Chapter 8: Sue & Rayan- Part 2

Sue was taken by shock, not only by Rayan’s question but also because of the way he sounded. Rayan had just told her how much she meant to him, yet he sounded different. She was not sure what she should answer him. His voice was not normal. She could not tell what was wrong, but she was convinced that there was something weird in his voice. Rayan’s words did not flow naturally. There was something fake. Something scared her a bit. Something scared her from Rayan. She kept silent.

“Sue, are you there?” Rayan asked.

“Yes.” Sue answered in a flat voice.

“Is this yes for my proposal or.....”

“Yes, I am here.”

“So, what is your answer, Sue?”

She paused again.

“Sue, why aren’t you talking? Answer me, Sue?” Rayan’s tone was a bit harsh. He sounded yelling more than asking.

For a second, Sue wished to have the courage to hang up, as she got frightened by Rayan. But then she pulled herself together and asked, “Why now?”

“What do you mean why now? You know I love you, Sue. Not being able to meet you for this long time made me miserable, Sue. I want to spend my life with you. Sue, I cannot breathe without you. You are everything to me. Do you understand me, Sue? Do you feel what I feel, Sue?” These words came out spontaneously from Rayan. He spoke up about what was in his heart, and she felt honesty in them.

The way he spoke was his old way, and this made Sue thrilled to hear and feel the old Rayan again. But at the same time, she was still confused. She found herself explaining her situation, which was well known to Rayan, and said, “Well, Rayan. I still at college, and…”

“I know Sue; we don’t have to get married right now. We will, after your graduation. Let us get engaged, and by the time you graduate, we will get married. What do you say, Sue?” He said.

“Rayan, I need time to think.” She answered after a short pause.

“Time to think.” He wondered, and then he added, “Are you not sure about us? After two years, and still, you need time to think.” Rayan said, and he sounded irritated.

“Rayan, please, I…”

He cut her words and said, “Ok. As you wish.” Rayan hung up the phone.

She called him several times after this, and he did not answer.

This call confirmed a feeling Sue was having recently about Rayan, which she knew was not pleasant. She was trying to ignore it. She felt that Rayan was getting different and keeping himself away. She was afraid that he proposed to her only to get a reason to stay away.

Even though his words sounded genuine. Even though he never lied to her. Even though he got mad at her when she answered him yet, this bad feeling about Rayan and that he might want to leave her was there. It was even getting greater.

Later that day, Sue, Jasmine, and their parents were having the supper. Mrs. Knights, her mother, noticed that Sue was not touching her food.

“Sue, are you ok? You did not eat a thing.” Her mother asked.

“Yea, I am fine,” Sue answered.

“Then why aren’t you eating?” Mrs. Knights asked sharply.

“I just don’t feel like eating. Excuse me.” She was about to leave when her mother said, “Hey, young girl. It is not acceptable to leave the table while your parents are still eating. Show some manners.”

“Mother, sorry, but I am tired,” Sue replied.

“That is why I asked you. If there is something, let me know. Or you don’t consider me your mother?” Her mother scolded her.

“Janet, please,” her father said so firmly. Then he looked at Sue, and said, “If you prefer to go to your room, you can, my dear.”

“Thanks, dad. Apologies, mother.” She left.

Janet looked at her husband and said, “You are spoiling her. Do you know that?”

“That is not the way to talk to your daughter. I don’t feel like eating as well; I am done.” He left the dining room.

Jasmine looked at her mom, “Mom, I cannot understand you sometimes. I guess I am full too.” She left the table and went to Sue’s room.

When Jasmine entered the room, she saw her father with Sue. She knew from the way they were talking that the issue was serious.

“So, what do you think, Dad?” Sue asked her dad.

“You are right. You need to take your time and think about it. You are still young, and I cannot accept the idea of you getting married so soon.” George said.

“Married.” Jasmine exclaimed, “What is going on?” Jasmine asked, and walked closer to them.

“Rayan proposed today, but I believe it is too early for this.” Her father answered her. Then he looked back at Sue and said, “let us make sure to be ready for teatime. Else, your mother will kill us if we did not show up.” He said so, kissed both of them, and left.

“Sure, Dad, we will join you in a minute,” Jasmine said and then looked at her sister. From Sue’s face, Jasmine knew that there was something wrong. She knew very well that Sue adored Rayan more than Rayan did. She knew that spending her life with Rayan was something Sue dreamt of. She was not sure, though, what was wrong that made Sue hesitant to accept Rayan’s proposal.

Jasmine did not want to ask Sue about it. She felt it would be better to let Sue tell her what was wrong whenever Sue founded a proper time to do so.

Jasmine, though, sounded a bit troubled. She was worried about something. She came closer and sat next to Sue. “It is better to join us in the teatime and try to be yourself. I don’t want mom to get angry at you. I will be leaving soon. So, please, try not to evoke her while you are alone with her, please.” She said.

“You know, Jasmine, I don’t do anything on purpose. I don’t know why she always gets angry at me.” Sue said.

“I know, darling, but I will be away for the internship, and dad will be traveling a lot this time. So I don’t want to leave you alone with her like this.” Jasmine hugged Sue. “She loves you, but she is strict. So just try not to make anything that she does not like, okay? Don’t let me get worried about you while I am away.”

--

After Sue’s phone call, Jasmine could not go back to sleep. She got up and had her coffee. Then, she pulled out her phone and called Sue.

“Hi, dear. How are you?” Sue answered.

“I am fine. I am worried about you, though. I did not like your voice. Is it Mom?” Jasmine asked.

“No, no. we are fine. It is just…” She paused a little. “It is Rayan.”