by Adnan Ali
Chapter 8
Mr Khan looked at the property and, after taking a deep long breath inwards, he walked forward towards the door and eventually stopped facing the door. Mr Khan took another deep breath and knocked gently on the door.
He waited until he heard some footsteps approaching the door.
The door slowly swayed open and a woman gently popped her head hesitantly round the corner.
“Yes?” she simply said.
“I’m sorry to trouble, but my name is Mr Khan. I’m Adam’s Maths teacher.”
“Oh, nice to meet you, Mr Khan. I’m Adam’s mother, Mrs Watts.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs Watts,” said Mr Khan. “Er, is Adam in?”
“Yes, he’s in his bedroom,” replied Mrs Watts.
“Do you mind if I have a word with him?” asked Mr Khan.
“Of course, Mr Khan. Please do come in,” said Adam’s mother as she moved aside to allow room for Adam’s Maths teacher to enter the house and in to the hallway. Mr Khan stood sideways waiting for Adam’s mother to close the door.
“After you, Mrs Watts.”
“Come this way, please, Mr Khan,” said Adam’s mother and made her way into the front room with Mr Khan following closely behind her.
“Thank you.”
“Take a seat.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Mr Khan sat down on a single chair whilst Adam’s mother sat on a nearby sofa.
Silence immediately surrounded both Mr Khan and Adam’s mother.
“Er, Adam didn’t attend my Maths lesson today,” began Mr Khan. “I understand that he wasn’t feeling well. Is he all right now?”
“Yes, he’s feeling a little better now,” Adam’s mother answered anxiously.
“Good.”
Silence once more filled the room.
Then, all of a sudden, both Mr Khan and Adam’s mother just started to say something almost together.
“Sorry,” said Mr Khan.
“Sorry,” said Adam’s mother.
“Sorry. You go first, Mrs Watts,” requested Mr Khan.
“Thank you. Adam’s told me everything and,” began Adam’s mother “ … I just wanted to say that my Adam is very sorry for what he did, and I’ve told him that he shouldn’t have done what he did,” began Mrs Watts.
“I see,” said Mr Khan as he inhaled inwards.
“It’s just that he’s never been out with any Asian girl before so he doesn’t know what to expect,” added Mrs Watts.
“Right.”
“I’ve told him though that he’ll have to change schools because of this, and he’s even grounded,” added Adam’s mother
“I see. Can I see Adam? I mean, if it’s all right with you, Mrs Watts.”
“Of course, Mr Khan. You can speak to him if you like. He’s upstairs in his bedroom.”
“Thank you, Mrs Watts. I much appreciate it,” said Mr Khan as he rose from his sitting position and carefully made his way towards the door. “His bedroom is where?”
“Oh, it’s the one that says ‘Danger! Enter at your own Peril’”
Mr Khan carefully made his way to the landing and checked on the door with the relevant warning.
Mr Khan gently knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” asked Adam.
“Adam. It’s me. Mr Khan.”
As soon as Adam heard his Maths teacher’s voice, Adam immediately rose from his bed and quickly made his way to the door and opened it.
“Hi, Adam,” softly said Mr Khan.
“Hi, sir,” Adam miserably greeted Mr Khan, distinct unhappiness in his voice.
“Can I speak to you for a moment?”
Adam hesitated, guilt written all over his face and unable to face Zhara’s father.
Adam slowly opened the door fully so as to let Zhara’s father in to his bedroom.
“Thank you, Adam,” said Zhara’s father and stood at one side before Adam moved across the room, unable to stare at his Maths teacher.
“Adam –”
Even before Mr Khan could say a single word further, Adam instantly fell before Mr Khan’s feet and began crying.
“I’m sorry, sir, but please don’t say anything to Zhara. Please don’t say anything to her. It’s all my fault; it has nothing to do with her. Oh, please don’t say anything to Zhara; I love her so much I can’t see her getting in to trouble because of me,” pleaded Adam.
“Adam! What are you doing? Please get up!” requested Mr Khan as he gently pulled Adam up with his arms. “Please, Adam. Get up.”
Adam slowly rose up and stood before Mr Khan, wiping the tears from his moist eyes.
“Adam, I want you to listen to me, please,” requested Mr Khan.
“Sir, promise you won’t say anything to Zhara; that she won’t get in to any sort of trouble,” Adam insisted.
