I
couldn't believe what my ears had just heard…
I couldn't believe what my
ears had just heard. It was as if my sacrifice had gone down the drain. I was
deeply regretting going against my parents' desire about marrying a girl of my
locality, for the girl I had wanted to propose throughout my university life
had announced of her engagement with someone else.
---------------------------------------------
I had travelled to Turkey as
part of a student exchange program, and got enrolled in one of the engineering
disciplines at Istanbul Technical University as per my ambitions. I was
recognized as a leading light by classmates belonging to all sorts of ethnic
backgrounds. However, one person who caught my attention was Meryem. Her father
was one of the richest men in the country, but her manners showed that she was
not a spoiled child. She was a friend of anyone in need, her modesty was
exemplary and throughout university, we had grabbed many medals participating
in competitions as a team.
I had never really pondered
upon marriage until my final semester, when my parents informed me that I would
be wed as soon as I touched Pakistan. At that point of time, I thought of
Meryem as the best choice for a life partner. However, it took me over a month
to muster up enough courage to travel to her house and ask her father for her
hand. Her dad seemed displeased, and I was sent on my way back with rejection.
Despite this, I assured myself that Meryem, unlike her father, would not be
thinking so. But my hopes were shattered when I discovered next morning that
Meryem's dad had gotten her engaged to a guy named Emre.
The writings in my diary
mocked me, as if i had done something wrong. Was the rejection based on
cultural differences between us? Or did Meryem never think of me as more than a
friend? I was fished out of my thoughts by the ring of my cellphone; it was her
father, inviting me to his daughter's marriage to be held a week later. I was
already disheartened and so declined the invitation. "Let me remind you
something, mister. I also happen to be the Director of Education, and if you
fail to show up, you can kiss your degree goodbye." He broke out in his
gruff voice. Meryem was one side, but I couldn't let my four years go to waste
either. I had to accept the offer.
I arrived at the wedding
location at the aforetold date and time, where I was received by her father.
His stern eyes signaled me to pace towards the stage. I decided to abide by his
orders without reasoning. Meryem was clad in a purple wedding gown with a
matching headscarf. She glanced at me with her soft, pearly eyes, and her face
lit up with a smile.
"Come sit with
me. I've something to say."
She spoke out.
I hesitated, but she almost pleaded
through the movement of her eyeballs in a meaningful way. So, I sat myself
beside her, and she continued, “Although my father was unimpressed with your
proposal, he still favored my opinion over his. I had longed for this day to
come, when we would be partners not only for a competition, but for life; I
accepted your proposal. In short, congratulations on our marriage! "
I was dumbfounded.
I had been invited to my own
wedding and I didn't have a clue about it. I stared at her with confusion only
to receive a mischievous, heavenly smile in return.
"But...but you had
got engaged with someone?"
I stammered.
Her smile turned into a
giggle, "It was all a prank! My dad and I made it all up! I hope you're
not mad."
I was on seventh heaven. The prank was driving me mad.
I was more than mad.
Armughan Aslam
O' Levels Final Year
PakTurk International Schools & Colleges
Islamabad Boys Campus
 |
Armughan Aslam |
No comments:
Post a Comment