UNHOLY MATRIMONY

Chapter 5

Yasmin!’ A happy Nadia smiled as she opened the door for her. “You're back!” They hugged like they hadn't seen each other in decades. "What took you so long? I called you here weeks ago.” Her fathers husky voice could be heard from behind the door as he drew nearer popping up behind Nadia. His tone was harsh as usual, no hello Yasmin, nothing… just a straight up bold question. He seemed to have gotten more wrinkles on his face despite the fact that he always had a scowling look on. She had to explain to him that she was not permitted to leave her job in the middle of the month if she did, she wouldn't get paid. The mistress had taken extra precaution in informing her this in a displeasured manner. During her days at the mansion Yasmin had learned that Mrs Isminah Al masi was not only the mistress of craftiness and deceit, the husband had taken extra care in hiding the woman' s brutal ways. She was responsible for cleaning up her son Amir' mistakes. She was responsible for those abortions and one day she force a maid to drink white vinegar to abort her eight month old baby. Sadly both the mother and baby passed and the matter was never followed up on. How could she have dared to defy such a ruthless woman. Mohammed rushed to the door to meet her in excitement. Even though at twenty-four years of age, she noticed he had grown taller, he had grown his beard to a great length. He told her he was training to be an Imam at the local Islamic school. "Come In" Nadia motioned as she helped her with her suitcase. The house hadn't changed much. It was still the same as she had left it three years ago only a few animal toys lying around on the couch some on the floor and so on and also the paint on the outside was peeling off. She notice her family had gotten a jet black house cat which they named. ‘muntasaf allayl... which means midnight in Arabic.

Then Nadia explained to her that her mother had recovered from the dreadful disease that made all her hairs fall out leaving her bald and abashed when her husband pointed out her hideousness during this ordeal she was experiencing. The disease that made her so thin that people started to fear she was going to die. The disease made her unrecognisable even in recovery, she was not her usual self....physically. Her father told her indeed her mother had passed that is why she came back asap, but it was all a lie. Her father clearly tricked her into coming back because he wanted to marry her off. Her mother had actually gone to the local store to get some bread. Salim had grown taller; Mohammed was thinner he had grown a long beard he now worked in his fathers place at the store. Nadia then took her to their room blind folded and then she was surprised and over joyed to see her sister Harran sleeping on the bed. Yasmin screamed in delight startling her and she woke with a jump. And also started screaming in delight. The three sisters hugged at being reunited and talked and cried sharing their ordeals. Harran had grown taller, as she had grown into a woman now. Her hair had been set into beautiful brown curls and she wore make up and western style clothes. Harran had totally changed from when she was taken away 15 years ago. She was now educated and articulate. She had decided decide to come back home after finishing her bachelor's degree in architectural studies in the U.S. . And they were all exited to chat about their boyfriend's and crushes while poor lonely Mohammed feeling left out listened in on their girly talk. They also gossiped about the family Yasmin worked for. Every one had a good and sad story to tell except Nadia. They thought hers were only depressing. But they all wanted to hear of Harran life style while in the US, even Mohamed and Salim joined in. Harran told them about the wonders beyond their countries borders. She'd been to at least five countries in Europe, France, German, the united kingdom Greece , and Italy. She took extra pleasure in telling them about the delicacies she encountered in Italy. Her life had been wonderful Yasmin was happy for her, Nadia was just sad, really gloomy.