Chapter 15: Engagement

It was August 17th; Sara was in her room when her parents came to talk to her. She was carious that her parents were in her room because before that her father never went to her room and today, he came. She thought what was so special.

Ayesha asked, “Dear, are you sleeping?” She was laying on her bed and when she saw them, she got up.

“No, I couldn’t go to sleep, what is it? For the first time, Dad, you’re in my room. Is there something important?”

They sit on her bed in front of her and her father said, “Yes, it’s very important.” She was curious and didn’t know what her parents wanted to talk about.

Sara asked, “What is it?”

Ayesha was hesitating, “We were thinking, and we think that this is best for you.” They weren’t telling her clearly and she got more confused. “What is it? I don’t understand.”

So, her father told her what they were thinking, “We want you to get married to Farhan.”

“What?” She got up from the bed, “Dad, please.” She didn’t say anything because she loved Aaron and she didn’t want to marry someone else.

Ayesha said, “We know how you feel, but Farhan is a really good boy, and he will keep you happy. Before she could say something, her father got up, “Don’t you like him?”

Sara told them, “I do but like a friend. I don’t love him.”

Her father said, “You’ll fall in love with him when you marry him.” She turns to face her father, “Dad, you fall in love only once and I already did.”

Her mother consoling her, “Sweetheart, he isn’t coming back.” Tears came out of Sara’s eyes. “When we see you like this, it really hurts us, and seeing you happy with Farhan makes us think that he’s the one you should marry. He’s the right person for you and he understands your feelings.”

“Mom, please.” Her father speaks again, “Let me tell you something, Sara. It’s an old saying you should marry the person who loves you, cares about you, and your feelings, not the one who you love. From my experience, I think Farhan will keep you happy all your life and you guys will be the happiest couple on earth.”

Sara insisted, “Dad, I can’t marry him.” Her mother steps forward, but he stops her, “We love you and we want to see you happy. We even accepted Aaron, but what did he do, but now it’s your turn to prove how much you love us. If you really love us, then you will accept Farhan. He is perfect for you. Just think about it.”

They didn’t say another and left the room. Sara was crying so much because she only thought about Aaron being her husband and nobody else. Now, she had to accept what her parents wanted because she already gave them so much pain and didn’t want them to go through again. So, she decided that she will accept what her parents want and live happy because the one she loves doesn’t care about her, so why should she care about him.

It was 6 o’clock when she came downstairs. Farhan was still sleeping, and her parents were downstairs eating breakfast. They were getting ready to go to work and her mother was cooking.

Sara announced, “Mom, I accept your proposal, but I just have one condition.” Her parents got so happy, and her parents hugged her.

Her parents were so excited and answered at the same time, “We’re so happy for you.” They laughed.

Sara said, “But I have a condition.”

Her mother asked, “What is it, Sara?” They were curious about what she wanted, “I don’t want to get married now. I will marry him after I graduate from college, okay?”

Her father immediately, “Yeah, sure. He won’t have a problem with that. I’ll just go and call Farhan.” He started screaming with excitement, “Farhan, Farhan.” He came running down in his pajamas, “What happened? Is everything alright?”

Emraan hugs Farhan, “Son, my daughter has agreed to marry you.” He looked at Sara to see if she was happy and she smiled at him. He was so happy that she agreed to marry him.

Farhan couldn’t believe it, “What? Really?” Her mother went to him, “Of course, we’re not gonna lie to you.” Sara spoke immediately, “But you should tell him my condition, he might reject me.”

Farhan was so excited and said right away, “I’ll accept all your conditions and I will never reject you.” He goes to her and hugs her in front of her parents and kisses her on the cheek.

Sara pushed him away, “Farhan.” She slaps him on the arm and her parents were laughing, “Now, I have the right to touch you.”

Sara said, “Not yet.” Farhan was very impatient. “So, when are we getting married?” still trying to hug Sara. She pushed his hand away again, “After four years and she went in the living room.”

