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“What just happened?” Khulood’s brother Emjed asked.
Saeid told him about the mistake.
“I knew it was wrong to leave her alone with you,” Emjed said. “But she insisted and I thought it would be alright for a few moments. Who knew that within 5 minutes, something would happen to cause a setback?
“When Dad returns, it will be hell,” he continued. “You don’t know, Dad has had high blood pressure since this problem started and we are worried that this might take his life before hers.”
Saeid wondered what to believe and what not to believe. How much of what he was being told was true and how much was meant to get his pity? And although Saeid felt sorry for the family, he had a hard time trusting them after the initial deception.
“I am sorry to hear,” was all he could say.
That evening, he was informed that Khulood wanted a meeting with him in the company of her family. He wondered what they were going to make him do. But he decided to meet her anyway.
After everyone was seated in the family living room, Khulood entered. He expected a torn woman but instead, she seemed quite in control. Almost peaceful. He wondered what the family had told her. Or whether her peaceful state had to do with medicine? Or was it something else?
“I have made a decision,” she said. “I don’t like games and I don’t think I can trust this marriage. I knew it was hard to believe that someone would agree to marry an obese, depressed heart-broken girl and I know that I am right. It is unbelievable. I cannot trust this marriage. Therefore I want a divorce.”
Saeid was shocked by her statement as was everyone else from their looks. Before anyone could say anything, Saeid exclaimed, “No, Khulood, really,”
“I have made my decision. I don’t think you married me because you wanted to but because you were coerced by my family. And you were afraid for my condition. That is not the marriage I want. Now please respect my wishes.”
“Let us talk about this,” her uncle said. “Think it through. Let’s not be hasty.”
“Please don’t,” Khulood said. “If later Saeid wants to marry me, we can do it properly. This is not a proper arrangement. It is not one I can trust. Please end this marriage for my sake. ”
And in the end, with nothing else to be done, Saeid pronounced the divorce. “I hope you will rethink your decision,” he said, afraid that Khulood might have some dangerous plan on her mind. “We seemed to be very compatible and –.”
“Please. Stop the lies. I’ve deceived myself already believing that someone would want to marry me in this state. I will not continue with this game anymore.”
Then she left, her mother and several relatives following her, obviously afraid for her.
Her brother, Emjed, and her father and uncle remained in the room. Her father sighed. “I wonder what plans she has,” he said. “I am so afraid for her.”
“I am sorry for the turn of events,” Saeid said. “I will stay here tonight. It will help me sleep better knowing how she is.”
“You have done so much for us,” her father said. “You are an honorable man and I would have been happy to have you as my son-in-law.”
“I wish things hadn’t turned this way,” was all Saeid could say. Although he never planned to remain married to Khulood, the sudden turn of events saddened him. He was truly worried about Khulood. Was she suicidal? Would she do something wrong? He hoped not, but how could he be sure? So instead of being happy to get out of the marriage, he was anxious.
The next day, he learned that Khulood was still alive and not only that, but she was seemingly calm and happy. He hoped it meant her condition had truly improved and not an indication of something else. It was obvious that her family was worried about the same thing, because they kept watch over her all the time.
***
That evening, he flew back home. “How did it go,” his father asked.
“What?” Saeid exclaimed, then realizing his father was talking about the conference he was supposed to have attended in Louisiana, he said, “oh, it went well.”
“Is everything all right?” His father asked. “You seem worked up.”
“I met several prospective business partners from Egypt there that didn’t go well,” he lied. Then he went to the kitchen to get something to drink.
“Tell me about it,” his father followed him. “Good business partners are hard to find.”
Saeid nodded. “I think I may stay solo. At least until the business starts thriving. Better that than anyone trying to take advantage of me.”
His father nodded.
The truth was that Saeid was more upset about Khulood’s fate than about the fact that the family had deceived him and his first marriage prospect had turned out this way. He worried what would become of Khulood. Would she once again go into gloom and start overeating? Or would she commit suicide or would she be patient this time?
Over the next few days, he learned from her family that she was doing much better than before. It seemed like the breakup was an anti-dote for her and she was recovering. He wondered if she had some doubts that he had been sincere and that had made her hopeful. He didn’t know the reason for her improvement but he thanked Allah for saving Khulood from heartbreak and also saving him from getting married to someone he couldn’t trust.
Now that Saeid is out of the fake marriage and Khulood’s condition is improving, what will happen?