FATE

Chapter 12

Bassam

Sometimes it gets too much and I feel like pausing my life. As it is right now, there are areas of my life I wish would slow down considerably, in order for me to properly understand it all and there are others I wouldn't mind if they were to go by faster. Like my current predicament. The whole marriage thing.

I've come to realize that Badriyyah is pretty okay. I just don't love her and I don't think that's happening anytime soon, if ever. She's someone I'd recommend for any of my few friends and or even siblings to marry not myself though. And that's not because I'm still stuck in the past but more like preventing history from repeating itself. You ought to learn from your mistakes and learn to avoid making them again in the future. No?

I just spoke with her on the phone few minutes ago. She called to say hi and to thank me again for the umpteenth time in the span of five days which brought a smile to my face. The thanking me part that is. She lost her phone somewhere between going and coming back from a wedding.

We haven't spoken in days and suddenly Khadijah was calling me, I was surprised as to why but picked up nonetheless. As it turned out, it was Badriyyah, calling to tell me about the incident as the reason why her phone was switched off for days now. I had no idea because I didn't try calling but I wouldn't tell her that so I played along and asked if she's done anything to swap her sim card to which she replied the affirmative. We talked some more and said goodbye.

Zaahir and I were hanging out in my room so I told him what happened and he kept looking at me. I asked why and he went "for someone so smart, you sure act dumb most of the time man." I asked what he meant by that and he told me that the sane thing to do is to get her a new phone seeing as she's the person I'm getting married to and all that. True the thought hasn't crossed my mind but then I gave it a thought and we decided to go get her a phone from someone he knows. Apparently the guy knows someone in almost everywhere you're looking. Markets, shop owners, eateries, accessories and other stuff. You just name it and he knows a guy.

We decided to go give her the phone after purchasing it. She denied collecting it at first but with much persuasion from Zaahir, she said to give her few minutes and she left. Few minutes later, she came in all smiles saying Ammi said it's fine that she could keep the phone. She went to ask her stepmom for permission and boy was I impressed. That spoke volumes about her upbringing and even Zaahir commended her on that in her presence and her absence.

We left shortly after that not without her and Zaahir acting like long lost best friends while I just watched all the drama unfold. He joked about her being stuck with a robot like me. His words exactly. They exchanged phone numbers and he told her to call him whenever she needs someone to scold me. I just smiled because I know better. Between the two of us, if anyone needed scolding, it sure as hell ain't me.

My family, like pretty much other families, have our ups and downs too. We're okay in the monetary department. Well off even. Education, connections and job opportunities. The one major thing wrong with my family is the women in it and their gossiping. No matter how much you try to conceal whatever you have going on, it will always have a way to get out in the open. Sadly, even some men engage in the small talks and gossips.

First, it was about my mum's family. Then about her marrying my dad, then about Zaahir, about me and Aatika, about Umaimah and now about me and Badriyyah. There's always something to talk about. And somehow, more often than not, it's centered around me. And I try as much as possible to avoid these people but no, they have the energy and time in the world to involve me and others in their business.

Today is the day Baba told me that they're going to meet with Badriyyah's family to finalize everything and if possible to set a date for the wedding. I offered to pay for the bride price myself but they won't have any of it so I left for work calling Zaahir on my way out to keep him posted. "It's about damn time" he said telling me that he heard Baabaa talking about it the night before. I ended the call and hopped into my car greeting Mal. Ya'u on my way out.