Page 265 - A Woman Is No Man

her parents. But now Deya needed her aunt the most. She told Sarah her
decision as soon as she walked into the bookstore.
“Really?” Sarah said. “I’m so proud of you! Has my mother agreed?”

“I haven’t told her yet. But I’m going to. I promise.”
Sarah smiled. “What about your marriage suitors?”
“I’m going to tell Teta that marriage can wait,” Deya said. “And if she
doesn’t listen, then I’ll just scare them away.”
Sarah laughed, but Deya saw fear in her eyes. “Promise me you’ll go to
college. No matter what Fareeda says.”
“I promise.”

Sarah’s smile widened.
“I wanted to thank you,” Deya said.
“There’s no need to thank me.”
“There is,” Deya said. “I know I’ve been angry at you a lot over the past
few months, but that doesn’t mean I’m not grateful for everything you’ve
done. I should say it more. You reached out to me when I was all alone. You

told me the truth when no one else would. Even when I was mad, you stood
by me. You’ve been an incredible friend. If my mother was here, she’d
thank you, too.”
Sarah met her eyes, on the verge of tears. “I hope so.”
Deya stood and hugged her aunt tight. As Sarah walked her out, Deya
said, “By the way, I’ve been thinking about what you told me, about
courage. Do you think maybe you’ll feel better if you have courage, too?”

“Courage to do what?”
“To come back home.”
Sarah blinked at her.
“I know you want to. All you have to do is come knock on the door.”
“I . . . I don’t know,”
“You can do it,” Deya said, turning to leave. “I’ll be waiting for you.”