Together Forever

My Car.

I smiled as I saw a Muslim family enter the restaurant. I walked up to them and smiled.

"As salamu alaykum." I greeted.

"Wa alaykum salam." The mother greeted and I extended my arm, gesturing for them to walk over to an available table.

I took their orders and then walked to the kitchen. "Two pancake stacks and two big breakfasts." I called as I hung the paper onto the railing and proceeded to make the family their tea and milkshakes.

I always imagined having my own family like them when I got married to Zaid.

We would go out and I would feel the absence of children, but now we would go out and I would feel the absence of Zaid.

I was used to him not being in my life and slowly it felt like life was going back to normal. It had been a week since he had showed up on my mum's doorstep and I haven't seen him since. Yesterday I had returned back to my dad's house and things fell back to their normal routine.

I sighed and put the tea onto the tray for the adults before making a milkshake for the boy who seemed about my age and the girl who was 15 or so.

"Here you go." I smiled at them as I placed their beverages in their respective places.

"Darling," The mother whispered. "I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but my son has felt interested in you as a potential spouse, InshaAllah. If you're..."

I cut her off politely. Thank god the guy was now gone and it wasn't too awkward. "I appreciate the offer, but I've already got kids." I smiled at her and her mouth fell open slightly.

"Oh, okay then! I'm sorry. Allahumma barik." She said with a apologetic smile and I shook my head with a grin.

"It's fine. Wa feekum." I smiled softly. "Your meals will be here in five."

I walked away and shook my head. This was the fifth maybe sixth time that something like this had happened since Zaid left and I had given the same reason every time.

No one ever questioned whether or not I was married since they probably assumed I was once I said I was a mother.

I remember my dad opening the conversation to me once.

Flashback.

"Habibti, I want to talk about something with you."

"Yes, baba?"

He sighed, licking his lips before holding his hands over mine.

"I don't want you to take this the wrong way, okay?"

I nodded, curious as to what he was going to tell me.

"I think we should start seeking a spouse for you." He said quietly as my throat became dry. "It's been two years and I..."

"No." I said, cutting him off and shaking my head.

"Swee..."

"No. No, baba. I don't want to get married. I have my babies with me. I don't need anyone else." I said, narrowing my eyes.

My dad gave me a sad smile. "Listen, it's more acceptable if you get married. One day I'm not going to be here anymore. Neither is your mother. I don't want you to be alone." His voice broke and my features softened as I sighed, squeezing his larger hands in mine.