Monday, April 23, 2007

A no is a no

A certain someone’s mother has marked Thursdays and Mondays in her diary as shock NM into speechlessness days. Last Thursday I thought would remain in my memory as the most unexpected day in Alexandria. This Monday however managed to supersede even that.
The lady in question called me to say that she has sent me an email for the engagement details and that she wanted my dad’s number and email address! Oh my god was just no were near expressing the horror of that moment! Huh!!

On the pervious Friday I thought I made it clear that I was only in Egypt to study Arabic and had a home and family to go back to. But the insistent lady asked me to pray the istikhara, I was also under the impression the prayer was for moments of confusion except for once am anything but confused!! It is hard to be insistent back with a 50 plus year old woman without sounding rude so I said I will get back to her.

3 days later the lady is sending me my engagement details and asking for my dad’s details! Like hell am going to give her my dad’s number, does the woman not realise my dad would be on the first plane out of Manchester to come collect me! In this email the lady is also giving me details of my dowry! like i can be brought! am getting really annoyed,stressed and even panicky now

Walahi its times like this I realise the need for a mahrem, clearly am perceived as not being able to make my own decisions, but if this was my dad or my brother I bet the first NO would have been the end of it!

As I write this I need a massive does of galaxy chocolate, a cup of tea and if I wasn’t Muslim something that would come from a boy on a bicycle from moss side!

18 comments:

Newbie! said...

something that comes form a boy on a bike in moss side? hahaha, thats the best line i have ever seen on any blog! lol!

ok, more seriously.....deep breaths.

no one can force you into anything and she just doesn't seem to be getting the whole 'no' vibe that you are trying your hardest to hit her with. so, stay firm and consistent, no umm-ing and ahh-ing, just keep saying no in a polite but forcefull way, change the subject then stay out of her way!

white african said...

ohno poor nm, walahi girl i feel for you seriously.

but no mountain is ever to high to climb, in other words problem inshallah can easily be solved.

i have faxed you over some of the stuff you wanted from moss side, together with a beard and one of those moslem hats as a disguise mechanism for you to use :)

seriously though, tell her your father has ordered you to stick to your studies and not to think on marriage, and that you are disrespecting his wishes by discussing such matters.

flowerlady said...

Dude only you can get caught up in the whole marriage thing.

Man i was there for 6 wks and a single one came my way sigh sigh!!!

All i can say is hee hee haa

I love you

The Godfather said...

'Something that would come from a boy on a bicycle from Moss Side!'......you know you can get that stuff from Longsight too...I can sort you out a good deal if you want.

NATIVE said...

Something from a bicycle boy in Moss Side! looool I see u reppin us even in Egypt :D

But seriously sis as Newbie said....be consistent and also use Whitey's respecting father's wishes line.
U knw my thoughts on the issue so inshaAlllah kheyr

Go easy on the chocolate and tea :)

Ever The Idealist said...

Sweetness. Just hide. Don't be rude but firm which is your specialty I love you and so do the whole of Mcr so don't give in.
What excatly do people get of boys on bikes in Moss side/Longsight???

The Godfather said...

Yeah NM, what do you get off boys on bikes in Longsight/Moss Side?....

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Well lets have your e-mail or num so i can place a counter aroos prosposal, since it seems the in-thing.

Just have a word with your teacher or another Masari adult to have a word with the lady in question and to tell her to back off a wee bit.

Ever The Idealist said...

Dee Nooh that sounds like the best idea bar speaking to parents and getting to back off as you say.

Counter aroos offers? Think about it NM...

NM said...

Thanks for all the advice guys, i have had a word with my teacher and she has adviced me too so now i just need to execute the advice and hide.

What can you get from moss side and longsight, something to help with a headache i hear :)

As for the aroos counter thats just wrong dee nooh but i hear this kind of thing is normal in egypt :(

The Godfather said...

Yeah, they have asprin all the time there!?!?!

NM said...

lol! i was thinking something more along the lines non-prescription, class x type of thing :)

MASS said...

just say it, Simple:

NO!

NM said...

Oh Al-hanbli you can't imagine how many times i have said that now and in how many different tones and ways. I am sticking with the dad advice that has to end things inshallah

Aya said...

Oh my! Some people just can't get a hint. NM, like others have noted, a short and firm negative is necessary.

Anonymous said...

Naima, accomplish your yr mission and come back home, but, make sure next time u r accompanied by muhrim or someone who will say The biggest 'NO'on behalf of you,lol.
isaq

NM said...

LOL isaq! shukran and make sure you give the family my salam.

As for the muhrim its not like am spoiled for choice, its either my 15 year old brother or my 65 year old dad....i wonder who would take 6 months out with me :)

lol i would love to see the looks on their face when i tell me about my next possible mini adventure..mwahah