|
Child Brides of India
By C. Stanton Leman
Chapter 41: Haseeba’s Wedding (Mgg, rom, cons, no sex)
I awoke the next morning at seven, with Aleeya still
asleep
on top of me. I felt totally drained. I stroked her back
and down to cup her tiny butt cheeks. She pushed her butt
up to my kneading hands and sighed.
She lifted her head and looking at me with bloodshot
eyes
smiled and said, "Boy! You really spermed me good last
night, didn't you?"
Chuckling, I replied, "You sure got what you
wanted! How do
you feel, everything OK?"
Smiling she said, "I'm fine, my coochie is kinda
sore
inside, other than that I feel fine. In fact, it still
tingles a little deep inside me."
Shaking my head, I said to her, "You sure were hot
last
night"
"I don't really remember," she replied with a
smile, "I was
totally lost and doing what felt right to do at the time. I
DO remember when you spermed me, WOW! I felt it so deep
inside me, I can still remember exactly where you were
inside my body!"
"Well you little nympho, let's get a shower and
start the
day," I said with a love slap on her butt.
Aleeya rose up to sit on top of me when Priya walked in.
She was halfway through the door, saw where Aleeya was
sitting, and with an "Oops," started to turn and leave.
I called to her and said, "We're just getting up to
take a
shower, come on in."
Priya came in, shut the door, walked over to the bed and
sat down. Knowing what we'd done last night, Priya wanted
to tease Aleeya a little. She saw both of our bloodshot
eyes and giggling quipped, "Boy, Looks like you two had a
long night!"
Aleeya just covered her mouth as she blushed a light
pink
and giggled. I chuckled and said, "Yeah, don't tell anyone,
but I got my brains fucked out by a five year-old last
night!"
With raised eyebrows Priya replied, "Oh,
really?"
I patted Aleeya's thigh and told her to go get in the
shower, I'd be there in a minute. She nodded, hopped from
the bed and sash shayed her tiny ass to the bathroom like
she was hot shit, looking over her shoulder with a shit-
eating grin on her face, but hung around outside the
bathroom to eavesdrop.
As Priya watched her, she looked back at me and said,
"She's got that 'just been fucked royally' look, did she
really act the slut last night?"
Smiling I replied, "Like a mercenary on a
mission!"
Gasping, Priya asked in shock, "She didn't, did
she? How's
she able to walk right now?"
Shaking my head, I replied, "Beats me, she said
she's fine
this morning, but her little cunny is sore. We did it semi-
missionary last night with her in an inclined sitting
position."
Pointing to the cushions on the floor, I said, "She
really
got debauched last night."
Priya playfully slapped my thigh and replied,
"Well, it
looks like you've got TWO bald pussied, nasty little girls
now. You'd better get in there and take your shower. I'll
be back in about twenty minutes, OK?"
"OK," I said, "You're right. I'd better
get in there before
she wonders where I got to."
Priya leaned over and kissed me and replied, See you in
a
few," got up and headed for the door.
After showering and getting dressed, the three of us
said
morning prayers and headed downstairs to breakfast. Pita
and Attiya were there waiting, and Aleeya and Attiya went
back to their old antics at the table.
Pita scolded Attiya for clowning around at the table,
and I
told Pita to just let them be; soon they'd be apart for
several months. I said to Pita, "When we're gone, I'd like
it if you and Attiya stayed here so that Monaavi can
continue to work with Attiya.
After swallowing a bite of food I continued, "That
way
Attiya won't lose any progress she's made, and she can
possibly bridge a little of the distance between her and
Aleeya in her studies."
From all indications, Aleeya was advanced for her age,
although more like Sarah than Priya. Pita smiled and
replied, "Thank you sir, I can't thank you enough for what
you've done for us."
Smiling back, Priya replied, "You don't have to
thank us,
just take care of things here, and keep Attiya on track
with her studies. Seeing her starting to make advances
makes us proud to help her."
