Married To You?

The Accidental Meeting

Mohammed Qasim – the man I'm marrying. Apparently.

The first time I had seen the guy my parents wanted me to marry I wasn't really expecting him to turn into such a special and significant person in my life. It was at a wedding a year back, more specifically it was one of his cousins wedding, we were invited due to our parents being such close friends.

I wasn't planning on going but once Zohrah and Haleena were getting ready, I felt sightly jealous of the way the two were having fun whilst getting ready so huffing with jealousy I decided to get ready too, picking a green abaya with silver embroidery pairing it with a silver scarf and silver heels. When the two realised I was getting ready for the wedding, they couldn't stop laughing as they teased me for being “the green monster” and then announced my jealousy to the family which then resulted in me pouting as they all teased me. My parents seemed quite pleased with the fact and never would I have realised it was due to me being closer to a potential spouse.

Once we were all ready and set to get into our cars we had a minor setback as I wanted to drive and so did Naveed so we decided Mum, Dad, Zohrah and Haleena were in his car. Sat in my car would be me, the driver, and Umar which was a clever idea of mine because we could sneak in a McFlurry on the way back with no objections from boring passengers and also Umar would fall more in love with me, major plus point that is.

We were at least fifteen minutes behind as I had rushed back inside to take Umar to the toilet and to give him a snack... and a snack for me too. As I walked into the hall the wedding event was taking place in, Umar ran off which meant I was shout whispering for him to return to me except he was just running ahead as if he knew where he was going with me attempting to run in my heels after him. He stopped in front of a man dressed in a grey suit with a teal tie and handkerchief tucked in the breast pocket, he looked quite smart if I do say so myself. He looked at the man smiling as if he knew him and continued with his attempt to climb the man's leg which made him laugh and pick Umar up as he tucked his mobile in his pocket which was what he was occupied before Umar had decided he was the right person to attack.

I laughed at my cute nephew and then went to save the poor guy, “Hi, sorry for him bothering you, I'll take him back now.”

“Oh it's no bother, he's so cute, Ma Sha Allah”

“Thank you” I stood there hesitantly unsure what to do with myself exactly.

“How are you, Umar?” he smiled at my nephew and I stared at him confused at how this guy knew my nephew's name

The little boy in question stared at me with wide eyes expecting me to be angry with him which in truth I wasn't cause he looked adorable.

“So, what's the pretty lady's name?”

I laughed, “Khadijah”

“Khadijah..” he repeated looking at me as if he was trying to remember who I was “Oh my god, are you Uncle Hussain's daughter?”

“Erm, my dad's name is Mohammed Hussain but I'm pretty sure that's not the uncle you're talking of as we aren't related to anyone here”

“My dad's name is Abdul Karim, you're my dad's friend's daughter.”

He scratched the back of his neck as he seemed to have fit the pieces and figured who I am. He smiled and looked at me properly as if he was analysing me which to be honest I didn't take any notice of, I was more worried about if I'd get nagged at by mum because of how late we are.

“Oh, you're Uncle Karim's son, what's your name?”

“Qasim”

“Oh okay, you're the eldest, right?”

“Yes I am, well Khadijah, it was lovely meeting you and I'm sure we'll meet each other soon enough but I've got to go because I was only outside to find out when the cake is coming and I'm pretty sure my uncle is having a panic attack as I've been gone for over ten minutes.”

I laughed at his explanation, “It's okay you go do what you have to do, I'll take Umar now too and bye.”

At the sound of his name, Umar looked up from what he was doing with so much concentration which was attempting to unbutton Qasim's top button which made me laugh again and stick my arms out so my cute nephew could jump from Qasim's arms which he did and we finally got away from the guy I was supposed to marry except of course I didn't know that at the time I was stood there talking to him so freely.

As soon as I found my family I dumped Umar onto my mum's lap and sighed “Keep your maniac grandson away from me”

“Why, what did my cute little beta (son) do?” my mum questioned in a baby voice as she smiled at the maniac in question

“He ran up to some random guy and made him pick him up and I had to talk to the guy and grab him”

“Who was the guy?” Naveed asked as he looked up from his phone

“Uncle Karim's son, he's actually quite nice but I don't get how your son seem to knew him”

I looked at my mum for an explanation but she hadn't seemed to hear me or she was ignoring me... who knows?

I sighed and turned my attention to Haleena who was sat beside me stuck on her phone which then made me open the Snapchat app on my phone and start recording her being completely antisocial which earned me a slap on my forehead. This is pretty much how we spent our time at the wedding together, recording each other and whacking each other, Umar occasionally joining in as he jumped from Mum's lap to ours.

The wedding wasn't a long event, we basically just ate and met the bride and groom and congratulated the couple. They looked so adorable together Ma Sha Allah as they sat on the stage shying away from everyone teasing them and stealing glances at each other, it was so cute. We also said hello to Uncle Karim and his family, as soon as that was over we all pretty much escaped from the hall and into our cars except I had the bratty Haleena in my car this time because the drive to the hall “was boring.”

We still made a detour into McDonald's for ice-cream and milkshake for all of us including the oldies at home.

As soon as we got home I changed out of my abaya into my lovely One Direction onesie wiping all the make-up off for a night in with the siblings to watch a scary movie after banishing mum and dad off to an auntie's. Humaira also came bearing gifts; pizza and cookie dough. This definitely meant I would never get the sleep I would need so I could have a smooth Sunday but nonetheless this was going to be fun...

The second time I saw him was accidental (in my view anyway).

He was sitting in the living room with his parents, Halima Abdi and Abdul Karim (his mother and father) and my parents sitting opposite them.

