allows me to hang out with my friends. I got up from my seat and walked toward the girl. Taking place next to her, I gave her a big warm smile.

“Hey, I am Zarah,” I introduced myself.

“I am Sofia,” the girl grinned. 

Sofia was indeed stunning. She had perfect long brown hair that shines brightly. Her golden eyes popped out. She had a perfect body that was cover with a beautiful mint dress. I already liked her as a friend.

“I am new.”

“I know,” I chuckled, taking my books out. 

“Is it that obvious?” Questioned Sofia.

“Considering that it’s a new face to this University? Then yes. Everyone knows each other here since its a small University,” I answered her. 

“So my brother was right after all,” she mumbled, thinking to herself. 

“Your brother?”

“Yeah. My brother is a cop in this town. His name is Ahmed Imran,” she replied proudly.

“Oh, my goodness!  I heard so much about him. I always dreamed of having a husband like him, but I never saw what he looked like,” I pouted. 

“Don’t worry. Ahmed will come and pick me up today,” Sofia patted my back.

“Ohh, I get to see this Hero that everyone is talking about. You must be one lucky sister to have a brother like him.”

“We are not siblings,” Muttered Sofia.

“What do you mean?” I muddled.

“Ahmed’s parents found me near an ally. My parents left me when I was a baby. They guessed my age at that time was three weeks. After that, mom and dad started to take care of me as if I am their daughter. He is a protective brother and doesn’t let any guy come near me,” she explained.

“I am sorry to hear that, but look at this. Allah might have separated you from your parents, but He gave you better and amazing parents,” I softly spoke. 

“Thanks.”

“Do you want to have lunch with us?” I asked, stopping my work. 

“Sure. Who else?” 

“My twin sister,” I started to work on my math problem, again.

“Cool! What’s it like?”

“Nothing special. It just likes having normal siblings. She can be overprotective and annoying sometimes,” I said.

“Cool.”

“So, the professor told me that you’re not that good at math,” I said, grabbing the eraser to erase my mistakes.

“Yeah, not a fan of math,” Sofia laughed while running her hand at the back of her neck nervously. 

“It’s okay. I can help,” I offered. I took the textbook from Sofia, turning to the correct pages. Sofia pointed at question number 18 and 25. Once I understood the question myself, I begin to explain the math problems to her.