Be brave and confident. Present yourself well. You are the image that people see. Make a good first impression.
Bela saunters down the stairs with a touch of elegance. She's ready for work, her white shirt, red scarf, black blazer and trousers making her look composed and smart. She feels rejuvenated. I wonder how long it's going to last though. Hopefully the whole day. The young lady approaches the dining table to find her mother on the phone speaking in a hushed tone. She frowns but perches herself on a stool and digs into the soft pancakes placed before her. The sight of maple syrup strewn all over them makes her salivate. The curiosity toward her mother's conversation subsides momentarily.
'Ah ah, yes no problem. Of course!' Maria laughs. 'Okay, I'll call you later. Oh yes yes. Soon In Sha Allah. Okay, Assalamu Alaykum.' Bela swallows her food and rinses her mouth with a glass of milk.
'Who was that?' She inquires with a slight frown. I sincerely hope its not who I think it is.
'Kareem's mother.' And it is. Wonderful.
'Am I allowed to know what you spoke to her about?' Bela has every right to know about the engagement she has to partake in but yet she maintains a respectful demeanor when speaking. Almost as if she shouldn't know. Ha, will my daughter ever change.
'Mi Hija, I will tell you but I don't want you to freak out.' Maria distracts herself by pouring more pancake mix for her twins and husband. Bela on the other hand is already freaking out.
'What is it?'
'Kareem wants the engagement in a week.' What... Calm. Be calm. Don't shout. Just don't.
'You're not serious.' Her tone forces Maria to look at her.
'Mi Hija-'
'Mama I agreed to this but in one week?' Bela jumps out of her seat. Her appetite vanishes at the thought of being tied to a man in a week let alone someone she still doesn't know very well.
'Isn't sooner the better, Bela?'
'Uh ideally yes but-'
'Then what's the problem?' Maria puts aside her spatula trying to gauge her daughter's reaction.
'The problem is that I barely know Kareem and I have work to do!' Bela cries in frustration. Why doesn't she get it? Do I need to spell it out? This is all your fault B! Had you been honest from the beginning then you wouldn't be in this mess.
'I think you're overreacting Bela. The man adores you.'
'That is besides the point.' At hearing that Kareem adores her, she bites her cheek. She is torn between wanting that man to like her and wanting him to run for the hills. How terribly confusing can this get?
'How so? You two are perfect together. I don't know why you're denying it.'
'Mama I'm not denying anything! I just want some time.'
'Time for what?! Mi Hija, don't waste anymore time. This is the time for you to be happy and get married.' Maria chuckles at the end of her statement. Funny ma, real funny.
'Mama, this is serious.'
'What do you want me to do then? Call her back and say no?' This throws Bela off completely, her mother said that deliberately, knowing fully well that Bela will never agree. Her daughter sighs and gathers her things. She can't continue with this conversation.
'No ma but I need some time. Is that too much to ask?' She says quietly. Her expression pricks at Maria's heart. Her daughter then leaves the house without another word in her direction.
