There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. ~Maya Angelou
After having dinner at Hassan's house, Muhsen decided not to stay at his brother's to save him the trouble of facing any sort of problems with their father.
Once he told Fajr about this, she raised an objection; "What do you mean by saying that you are going to stay in a hotel while I should remain here?"
"I don't want to cause a problem between dad and Hassan by staying here, and I don't want to leave you in the hotel alone when I go out. So it's better you stay here and I will come to visit you and take you out with me."
She tried to reason; "but..."
He hardly could convince Hassan of his intention, now he didn't want to repeat his words to Fajr.
"no buts dear...just do as I told you."
He didn't want her to discover anything about his sickness, so he thought it was better to keep her away in his brother's house.
Seeing how her father was insisting she agreed in spite of herself; "Ok."
He placed a kiss on her forehead; "good night! Khalid is waiting for me I don't want to keep him waiting."
She followed him to the door; "Good night. Take care!"
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Three days later... it was during one of those nights when Khalid accompanied Muhsen to the room that he had reserved for him in the hotel. It was an elegant room with king bed and well-appointed bathroom, equipped with luxury guest amenities in addition to a sitting area which was an ideal location to relax,
not to mention the panoramic views of the city and Red Sea which could be seen from the full-length glass windows.
They sat at the sitting area and talked over tea, discussing various topics including Mhusen's health condition and his relationship with his father. After Muhsen had expressed all his worries, finally it was Khalid who broke the silence that followed their little chat; "Uncle, I know this might not be the good time for this, but I need to know your opinion..." he nervously paused.
It got Muhsen's attention; "go ahead Khalid, you don't need to hesitate..."
Khalid took his time to have one last thought about things to himself, whether if he was ready to take this step or he was just taking a risk. At last, he cleared his throat; "Umm, I, ah...would like to ask your daughter's hand in marriage."
Muhsen fixed his eyes on Khalid's face, not sure if he'd heard him right. Khalid lowered his head nervously. As Muhsen observed Khalid's reaction, he became sure that he heard him right. He smiled broadly; "certainly, there is no one I'd trust with my daughter's future more than you."
At that, Khalid raised his head, gave a nervous smile and murmured a thank you.
"I'd be the happiest father, if I could secure her future with someone like you. I just need to ask her."
Khalid nodded; "sure!" then they both resumed drinking their tea.
This talk had made Muhsen's day, he never expected that his worries about his dear daughter could be removed this easily, had he ever dreamt of a better solution?!
On the other hand, on his way home Khalid kept thinking about how to break the news to the members of his family. Every time there was a red signal and he stopped the car, he would rested his chin on his left fist, keeping his other hand on the steering wheel, he lost himself in deep thoughts. Apart from all, he was thinking about her reaction...would she accept his proposal?!
The time he reached home, he glanced at the bright lights of the Majlis. He knew there must be some guests in the room. He parked his car in the garage and headed there. As soon as he walked in, his father exclaimed; "here is Khalid, he had just returned after dropping Muhsen in the hotel."
He was informing the guest, who wouldn't someone other than Majed.
Majed stopped and shook hands with him; "I heard from Fahd that uncle Muhsen came from London so I thought about coming and welcoming him."
Khalid welcomed him, sitting in the opposite direction.
"I was telling him that you went to drop Muhsen at the hotel." Hassan addressed Khalid.
"yes he stays in Rosewood Hotel... but I think he must be sleeping by now."
Majed commented; "it's ok...I'll go some other time."
During their conversation about Muhsen visit, Majed touched a sensitive area by referring to Fajr; "I think it's time for uncle Muhsen and his daughter to come and settle down here."
Khalid turned all his attention to him while Hassan was keeping the conversation going; "You are right! They should live among their own people and country."
"exactly, at least in that way, he can get his own daughter married to someone from his country, who would be honored to take care of her and..."
Before Majed could finish his sentence, Khalid said in a firm tone; " that's if he had another daughter because his only daughter is already engaged!" he didn't know how those words formed and came out of his mouth, all he knew was that he wanted Majed to stop talking or even thinking about her.
Silence dropped into the room like a bomb, Hassan stared at his son and Majed's eyes stuck on Khalid. Majed's face turned sullen but he feigned calm; "oh really? I never knew that. Engaged to whom?" his voice filled with disappointment.
