Strings Attached

~Chapter 13~

"What I think about him doesn't matter much to anyone," she says a little acidly and I negate her. Because I care a lot for her opinions. "Since you insist, I'll be eloquent." And I tell her that that is just what I want her to be.

"I want you to understand one thing very clearly, Hidayah," she begins after a long, significant pause. And I know she's very serious when she uses my given name after so long. "That boy is much better and much more obedient than other boys are, these days." I'm a little disappointed when she starts counting his merits. But I don't interrupt her and listen intently. "Moreover, he is very respectful towards your father. That much I've known of him for some time."

"But. I think you must be aware of this too. The boy is quite easily led wayward." The moment she starts counting his demerits, I don't know what to feel. I'd thought I'd be happy, but strangely, I'm not. And I pray that they're not too severe. His demerits, I mean. Because, somehow, I'm reconciled to the idea that I'm to be his wife someday. "Although strong of character, he has his wiles and and I don't like them."

"I must warn you, Hidayah. Beware of pretensions and protect yourself from guile of deceptive people." I don't know whom she's referring to but I'm pretty sure that she's not finished about Amir yet. "Yes, dadi," I assure her in the most convincing voice I can muster.

"And having some experience is the only way to counter that, which comes from going out and meeting people. That is one of the main reasons I supported you so."

"But I hope you won't break my trust, gudiya. There's too much fitnah out there," she finishes softly, a hint of worry in her voice. "I promise you I won't, dadi." And I really do promise her that by heart. But her words occupy my thoughts so much that I completely forget I also wanted some advice from her in the whole 'Amir' matter.

Nevertheless, thinking of asking it some other time, I request her to give the phone to my parents so I can talk to them.

_____

It's been some time since I began chatting on the phone with dadi but I'm still occupied. Although right now, it's Raf and Sameera who are babbling nonsense to me. That girl is never at her own house, I swear! Anyway, I'm glad she's giving Raafiah some company now that I'm away from home.

"This month's Tinkle was really boring, I tell you," Sameera whines and Raf nods her head vigorously. "Even Suppandi wasn't funny at all!" Raf joins in with her own complaint. "Really? That's bad for their sale, man. They're making it boring-er than ever," I say with contempt. And the two laugh out so loud that I'm afraid Hiba must've heard it downstairs.

Thinking about the girl, I'm brought back to the world around me, and I realize that I haven't checked on her and her brother for quite some time now. And sensing an eerie quiet in the whole house, I decide to check on them.

"You're living with the English and you still use words like that!?!" Raf says with some incredulity and I smile. "What can I say? I'm Indian, after all, and not English." "Same old Hidayah still," says Sammy and I can picture her shaking her head at my antics.

I'm glad somebody still finds me as I was before.

After exchanging a few more sentences, I tell them I have something important to do and that I'll talk to them later. And also that I love them and miss them very much. And then I finally say goodbye.