Priya set her fork down and turning to her began again,
"I've set up a separate bank account for the household
expenses. I'll give you two thousand rupee to start with,
and if you need more for groceries and such, just go to the
bank and withdraw what you need. Keep the food supply
stocked so that when we return, we'll be back to normal.
The household bills have been paid in advance, so you'll
only need to buy the things you and Attiya use while we're
away."
Pita blushed and replied, "Thank you Ma'am again
for all
your understanding and help."
Setting my napkin down, I told her, "You don't have
to
thank us, we both benefit. Attiya continues school and we
get the place looked after while we're gone."
Just as we were finishing breakfast, Monaavi rang the
bell
and let herself in. After the two little imps had quit
clowning around and finished eating, and Monaavi had a cup
of tea with us, they then headed to the study to begin
their lessons
Pita began clearing the table and Priya went upstairs to
continue packing for the trip to the States. I went to my
desk and Called Teta, my assistant secretary to review the
travel arrangements.
She told me that the only fight out to BWI in Baltimore
was
a flight on Northwest, with KLM flying the first leg to
Amsterdam. In order to arrive at BWI at a reasonable hour,
we had to leave New Delhi airport at 1:30am Thursday
morning. That would put us at BWI on Friday at 3:25pm. I
really didn't like it, but what can you do? We're at the
mercy of the airlines. If we flew United, we'd have to
leave at 3:30 in the morning, and that was out.
I had her fax me a copy of the E ticket and confirmation
number and decided to call home with our itinerary. I faxed
a copy to Dad's home office and called our home number.
With us being ten hours behind, I looked at my watch: it
was 10:15am so it would be 8:15 pm there. I dialed the
number and waited for the answer.
My mom answered with "Hello?"
"Hi Mom," I said, "I didn't expect you to
answer, where's
Abby?"
With a happy squeak, Mom answered, "Oh hi Sean!
It's so
good to hear your voice, how's everyone?"
"Fine Mom, just fine," I began, "I called
to fill you in on
our flight info. You should have a fax in Dad's office
right now that gives all the details: we'll arrive on
Friday, about 3:30 in the afternoon at gate D2."
Excited, Mom replied, "That's perfect Sean, we'll
get home
just in time to go to dinner! How are my Priya and Aleeya?"
"Everyone's doing fine Mom," I replied,
"Priya's upstairs
packing and Aleeya is here in the study with Monaavi and
Attiya doing school work. How's everything there?"
Mom settled down and responded, "We're OK Sean. Dad
went to
bed early. I guess little Emma has taken her toll on him
today. I gave Abby the night off because George wasn't
feeling well."
She took a sigh and continued with, "Liz is back in
the
hospital. It doesn't look good. I don't think she'll be
coming home. Probably, it will be only a matter of time: a
week or two before the inevitable."
Silently shaking my head at the news, I said, "Mom,
I'm
really sorry to hear that. How's Emma taking it?"
Mom said, "She knows that her mommy will be leaving
soon to
be with her daddy. She's really struggling right now.
Sometimes she's quiet and wants to be held, other times
she's angry and lashes out, and the whole range of emotions
and reactions in between."
Mom was now crying as she spoke, "I feel so
helpless!
Sometimes, I don't know what to do for her. I'm can't lie
to her and tell her everything's going to be all right
because she knows the truth. She's been asking for Priya a
lot lately, and she's impatient for her to arrive."
"Where is she now?" I asked.
"She's watching a movie quietly for a change. She's
in
between moods right now."
"Do you want her to speak to Priya, or do you think
it
will only make matters worse?" I asked Mom.
"No," she said, "I think it might be good
for her to speak
to Priya though, can you get her to the phone?"
"Yeah, hold on a minute." I set the phone
down, went
upstairs and had Priya pick up the extension.
When I got back downstairs, Priya had just finished
talking
to Mom and was waiting for Emma to get to the phone.
