What We Learned Along the Way by Nadirah Angail

Author:Nadirah Angail [Angail, Nadirah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Islam, muslim fiction, black muslims, coming of age, marriage, muslim women, african american, age 15 to adult, identity
Publisher: Nadirah Angail
Published: 2012-01-04T16:16:13+00:00

Chapter 22- Malikah

The two months they spent planning the family reunion had gone by so quickly. It was the night before and Malikah was going over the list of confirmed attendees. She had read the long list twice, but one name was missing.

“I can’t find Isaiah’s name,” she said to her mother as she looked over the list one more time. “I could have sworn I RSVP'ed for both of us.”

“You did,” her mother said as she fluffed the pillows on the sofa. “But he isn’t going. He’s not family.”

“What do you mean he’s not family? Adam wasn’t family the first time he came.”

“Yes, well, that was different.”

“You know, for a mother that’s constantly asking me when I’m getting married, you really work over time to break up my relationship. If Isaiah can’t go, I’m not going either,” Malikah said calmly. She was tired of letting her mother get her worked up.

“Don’t be silly, Malikah. You’re going. The whole family is going.”

“No, I’m not. I’ve been sitting aside and watching you bad mouth Isaiah for months. I’ve had enough! We are a couple and we’re going to get married.” Malikah tried her best to sound assertive, instead of scared. Isaiah hadn’t even proposed yet and she was telling her mom they were getting married. She had to say something to stand up to her, but no matter how hard she tried not to argue with her mom, it never seemed to work. It didn’t matter what her mother said, she wasn’t going to the reunion without Isaiah.

Isaiah had started working as a personal trainer and things weren’t going exactly as planned. He had about twelve clients in all, but only five of them kept regular appointments. He liked being a trainer, but he missed the predictable checks and tips from his old job. It was frustrating when clients would cancel their appointments at the last minute. It only took a few missed appointments to prevent him from being able to make his rent.

Malikah tried her best to be supportive, but she had already spent a lot of money on Isaiah and she wasn’t into the idea of giving him anymore. She didn’t have a job, because her parents told her she didn’t have to work as long as she was in school. They deposited money into her account every month and up until she met Isaiah, it was enough, but ever since she started giving him money here and there, it seemed like her account was always empty. She knew her father wouldn’t mind giving her a little more, but she didn’t dare ask. Her mother would have a fit if she found out where the money was going.

Malikah and Isaiah’s relationship started out like a fairytale, and it still was, for the most part. He was so sweet and kind and always knew the right thing to say, but his money problems were really starting to drive a wedge between them. Sometimes she found herself avoiding him because she didn’t want him to ask for any money.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.