Bitter or sweet II

‘No Aunty, there is no need. I should have known this would happen a long time ago. All the signs were there but I was too blind to see them. The first time was when I was with my old car, the one father gave me when I started working at my office. Walidah was […]

‘No Aunty, there is no need. I should have known this would happen a long time ago. All the signs were there but I was too blind to see them. The first time was when I was with my old car, the one father gave me when I started working at my office. Walidah was always complaining about how old the car was and that I should get a new one. I told her that a new car wasn’t my priority because I was just starting a career but she kept on and on till I got fed up and sold the car.
 Afterwards she kept saying she wasn’t happy I was always going to see her in a taxi. That was at the point I began to take Yusuf along whenever I went to see her, because I relied on him to drive me in his car. But any time we went to see her she paid special attention to him and made endless comments about his car. I didn’t want to take offence so I kept telling myself that she was only trying to be friendly with my best friend. Now I know better.’ Kamal concluded.
‘You mean you think she went for him just because he has a car and you don’t have it?’ I asked.
‘I believe that she went for him because he has a beautiful car, Aunty. The key words are ‘brand-new and beautiful’ car because it’s not just any car since I had one when we met but it was too old for her liking.’ He lamented.
‘If she’s really that fickle then you are better off without her Kamal. I mean what is a car compared to all the love you showered on her in the last several years? You were doing everything for her as if you were already married. And she couldn’t see that?’ I asked, rhetorically.
‘No, I don’t think she could. Additionally she couldn’t see that Yusuf and I come from different family backgrounds. My father is a hardworking public servant while Yusuf’s is a wealthy politician. He is an only boy which means he gets everything he wants from a father who can afford it, while I am the first of many children and can only afford the necessities of life and what little extra my father can afford to give me. So since she is materially-inclined and can only see what she wants to see, ie, the luxurious life that Yusuf can provide her with, I wish her luck. I am not even going to confront her over this. She isn’t worth it.’ Kamal stated.
‘But of course you’ll have to confront her. How about all the things we took to her parent’s house as part of the formalities for your betrothal? We have to retrieve them or to demand payment for them if they’ve used them up. But there is no way we will let them keep them after their daughter’s betrayal and deceit.’ I declared. 
‘But Aunty Bint, that means nothing to me now. I can’t see what good retrieving those things will do. If they were to return a dozen suitcases in place of the two I sent to her as introductory gifts, they wouldn’t stop the pain in my heart or cure the ache in my soul. I am totally heartbroken. Not only did I lose the only woman I ever loved in my life but I also lost her to my best friend.
Ordinarily, he will be the one I will run to and say she had betrayed me. But when he is the culprit, where do I turn? Honestly, since yesterday I have done nothing but wonder how I can survive this. It is so painful if feels like actual physical ache. This is probably why my mother was convinced I was sick when I told her. It does feel like being ill.’ He explained.
‘Which reminds me I better go in there and tell her what really happened to you. I will also try to convince her that we should ask for all the gifts you sent her as part of the formal introduction to be returned. If you have no use for them perhaps your younger sisters can make use of them. We will not let that deceitful social climber keep what she does not deserve. And though you are in great pain, I assure you that one day you will get over her.
I know it isn’t easy accepting that you have been made a fool of, but believe me Walidah will regret what she did to you. She will find out that Yusuf will betray her as easily as she betrayed you. I mean we are talking about a spoilt, wealthy young man who can get anything he wants because he can afford it. Does she think he will be happy and content living with just her? The true love and devotion you were so willing to give her is what she will never get from a guy who knew she betrayed his best friend because he wasn’t rich enough.
So please get up from that bed, make an ablution and pray to Almighty God to relieve your heartache and to give you something better in place of what you’ve lost. Like I said earlier, she wasn’t meant for you if she was that materialistic, so pray to be given a woman who will love you sincerely and be content with whatever you can afford to give her. Who knows, you two can grow comfortable enough to afford whatever you want. Most rich people weren’t born rich, they usually get rich by dint of hard work and luck. Of course, desperate social climbers like Walidah will never believe this.’ I emphasized.
‘No they don’t but please Aunty forget about those two suitcases. Let us show them that though we are not rich, we do have enough pride to overlook what we lost.’ Kamal begged as I rose to leave.
‘Ok, Kamal. You have a point there. I will not encourage your mum to ask for their return. Now get up and report your case to Almighty Allah and see how He SWT will reward you with what is better.’ I urged. As I walked from his room to his mother’s, across the hall, I remembered that old song from Maze:
‘Love can be bitter,
Love can be sweet
Sometimes devotion
Sometimes deceit.’
My poor nephew just suffered the negatives, I hope he finds the positives next time.