"Hello Priya?" came a tiny voice on the other
end.
"Hi Emma," Priya replied, "It's me. How's
my bestest
friend?"
"OK I guess. When are you coming here to be with
me?"
Little Emma asked.
"Soon, Baby, soon. I think we'll get there Friday
afternoon. I can't wait to see you," Priya told her.
Emma started to cry and pleaded, "Momma's gonna
die, and I
miss you so much. I want to be with you!"
Priya, trying to calm her down replied, "I know sweetie,
I'm really sorry to hear your mommy's sick. I'll be there
on Friday and we'll be together again, can you hold on 'til
then?"
Sniffling, Emma replied, "I try, but I miss you so
much!"
"I miss you too Emma," Priya replied,
"But I can't get
there any sooner. Now, try to be a big girl and not worry
too much and I'll see you soon OK? I love you."
"I love you too," Emma sniffled, "Hurry
if you can."
"I will," Priya assured her, "I'll hurry
as fast as I can."
"OK," Emma replied, "I'll try to be a big
girl, and I'll
see you soon, OK?"
"OK," Priya replied, "I'll see you very
soon. I love you."
"I love you too Priya. Bye now." Emma said.
"Goodbye Emma. See you soon." Priya told her,
and then
silence. She must have set the phone down. Mom picked the
phone back up with a "Hello?"
"Yeah Mom," I replied, "We're still
here."
Mom said, "She's still crying a little, but I think
it did
her good to talk to you Priya."
You could hear the tears in Priya's voice as she said,
"Oh
Mom, I feel so sad for her. I wish I was there to hold
her."
Mom replied, "Yeah, but she's stronger than she
thinks and
she'll be OK until you get here. I just hope Liz can hold
out 'til then."
"Mom," Priya cried, "I gotta go, I'm
gonna start crying and
I can't really talk anymore. I love you as always, and I'll
see you on Friday."
Mom replied, "Priya, don't let this get you down.
It's a
fact of life we all have to deal with at some point; it's
just that some of us have to deal with it sooner than
others. Get a hold of yourself. You have a family to think
about and you need to be strong for them, especially
Aleeya. Now dry your tears and do what you've got to do,
OK?"
"OK Mom," Priya sniffled, "I just wish I
could be as strong
as you sometimes."
Mom said, "Don't let my seemingly calm tone fool
you. I'm
crying inside, just like you, but I do my crying at night,
alone in bed where I can deal with this by myself."
Having said all that could be said on the matter, Priya
closed with, "You're right Mom. I'm gonna get back to
packing so we'll be ready to leave. Haseeba's wedding is
tomorrow and then her homecoming on Wednesday. I'll see you
on Friday."
"Good girl," Mom encouraged, "Give
everyone our best wishes
and love and I'll see you soon. I love you Priya."
Priya gave a sniffled giggle and replied, "And I
love you
too Mom. Bye now. May the peace of Allah rest in everyone's
heart and quiet your souls."
Mom replied, "And with you also. Bye Priya."
With that, I heard the extension click off. I said,
"Mom?"
"Yes Son," She replied.
"Can you have Dad have me a call in the
morning?" I asked,
"I have something I need to talk to him about? It's about
the horses."
"Sure Son," she replied, "He bought two
horses, but that's
all I know. I'll have him call you, OK?"
"Fine Mom," I said, "I'll talk to you
later. I love you.
Give all our love again to Emma and tell her we're praying
for her mom."
"I will," she said, "Bye now, I love you
all."
"I know Mom," I replied, "I know. Bye,
Love ya.
"Love you too Son, goodbye." Click.
After getting off the phone with Mom, I went upstairs to
help Priya pack. Returning to my home in the US, I was only
going to take a carry-on since I had tons of clothes
already there.
By the end of the day, we'd just about finished up
packing
Priya and Aleeya's things they would need for the trip. The
two little ones were having a good time making cutouts when
Monaavi called it quits for the day. As she was leaving, I
asked to speak with her moment.
