Chapter Eleven – The inexplicable

Mahmood and Waleeda waited anxiously for the future son-in-law to come and meet their daughter after the rough encounter they’d had. But a couple of weeks went by without any visit or call from them. Mahmood was too ashamed to call them on his own as he viewed what Alaya did as a total ‘disgrace.’

Alaya on the other hand was not sure how to feel about what was going on. She was actually quite busy with her final A level exams to be thinking about her future marriage. At times while studying, she’d think what kind of a mentality Layaan must have to marry her while she was still a school girl. Not the kind she’d like for sure. Nonetheless Alaya was worried about her parents. No matter how much she despised them for what they had planned for her it still bothered her to see them worried. She hated herself for feeling that way but she couldn’t help it. She secretly wished for Layaan to come back faster so that his father could pay her father’s debts and she could flee away from them in peace.

Perhaps her fate was written according to her wishes and everything started falling into places perfectly well. Layaan visited her again, just on the day she’d finished her last exam. As soon as they arrived on a surprise visit Mahmood started apologizing for what happened ‘ages’ ago. This time Alaya’s eyeballs went almost to the very back of her eyes as Layaan repeatedly started saying ‘its ok uncle’ as though a victim of a murder came back to life to forgive the criminal.

“Well Mahmood we were actually kinda busy with some business. That’s what took us long from coming back. As a matter of fact we had a lot to attend to even today but Layaan kept insisting on coming. Hehe……” Ahmed said during that day’s meeting and everyone laughed except for Alaya.

“I think we should let them take a small walk in the garden in our backyard. What do you say Layaan?” Mahmood asked and Alaya’s eyes widened.

“Well yeah that’d be great! What do you think Alaya?” Layaan looked at Alaya and gave her a light wink which made her want to puke. Just then Asma came out of the blue to apparently safe her life.

“Dad I don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s not good for a girl and a boy to chat in private even though they may be fiancées.” Asma just dropped it and everyone was brought to silence. Except for Layaan’s father.

“We don’t believe in these old-fashioned religious traditions. We live in a much more civilized world nowadays. It’d be foolish to still hold onto those things in such a free society.” Ahmed said.

“Well uh…” as Mahmood was about to speak, Waleeda joined them.

“But we don’t let go off our traditions. If any good might come out of the marriage of these two children, it would only be by the Will of Allah. So we better do things the way it pleases Allah.” Waleeda said and Mahmood whispered her name. Waleeda glared at him.

Ahmed was about to give a harsh response to them but was stopped when Layaan held his hand. Layaan gave him a pleading look and he nodded his head with an upset look.

“Ok then, we better do things the way it pleases Allah.” Ahmed said and Alaya had the brightest smile. She did not agree with a thing that her mother said. She would be the first to rebuke those ‘traditions.’ But not right now. Not when it’s actually saving her from something she hated to do. She would have agreed to speak and meet privately with any man but not with a self-obsessed spoilt brat.

**

Then began a series of meetings at Alaya’s house the ‘traditional’ way. Layaan had no choice but to talk to Alaya in the presence of both of their fathers. They talked and asked about each other. Through that Alaya got to know that Layaan’s mother has also passed away. She got a little emotional at that but was shocked when Layaan himself turned it into a joke saying that she will not have the burden of having a ‘mother-in-law.’ How cruel can be a man who could make a joke out of his mother’s death? Alaya thought that she would not find anything that made her any angrier than that. But then again it was Layaan she was talking to. She was fed up of listening about the fountain in front of their mansion in California. And the imported wardrobe that he has. And the brands of cars that he likes to have. AND the expensive perfume that he wears. There was literally no end to the luxury he owned. She even realized that Layaan had planned to not send her to work or seek a career because she ‘might be attracted to other people’ besides him. The first time she heard it she thought Layaan was abiding by one of the ‘traditions’ that he and his father were so against, but it didn’t take long for Alaya to realize that Layaan was one of those men who was afraid of his wife getting way ahead of him.

“But Alaya can take her own initiative in doing something good don’t you think? Like she’s a pretty good artist. She can do that work even from home.” Asma, who after some point started joining those conversations for a reason Alaya did not know spoke when he’d said such a thing.

“Oh yeah but in my view, a wife’s job is just to stay home.” Layaan said and at that point, Alaya barely held herself back from throwing a punch on his face.

Days were gloomy for Alaya with those daily meetings. But eventually she heard the news she wanted to hear. Layaan’s father decided to have an engagement party a month before marriage. And not only that. The rich father also promised that he will ‘help’ her father with whatever he needed before the engagement. Alaya literally jumped for joy on that as she shared the news with Lilly.

With her excitement building up inside her, Alaya could barely hide it. Even her younger brother Faaris who kept quiet for matters regarding her marriage due to the frequent glares from Waleeda saw that as yet again another opportunity to make fun of her sister. But it would go away as soon as Alaya put her hand on his small face and pushed him into his room. Her father was of course happy about the marriage and Liam was as usual neutral regarding the affairs of his in-laws. But there was a friction going on between Asma and Waleeda. It took Alaya a countless number of attempts of spying on them to figure out what was going on.

“Mom please think about it once again with dad. Its just not right. Layaan is not a good person for Alaya. You know clearly how it is.” said a concerned Asma as she spoke to her mom in the kitchen while Alaya listened from outside.