“What?” His face went back to sadness, “You’re kidding me.”

Sara told him, “No, I’m not. That’s my condition and you’ve accepted it.”

Farhan said immediately, “No, I did not.” They were standing next to each other fighting.

Sara replied, “Yes, you did. When I told you that I have a condition and you said I accept all your conditions. Remember? I think you have short memory loss.” She was laughing and he ignored her, “Oh, just be quiet.” He goes back to the kitchen.

Ayesha told him, “Don’t worry, Farhan. I have an idea.”

“What is it?” He wasn’t paying attention to her mother because he was upset that he agreed to Sara’s condition.

“I was thinking that what if we get both of you engaged?” Her mother thought. He turned to her and smiled.

Farhan kissed her mother’s hand, “That’s a wonderful idea.” Sara heard it too, “No way, mom. You guys can’t do this to me.”

Emraan said, “we want to see our children happy, and you made my son sad, so we decided that before you guys go to California. We’ll get you engaged, and I’ll call Izat and Isha and tell them that we accept their proposal. So, they can come, and we’ll have a really big engagement party.” Her parents were so happy and already made up plans in their minds.

Sara was upset because it was not going according to her plan, “Dad, no. This is not happening or else I’m not getting married.”

Farhan said, “You can’t do that all the time. Now, you have to do what I will tell you to do because I’m gonna be your future husband.” He was teasing her, and her parents were laughing.

Sara rolling her eyes, “Oh, please. Give me a break. I won’t get engaged; I’m telling you, dad.”

It wasn’t in her hand to stop everything. It was the day of engagement and Farhan’s parents came two days before the engagement because of their work. They couldn’t take leave for too long and they were there only for a week. Everybody was at the party; Neha was with Sara in her room to get her ready.

Neha was excited and sad at the same time, “I can’t believe my best friend is getting engaged. I always knew that there was definitely something between you and Farhan.”

Sara was so nervous, “I’m really nervous and I don’t know if I’m doing this right to Farhan.” She was sitting in front of the mirror and Neha stood behind her.

Neha puts her hand on Sara’s shoulder, “Just forget about the past and think about the future. Now your future is Farhan. So, just relax. Whatever you’re doing is right. I know it and my heart believes that you’re doing the right thing. Now, put this necklace on.”

Neha got Sara ready; she was wearing burgundy organza kameez and shalwar, which had gold zardosi, multicolor crystals, and resham embroidery on it. She was looking like a bride. In Pakistan, brides wear a red dresses because of culture, tradition, and red is also the color of love. She was wearing matching jewelry with her dress and she looked like the most beautiful girl at the party. When Neha was bringing her downstairs, everybody was shocked because that was her first time wearing Pakistani clothes and she looked so beautiful in them. Everybody was telling Sara’s mother that her daughter is looking so beautiful, and Farhan is the luckiest guy to marry her. He was smiling when people complimented her. She had her headcover with the scarf, which is also a custom for the brides and girls to do when they’re getting married or engaged. Neha sat her next to Farhan. Everybody was busy doing their things, so Farhan started talking to Sara.

Farhan complimented her, “You’re looking gorgeous.” Sara smiled and Neha was standing by her, “Don’t make my friend more nervous.”

He asked Sara, “Am I making you nervous?” Sara answered immediately, “No, you’re not.”

Neha told her, “You’re not supposed to talk, Sara.” It’s also a custom, people make it as a custom, that girls don’t talk to their future husbands while sitting next to them in front of everybody.

Farhan told Neha, “I think you need to keep quiet, Neha. I want to hear her voice. I want to know how she feels.”

“I don’t feel anything.” She teased him and smiled. She looked so pretty when she smiled, and her dimple appeared.

Farhan put his hand on his heart, “you know what your dimple kills me.” It reminded him of Aaron because he used to tell her that. So, she stopped smiling and looked away.