We stepped back in the study and I gave her the next
week's
schedule. I told her she was invited to the wedding
tomorrow and the homecoming on Wednesday, if she wanted to
go and she replied that she'd like to attend both.
I also told her that she'd follow her usual routine on
Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday she'd off because I wanted
Aleeya to rest up after the party in preparation of the
flight home, and that she'd be back on Friday as usual.
I had typed it out and printed for her to keep things
straight, She looked it over and nodded her agreement and
got ready to leave.
Being Friday, the three of us slept together. Priya and
I
lay side-by-side in bed talking about Emma, as Aleeya slept
cradled next to my left side.
I cuddled Priya as she wept for Emma and her situation
and
let her have her cry. When she'd regained her composure, I
told her, "I can't imagine what it'd be like to lose one
parent, much less both in such a short time."
Priya shuddered in my arms and replied, "I know
what you
mean. The thought of losing one or both of my parents is
unthinkable. My heart just breaks over her having to deal
with this at such a young age."
Looking down at her I replied, "Well, at least
she's got
Mom and Dad. She couldn't be in better hands."
As Aleeya slept soundly snuggled on my left, Priya and I
had a fretful time getting to sleep.
The next morning after prayers and breakfast, we were
scurrying around getting ready for the wedding. Aleeya
became a little quiet, so I took a moment to talk to her.
I asked her, "Are you alright? You seem kinda quiet
today."
"I'm OK," she replied, "It just seems
weird to be getting
ready for my father's wedding. I hope he doesn't forget me
or ignore me today like he did the other night."
I hugged her to me and said, "He will never forget
you,
Aleeya. Don't worry. And if he tries to ignore you today,
I'll punch him in the nose and then you can hand him a big
fat cobra, how's that sound?"
She chuckled and replied, "Yeah, I'll hand him a
big, fat
cobra, that'll teach him won't it?"
Smiling, I replied, "Sounds like a plan to me! Now,
let's
get ready, OK?"
She stopped for a second, looked at me and asked,
"Would
you really punch him in the nose?"
"You bet!" I replied as I playfully touched
her nose with
my fist, "Right there on the ole' schnozz!"
"Good!" She replied with an affirmative nod,
"Then let's
get ready."
Standing to get dressed, I said, "Yeah, let's get
ready!"
This wedding was a little weird. With me (her guardian),
Salima acting as mother of the bride, Sarah acting as her
sister and Monaavi as a guest, there was no one else from
the bride's side of the family; everyone else was outside
waiting with the groom's entourage.
I watched as Priya entered with a quiet Aleeya and
followed
them with my eyes to their seats. I got a bit worried at
the quiet, almost emotionless look on Aleeya's face, but
Priya smiled as if to say, "Everything will be OK."
Haseeba (probably with some financial help from Priya)
wore
a beautiful red Lengha and short choli that was beautifully
embroidered and covered in stones and sequins. She wore a
dupatta of crepe red with a border that matched her Lengha.
She wore simple jewelry with a pair of pretty deep-red
sequined slippers on her feet. She looked lovely and
radiant as a bride. She wore a bright and beautiful smile
that was clearly visible through her dupatta.
When everyone had arrived, the staff ushered everyone in
as
Sarah, for the second time in a year, playfully teased,
poked and prodded everyone with her flowered baton. Salima
placed the wreath of flowers on the heads of both Haseeba
and Mahmoud.
After everyone was separated and ready for the ceremony,
the Imaam began the ceremony. Following a litany of
prayers and readings from the Koran, Imaam looked at me and
said, "Today we will witness a solemn pledge between
Haseeba Radj and Mahmoud Haaseem. I ask you now in the
presence of God and this congregation to declare your
intent."
I began, "Acting as her guardian, I have given my
ward,
Haseeba Radj, in marriage to Mahmoud Haaseem."