Dressed up in a black polo and dark maroon chinos he looked impeccable whilst I strolled in probably looking like a maid with my baby nephew Umar on my hips. Thank Allah I had my hijab on beforehand.

At first I had no clue who on earth they were but when my father smiled so smugly and my mother was practically jumping with glee, the realization dawned on me that this was the family they wish I decide to spend the rest of my life with. I practically died on the spot as I realized my parents were serious when they said they wanted me to get married. It did hurt because it was as if they couldn't take any more of me that they wanted me to get married as quickly as possible and honestly that could be true due to how annoying I am.. but with any given Asian parent it's normal for them to be blunt and ignore your feelings!!

I blushed -even though I had no clue what for- whilst he just smirked pretty coolly at me (oh my Allah, he's so handsome) as I tried to make my way out of the room quietly so my parents wouldn't feel obligated to make me meet them. But of course, my parents just needed to do the opposite of what I wanted because it was practically their job.

"Khadijah, come meet your aunt and uncle, and of course Qasim" ordered my father.

Inwardly I groaned but I still smiled obliging to my dear father's command. I dumped Umar down on the ground and made my way to my supposedly aunt and uncle, I bowed my head so they could pat it (Asian greeting). When they did that, I turned to head out, but obviously my father had to so kindly say, "Khadijah meet Qasim too, at least say hello to your future husband In Sha Allah (If Allah wills)!"

I turned to face him but had no idea what to say to the man who was sitting down looking up at me expectantly. I simply smiled shyly and expected him to say something; I could feel a blush growing, what the hell for?

He smirked and said "Assalam - u -alaikum"

I grinned, "Walaikam- a -salam" at least he didn't start a conversation with hey!

My eyes found their way to the floor as my blush deepened, why on earth was I blushing for, he isn't my husband yet!

'Yet'- he could easily deny wanting to get married to me but a noise of objection didn't pop out to me when my father introduced him to me as my future husband.

He cleared his throat trying to get me to look at him but I declined his offer of looking at his attractive face because I just couldn't find it in me to be that strong headed.

"Khadijah" His voice saying my name just made my heart leap for the skies.

I turned my head to look around the room but noticed it was just me and him, no wonder he cleared his throat, probably wanted me to go away.

I looked up at him to see him standing up looking down at me with strands of his dark hair styled quite messily obstructing a clear view of his hazel eyes and I wanted nothing more than to move those strands of hair myself.

I shook my head to get rid of these thoughts.

He smiled "Why don't you sit down, then we can talk?"

I just nodded what else could you do when a perfect deep voice spoke to you centimeters away from your face? I quickly stepped back and then took a seat across from him.

He looked at me and just stared.

I didn't say anything and neither did he, for a few moments it was pin-drop silent as we stared at each other but then he spoke "Do you want to marry me?"

I couldn't say anything- me – Khadijah Ahmed- silent-unbelievable really seeing as I talk enough for everyone in my house.

"Khadijah, can you answer me please?"

"Uhm" I mumbled

Clearing my throat I spoke again, clearly this time "I don't know, to be honest, I don't want to say no because then my parents would be heart-broken and their friendship with your parents could get messed"

"Yeah, but what about you?" He questioned.

What about me? I didn't even think about myself amidst all this drama. I looked at his face and saw his hazel eyes questioning me silently, I DO! Why? I have absolutely no clue but never mind. I do want to get married but why do I feel like saying yes to him? I know nothing about him, how can the reason be because this man asked me what I wanted, what kind of reason is that?

I looked at him and could just feel my god-damn blush deepen "I don't want to say yes right now but my heart is screaming yes, but I have no clue why, I mean I don't even know you. I know nothing about you, what if we're just not compatible? Wait, were you talking about you getting married to me or just the general topic of marriage? You know you're the only person who asked me what I wanted to do, not even my parents did! But I'm only 20 and you're only 23 isn't that stupid? Do you really want to be tied down to a nagging woman so early in your life, if I was you, I probably would get married at like 27 but you know, to each to their own! Aren't I too young to be getting married? I just don't know. WOW! I should just shut up now!"

"Uhm, okay, then... Yeah I was talking about getting married to you and I doubt getting married to you would be the same as getting married to a nagging woman and I definitely wouldn't be tied down because you seem absolutely perfect for my crazy ways, I mean you just talked for more than half a minute without pausing." He replied seeming a bit shocked at my rant/ speech.

"Wait, you WANT to marry me; you're not forced by your parents?" I gasped, shocked. I thought his parents wanted him to do it. Wow, the man WANTS to marry me. Is he stupid? I would run away from me and this man wants to actually have a relationship with me.

"I do want to marry you, is that so hard to believe?" He seemed shocked as if he had this weird belief that I'm an angel or something.

"Yeah it it because; I'm clumsy, stupid, always rambling, don't like doing housework, spend forever on my phone, childish... There are so many more bad things it's baffling."

"You think those are bad? I think those are advantages. You're clumsy; I'll pick you up when you fall. You're not stupid, you have a teaching degree. You're always rambling; I'll let you know when to be quiet. You don't like doing housework, I hate doing housework. You spend forever on your phone, fine; I'll text you and we can have a conversation over the phone. You're childish, so am I. Great we can be children together." He grinned.

I laughed.

"So, Khadijah, do YOU want to marry me?" he asked again, emphasizing the 'you'.

I looked at him taking all the blessed details of his face, his grin, his twinkling hazel eyes, his brown-black hair, "Yes, I want to marry you."

"Finally!" He sighed.

I just laughed, "Hey, you haven't been asking me for ten years you know?"

"Thank god I haven't, I haven't got the kind of patience that is required to stay away from such an amazing person!"

I stared at his face shocked he thinks I'm a good enough person to marry and want beside him for the rest of his life.