How Love Happens - Chapter 30

 

"Why are they collecting these palm tree leaves here?" Haifa inquired. They had just walked out of their street, two blocks from their home. She had noticed the leaves stacked together when she had gone to work and on her way back. It seemed like more piles were being added every time she saw it.

Saira glanced in the direction Haifa was pointing, "Oh, didn't you know? One of our neighbors is getting married."

"Is it? Is that for decorations?" Haifa asked.

"Yeah, you are also invited," Saira said.

"Really? Don't I have to wait for an official invitation?"

"Nope, everyone is always invited. It's how it happens in small islands."

"Not that small," Haifa mumbled under her breath grumpily.

She had hoped for so long to run into Zishan. Somehow, she never saw him since Razi's home visit. Everywhere she went, her eyes were trained to spot him, but so far, no luck. The worst-case scenario was that he was avoiding her on purpose. Her heart broke at the thought that he wouldn’t want to see her. Regardless of their situation, it was becoming difficult for her to stay away from him.

They walked their usual route to the harbor to board the speed boat Khalid had sent for them. Haifa attempted to engage in Saira’s conversation, but her thoughts kept drifting to Zishan. Perhaps if she called him first, he might come around. She knew he was giving her space, but she really wanted to see him. Why, she did not know. She was uncertain about what she would say to him if she did run into him. It was all so confusing.

It was almost five in the evening, and the sun hung low on the horizon. Even at high speed, the boat barely disturbed the all-too-calm turquoise sea. Once they reached the resort, Haifa and Saira strolled toward the event area with the staff Khalid had sent for them. They arrived at the white canopy party tent with matching white stools in front. The ceremony setup was simple and elegant, with a row of outdoor torch lamps on each side of the wooden walkway.

The setting exuded a Boho theme, with a wooden square wedding arch draped with white cloth. Floral arrangements in various levels decorated oversized wooden vases, standing proudly in place. On one side, the band set up their instruments, and the traditional dancers gathered together. On the other side, the caterers bustled about, fussing over the meal preparations.

Haifa left Saira with the resort staff and approached the dancers. Requesting a few pre-poses, they happily obliged. After about half an hour, Khalid came over, waving at them. They joined him at the back. "Come, sit. We still have about an hour before the actual event," Khalid said, motioning for them to take a seat as well.

“Why are there so few chairs? I thought this was a destination wedding,” Saira asked.

“Oh no, it’s a vow renewal. So it's just close family and a few friends.”

“What's a vow renewal?” Saira asked curiously.

“It's a reaffirmation ceremony where the married couple renew their marriage vows. It's a romantic celebration for the whole family. It's not obligatory, but something couples choose to do,” he explained.

They observed the beautiful setting for a moment. “It's too bad Zishan couldn’t make it. He has been busy lately; normally, he would come every week,” Khalid said.

“You both are very good friends, I gather. You never told me how you became friends,” Haifa asked. She had missed Zishan so much, wishing she could talk to him. She wasn't sure who she could ask about him—she was craving for any information or even just to talk about him.

Khalid gave out a nervous laugh, looking away, “It's kind of a long story, and besides, it's not a very good story.”

Haifa and Saira exchanged glances. “We have time until they prepare,” Haifa said. Khalid looked so anxious, Haifa suddenly realized maybe it was not a story he was comfortable sharing. “It's okay. We can talk about something else,” she said soothingly.

“No. I… I just… I think its time I tell someone,” he smiled tightly at her, “I don’t think I have ever told anyone; even Zishan doesn’t know what really happened. It is a shameful dark phase of my life.” Haifa waited patiently.

“I was working at another resort, doing pretty well—promoted to assistant manager in just a few years. Being young and single, that kind of money makes you want to flaunt. It was not long before I met a girl, the most beautiful one in the island. I was head over heels in love. We got married too soon. Many advised me, but I didn’t listen.

Working at the resort, I had to work most of the days in a month away from home. The rumors about her affairs started, and a friend of mine sent me photos. It got so bad I quit the job and moved back to Vavathi in hopes of saving our marriage. But when the money stopped, my wife decided to leave me and marry the man she was seeing, and she left with him to his island.”

Khalid's expression turned sorrowful as he continued, “I was in a dark place. When I was a teenager, I experimented with drugs, barely recovered, and turned my life around. That time it felt even worse, no wife or job, I felt the world had ended.

I remember the day I sat at the joali in my house, I had the substance I needed in my hand. I knew if I relapsed, I wouldn’t be able to come back. I did not know how long I sat there.” When he spoke, his gaze was on his fisted hand, like he was transported back in time to the exact moment.

“It was then I heard someone talking, it was Zishan. He had come out of nowhere, sitting beside me. We had always known each other; he was younger than me, so though we studied in the same school, we weren’t really friends. I remember he took me to a decent meal two weeks after my wife had left me. Since that day, he had come around every day and took me to the mosque for prayers, even at dawn. He took me to his home, and kept me around till I found this job.

He was the one who encouraged me to start working. He would come every day for almost a year; we talked, we went to prayers, and sometimes we just sat in silence. He had come into my life when I had lost everything and kept coming back, possibly saving me from a sad and miserable death.”

Haifa stared at him long after he finished his story; he sat looking down. She took his fisted hand in hers, “You have nothing to be ashamed of. You are a strong man to live through all the obstacles you have been through. And I am proud to be a friend of such a brave man.” She told him.

