Chapter 34: Family Values

It was the eve of Şeker bayrami(sugar feast) and the ladies had gone out to the salon to get their hair done and apply henna while the men went out to get a hair cut.

After the salon treatment, the ladies went out to shop for candies and chocolates as per tradition much to Najmah's enthusiasm.

When they were done shopping, they returned home to prepare traditional pastries and tidy up the house. The staff were given a holiday to spend the bayrami together with their families, so they were left to the work by themselves and Najmah couldn't be any happier. As lazy as she was, she loved being in the kitchen.

The day dragged on with the ladies preparing for the bayrami celebration while the men helped out a little bit. By the end of the day, the house was already in festivity mood.

{••}

"I'm really really tired," Najmah groaned, flopping down on the bed. Aslan chuckled as he disappeared behind the closet.

"It is not funny," she screamed into the pillow, her hands curling into a fist. "You have no idea what I went through."

"My apologies," he fought hard not to grin, emerging from the closet with a large box.

"And I'm ravenous," she mumbled into the pillow.

"How many more hours before iftar?" she raised her head from the pillow, her gaze settling on the box he was holding.

"About an hour or so," he shrugged, dropping the box next to her.

"How can you still have so much energy right now?" she groaned again, falling back unto the bed. "Can I tap into your powers?"

"You can tap into more than my powers," he grinned, earning a glare from her.

"I got you something," he cleared his throat, gesturing at the box. She adjusted into a sitting position, staring at the box quizzically.

"Open it," he nudged her shoulder.

Complying, she opened it and found a multicolored double layered dress in it. She took it out and examined it, a smile dancing on her lips.

"You like?" he cocked an eyebrow, sitting back on the bed, folding his hands on the headrest.

"Yeah," she nodded. "It's lovely."

She traced her hand around the bodice of the dress which was encrusted with pearls, loving the feel of the soft texture beneath her palm. It was an off-shoulder maxi dress, covered in layers and layers of Turkish cultural colors. It was the most beautiful dress she'd ever seen.

"Thank you," she uttered, folding the dress back. She rummaged through the box and found a pair of heels and a jewelry box.

"I know that you and Lale went out shopping, but I figured I could at least get something for you."

"How considerate of you," she smiled, returning the items back. "But you shouldn't have. You paid for all the other items I bought."

"But you love these don't you?" he cocked his eyebrow, daring her to say no.

"I do," she replied after a beat, biting her lip. "But..."

"No buts," he shook his head. "Just take them."

"Fine," she rolled her eyes, picking up the box. She dropped the jewelry box on the vanity table then placed the shoes on the rack. Debating on whether to keep the dress in her luggage or in the closet, she decided to go for the latter.

A smile lit his face when he saw her walk into the closet. For the past few days, he had seen her relocating bits of her clothes into the closet. He wanted to talk to her about it but knowing Najmah, she might take it the wrong way and decide to pack them back into her bag, so he decided to keep quiet.

{••}

Şeker Bayrami

"Let's go people," Lale shooed them out of the house. "We are already running late."

"Blame it on her royal laziness," Afet remarked, heading out of the house.

"Are you talking about you?" Lale cocked her eyebrow, trying to stifle her laughter.

"Whatever," Afet grumbled, sliding into Lale's car.

"Do not take any detours," Lale warned, turning her attention back to Aslan and Najmah who were busy ogling each other.

"Why would we?" Najmah's brows furrowed.

"The way you're looking at each other I'm sure you both are ready to call it quits and run back to your room," she accused, folding her arms on her chest.

"But unfortunately for you, there is no canceling this family outing," she grinned evily at them, grabbing  Hilal's hand.

"I want to drive with teyze," Hilal whined.

"Believe me, honey you do not want to ride with them now," Lale shook her head.

"Lale!" Najmah gasped, picking Hilal up. "It's not what you think."

"Of course," she smirked at them. "It's not what I think. Just don't forget there's a child riding together with you guys okay?" Aslan rolled his eyes, opening the door for Najmah and Hilal. They got in before he closed the door then went back to his side of the car.

As they drove out of the compound, Aslan took her hand in his while he kept the other on the steering wheel. Raising their entwined hands, he brought them closer to his lips and placed a kiss on them.

She turned to see if Hilal wasn't watching before pecking his cheeks.

"You look dashing today," she grinned when he groaned, playing with their conjoined hands.

"So do you," he responded, his thumb grazing her palm.

She smiled at him, looking straight ahead, content with the emotions swelling in her heart. Live in the moment.