Imaam turned to Haseeba and asked, "Do you accept
Sean
Michaels as your guardian and allow him to act in your
behalf?"
Haseeba replied, "I do, Imaam, accept Sean Michaels
as my
guardian and allow him to speak on my behalf.
Imaam to Haseeba, "Good. Do you accept Mahmoud
Haaseem as
your husband with the dower that you have agreed upon?"
Haseeba replied, "I have accepted and espoused
myself to
him."
Imaam to Mahmoud, "Do you accept Haseeba Radj as
your
wife?"
Mahmoud replied, "I have accepted."
Haseeba then stepped forward with me, followed by
Salima's
brother-in-law and signed her dower/prenuptial agreement,
then Mahmoud signed, the witnesses signed and Mahmoud
returning it, folded and in the envelope, to her.
Then Mahmoud signed the Nikaahnama, then me, followed by
our witnesses (Salima's brother-in-laws), and finally by
Haseeba.
Imam said some more readings and the blessing of the
rings.
The bride and groom exchanged rings and when the ceremony
was finished, we all sat for the lavish meal.
When most people were finishing up their meal, Mahmoud
asked me if he could speak to Aleeya. I asked her if she
wanted to talk to her father, and she replied yes.
Mahmoud took Aleeya aside to talk to her. I was turning
to
leave and give them some privacy, when Mahmoud requested
that I stay. He started with, "Aleeya, you are my daughter
and I have sinned against you. I didn't cherish you like a
father should, and for that, I am truly sorry."
Aleeya began to cry and Mahmoud continued, "I have
tried to
atone for my sin by giving you your freedom to marry Sean.
I hope that you've found the happiness that I couldn't
provide, but know this my child; whether Haseeba and I have
children or not, boy or girl, you won't be forgotten-
either by my actions or in my heart.
Pulling back to look into her tearful eyes, he asked,
"In
giving you your freedom, in your heart, can you grant me
mine and let me find happiness also?"
Aleeya flung her arms around her father and said,
"I have
my happiness Daddy, and you deserve yours! I was afraid
that you'd stop loving me when you married Haseeba and she
gave you a boy baby. I believe now that you won't forget or
stop loving me. Be happy Daddy, I am now!"
Nodding to Mahmoud, as if to tell him "You said the
right
thing at the right time," we three returned to the
reception.
After the mirror ceremony and Salaams, I held Haseeba's
hand as we approached Mahmoud. I said to him, "Remember
your promise to me and to your bride. The past is dead and
buried. Now go, take Haseeba and make her happy."
With tears on his cheeks, and as he looked at Haseeba,
he
replied, "Our past is the past. Our future awaits us and
the happiness we will make together."
Smiling with a nod, I gave her to her new husband and
they
readied themselves to begin their new lives.
Salima had left to perform her duties as Haseeba's
mother
and welcome her to her new home. Priya was crying as they
left and I put my arm around her and asked, "Are you
alright?"
Smiling, she looked in my eyes and replied, "We have
done a
wonderful thing in giving her back her life. She may not be
rich in coin, but the richness in her heart will repay
itself for a lifetime!"
I couldn't kiss her in public so I squeezed her shoulder
and replied, "You taught me a lot about the value of a soul
when you redeemed her, and for that, I'll be forever
grateful."
As the tears of joy rolled down her cheeks, she smiled
and
said, "Praise Allah for His wondrous forgiveness!"
With a nod, all I could respond was, "Amen."
Priya and I returned to our table, and Priya, Aleeya and
I
reminisced about our weddings and the near tumble that Mom,
Priya and I nearly took getting into the house. The fun the
girls had while I searched for our names in each of their
hands and the joy all newlyweds share on their wedding
night.
The night ended as all weddings should; with happiness
and
joy for everyone as we looked to the future to find each of
our own happiness and joy.
Continued in Chapter 42…
|