Our Space

Chapter 24

On Saturday, during their second meeting, it was decided there was no point in dragging things out in more meetings and so discussions about the wedding had already begun!

Sami was unsure whether this was all real. It made sense to him, for he liked Radia and it seemed as if Radia liked him too. Both families approved of them. But he hadn't expected things to go so far, so soon. It was agreed that Radia and Sami would continue getting to know each other up until the wedding, so more meetings were to take place. Numbers were exchanged and Radia had suggested that they talk on a group chat on whatsapp with Manahil, apparently an idea she got from the way it was done in her best friend's household.

So now, Sami remained in a state of awe. Was this really happening? Was he getting married? The discussion had only begun. It was a little awkward and Sami didn't know how to react. It was Radia's mother who had started the whole thing on that Saturday evening. Sami, Manahil and their mother sat with Radia and her parents. They were in Sami's mother's house and they had divided themselves into suitable pairs to speak. While speaking to Uncle Irfan about recent politics, Sami heard Radia's mother exclaim,

"Just so you know, we approve of Sami for our daughter." Surprised by what he was hearing, Sami looked up, shocked. He had been praying istikhara all week and if this wasn't a positive sign, then Sami didn't know what was.

"And Manahil and I have agreed we approve of Radia for our son," Sami's mother responded. "Again I apologise my husband couldn't be here but as far as I have spoken to him, there doesn't seem to be any objections from him. He says to let Sami marry whoever he wishes to marry." At this, Sami glances over at the woman he wished to marry, only to see she was also looking his way. Both blushed as they fixed their gazes elsewhere.

"I would like to meet Sami's father soon before we go any further with this," Uncle Irfan spoke up.

"Of course, he's told me he's trying to get some days off to visit soon. He was supposed to be here today but he got caught up in his work again."

"Why does he prioritise his work over his family?" Uncle Irfan sent a suspicious look at Sami and Sami immediately felt like he needed to clarify that he wasn't that same.

"That's just... it's just how my father is. I don't ag...agree with it as I really... I mean I strongly believe family should always come first, but th...there's not really much we can do. He's chosen how... how he wants to live his life and we just... we all have to adapt accordingly." Sami sarcastically thanked his nerves, the cause for his stutter which made appearances at random times. He was doing so well until then.

"Good, that's what I was hoping to hear from you."

And so, despite the fact that Uncle Irfan said he didn't want to talk about the wedding further yet, the women were already planning venues and colours, things that didn't really interest Sami. If Sami had it his way, he'd marry Radia next week and maybe hire a fancy car and take her to a fancy hotel after their Nikah. But apparently, having families heavily involved meant he couldn't have a wedding like Ali's.

It was a few days later, when Sami fully began to process the possibility as Radia as his wife that he became aware of all the mixed feelings inside him growing. As he sat alone in his living room, he imagined in a few months, Radia sitting with him. They would talk until they'd covered every topic under the sun, and then talk some more. Imagining it, Sami smiled. As they'd talk, he'd be able to gaze at into her eyes and maybe get lost in them. And it would be totally halaal! Just thinking about it made him grin and he was glad to be alone. He'd probably creep Radia out if she were to see him sitting alone in his living room, grinning to himself.