The corner of Khalid's mouth curved up; "to me."
When he noticed how Majed's eyes widened in surprise, he explained further; "There hasn't been a formal engagement yet, but it will be soon."
Hassan couldn't believe his ears, how his son got things done this way and at this speed without informing him. He had been waiting his response for days that he expected a negative response for it took him so much time.
Majed too was shocked but he nodded any way; "uh huh!" then despite of himself he added; "Congratulations."
"Thanks."
Although the news was surprising for Hassan, but he was so happy that his son took the required decision at last.
Whereas Majed was restless after hearing that, suddenly he felt there was need for him to stay any longer. After a few minutes he took his leave with all disappointment written over his face. His brain was consoling him; "it is just an engagement...maybe there is still an opportunity..."
Once they were alone, Khalid was trying to figure out the reason he declared the matter in this way, for he knew there was not any engagement yet, it was just a proposal. Why he needed to block Majed's way in this direct manner? He never acted this way!
"Why did you announce it that way? What if Majed goes along and told your grandfather? You will put us in a difficult situation!"
Khalid's thoughts were interrupted by the questions of his father.
He turned and looked at him; "I already talked with grandpa and asked for his consent to the engagement!"
If his first announcement surprised Hassan, this piece of information left him speechless.
It took him some time before he commented; "You did?? When and what did he say?"
"a few days ago... he seemed dissatisfied with that but he didn't object... I took his word to attend for my sake."
Hassan shook his head in disbelief; "I can't believe you did that! How could you succeed on what we failed?"
Khalid smiled and said with confidence; "I have my ways!"
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After Khalid's announcement to Majed. Hassan told his wife and his both daughters, Huda and Ruqaya. It seemed as if everyone knew about the matter except Fajr, who heard about it by coincidence. It was through Huda's slip of the tongue, she came to know what was going on. That happened when Fajr was complaining about her father's long stays with her uncle in the study room although it was supposed that he was coming to see her.
"he told me he would come to visit me and take me out, but once he arrives here, he heads to Uncle's study room and they stay there for ages."
At that moment, Huda said; "they are preparing a surprise for you and Khalid." She chuckled.
Alerted at the piece of information with which Huda provided her, she straightened her back and asked with a confused look; "what do you mean??"
"Something like an arranged marriage for example!" she let it sink in for a moment.
Fajr didn't reflect on what Huda said, expecting this to be something stupid of Huda's jokes. She resumed her earlier position on the bed, laying down as she commented; "this is not funny!"
Huda looked at her and confirmed; "I am serious."
It didn't affect Fajr who kept scanning at the screen of her mobile; "you are such a crazy girl."
"I swear by Allah that I am not joking."
At this, Fajr turned and looked at her for a while...then she put her mobile down on the bed and reacted unbelievingly; "you are trying to say that they are getting me married off to your brother??"
Again Huda confirmed with a nod, not able to say anything after seeing the shocked expression on Fajr's face.
How would that be even possible?!
She fell silent for some time then she stood up, picked her mobile and was about to run out of the room when she remembered that she was not wearing her hijab, she took quick steps back, and wore her hijab as fast as she could. She stormed out of the room, ignoring Huda's stream of questions, included; what happened? Where are you going? Wait Fajr, listen to me.
She felt betrayed; is it possible that her dear father would do such a thing like this to her?? Was this his plan from the beginning?
She would go crazy if she didn't talk with him right now. She was too shocked and blinded by all the rage that covered her eyes that she was about to bump into Khalid who was running upstairs in the opposite direction. He stopped at the very appropriate moment before they collided and she raised her hand in an automatic apologizing gesture. As soon as her eyes met his, she lowered her head and ran down quickly while Khalid stood still looking at her and wondering about all the frustration that made her run like a mad person. His eyes followed her with curiosity, he quirked an eyebrow, and wondered about all the frustration oozing out of her.
Just then he saw Huda walking in his direction, he immediately asked her; what happened?
She let out a sigh; "Fajr got worked up after I told her about the arrangement of the marriage of both of you, I think she is going to talk with uncle Muhsen right now."
He mentally nodded; Uh huh...I see.
Then he scolded his sister; "you idiot... she was supposed to hear this from her father, not from you!"
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