Khalid managed to look at her once more, “Thank you, that’s very kind of you,” he said gratefully. Before he could say more, they heard excited voices, and Khalid cleared his throat and checked his watch. “The ceremony is beginning.” He said standing up.

They watched from the back, standing away to let the family have their privacy. Haifa and Saira caught their breath as the bride walked towards the groom. She wore one of the most beautiful wedding gowns she had ever seen. It was an ivory backless, spaghetti strap Tulle gown with a train. It had a sweetheart neck, and bling lace appliqué in a vintage style.

Her hair curled down her shoulders and held with a pearl hairpin. She held a bouquet of flowers of muted colored roses—blush, lavender, and pale blue—similar to the ones in the décor. She was absolutely gorgeous.

Haifa watched the ceremony progress, her mind dwelling on what Khalid had just shared with her. Her respect for Zishan kept increasing day after day. She couldn't fathom the heartbreak Khalid had gone through, and to have someone like Zishan beside him was a blessing. Zishan was that blessing. She had always known how selfless he was, but she had not realized the extent of it until that day.

As she watched, Haifa tried to envision her wedding. However much she attempted, she couldn't picture Aseel in that. It was getting difficult for her to imagine spending rest of her life with him. All this time, she had desired it to be Aseel, but deep down, she knew that Aseel would never be the kind and sweet man Zishan was. Aseel's constant indifference towards her would break her soul every day.

When she envisioned her wedding, all she could see was Zishan. For the first time, she allowed herself to imagine her life with him, and the image brought her joy. She desired someone who would encourage her and love her for who she was. With Zishan, she believed he would do anything to make her happy. He would care for her, listen to her, and, most importantly, share himself with her.

Haifa took a deep breath and tried to change her train of thought. She still wanted to see if it worked out with Aseel, but no matter how much she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about Zishan. She knew at that moment he was the one for her. However much she denied or tried to hide from the truth, she realized she had come to the point where she could no longer hide from it.

She was in love with Zishan.

***

That night, Haifa sat listening to Aseel during their regular call. She had no idea what he was talking about, and it seemed he wasn't aware that she wasn't paying much attention.

"Why did you cheat on me, Aseel?" Haifa asked suddenly.

Aseel shifted uncomfortably. "This again?" he sneered. "You women can't let anything go. You say one thing, but it's never really what you mean," he said.

"I need to know," she said quietly.

"Why does it matter? I've apologized. Can't we just move on?" he said carelessly. "I'm tired of you asking it again and again."

Haifa shook her head. "I want to know the reason," she looked boldly at him, her eyes piercing through him. "Tell me why you felt the need to cheat and lie when I was here with you," she demanded.

Aseel looked away. "It was a mistake. I lost sight for a moment... it just happened," he began.

Haifa put up her hand to halt him. "No. It's not a moment. You flirted with her, spent time with her, and it went on for months. It was a planned and intended relationship you had," she said. "I want to know why you did it."

"Can we just stop talking about it?" he asked, irritated. "When will this stop being an issue?"

"You knew how much it would hurt me. You knew, and still, you went ahead and did it. Tell me why," she demanded once again.

He took a deep breath. "What do you want me to say? She was available, and I just wanted to see how it went," he replied.

“Why haven’t you introduced me to your family or even to your friends?” she countered.

He narrowed his eyes at her, “I told you I am not ready for—”

“A commitment. I know,” she cut him off, “That’s why you won't discuss getting married or anything future-related.” She completed his sentence. “Sometimes I wonder if I am the other woman in your life.” She said.

“You knew who I am and agreed to be my girlfriend.” he retorted.

“You are right. I was so blinded by love that I thought I could change you. Build a life with you,” she stated. “It was truly my mistake to want more when you had said outright you weren’t ready for commitment.”

“Is that all? I have things to do,” he said.

“No. I think we need to talk more. I think I want to tell you the things I have kept with me for a long time.” She took a deep breath, “It hurt me when you cheated on me. Hurt me too much that you had broken one of the sacred fundamental principles. You broke my trust, and I cannot trust you again, no matter how much I tried,” she said sadly.

“I have been living in the illusion that I can forgive you and forget. But I was wrong. I was living in the illusion I could be okay with not being part of your life. But I was wrong again. I need more.” She confessed. “I think I have reached the point in my life where I don’t want to wait and see how it goes. Let someone else decide when I can be in a committed relationship when I could be married or have kids. I’m not asking for right now, but at least open to the idea of such a future.” She said.

“And Zishan is willing to give you that?” he asked harshly.

“I don’t know; I haven't talked to him about these things, he is not my boyfriend. You are.” She said, “I don’t know how to continue with this if we are not on the same path,” she said.

Aseel sneered, “Why don’t you just say that you want to break up and be done with it? Spare me from your sad little speech.”

Haifa wondered how she had never seen how cruel Aseel was before. “No. You will hear my speech. You kept me at arm's distance and made me feel like I was not important.” She snapped, “You ended our relationship the day you cheated on me. I am still not sure why you ever wanted to come back in the first place. You should have stayed with her after we broke up.”

Aseel looked at her coldly, “You accuse me of cheating while you have done some. You had been in love with him from the moment you met him.” he said, “Don’t try to deny it; I saw it.”

“There is a difference. You see, unlike you, I don’t care if I am attracted to someone or not. If I am in a relationship, I try to work it out, not cheat.” She told him, “Goodbye Aseel, we are done.”

“Fine!” he said sharply cutting the call.

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Have a wonderful day!