“Adam, I need to speak to you,” Mr Khan tried to explain to Adam.
“Sir, I’m really, really sorry for all that’s happened; it’s not Zhara’s fault at all,” Adam continued to insist.
“Adam. Listen to me,” said Mr Khan as he breathed slowly inwards staring straight at Adam. “What I’m about to say, like I said, is very, very important. Now, promise you will listen to what I have to say.”
Adam looked at Mr Khan, slightly tilting his head.
“I promise, sir.”
“Now,” began Mr Khan, “you like my daughter –”
“Sir, it’s not Zhara’s fault –”
“Adam! What did I just say?” reminded Mr Khan.
“Sorry, sir.”
“As I was saying … you like my daughter and for that, a penalty must be paid.”
“I’ll do anything, sir,” immediately interrupted Adam.
“Oh, you will certainly do that, Adam, I can assure you,” continued Mr Khan. “There will be a punishment, and this is what I have decided: you will marry my daughter –”
“Sir, please don’t punish Zhara; please don’t p –” There was the briefest of pauses. “Sorry, sir, but what did you just say?”
“I said, and listen very carefully, you will marry my daughter.”
Adam’s eyes widened like never before. His heart was beating against his chest wall faster than it had done ever before.
“B-but.”
“No buts,” said Mr Khan. “As soon as you are both sixteen, you will get married. Now, is that acceptable to you, Adam?”
“Is that acceptable to me, sir?” scoffed Adam. “It’s more than acceptable!” he exclaimed with joy. “Oh, thank you, sir. Thank you very much.” Adam looked around himself. “Honestly, I can’t believe this is happening! It’s just too good to be true.”
“Trust me, Adam, it’s happening.” Mr Khan stared affectionately at Adam and placed his hands around his shoulders. “I can certainly say this, Adam,” began Mr Khan, filled with pride, his chest rising in the process. “My daughter has definitely chosen a diamond for herself.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Adam. “You made me realise that there is actually someone who will love my daughter more than I,” declared Zhara’s father as he stared proudly at Adam.
“I will, sir,” instantly said Adam. “I will love her with all my heart and life,” added Adam.
“I’ve never seen her so happy,” added Mr Khan.
Adam lowered his gaze before looking back at Zhara’s father.
Mr Khan pursed his lips as he stared at Adam as a thought suddenly came to his mind.
“Does my Mom know, sir?” Adam asked Mr Khan.
“No, not yet,” answered Zhara’s father. “I thought I’d let you tell your mother.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Thanks for what? I’m only letting you tell your mother, that’s all.”
Adam slowly shook his head sideways before speaking. “No, it’s not that. It’s just that my Mom said that it was all my fault for going out with Zhara,” began Adam. “And I added up all my Mom’s punishments, and it was like, I was grounded until I left college!”
explained Adam.
Mr Khan chuckled.
“Yes, I know; your mother told me.”
“Well, you won’t be grounded anymore,” Mr Khan assured Adam ruffling his hair.
“So, shall we go downstairs and tell you mother the good news?” suggested Zhara’s father. “I mean, I don’t want your mother going changing your school.”
“Definitely not, sir,” said a deeply delighted Adam.
“Come on then,” said Mr Khan and both of them left Adam’s bedroom and made their way to the front room where Adam’s mother was waiting worriedly.
As soon as both Mr Khan and Adam walked in to the room, Mrs Watts immediately rose from her seat.
“Has he been punished for what he did?”
“Oh, yes. Definitely,” replied Mr Khan. “He’s been punished all his life?”
Upon hearing these words, a confused expression spread across Adam’s mother.
“Punished all his life?” she echoed. “I don’t understand, Mr Khan.”
“Well, I’ll let Adam here tell you everything,” said Mr Khan before looking at Adam and then turning to face his mother. “Mrs Watts. You have a wonderful son. A son you can be proud of.”
Adam’s mother was already confused but this last statement by Mr Khan confused her even more!
“I don’t understand, Mr Khan,” said Adam’s mother staring at Mr Khan before looking at her son. “Adam? What is going on? What does Mr Khan mean?”
“Mom, if you sit down, I’ll tell you everything,” said Adam, a strong smile spread across his face.
“You’d better because at this rate I’ll have a heart attack!” stated Adam’s mother as she sat down again, with her continued confused expression.