He was slowly eating the fruit salad in front of him, his head slightly bowed, wearing that beautiful smile of his, deep enough to reveal his dimples. He shook his head and then looked up at the young woman sitting in the chair opposite him, staring at him with a serious expression. She had fixed her gaze on him, and before he could say anything, she spoke angrily, “Ohh, the madwoman is talking, right, Khaleel? So, I’ve become the object of your amusement now?”

He softened his expression, set his fork down, and said, "It's not like that, Mum. Please, forgive me." Running a hand over his head in distress, he added, “You know everything is about timing, Mum. It's just that Ummi and Abba don’t understand that. They refuse to see things from my perspective. I’m just tired of all this...”

He rubbed his head again, his face still showing concern as he looked at his Small Mum. A greeting from the doorway caught their attention, and they both turned toward the entrance to respond. Mum stood up to welcome the visitors with a warm smile as they entered the living room and exchanged pleasantries.

Khaleel stood up as well and glanced at his Small Mum before saying, “Alright, Mum, I’ll be back later or maybe tomorrow.”

She quickly interjected, “No, you must return later tonight. We haven't finished our conversation.”

He smiled and replied, “In sha Allah, Mum.”

As he picked up the bowl of fruit salad he had been eating to take it to the kitchen, she stopped him. “No, leave it. Someone will clear it.”

He insisted, “No, let me take it, Mum.”

He carried the bowl to the kitchen, set it down, then returned to bid farewell to the guests before stepping out of the house. Checking his wristwatch, he headed toward his car. As he walked, his gaze lingered on a tree under which white plastic chairs and a table were placed. He wanted to see if the two people he had noticed earlier were still there or if they had left.

To his surprise, they were still seated in the same spot, but this time, they weren’t talking. One was pressing her phone while the other was on a call. His eyes met the one using her phone because she, too, had been sneaking glances at him. He quickly looked away. She, however, turned to her friend and chuckled, saying, “Look at him, pretending not to notice me.”

Feigning surprise, she suddenly exclaimed, “Oh, Ya Khaleel! When did you arrive?”

Though he knew she had seen him enter earlier, he played along, responding flatly, “Did you have a message for me?”

She pouted slightly and said, “No, I was just surprised to see you in our house today. You rarely visit. Anyway, how are you?”

He shot her an intense look, then turned to his car, got in, and honked for the gatekeeper to open the gate. As he drove out, she laughed, watching him until his car disappeared from sight.

Her friend, who had been watching the exchange, finally said, “Honestly, this guy is attractive, Meenah. I just find myself drawn to him.”

Meenah gave her a sharp look and said, “Khaleel? You’re interested in him? If only you knew his true nature, you wouldn’t even say a word! That guy is unbelievably arrogant. Since I was a child, he has never once treated me with kindness. And you know how much I value family, Salma. The fact that he entered our house and I didn't greet him should tell you everything.”

Salma frowned. “That really surprises me. Well, may Allah guide us. Anyway, let me go inside and greet Mom before heading home. I don’t want my mother to start calling me.”

Meenah sighed. “Oh, so soon? At least wait for the guests to leave. They won’t stay long.”

Salma rolled her eyes and said, “Easy for you to say since you live here. I don’t even know when they plan to leave.”

She got up and headed inside, with Meenah following behind, laughing as they entered the living room together.

Later that Night…

At 9:30 PM, Khaleel parked his car in their compound at G.R.A, Kaduna. As he stepped out, he noticed his father’s car and knew he was back. He made his way toward the balcony that led to the main living room. Upon entering, he found his younger sister, Rukayya, watching TV. She sat up when she saw him and greeted, “Welcome back, Ya Khaleel.”

Without looking at her, he simply responded, "Thank you," and started heading toward the stairs.

Just as he reached them, he almost bumped into his father, who stepped back slightly. Khaleel quickly greeted him, but his father responded flatly and said, “I need to see you in my study.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

Khaleel wiped the sweat forming on his forehead, ran a hand through his hair, and slowly climbed the stairs. Instead of going to his father's study immediately, he entered his mother’s room. She was sitting by her dresser, talking on the phone while a maid prepared her a plate of fruits.

He sat beside her on the bed and waited until she finished her call. Then she looked at him and said, “You're only just getting home, son?”

He put on a pleading expression and said, “Ummi, please come with me to see Abba. He called for me.”

She gave him a look and said, “You need me to go with you? So if I don’t, you won’t go?”

He sighed, wiped his face with a handkerchief, and stood up. Without another word, he left the room and slowly made his way to his father’s study.

When he entered, his father was sitting and sipping coffee. Khaleel knelt on the carpet in front of him without making eye contact and said, “Abba, I’m here.”

His father set down his cup and said, “Are you done playing hide and seek with me, Khaleel?”

Khaleel forced a small smile and replied, “It’s not like that, Abba. I’ve just been very busy at the clinic.”

Just then, Ummi entered and sat beside her husband.

Khaleel cautiously raised his head to look at his father, who had been silent for a while. Seeing the stern expression on his face, Khaleel quickly lowered his gaze again.

Abba sighed and said, “What exactly do you want from us, Khaleel?”

Khaleel remained silent, his head bowed.

Abba turned his attention to the TV and said, “Fine. That clearly shows you’re just being stubborn. Since that’s the case, I’ve decided to arrange a marriage for you. You will marry either Meenah or Maryam. Take your time and choose between them. And trust me, this won’t take long. Now, leave.”

Khaleel froze. His whole body stiffened as sweat broke out on his forehead. Slowly, he wiped his face and raised his head to glance at his mother, hoping for support, but she seemed unaffected.

The names his father had mentioned echoed in his head—Meenah or Maryam.

He felt like crying.

Abba’s voice boomed again, “I said get out!”

Khaleel quickly turned to his mother with pleading eyes. His voice shook as he said, “Ummi, please say something...”

She shot him a sharp look and said, “Not now.”

He clutched his head, his heart racing. The thought of marrying any of his cousins was unbearable. He had never been close to them, and he strongly disliked the idea of marrying within the family.

Steadying himself, he wiped his face and looked at his father again. In a desperate tone, he said, “Abba, I know I’ve wronged you, but please, give me just one month. I promise I will bring the woman I want to marry. Please, Abba, consider my request.”

His father cut him off sharply. “Enough! Get out of my sight!”

Khaleel stood up, his face pale, and left the room without another word.