Is Marriage a ....... Project?!
Joined the others in round groups, in the middle of carpeted spacious hall, the usual Arabic sitting in such occasions. Sat in a squatting position – with one leg on the other - eating voraciously from the rice and meat being put in front of him. Inviting those who were entering to join him, and to sit down beside him, as if he was the inviting party, trying timidly not to conceal the ironic wandering inside him. He had been invited to the wedding party of one of his relatives, but could not run or get red of that commitment, especially after the temptation of a fatty banquet, not just sweets and refreshments as the why some people became familiar with these days, to ease expenses and reduce costs.
He had attended the ceremony, despite his hatred to encourage such failed projects, as he says! But he could not overcome his nature, of loving something being paid for in advance. Stood up cleaning his clothes of the remaining sticky food, after being stuffed with that fat he had eaten. Went to the bathroom to wash his hands, get rid of the remaining waste, and grease twisted between his fingers. Was walking and shaking his head surprisingly and making fun, of those who provide for such projects, thus ineffective and unprofitable. But could not dare to speak in presence of the groom and his father; after the up normal invitation.
Returned to set with the attendance on the velvet furniture, surrounding the hall like a bracelet circling a wrist. Sat far away from the groom and his family, who are involved in receiving well-wishers when they entered, and wished them farewell on their exit. Away from them to shield himself and avoid the crowd, and to drink some of the different refreshments that were going around the invitees from time to time. He was looking it to attendance eyes, as if he was trying to know what was hidden in their consciences, like a wolf eyes been mounted on his head, inspecting his region not to be entered by an intruder. But his aim was other than that, and did not pass by the mind of the others. He was hiding something, trying to reveal it even if he was afraid of the people around him, fearing their retribution or criticism to him. Therefore he was seeking the opportunities, perhaps someone might spell out of that word, or make a mistake and say the password, to unleash his wild tongue, which was chained from the beginning of his presence.
He was rescued from the psychological difficult situation, he was going through, in which he was swallowing patience sour and butter, wishing himself of the near by relief and crisis breakthrough. There one of the attendances opened his mouth, asking his neighbor about his family and children. Jokingly asking, to kill time and to open the door for a dialogue: When your son – may God protect him - is going to get married?
So he replied in a funny way, my son still young and did not reach his teenage yet, when it is time we will ask for Allah (God)'s help on his expenses.
The neighbor added assuring his seatmate's speech: really what it you are saying is the truth, no longer our children are able to stand up on their own, and they are in need for assistance.
That was the ripe opportunity, that he had been long waiting for with impatience, so his self steam had aroused and could not resist, and was unable to curb the temptation, even for the sake of respecting the host. He went on spreading out his banner, pulling out his glazed sword, notifying the beginning of the battle and going on with it, like one of the war knights. Or a veteran poet of the pre-Islamic era in Okaz market; delivering his out standing poem, which took him years to organize. So, he started by presenting his theory, detailing and attaching to it unequivocal evidence on the rightness of his sayings. As it was the P. H. D. thesis been presented to earn its certificate, saying that marriage is a failed project, no gain withdrawn from it, but losses and problems! His neighbor replied, trying to learn more encouraging him to continue his speech, despite his knowledge of his real inners, chronic greediness, and holding to the Dinar and Derham - currency, like a drowned near death person holding to a floating straw on the face of the water, what your saying is true!
He got excited by those sweet words, which has touched the core of his heart, so he went on explaining his idea, saying: In the old days, people used to rise more children, to exploit and use them in agriculture, fishing, livestock grazing chores and different things alike. Now there is no need for that, with the presence of the servants, so the children became a burden to their parents, if they could dispose of their annoyances and problems, they are an excess weight of expenses and liabilities! The neighbor was unable to withstand his absurd ideas, which were against what is inherently imprinted in human beings. So he withdrawn himself from his seat at the back of the poll room, going to congratulate the groom, finally leaving after being fed up with that man and his ridiculous ideas. But to put points on the characters asked him, When will be your son's "what is his name?" marriage ceremony ? !
He could not answer or refuse to, because the seatmate was fully aware of all his condition, so he replied being annoyed showing his absentness: soon, by the well of God - Allah. His seatmate muttered between himself, dazzled by the personality of that woman standing behind this arbitrary, disbelieving how could she force him to have his son married, despite his attempts to flee and escape, saying: God – Allah - may praise that lioness, how strong her grip, she was able to tame the arrogant king of the jungle, twisted his arm and fulfilled her desire!
Written by: Noah Hussein Mashamea – Saudi Arabia
