Leilah Usman awaits an acceptance from a university abroad so she can leave the country she never loved when she stumbles upon an ancient diary. Through the eyes of Mahrosh Irfan, she finds herself in a world so completely different from hers.
One w...
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It did not come as a surprise to the Irfan household when Ammi and Dadi brought up the subject of Walid and Mahrosh' wedding after the siblings had returned home.
Abbu was not as eagerly on board till Dadi showed him a piece of her mind. "If you're waiting for that boy to come across a gold mine before you marry Mahrosh off, Irfan, you've reached the height of stupidity. He earns well enough to support his wife, and I am not going to sit here and watch you keep the couple separated for absolutely no reason at all."
Even for a man who considers himself as big as Irfan did, a mother's words are final and leave no room for debate.
The wedding preparations began in full swing. Over the years of the lengthened nikkah period, Ammi had planned everything to the tiniest detail and she was more than eager to jump into the preparation without a moment's hesitation.
Aleena automatically became her partner, allowing Mahrosh the little freedom to pretend she was a bystander. It was her wedding, but she felt more like a spectator. No one asked for her opinion in choosing the dresses or planning the function, and the few times she tried to voice it, she was told that she had never taken interest in such topics and she should leave them to those who actually knew about it.
Mahrosh was put off, but she bore through it, until one subject came up that she could no longer remain silent upon. It crippled her insides, and made her fists clench by her sides. It became a subject of her duas after every salah, and while she asked her Rabb for help in this matter, Mahrosh knew that sooner or later, she would have to bring it up to her family.
The chance presented itself at breakfast one day. Abbu was reading his newspapers and Dadi and Ammi were planning a trip to androon Lahore for shopping.
Mahrosh' heart trembled within her chest. HasbunAllahu wa ni'mal wakeel; the words kindled a small candle of bravery that allowed her to raise her head.
"I wanted to talk to you about something."
They did not hear her the first time. Abbu did not look up from his newspaper and Ammi and Dadi did not stop talking.
"I do not want to take any jahez* with me."
And then, all faces turned towards her. Mahrosh' heart pounded profusely against her ribs at the sudden change in everyone's expression.
Ammi was appalled at the sudden declaration. "What do you mean you don't want to take jahez? Every woman who gets married takes her dowry with her."
"Not every woman, Ammi," Mahrosh implored, her voice low, "Yes, when a woman marries she should take her necessities along; the things she may need, but the entire furniture of the house she's moving into? Trunks upon trunks of items? Is she only worthy if she brings those material items? Is she, herself- not enough?"
