“Assalamu alaikum, Abu Talha.” Meena greeted with a smile. 

“Assalamu alaikum, Umm Salma.” He replied. “Hope I’m not disturbing.” 

She shook her head, “What’s up?”

“Nothing, just came to check up on you. You were looking a bit unwell last night.”

Oh, so he noticed. “Yeah, I was a bit stressed. Thank you.” 

“Thank God.” He revealed the hand behind his back. Meena gaped at the brown nylon. “From my Ummi.” He smiled and bowed his head. 

She smiled, her eyes getting watery. She didn’t deserve this. “She shouldn’t have bothered. We haven’t even met yet.” 

“Ah, why shouldn’t she? You’re her in-law to be na. Besides, she has met your Ummi and they hit it off real good.” He winked. 

“Really? I didn’t know o.”

“Ehe na, do they need your permission to meet each other?” He folded his arms and eyed her.

She smiled, “I hear you.” 

“I should get going. Having a meeting by twelve.” He gazed at her. 

There was something in his eyes, twinkling at her, welcoming her. She blinked, hoping it was just her imagination. “Okay, let me escort you.”

He frowned. “Free me na.”

She shook her head in confusion. His eyes moved downwards, her eyes followed. She covered her mouth to hide a chuckle, then collected the bag. “It’s heavy o.”

“She’s not the only one who can give gifts.” He shrugged. She shook her head and fell in step with him.

When they reached the gate, he turned to her, “No need to go outside. Just go and rest.” 

“Because I said I’m tired, abi?”

“I don’t want to stress you more.” He held her eyes.

Her breath hitched. There was the look again. She cleared her throat. “I really appreciate your coming.” She opened the gate. 

“I really appreciate your presence in my life.” He held the gate.

Meena ignored his comment. “We’ll talk later.”

He gazed at her once more, then nodded. “Sure in sha Allah. Assalamu alaikum.”

“Wa alaikum salam.” As she closed the gate. She leaned against it and covered her mouth to hold back her cry. She couldn’t do this alone. She needs help. 

Taking a deep breath, she cleaned her face and went back inside. The living room was empty, except for Nur. Just who she needed to see alone. As she sat, he raised his head from his phone. She smiled. He smiled, a brow raised.

“I’m sorry for misjudging you,” She began. “a huge part of me was more pessimistic than hopeful.”

“You should’ve trusted me.” He said in a low voice. “I had it all planned out.”

“I know. I-”

“But it’s not important now, is it? Your mum just finished filling me in about your suitor.” He looked away and shut his eyes. “I want you to be happy, with or without me. You deserve it.”

Meena watched him. He had made it easy. She had to get rid of the one she didn’t want, while the one she wanted was already leaving. And she couldn’t stop him. As long as his mother won’t accept her wholeheartedly, she’d never feel happy with him.

He took a deep breath. “I should get going.” He stood slowly.

“At least wait for them to come out.” She joined him.

He smiled, “will they change your mind if they do?” 

She sighed. “I’m sorry.” 

Still smiling, he said, “Be happy.”

“You’re leaving already?” Her father asked, coming up behind her. “Ummu Amina is serving your food already o. Eba and ewedu.”

Nur’s eyes lighted up. “Please, no.” He held his stomach. 

Father and daughter chuckled. “Let’s package it at least.” 

“Let me tell her.” Meena said and strode towards the kitchen. She met her mother on the doorway, “He’s leaving already.” 

“Good.” Fadilah said and handed Meena the tray. Meena watched her in shock. Shaking her head, she packaged the food in her favorite flask. She quickly put it in a nylon so her mother won’t notice. Once done, she gave it to her father.

“Eat it quick o. Eba is not sweet when cold.” 

Nur laughed and collected it. “I know.” He glanced at Meena. “I’ve learned my lesson before.”

She smiled, then caught her mother’s glare. She cleared her throat. “Greet Aunt Intisar for us.
can we get her new number?”

“No need, I have it.” Her father said over his shoulder. 

“Send my greetings to your mother.” Her mother said, smiling. Meena and her father exchanged surprised glances. 

“And mine too.” Her father said. 

Nur nodded. “Thank you for everything.” He said, eyes trained on Meena, saying: Goodbye. For real.

As the door closed, Meena released a breath. Her mother scoffed beside her. “Thank God that went well.” 

Meena ignored her and plopped on her seat. When her father came in, she stood. “Abu, I need to say something.” Her parents sat beside each other, eyes on her.

“I hope you’re not changing your mind o.” Her mother said, narrowing her eyes.

“No, Ummi. Actually, I wanted to let you know that I won’t choose again.”

Her father frowned and adjusted his glasses. “I don’t understand.”

“What I mean is, I want you both to choose a husband for me.” 

Her father gaped while her mother smiled in victory. “That’s a good choice.”

“No,” He glared at his wife. I don’t support this. You’re old enough to make your choice. It’s your future after all.”

Meena shook her head. “I’m tired. I mean, look at how I ruined my relationship with Nur, and now Badr… I don’t want to make that mistake again.”

“Exactly! As your parents, we should know better and choose the best for you.”

“You mean, choose the one you want,” He sneered at Fadilah before turning to his daughter. “You’re not the only one who made a mistake about Nur, we’re also at fault. I should have dug deeper into it, instead of jumping to conclusion.”

“It is called ‘supporting our daughter’ and I see nothing wrong there.” Fadilah fired back. To Meena, she said, “His mother doesn’t like you. She won’t ever like you. Even now, she’s just doing it for her sister. Who knows? maybe after the sister’s death, she may change back.” She faced her husband. “I want to give my daughter to a family that will accept her wholeheartedly, not out of compulsion.” She turned to Meena, “I just want you to have peace, because I know the war hateful mothers-in-law wage on their daughters-in-law when no one is watching. My sister, your aunt… She didn’t survive it.” She bowed her head and released her tears.

Meena froze, not sure what to say or do. She turned to her father, who was equally shocked. It seemed he was also hearing this for the first time. She quickly wrapped her arms around her mother. 

Seeing her mother like this, Meena finally understood where she was coming from. In that moment, she made her decision, for her mother’s peace, for her peace.

She felt a tug at her attire and turned to her father who whispered, “Do as she says.”

She nodded. This was her choice.

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