Her Wedding: The Earth Stood Still

Okay, so, many people think I am such a good conversationalist. I am a talker. I can keep a conversation going. I can charm parents, especially moms. It's not something I realize. Probably it's something I've learned from watching and watching. Whatever.

When I have to have casual talks, everything goes naturally. Words seem to come out only involving lower level of thinking. Hahahaha. But when the talk is with a mission, that's a totally different case.

The words 'I'm afraid I can't. It's too much for me to handle.' almost slipped out of my mouth when she asked me to help her with the wedding proposal ritual. I didn't think that I would be in such a formal position: in an event filled with a lot of religiously formal atmosphere, I, a WOMAN, representing a Turkish family to ask for a father's permission to marry her daughter. Refusing my friend's request would be the easiest way out. But at that time I thought that if I refused, I couldn't get my mind off her anyway. I would worry anyway. So? I nodded.

So. that morning finally arrived. I, the detail freak, had arranged the scenarios for the event. Who started, what I'd say, what my friend should do (I told her to be as quiet as a mouse but I didn't realize that she would bend her body so hard while I talked to her family), what if this happened, etc.

My friend, if you read this posting, you'll know how hard it was to choose the words. I'd had thought about them ever since the day you asked for my help and yet all of them were attacked by some sort of virus and my brain hard disc suddenly became empty.

The opening finally went OK. Not my best word collection, but it was OK. Then came the 'asking for permission' part. There was a moment of silence that was excruciatingly killing me when her father did not look me in the eyes after I finished my asking. For once, I became so impatient and asked her mother and her sister. Actually, I did that to kill the silence that I just couldn't take (now you know, eh? ).

The relieve felt by everyone was so expressive when the father finally gave his blessings. I saw the mother and the sister wipe their red eyes. There's no sound from my next door 'neighbor' (the bride-to-be) but I bet she's relieved, too. Hehehehe. I almost shed a tear or two but the show must go on. So my eyes 'swallowed' the tears back. Literally.

After this stage, everything went casual. For a while, at least. Until there was a question,'So, she'll be gone to Turkey?'. I swear that the earth stood still for me at that moment. This question was easy to answer but I was more worried about the way the father handled the news. But you know, that day was meant to be full of blessings. Indeed, because he could take the answer without any question. I was relieved again for the second time. Allah is Great.

Until now, I still can't believe everything that happened that day. How everything went so well for a situation which I thought would be so hard to handle. His blessings are proven. And I am a believer.