Faded Blue

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ "Love comes in many forms, As many as hearts to hold it." ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ Aaliyah's P.O.V I picked up my phone to seeing three unread messages from my fiance Ibrahim. After scrolling through the unread messages he sent me, I read my message one more time.''Hey Ibrahim, we need to talk, meet me at our favorite cafe'' Honestly the last thing I wanted to think about was what's going to happen after we get married. This anxiety started racing in me, about the fact that I don't have any marriage conditions, not knowing what to expect from him or his family, since they aren't open minded about a women having career nor becoming educated. Marriage is a beautiful thing, however not when there's problems, I want to make it clear with him. Emphasizing more about getting somewhere in life with my career and success. Not that a man won't lead me to happiness, but the thought of my dream being stopped after marriage is terrifying.. Ibrahim's POV Sitting in the café of Sanna, observing everyone, they were immersed in conversations. Except me, sitting alone, waiting for her patiently. The first time I saw Aaliyah was in the studio. Instantly I fell in love with her beauty. Many times I would try to have a conversation with her yet she would look down and walk away. Tried everything to get her attention. Yet it wouldn't work. She even earned more of my respect because of the women she was, she new better to do it the halal way. I decided to ask for her hand and lucky for me, she accepted my proposal. I looked up as she entered the cafe with her burqa, I automatically new it was her by looking at her beautiful hazel eyes. I stood up, wishing I could give her a hug, but realizing we're in public. I held her hand, while giving her a seat. She hasn't said a word to me lately. I decided to break the silence and leaned forward holding her hand. She was the type where I seemed know her moods when she seems down to when she's excited. "My love how are you?'' I asked her gently "Alhamdulillah Ibrahim'' "What is it that you didn't want to tell me over the phone?" Aaliyah's POV There was something urgent I needed to discuss with him. However I didn't jump into the subject. I had to wait for the perfect moment to start the discussion. Ibrahim's POV "What is it roohi? And all of a sudden you want to meet up?'' "Nothing, I just missed you.." she replied. "Not as much as I missed you." I paused to throw a message to her about our future, so she understands now.. "you know I feel like I'm the luckiest man to have you, I can't wait after marriage. Me coming home, while you're waiting for me. Isn't that beautiful? How women are suppose to stay home and take care of their husband." "Ibrahim, remember when...'' A waiter interrupted us. The waiter appeared with a tray and two mugs. As soon as the waiter placed the two mugs on the table, he said "One iced coffee with almond milk and an caramel macchiato." "You were saying," Ibrahim said while picking up his caramel macchiato and taking a sip. "It's about my career, we haven't talked about this topic since we got engaged, I want you to know I'm not going to give my success for marriage, I would like to continue my degree and career, even after marriage." "Aayliah listen" he said, with a sigh. "I'm listening." I replied. "I feel like it's best if you..." he paused. "I'm scared about how our marriage might impact my family, and societies threat to me." Holding my hand tightly ''Ibrahim why would you be afraid?" I replied while moving my hand from his. "Well, your journalist, you have your own T.V. show. My entire family is already mocking me for not 'controlling' my fiancée, who's on television. They say if you have no shame to be on television and working with men.... Habibty I..." That second I stopped him before he could finish. ''I just don't understand you, if you really love me, you wouldn't think about me quitting my goals and success away'' I pushed my chair back and half stood up. Before I new it Ibrahim glared at me, aggressively and self-assured. I sat back down, to see where his mind is heading. Not only he didn't want to lose me out of his sight; but I feel like Ibrahim doesn't love me enough. For a fact, I know if your love someone, you support them. I noticed Ibrahim was quiet for a moment. Do you ever wonder what someone's thinking? "I'm sorry roohi, I didn't mean to offend you," he said as he took my hands into his. This time I let him. I gently squeezed my hands into his, and giving him a chance. ''Listen Ibrahim, no matter what other people say, or think about us, it is our opinions of ourselves that actually matters'' I said. "Of course I don't believe that stuff. But you know what people say. It impacts me. It impacted my family once. What I'm saying is a man proposed to my sister but retracted his proposal after he found out that you are my fiancée" "Why are you so afraid? Would you want your sister to end up with someone like him?" I replied calmly. I realized Ibrahim took a while to shake his head. "You know I won't quit my job" I said sighing. "I didn't ask you to quit..." "Yeah, but you will. Maybe not now but after marriage. Do you know why? It's because your afraid of..." He stopped me before I could finish. "Listen Aayliah , I just don't see how this will work out unless you do," Ibrahim admitted. "I just don't get you. Where's your manhood Ibrahim, huh? .. You're unable to confront your family, to confront our traditions, and worse, to confront yourself." "Look, I told them you're not quitting your job, but can you see how you working would make people think that I can't provide for you, or worse take my manhood?" "Who exactly will feel like that Ibrahim? Because who cares? I can provide for myself" "Your family. My family. Society." "Look at your life, financially and socially, stabled, your a dentist. And look at mine" I said. "I just recently started my career. I don't own a car, I take public buses all the time, and I have a salary that doesn't pay as much as yours. You, on the other hand, have an expensive car, an apartment in a rich neighborhood, and you wear a jambiya worth hundreds of dollars?" I took a deep breath before I could continue. "And yet, you think people will say I'm the one who needs to be with a rich guy?" "Sure, but you come from a rich family, I respect your independence. But you have a sense of security if something goes wrong. I don't. Neither does my family. I have to be rich enough so that I could support us the way you are used to, but also continue helping my family." "You're not a hero Ibrahim.." "Aayliah , I love you so much, more than you could expect, when I first laid my eyes on you, I knew you were the one. I prayed Allah would save you for me. But habibty I have obligations as a man in this society." "I understand Ibrahim, but this is reality, you don't deserve me, if you won't fight for me, I won't waste my time on someone who isn't supportive enough. As a women I have obligations too. You have to make a choice, if you love me. If you want us to work out, you can't be attached to society or your families thoughts. And maybe we'll end up happily married if you make the right choice.." "Aayliah have you not heard anything I just said?" Ibrahim slammed the cup of coffee on the table. Just surprised.. I took off my ring and placed it on the table. "Ibrahim, you love me, but not enough..." I stood up, and this time I kept on walking, I was getting emotional, while leaving Ibrahim alone, in a the western café in the city of Sana'a. I heard him grabbing the coffee mug and threw it on the floor. Behind me, I turned around before I could disappear to take a glance as he paused and got up to chase me...