Page 128 - A Woman Is No Man

She could never run away from home. No matter how much she was afraid
of life in Fareeda’s house, the real world scared her much more.
“I don’t understand,” Deya said. “Is that why you reached out? To help

me run away?”
“No! That’s the last thing I want for you.”
“Why?”
“Because running away was so hard,” Sarah said. “I lost everyone I
loved.”
“Then why am I here?” Deya asked.
There was a moment of silence, and Sarah glanced over to the coffee

bar. She stood. “Let me get us something to drink.” She returned with two
vanilla lattes minutes later and handed one to Deya. “Careful,” she said as
she settled back in her seat. “It’s hot.”
Deya set the mug on the table. “Tell me why I’m here.”
Sarah pursed her lips and blew on her coffee. “I already told you,” she
said before taking a sip. “I want to help you make the right decision.”

“You mean about marriage?”
“That, and other things, too. I want to help you stand up for what you
want.”
Deya sighed and brought her hands to her temples, pressing her fingers
against her hijab. “I’ve already tried standing up to Teta. I told her I don’t
want to get married right now. That I want to go to college. But she doesn’t
listen. You know that.”

“So that’s it? You’re going to give up?”
“What else can I do?”
“Stand up to her,” Sarah said. “Apply to college anyway. Turn down the
suitors she finds you. Keep trying to change her mind.”
Deya shook her head. “I can’t possibly do that.”
“Why not? What are you afraid of?”

“Nothing . . . I don’t know . . .”
“I don’t think that’s true,” Sarah said, placing her mug on the table. “I
think you know exactly what you’re afraid of. Tell me, what is it?”
Deya started to protest but stopped herself. “It’s nothing.”
“I know you’re trying to protect yourself, but you can trust me.”
The way Sarah saw her so clearly was unnerving. She shook her head.
“There’s nothing wrong with protecting myself.”