Farhan’s parents came over and told them to exchange the rings. Sara’s heart was crying. After all, she wanted Aaron to put the ring on her finger because she believed that the ring finger was supposed to touch the ladies’ heart and only, he could touch her heart. She didn’t say anything because she saw her parents were so happy and didn’t want to make them sad again. So, they exchanged the rings and Farhan kissed her again on her cheek, where her dimple appeared after he kissed. Everybody started laughing. She went to her room after the engagement ceremony, she started crying so much because she loved Aaron and she couldn’t even tell anybody that she didn’t want to get engage with Farhan. She was so crying so much that she went to sleep.

Ayesha woke her up, “Sara, come on. Get up. It’s 7 a.m.”

She opened her eyes, “What happened?”

Her mother said, “I think you were really tired last night, so you went to sleep.” Her mother started to clean the room, “you have to get your things together because you’ll be leaving tonight. I have packed everything that you’ll need.”

Sara told her, “Yeah, mom.”

She gets up and takes shower. She gets ready and goes downstairs. Everybody was getting their things together to go tonight to California. It was time for Farhan’s family and Sara to go to California. Sara’s mother was crying so much because her daughter was leaving far away from them for the first time.

Sara tried to convince her mother, “Mom, stop crying. If you’re gonna cry like this, then I can’t go, and I won’t be able to study because then I will be thinking about you. Please, mom.” Her mother stopped crying and cleaned her tears.

Ayesha made her promise, “Alright, but you promise me that you will call me every day and tell me everything. Okay?”

Sara hugged her, “Yes, I promise.”

Her father asked, “Come on, let’s go. We’re getting late for their flight. Farhan, did you get everything?”

Farhan answered, “Yeah, uncle.”

They all get out of the house and Sara’s father drove to the airport. They were at the airport and Sara’s mother cried all the way in the car.

Sara was getting so tensed because of her mother, “Mom, please. Don’t cry now.”

Ayesha told her, “Alright, I won’t cry anymore.” She hugged her, “Take good care of yourself and I’ve packed all of your things.”

“You already told me this, mom.” She goes to her father and hugs him, “Take care of yourself and Farhan, don’t trouble my daughter too much, okay?”

Farhan smiled, “of course, uncle.”

Emraan’s friend Izat confirmed to him, “Don’t worry; we will take care of your daughter. Now, she’s going to be our daughter-in-law, so you don’t have to worry about her anymore.” They hug each other, and they leave. Sara waves at them and she was also crying, but she wasn’t crying in front of them because then it would make them weak and her too.

Farhan told her, “Don’t cry; they’ll be okay.” Sara stops crying and goes to the plane.

They arrived home. It was beautiful and Farhan’s house was close to the University. Everything looked so beautiful to her and new. She was excited to be there, but now her only goal was that she has to pay attention in college and forget about everything else. She has to become a doctor and make her parents proud of her. It was only one week left for college to start when they left for California.

Isha, her mother-in-law goes in first and sits on the couch, “Welcome, dear. Welcome to your new home.”

“Thank you, Aunty.” She gets inside the house. Her mother-in-law showed her the room, and it was next to Farhan’s room. “Oh no. My room is next to this joker.” His mother laughed, “So, I’m a joker now. I see.” She sticks her tongue out.

Isha told her, “Why don’t you get fresh, and I’ll have dinner ready?”

Sara asked, “Do you want me to help you?”

Isha said, “No, you must be very tired.”

Sara thought, “and you are too.”

Isha told her, “it’s okay, you go ahead and get fresh. I’ll be fine.” She goes to her room and gets fresh. They were having dinner together.

Isha reminded her, “Your mother was crying so much for you.”

Sara said, “Yeah, she was crying, and I told her that I’ll be back during the breaks, but she was crying like I was dying or something.” She laughed.

Isha told her, “Dear, you’re their only daughter, so how come she won’t be sad. She really loves you a lot.”

