Payback by Rosemary Hayes

Author:Rosemary Hayes
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781907666155
Publisher: MBI
Published: 2009-06-28T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Halima

Tuesday at last! Kate and I met in the college canteen. Impetuous as ever, she rushed over and hugged me. Then she held me away from her.

‘You look terrible!’

I smiled. ‘Thanks!’

‘Sorry, but you do. You look so sad – and pale.’

‘I’ve not been sleeping much.’

Kate pushed me back on to my seat. ‘Stay there, I’ll get some tea.’

I watched her as she wove her way in and out of the tables, carrying a tray back to me. Just by the way she moved, by the confidence of her smile, I could tell that her horizons were expanding, that she was relishing her new life. She put the tray down and sat opposite me.

‘Oxford suits you,’ I said, smiling.

She picked up her cup of tea and sipped thoughtfully.

‘Yeah! It does. I love it. But we’re here to talk about you. Tell me all about it.’

I had chosen a spot tucked away from prying eyes so that we could speak privately. As I told her all that had happened in the last few weeks, I started to cry.

Kate put her hand across the table and held mine.

‘Halima,’ she said softly, ‘you can’t give in to this. You know you can’t.’

When at last I could speak again, I whispered, ‘I’m so tired, Kate. I’ve been over and over it and I can’t see a way out, unless I leave home and break with my family.’

Kate eyes held mine. ‘Then you may have to.’

‘But I don’t want to. What would I do? I’d have to quit college. They wouldn’t pay for me any more. I’d lose all my friends and relations.’

Kate was still holding my hand. She gave it a tight squeeze.

‘Not all of them,’ she said firmly. ‘Not the ones who matter.’

I gave her a weak smile. ‘I’d lose my sister,’ I said.

‘Asma! Surely not.’

I nodded. ‘If I went against Baba, she wouldn’t be strong enough to keep seeing me. She’s told me as much.’

‘No!’

I nodded. ‘She’s said that it’s different now she’s married and expecting a baby. If she takes my side in all this, then she’ll be shunned, too. I can understand it. She needs the family’s help. And even Imran told me not to go against Baba.’

Kate gently withdrew her hand. She leant back in her chair and locked her hands behind her head.

‘When are all the family going to Pakistan for Khalil’s wedding?’ she asked.

I found a tissue and wiped my nose. ‘Just as soon as Asma’s had the baby. Ammi wants to make sure everything’s OK before the rest of the family leave.’

‘So Asma and Habib are staying here?’

I nodded. ‘Yes. They don’t want to travel with a new baby.’

‘Mm,’ said Kate thoughtfully. ‘So you’ve only got a few weeks to make your own plans.’

‘I’ve no idea what to do, Kate. I can’t bear the thought of marrying this guy, but if I go to Pakistan for the wedding, my father will force me to.’

‘Don’t be stupid, Halima. He can’t! There’s a law against forced marriage now. Your father could be prosecuted.

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