“I know my dear. But there is nothing we can do about it you see? Your dad is very happy that we are paying our debts off. And yes Alaya doesn’t like Layaan yet. But she hasn’t said it either. So we are assuming that she will like him after marriage and Layaan will change for Alaya. He loves Alaya a lot you know?” said Waleeda, slowly moving into her daydreams. She too sounded quite pleased that the debts were being paid off. But Alaya realized at that moment that the only person who was unhappy along with her was Asma. She sighed angrily and started to walk out. Alaya attempted to move before it was too late but she failed. Asma caught her on sight as she was just about to leave. Their eyes locked and Alaya saw a pain in her sister’s eyes for her. She did not know what to feel or say about it. So she kept looking for a short while then starting to walk away. She realized that she just gave Asma the impression that she’d just had a heartbreak of knowing how her parents were ‘using’ her. Knowing how she can’t escape the situation and all that. Little does Asma know! Alaya thought as she entered her room and subconsciously closed the door quite dramatically. She should get an Oscar for that performance! She thought as she walked into the room. But no longer did she get into her room that she heard a knock on her door. She opened it and saw Asma. Asma quickly got into the room and locked the door. Alaya looked at her, puzzled.

“Look Alaya I know that this is quite shocking. I don’t like mom and dad’s decision for you either. I’m trying to talk them out of it but they are just not listening. They are both saying that you are not saying anything so it should be fine. Say something! Tell them that you don’t like the guy and they will listen. I promise!” Asma said as though she was pleading. Alaya sighed.

“Too late! I already made up my mind.” Alaya said.

“To marry Layaan?!”

“No you silly! I wouldn’t be marrying him even though he’d be the last man on earth. But I’ve made up my mind to take a chance and change my life once and for all!”

“And how is that?”

“You’ll see, soon!” Alaya said the last word with a wink and aimed to go to the bathroom. Asma kept looking at her trying to figure out what she meant. As Alaya praised herself for her talent of making people curious, Asma called her out.

“Alaya…..are you planning to run away?” Asma asked. Alaya’s eyes widened and her heart started pounding.

“How did you….what the hell are you talking about?!” Alaya blurted out.

“I don’t know. But that’s a fantasy you have always had and you shared it with me when I was as stupid.” Asma said, observing her sister carefully.

“Well no….its nothing of that sort really!” Alaya tried to laugh but couldn’t. Asma crossed her arms.

“I hope that’s true. But if you are planning to do such a thing then let me tell you. Life isn’t a frigging movie Alaya! You won’t be rescued by a charming prince when you face a difficulty. You have to face it yourself! Did you hear me? You have to face it YOURSELF! There is no one going to be around. You wont get to whine. And even if you do there will be no one to listen. Do you even know what it means to be financially independent? To make a living? To save money for survival and not just for make-up and clothes? For God’s sake Alaya!” Asma said and Alaya felt as though she was getting punches on her face. Asma was right. What was she going to do all on her own?

“And to leave mom and dad like that….haven’t they done absolutely nothing for you to just leave them for your so called freedom? What is this except for sheer stupidity?” Asma said and Alaya just kept on listening.

“So decide for yourself……before it’s too late. I can only help so much.” Asma said and turned her back. Alaya could not do anything but look as her sister left. Her words echoed in her mind. Does she even know what it means to be financially independent? Does she know what it means to make a living? To save money for survival? Alaya thought hard. But it didn’t take long for her mind to give a positive answer. Of course she does! If she was given a chance to do all of it, she would. And she absolutely would. She wouldn’t be stopped. Not this time.

Alaya thought of calling Lilly. But she didn’t. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts. She wanted to master the idea of being ‘independent.’ And for some reason, running away from everyone around her was her definition of becoming ‘independent.’ She didn’t realize that it was cowardice to run away from problems instead of facing them. That she is losing the game if she doesn’t know how to convince the people around her and thus is running away from them. That bravery is in embracing life as it is and finding solutions to the problems around an individual himself or herself.

Hence this time she started making her own plan. Without even the help of Lilly. She took out a paper and pen and started writing. First, she would wait for the engagement party to end. Then she would go to her room and pack everything. And make sure that she has extras of everything she’ll need on the way. She will grab her wallet with her 2 year savings of pocket money. The money she had made her think of how stupid she was when she decided to move to another country. But then again she didn’t stay in those negative thoughts. Instead, she decided to go to Boston, which she could afford. The day after the engagement, she’d wake up at 4. She’d pack everything and sneak out through the window. She’d grab a taxi and reach the subway. And from there, she’d catch the train to Boston.

Alaya highly doubted whether she could go according to the plan the day she made it. But she was awake at 4, on the day after her engagement. She packed everything according to plan. But did not have the heart to leave, until she’d seen everyone’s faces. Her eyes welled up with tears as she looked at her parents sleeping soundly. She had a look at Faaris who was snoring and drooling in his deep sleep. She had a look at Asma who was sleeping with Maaiz, as Liam was out on a business trip that day. She said her goodbyes and wrote a letter for everyone. A letter that said that she is leaving. Saying that no one needed to be worried as she will be safe with the money that she has. She left the letter on the table in the living room and left according to plan.

**

Alaya’s heart was pounding against her chest as she found herself on the subway at 5 in the morning. There were all kinds of people in the station. This was the first time she felt so far away from everyone she knew and when she felt so out of place. But she needed to be strong. Alaya told herself. And pulled up a fierce look on her face as she sat on the bench.

As Alaya was looking at the empty railway in front of her, she saw a man walking towards it. She only saw him from behind and she saw that he wore a baggy shirt. Either the shirt was baggy or he was too skinny. Alaya wasn’t sure. But she was sure that he wasn’t doing well. He walked quite slowly towards the railway and stood just by it. Then just as he heard a train coming, he clenched his fist. Alaya saw him step on the railway and just as Alaya was about to shout out, the train came at full speed and hit him. Seeing the first split second of the tragedy Alaya closed her eyes tight as she screamed. But she slowly opened her eyes, as she heard people talking. She saw the man lying on the floor, way on the other side of the station and people began surrounding him. Who was he? What did he just do? Was he out of his mind? Alaya could not help but think.