Sara confirmed, “Yes, I know.”

Farhan interrupted, “Well, we have one week, and you've already registered for classes. I think I should take you to see my state now. You’ll love it here, I promise.”

Sara said excitedly, “I’m so eager to see the city.”

Farhan said, “Great!”

After eating dinner, they went to their room, and Sara called her parents to let them know that she was fine, and she came home safely.

It was two o’clock and she couldn’t go to sleep. She went outside to see if somebody was awake, but everybody was asleep. She went back to her room and listen to her iPod. She had her sleeping pills, and she took those to make herself go to sleep, but she kept thinking about Aaron and was crying because she didn’t have anything left in her life except to think about Aaron. She tried to forget thinking about him, but she couldn’t. When she used to hang out with Farhan, she did not think about him because he used to make her laugh all the time and kept her preoccupied with his talking, but whenever she was alone, Aaron started coming back to her. She didn’t know what to do and she didn’t what spell he had done to her. She was crying and didn’t know what time she passed out.

It was 10 o’clock when she woke up and she thought that she never slept so late. She got up real fast and got ready. She went downstairs and Farhan was sitting on the couch.

Sara apologized, “I’m so sorry, I slept very late. It’s just that I took sleeping pills last night and that’s why I couldn’t wake up early. As you know, I’m a morning person. Your parents left for work?”

Farhan told her, “Yeah, what do you wanna eat? I’ll get it for you.”

Sara went to the kitchen, “don’t worry, I’ll get it myself.”

Farhan teased her again, “sure, you have to get used to this because after marriage you have to deal with all this.”

Sara teased him back, “Well, I’m gonna marry a guy, who’s gonna cook for me and feed me. Plus, he won’t even let me get up from the bed.”

He got up immediately and went to the kitchen, “oh, let me get your breakfast.” Sara laughed, “Farhan, I was joking with you.” She was laughing so much because he didn’t let her get the breakfast and he even fed her with his own hands. “You don’t have to do all this, Farhan. Please, just let me eat on my own.”

Farhan told her, “Maybe, this will make you change your mind, and you’ll marry me in a month instead of four years. Don’t you think four years is a long time?”

Sara said, “No, it’s not. I think it’s too short. I should marry you when I become a doctor.” He stops feeding her, Farhan told her, “If it was in my hand, I would have married you right now.”

She laughs, “Oh really?”

Farhan proposed to her finally, “Yeah, I love you very much.” Looking in her eyes and she looks away and changes the subject. “You always come up with an excuse to turn me down.” He walks to the living and watches TV. Sara doesn’t say anything and starts to eat her breakfast. When she finishes her breakfast, she goes to him.

“Hey, where are we going, today?” He was excited to take her to look around the city.

Farhan told her, “I was thinking to take you to L.A., but we have school tomorrow. So, we’ll just go to some stores and get some groceries for the house. What do you say?” She laughed, “Great!”

They go out to the grocery store, and they were having fun. Most of the people knew him because they were his college friends. They wanted to know who was with him because everybody thought that she was so beautiful and what Farhan was doing with her. So, he introduced her to whoever asked him who she was. He was feeling so proud that his fiancée was so a beautiful girl, and everybody’s so interested to see Farhan getting engage. When they reached the food center, they were throwing food at each other and having fun. They shopped for the house grocery and went home. They put the grocery away and go to their rooms to get things ready for tomorrow. She was so happy that she was gonna go to college. She went to Farhan’s room to see what he was doing. She opens the door, and he was sitting on his bed with his laptop on his lap.

Sara reminded him, “Did you get your things together for tomorrow? I hope you didn’t forget that we have school tomorrow.”

Farhan told her, “Of course, not. I’m all set and I also didn’t forget that I will show you around the whole college.”

She got happy that he didn’t forget anything and went back to her room. She wanted to go to sleep because she had college tomorrow and didn’t want to miss her first day of college. So, she took sleeping pills and went to sleep.