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Because while it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single Muslim man must be in want of a wife, there’s an even greater truth: To his Indian mother, his own inclinations are of secondary importance.
“I’ll come back to teach tomorrow, when I’m ready,” Ayesha said. “Babe, you are never going to be ready to teach. You know what you’re ready for? Writing poems. Exploring the world. Falling in love.
“When an unmarried man and woman are alone together, a third person is present: Satan,”
“This is just an illusion, as is most of reality.
Chai was so much more than a caffeine kick for her. She knew how every member of her family liked to drink their tea, how much sugar or honey to put in each cup. Chai was love, distilled and warming. She drank and relished the silence.
Self-love is not so vile a sin as self-neglecting,’” Nana remarked into his mug.
What do you see when you think of me, A figure cloaked in mystery With eyes downcast and hair covered, An oppressed woman yet to be discovered? Do you see backward nations and swirling sand, Humpbacked camels and the domineering man? Whirling veils and terrorists Or maybe fanatic fundamentalists? Do you see scorn and hatred locked Within my eyes and soul, Or perhaps a profound ignorance of all the world as a whole? The crowd roared. Her body swayed slightly, eyes liquid and focused on a spot at the back of the room. She continued. Yet . . . You fail to see The dignified persona Of a woman
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“I don’t want you to be disappointed in love. Men are selfish, Ayesha. They will not put you first. A woman should always have a backup plan, for when things fall apart. You must know how to support yourself when they leave.”
“‘We know what we are, but know not what we may be,’” Nana quoted. It was not lost on Ayesha that he was quoting Ophelia. “Her anger is so strong because it once fueled a very great love.”
My library took over the entire first floor of our house. Nani was jealous of my collection. She said I loved it more than her. She was wrong, of course. I brought her when we moved, not my books.”
“Young people. Do you think you invented love and romance?”
No sooner met but they looked, no sooner looked but they loved, no sooner loved but they sighed, no sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason, no sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy; and in these degrees have they made a pair of stairs to marriage,’”
‘Actions are judged by intentions, and everyone will have what they intended.’
“Sometimes the only way to move forward is to rock the boat. Otherwise you risk losing everything.
It is easier to say some things from behind a mask.”
Nobody is perfect. Everyone has a tendency to some particular evil that not even the most fervent prayers and education can overcome.” “Your defect is a tendency to judge everyone,” Ayesha said. “And yours,” he said with a smile, “is to willfully misunderstand them.”
“Men always expect women to pick up the pieces and then they swoop in and claim all the glory,”
“Shakespeare enjoyed a good farce. Separated twins, love triangles, and mistaken identity were his specialty. Yet it is through his tragedies that one learns the price of silence. ‘False face must hide what the false heart doth know.’”
Promise you will always choose laughter over tears. Promise you will choose to live in a comedy instead of a tragedy.”
“Khalid’s mother will find him a wife,” she said to Nani. “Then she should hurry up, before he finds a wife for himself,”
“I met a girl yesterday,” he said. “My first rishta. Ammi ambushed me.” Ayesha sat up, a wisp of jealousy making her stomach clench. “Did you talk to her or stare at the floor?” she asked lightly. “It wasn’t just me. Everyone was staring at the floor. They had a really nice carpet.”
Ayesha’s circle was deformed, but Khalid’s came out perfectly round. She stuck out her tongue and he smiled.
I LOVE THEM
A woman plays many roles in her life, and she must learn to accept them as they come. Men are not so flexible,” she said, a half smile on her lips. “That’s why it’s important to find someone who complements you, rani. Someone to dream with you.”
The words were true, once. She just wasn’t sure if they were anymore.
Have you ever wondered, Hafsa, what it would be like to spend your life with someone like me? Have you ever wondered, beautiful Hafsa, what it would be like to open your heart to something unexpected, someone wholly unanticipated? Because I am starting to wonder. Actually, I am having a hard time thinking of anything else.
“Most of it is true, and whatever isn’t is wishful thinking.”
“Love is not enough. I thought it would be once, but after Syed died, I realized how much of myself was wrapped up in the idea of him. Perhaps Masood is not your ideal candidate, but he is a decent man. I don’t think he would ask too much of you. You would be able to keep a part of you for yourself.”
Heartache and hastily uttered words were nothing in the face of farce. I choose to live in a comedy.
“You’re very honest.” “I have been told it’s one of my worst qualities.”
Better three hours too soon than a minute too late,’”
“Happiness in marriage is a matter of chance. The less you know about the person, the better. What really matters is family and money.”
Things I should have said to you but only know how to write: I’m not who I never said I was. Not that I ever wanted to be. And yet that night, the stars twinkling, Twinkies in your beard, You smiled and leaned close. Sometimes these things happen. I hope you will be happy with her. The way you never could be with me. I’m not wifely material because I’m who I said I never was. And I’m not sure, yet, who that “was” could possibly turn out to be.
The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief,’”
A man less in love, less filled with purpose, might have hesitated at this point. But Khalid could sooner stop Niagara Falls from flowing than stop the words bubbling from his lips. “I’ve tried so hard to control my feelings for you, to banish them from my heart, but my struggles have been in vain. I must be allowed to speak freely. Ayesha, I’m in love with you.”
No man had ever told her he loved her before. Ayesha hated him for that, probably most of all.
“Where is my mother?” he asked. The imam patted him on the shoulder. “I try never to know the answer to that question.”
The pens have been lifted, and the pages have dried,’”
I respect you too much to assume you do not know your own mind.
I find it difficult to speak coherently in your presence. Sometimes it is also hard to breathe.
“If I do not weed my garden, my beloved flowers will die, asphyxiated by vicious forces whose only goal is colonization. If you choose to plant the flowers, you make a choice to be responsible over other living things.
“I can’t figure out your theme this year.” Nana stood up, grimacing as he stretched. “I titled it ‘Double Service.’ Every flower is both pleasing to the eye and edible. I wished to explore the theme of usefulness versus appearance. Flowers are so often mistaken as superfluous, yet their purpose is intricate and clever. They attract pollinators, ensuring their survival, and in turn they are consumed for their nutritional value. Never underestimate a flower.”
unlike Hafsa, Ayesha had never tried to shape the world in her image. She had always seen the world and the people who inhabited it exactly as they were: flawed, imperfect, eager to think the worst of others while excusing their own misdeeds.
Tarek was a beautiful liar and Khalid was awkwardly honest.
Sometimes prayers floated up to heaven. Sometimes they hung around here on earth and waited for you.
Live like you’re in a comedy, not a tragedy,’ right?” Ayesha said. Nana smiled, relieved. “This is simply the plot twist at the end of act four.”
“After that, I will hire some very strong men to teach Tarek a painful lesson.” Ayesha laughed as they settled into the car. “I thought you were a pacifist.” “Naturally,” Nana said. “Which is why I will simply watch.”
“Brother, you don’t know how long I’ve wanted to say this: You need a makeover. Right after Operation Vengeance.”
“You’re better than this, Hafs. I know you are. You don’t need to be married to matter, you don’t need a man’s attention to be loved, and you don’t need to run away to teach us a lesson. We love you, but you treat us like dirt.” Ayesha held her gaze. “You treat me like dirt.”
LOVE COMES FROM BELOW The words fall from above, dust in an old house Coating everything, blurring lines, softening forms, covering up Love rises, a well filled for the first time, Drop by drop Transparent and clean, giver of hope and life I see you now. I see myself. I see us. I’m ready For something new.
Everything was sane and hopeful in June, even irreversible life decisions.
