The Desert Rose

Atay Tea

There is a clattering sound--Zulieka has dropped something.

"what?! My husband...but my heart is free." Yasmin exclaimed. Oh, no this is not what she wants.

Kabir ignored her emotional display. "You know what I mean. True love, soulmate--this is all silly nonsense from your books. I was patient and gave you the opportunity to choose a partner yourself. But you've become a burden."

"father, I'm not a toy. You can't do this? I don't even know this man." Yasmin was really devastated, she doesn't even know her so called husband!

"I know this man and his family. l'm a great judge of character. unlike you." He stood abruptly and began heading to his office.

"what if my husband-to-be doesn't like me." she suddenly asked. kadir stooped. He has never expected such boldness, and Yasmin pressed her advantage. seeing that her question had an effect, she continued. "Although...how can he not like me! I'm Mr. Kabir's daughter."

sometimes her father's name made her sick. It was enough that she heard it everywhere she went. Some admired him. Some hated him. Everyone talked about me.

"many people will be proud to be in your position." Kabir told her.

She rolled her eyes at his words. "I didn't choose to have a politician as a father. I don't want to be proud of your actions outside of home. I see less and less of my Dad. I see more and more of their leader."

kadir listened to the cry of his daughter's soul. Did it hurt to hear such things? Was he remorseful? For the first time, he didn't interrupt her, didn't argue. He just left, unable to find words.

'He didn't expect this.

****

In a dark room, near a fireplace, a man Is sitting down with is legs crossed. Another man is standing beside him.

He shifted from foot to foot, trying to stop trembling. It didn't work. "Hack work again. I'm getting fed up with it." The master spoke calmly, Which made it even worse. He'll rather have him yell.

"M-m-master, I d-don't know why it happened, I..." The servant was too scared to speak correctly.

"I'm not interested in hearing your rambling or your stammering." The master interrupted.

"l'm s-s-sorry, m-m-master!"

He was intimidating the man, making fun of him, which was more dreadful than any shout.

'if I fail this time, he'll kill me.' The servant wanted to scurry into a corner and hide, but all he could do was tremble. Tremble and agree, knowing full well that he was nobody.

"I need perfectly healthy girls. Not like last time." The master told the servant.

"I'll do it right, I swear with my life! The new one will suit you." The servant immediately swear.

"Your life? Haha, your life is already in my hands. You have no way out."

***

The men among the guest were talking business. Yasmin was trying to get a glimpse of her room, but to no avail. At last, she decided to hide behind the partition walls. 'I'll definitely see him from here!' As she looked into the room she saw a handsome man with blonde hair and cleaned shaved beards. 'is that him?'

ironically, her fiance is someone she'd heard a lot of about. 'i even mentioned his name to a local gossip once. she was also supposed to help me with some secret if mine.' That was a long time ago, and now it has backfired. 'it was the first time that came to mind!'

Now the bearer of that name was sitting with her father. The man was silent and seemed indifferent, clearly absorbed in his own thoughts. 'He came to ask for my hands, but he looks like a stranger at this celebration of life. just like me, huh!'

suddenly Mustafa cought her eye. 'she's looking but not flirting.' Mustafa thought. He continued to look at her and Yasmin did the same. she wanted to understand why he choose her. After all, he had studied in the west and had the option to live very differently. He differed sharply from the locals.

'He looks so free. The elders are taking about the future, but he doesn't seem to care. There's a fire dancing in his eyes. silly poetics!' she continued to study him. Mustafa gave a little wink and turned away.

'yeah, she's different.' Mustafa liked her boldness.

'Now the fiance's relatives will want to see me. it's time to meet Zulieka in the kitchen.'

****

As always, the kitchen was filled with delicious smell of spices. 'I wish I didn't have to go anywhere and could just stay here.'

Zulieka comr up to her. "As you know, you will need to make tea."

"A strange custom." Yasmin shakes her head.

"why? it's a very important skill for every marriageable girl to have. You need to make a good impression." Zulieka said with a smile.

"I'll rather make a bad one." Yasmin rolled her eyes.

"you're at it again." Zulieka said helplessly.

"They care about my father's status, not me. There could be flies floating in my tea and they'd still drink it." She said smugly.

"I wouldn't be so sure. Do your best, Yasmin, for my sake." Zulieka begged helplessly.

'it's very important to her.' Yasmin looked at how worried Zulieka was.

"you know how to make Atay.(Traditional Moroccan tea.) I'll attend to the guests. you can handle this. Zulieka told Yasmin before leaving the kitchen.

All the ingredients for the magic tea were on the table. It was believed to bring sweetness to the conversation. 'okay, I remember: first you put green tea leaves in a large bowl.

Zulieka instructions echoed in her head: "A few lumps of sugar per tablespoon of tea, and a couple of fresh green leaves. steep for about five minutes."

Yasmin remembered all this but..."But the most important thing is to pour it correctly! Zulieka always said that the teapot should be held high above the glass. So the water will hit the bottom of the glass, creating a nice foam. The thicker the foam, the more hard-working the bride, as they say."

'i can make a mistake, as if by accident but out of feigned anxiety. or I can do everything right for Zulieka.' after careful deliberation, she decided what to do.

"I'm sorry, Zulieka."

she took a midium bowl. "I'm pretty sure that's right. I think I'll do. I need to add sugar. um, now or later? whatever I'll add it now. I supposed it wouldn't hurt.

Hmm, which tea leaf do I need? oh I remember the recipe.

The main thing is not to confuse it with Zulieka's favorite calming tea. It makes you sleepy.

I think it was black. The only thing left is to add mint. I'll add more sugar if they ask.

Having finished, Yasmin took a beautiful antique tray and headed to the guests. 'I'm worried... if I've done something wrong, Zulieka will be blamed for it.'