Page 56 of First Comes Marriage
He saw Reshma swipe her fingers under her eyes and loosened one arm from around Safiya, holding his hand out to Reshma. She took a few steps towards him and he clasped her hand tightly in his, determined to show her how important she was to him.
He wasn’t sure how long they stood there, but when Zafar felt he had a better hold over his overflowing emotions, he moved Safiya back and dried her tears with his thumbs. She hiccuped and then gave him a grin reminiscent of the kind she used to give him years before their lives had been torn asunder.
‘Come and see Daadi, Saf. She’ll be over the moon to see you and to be able to hold you close after so long. Give her that chance.’ He watched as the brightness that had filled her eyes dimmed slightly. ‘No one, and I meanno one, is disappointed with you. If anything, it’s me who’sbeen a disappointment. I should have done so much more for you. I should have put a stop to things more forcefully. I should have—’
Saf covered his lips with her finger and shook her head. ‘You did everything you could. I know you did. So did the others. Going over that now is …’ She shook her head, not finishing her sentence. ‘I’ve missed you all so much. Let’s not waste time by talking about the past. Let’s go and see Daadi.’
Zafar turned towards the path leading back to their villa, Safiya’s arm firmly linked through his, filling him with a strong sense of relief. He took one step and then turned to find Reshma walking behind them. He held his other hand out for her, waiting for her to take it before he moved. She smiled tentatively before placing her hand in his and he held it tightly as he pulled her beside him, and together, they made their way back to the villa.
Daadi became a complete watering pot at the sight of her granddaughter, only managing to stop her tears when Safiya suggested she come back later if Daadi was too upset to talk. She rallied round pretty quickly after that and sat on the sofa, holding Safiya’s hand in both of hers. ‘I just want to look at you, sweetheart. For six years, I’ve not looked upon your face and I’ve missed it more than I’ll ever be able to express. I just want to look my fill.’
Safiya had given Daadi another quick hug before turning her smiling face towards Reshma. ‘You can thank Reshma for today. I was on the fence about seeing you and Zaf, but she convinced me to. I can’t thank you enough, Reshma. You’re an absolute gem.’ Safiya got up and went towards where Reshma was standing, enveloping her in a hug.
Zafar felt his being flood with gratitude for the fact that he’d been blessed with someone like Reshma in his life. She was so selfless in her consideration for others. In truth, without her, he didn’t think he’d have been able to make the first move with Safiya. Not out of stubbornness, but more because of his guilt and a fear of Safiya rejecting him.
He moved towards her when Safiya eased back, heading over to Daadi. Reshma smiled, her cheeks filling with colour as though she were unsure about how to take the compliment.
‘Saf’s right. You are a gem. Thank you for making this happen.’ He pointed to where Daadi was holding Safiya against her chest once more as they sat beside each other on the sofa.
Reshma smiled at him and he cupped her cheek, feeling overcome with his feelings for this woman. ‘Go and sit with her. Talk to her.’
He nodded but stepped forward and gently pressed his lips against her forehead, inhaling her scent.
They all sat there chatting for a considerable period of time. Daadi asked Safiya about her life in Nairobi, but she seemed to skim over the topic, moving it back to their life in London and wanting to catch up on what she’d missed. No one broached the topic of their grandfather reaching out to her before he died and Safiya not responding. It was better to leave some topics untouched for now.
Daadi suppressed a few yawns, but when she could no longer keep her eyes open, Zafar encouraged her to get some sleep.
‘No. I don’t want to miss any time with Safiya.’
Safiya promised to see her again the next day and, eventually, Daadi agreed to do as her grandchildren asked, huggingand kissing them individually before giving Reshma her full attention.
‘God has been very benevolent in blessing us with you. You’re like a bright star, filling everyone’s lives with your light. God bless you, sweetheart.’ Zafar could see Reshma blink back tears as Daadi showered her with affection. Daadi then left them to go to her room and Reshma said she would go upstairs, letting him catch up with Safiya.
He was reluctant to let her go and told her as much when she got up and he followed her, but she said she was pretty tired. ‘Besides, you need this time with Safiya. I know you’d be happy for me to stay, but trust me, you both deserve this moment together. Enjoy it and you can tell me all about it over breakfast.’ She reached up and kissed his cheek and turned to leave. Zafar held onto her hand and turned her back, taking her face in his hands.
‘You’re the best, you know that, right?’ He tapped her nose with his and she smiled, filling all the dark voids in him with her brightness. He pressed his lips against hers, the soft pressure of her lips fanning the dormant flames of desire within him until he heard a soft clearing of the throat behind him.
He pulled back, and after a wave at Safiya, Reshma turned and went upstairs, softly closing the door to their bedroom behind her.
Zafar turned to Safiya and watched as the smile that had been on her face the whole time slowly disappeared, her shoulders slumping and a visible fatigue taking over her frame.
There was so much unspoken between them. So much hurt, sadness, guilt. But Zafar was determined not to waste this chance.
They spoke long into the night. Safiya’s husband, Ejaz, had left her for the night, as was his way, according to her,and his mother was more than happy to cover up her son’s faults, no matter what their impact was on someone else.
‘I can stay out and no one will care. So long as I’m there to keep up appearances when the spotlight is on them, they’re not bothered.’ There was resignation in her voice.
‘Where the hell would he have gone?’ Zafar was shocked to hear the truth of Safiya’s marriage – the one their grandfather had forced and Zafar hadn’t been able to prevent.
‘To any number of dives in the area. I’m past caring. He stays out of my way and I stay out of his.’
‘So, why the hell are you still there, Saf? Why haven’t you packed your bags and come home?’
‘What was I supposed to come home to, Zaf? It’s been six years. I couldn’t even bring myself to say hello to you or Daadi today and you think I should have packed my bags andcome home?’ She scoffed, but Zafar heard the helplessness in her voice crystal clear. She didn’t think she had a home to come back to. Their grandfather had made that quite clear to her when she’d got married. Her place, as far as he was concerned, was with her husband and that was it.
Well, it was time to tell Safiya that things had changed since then. Significantly.
‘That has been, and will always be, your home, Saf. You come whenever you want. And if you need me for anything – and I meananything– you just say the word. It’s time the wrongs of the past were righted as best as we can. There’s a long way to go, I realise that, but it’s not impossible.’
