by Leslie North
Letting go of the door, he shook his arms out and looked down at his traditional white robes of his country.
From behind, Ahmed’s deep voice carried to Khalid. “She makes a beautiful bride, and Mehmood is a very traditional man, so I’m sure your wedding night with your bride will be a memory to treasure.” Ahmed stepped up and nudged his brother’s arm.
Khalid shot him a scornful look. “You are partly to blame for our father making me do this. I’m not interested in Mehmood or his daughter. And I don’t care if she’s a virgin. Do you think the women we saw in America were virgins?”
Ahmed shrugged. “You knew this day was coming. Granted, maybe a day with father a bit less angry than he is just now.”
“Wait until it’s your turn. I suspect our father’s mood has more to do with the level of our transgression and less to do with age. You’re next, little brother.” Khalid turned his attention to the door again, waiting for the peace he needed before walking through.
Ahmed shook his head and offered up a weak smile. “It was just one night of fun.”
“Fun? A good time is one thing. Dishonor is another.” Khalid placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “And this is about family honor—and me keeping my place in our family. Now, go. I’ll make my entrance behind you.”
“If there were another way…” Ahmed let the words trail off.
Khalid had thought the same thing. But he knew his choices here—marry or lose everything. He was not ready to say goodbye to his brothers or to his homeland. So he would take the other option Father had put before him. He patted Ahmed’s shoulder and dropped his hand.
Ahmed shook his head, pulled his black bisht with the gold trim over his shoulders and opened the doors. It was strange to see Ahmed in anything but the perfectly tailored suits he always wore. Ahmed stepped into the room, his white keffiyeh swaying as he walked.
Khalid understood that it was each son’s responsibility to preserve their family’s honor. He understood his father’s reasons for arranging this marriage-but of course the main reason was that it would combine both families’ wealth. And this marriage prevented Khalid from marrying anyone else—in other words, from making yet another mistake.
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