"You ready to meet my extended family?" he questioned, packing his car in the driveway. She shrugged, glancing at the compound. Her eyes widened at the sight of the many cars.

"This is only a family gathering you said?" she cocked her eyebrow, stepping out of the car.

He smiled sheepishly at her, throwing the keys at the valet.

"We are a large family," he responded, entwining her hand with his right and Hilal's with his left.

"Time to show off the most amazing woman in my life to my family," he pecked her cheeks as they stepped into the foyer.

{••}

"Aslan's wife I presume," an elderly woman came to stand by her side.

"Yeah," she nodded before clearing her throat. "Yes."

"Hmm," the old woman speculated, gazing at her with distaste. "My grandson has told me a lot about you though he forgot to mention you were an African American."

"Actually I'm African," Najmah corrected, earning a glare from the woman.

"Come with me," the woman stated, guiding them towards an empty room.

'Aslan where are you when I need you?'  she groaned inwardly. 'This is the perfect time for Lale to pop out.'

"Are you in love with my grandson?" the woman questioned, once she locked the door.

"Uhm...I don't know ma'am."

"You don't know? Then why are you married to him?"

"It happened in haste," Najmah responded, feeling her throat go dry.

"Oh yes, he mentioned about your fiancé getting arrested on your wedding day. Poor thing," Aslan's grandmother mocked.

"I can see that Aslan is smitten by you otherwise you wouldn't be here today, so I'm going to ask you have you consummated your marriage?"

"With all due respect, ma'am that does not concern you. If you may excuse me," Najmah responded coldly, heading towards the door. "I have to go find my husband."

"Do not play with me child," her voice grew colder, sending chills down Najmah's spine. "Did you or did you not?"

Najmah contemplated not answering the question but seeing the look in the woman's eyes, she decided against it. "We did not," she swallowed a lump in her throat.

"That wasn't so bad after all," the old lady deadpanned. "And I hope it stays that way, I do not want my blood to be mixed with the likes of you."

"Likes of me?"

"Gold digging low life," she responded tightly. "He should've married Afet, she is more of Sadek standards but you," she gestured at Najmah. "You are nothing like her, I would never accept you into my family. You are not good enough for my grandson. I have no idea what Faik was thinking."

"I am Aslan's wife," Najmah placed her hand on the doorknob. "And I will still remain to be. Whether you accept a gold digging low life with no standards like me, I am still married to him."

"Do not get too cocky now child," she warned. "Aslan will divorce you, mark my words."

Without uttering a word, Najmah ran out of the room. Pushing through Aslan's family members, she ran out into the backyard and sat down on the grass, wallowing in her misconduct.

Aslan's grandmother didn't like her, Afet didn't like her, half of his family members still did not accept her and she had no idea when they would. Was this how her life was going to be forever, being unwanted? Would she always never be good enough for him? What future could they have if she's not accepted by them?

"I have been looking all over for you," Aslan stated, sitting down beside her.

"Your grandmother hates me," she blurted, not glancing at him. "Half of your family does not like me."

"Look at me," he cupped her chin, so she was forced to face him. She blinked back her tears, staring right into his eyes. "It doesn't matter what they think okay? I like you Najmah."

Her eyes widened at his confession, making him chuckle.

"I like you a lot, sometimes I think I like you too much. Anne, Baba, Hilal and Lale all like you and those are the only people that matter."

She nodded, placing her head on his shoulder. Silence engulfed them and they welcomed it with open arms.

"Do you ever think about the future?" she questioned, her voice breaking into the tranquility of the night.

"I do," he nodded. "Always."

"Am I in it?" she questioned softly, scared of what his answer might be.

"Sevgilim," he smiled, kissing her lips. "You are the future." She smiled, returning the kiss with equal fervour. His answer was enough to lighten up her mood, forgetting her conversation with his grandmother. She was his future, and that was all that mattered.

"Break it up you two," Lale came to stand behind them. "Everyone's been wondering where you two have disappeared to.You have your whole lives to do what you are doing right now," she huffed, turning on her heels.

"We do," they responded together, laughing out loud.

"What do you say we ditch this gathering and go back home?" he questioned when they stood up.

"I'm game," she squealed. Najmah had had enough of being scrutinised for not being as wealthy as they were or for not being a Turk or for not being up to the standard of marrying into their prestigious family. She was so glad his immediate family weren't all pompous. Otherwise she would have been on the first flight back to Nigeria the moment she met them.

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