“Thanks!” she said not looking up from the menu
“So, you like this restaurant?” he asked trying to start conversation
“Yes, so tell me about you…. what are you looking for?” she asked bluntly
“I need wife!” he responded directly
“Need?” asked Nadia
“Yes, I want to stay in this country so need wife!” he said almost shocking himself
“Right…. it doesn’t matter if you don’t love the woman?” she asked intrigued
“I want Bollywood romance, but this is a dream I just need to survive!” he said
“So how long have you been looking?” she asked
“I have been looking maybe 2-3 months, mainly English ladies!” he said
“And? You haven’t found anyone?” she asked
“I want Pakistani girl so my family will accept!” he explained
“Right!” she said wondering if this could be a mutual arrangement
The date ended well, Nadia thought about how the arrangement with Abdul could work. She was not looking for love and neither was he. They could marry, be like flatmates and both get what they want. The idea did also turn her stomach, this man was financially below her, the lowest social grade he worked in a chicken shop and was everything she despised.
Another week went by and Nadia had encountered a further 10 men all of whom had not been suitable. Her Mother constantly phoning and making arrangements was pressurising the situation. For Nadia this was becoming more of a business transaction and Abdul was becoming a viable option. Nadia decided to call him
“Hi!” she said
“Hello?” he said wondering who it was
“Its Nadia!” she said
“Oh… helloooo!” he said shocked that someone of her calibre would call back
“I was wondering if we could meet tomorrow, night?” she asked
“Of course, I would like very much!” he said now in complete amazement
“Ok, same restaurant at 7pm!” she said
“Yes, Yes I will be there!” he said
“Bye!” she said putting the phone down
The next evening they met at the restaurant
“Hi Abdul!” she said
“Hello!” he said
“I will cut to the point, you need a wife and I need a husband. We can get married and both of us will be happy!” she said abruptly
“OK, but you are a pretty woman why?” he said wondering what the catch is
“Thank you, however I have no time for romance!” she said coldly
“Ok…!” he said anxiously about the type of woman she was
“My family want me to marry by Summer, is this good for you?” she asked going for the close
“Well, my visa has 6 weeks left!” he said
“6 weeks!!!” she said stunned
“I appreciate your help!” he said
“Ok, but we have to change a few things!” she said going for the deal
“What?” he asked
“My family need to believe you are from a rich family in Pakistan, you also have to get better clothes and say that you are here to educate yourself as your family always send their heirs to the UK for education” she listed
“I have no good clothes!” he said
“Don’t worry, I can get you this!” she explained
“OK!” he said obeying
“Right, next weekend I need to take you to meet my family!” she demanded
“This is ok, I can come!” he said going with the plan
“Your family can not get involved, they will be in Pakistan and cant come to wedding!” she insisted
“Fine, but your family would want some dialogue no?” he asked
“Yes…. yes they probably will!” she said wondering how
“It is ok, I have a friend who can talk on phone and pretend!” he offered
“Brilliant!” she said
The following weekend, Nadia and Abdul drove the 150 mile trip back to Nadia’s hometown. Abdul was wearing a designer suit, had a haircut and actually looked classy, if it wasn’t for his accent this would be perfect thought Nadia. Abdul was rehearsing the facts of his fantasy life, his family was in the gem industry and they were very wealthy, he has three brothers and he is a qualified accountant. They arrived at the family home, Nadia was nervous but Abdul was excited.
“Nadia, my beautiful daughter!” greeted her Mother as she walked into a packed living room of relatives
“Hello mum, hello Aunties!” she said not thinking about the entourage in her plans
“Hello Aunty!” said Abdul, which was met with a few seconds of silence as people realised his accent
“Hello, please come in!” said the Mother feeling a bit disappointed
“What do you do?” asked Aunt One
“I am an accountant!” he answered nervously
“Really….what firm?” asked Aunt Two surprised and sceptical
“Aunty, where did you buy your saree from!” jumped in Nadia to change the subject
“This? Oh it is from Dubai!” said Aunt Two happy she was complimented
“So what does your family do?” asked Aunt One
“My family are in gem trading business in Pakistani” answered Abdul
“That is very lucrative!” said Aunt Two
“I am blessed Aunty!” answered Abdul
“So is your family in UK?” asked the Mother
“No, they live in Pakistan, they don’t like the cold!” said Abdul to everyones amusement
“Will they be coming for the wedding?” asked Aunt One
“Auntyyyyyyyy!” said Nadia in embarrassment
“What Nadia, you are 23 you don’t have time!” replied Aunt One
“Ha ha, it is ok Nadia… hopefully!” he answered holding her hand
“So you are planning marriage soon?” confirmed the Mother
“Of course Aunty, Nadia is my princess and we have spoken in detail!” he replied
“Yes, in a lot of detail” said Nadia
“So sweet, his princess!” said Aunt One
“We were thinking April!” said Abdul
“Next year?” said the Mother wondering
“No, no Aunty this year!” he said smiling
“But that is only 6 weeks!” said the Mother worried
“It is ok Aunty, me and Nadia have been with each other for nearly 2 yrs and we know what we would like!” he said reassuring her
“What would you like?” asked Aunt Two intrigued
“A small, but classy gathering!” interrupted Nadia
“But Nadia, you are my only child….!” said the Mother upset
“Mum, please I don’t want the fuss!” said Nadia
“Your wishes is what I will follow!” said the Mother in an emotional state
The rest of the night went well, Abdul was almost convincing Nadia that this whole debacle was actually genuine. They drove back to London with Abdul very proud of his performance. The following weeks were very busy, catering, venue, outfits and invites. A total of 100 people were coming, which by Pakistani standards was a small affair. Abduls friend phoned on several occasions to keep up the pretence and offered apologies as Abduls Mother was very sick.
The wedding finally took place, for the first time Nadia had met Abduls circle of friends a total of 25 fresh immigrants from the chicken shop and wider social circle of low grade jobs all claiming to be his brothers and cousins, but costing Nadia over £3,000 in designer suits to keep the pretence of affluence. Nadia had finally done it, she was now married and everyone could leave her alone to live her life, she informed her family that they were going on honeymoon but really they were unromantically returning back to London and moving into a bigger 3 bedroom house to enable Nadia and Abdul to have more space to live separately, which Nadia had paid for.
The first night together in their new home came two weeks after the wedding, Nadia felt odd that she was sharing a home with a strange man but he was her husband. They barely exchanged words and Nadia started to go back to paying attention to her career. It was about three weeks later that issues began to start which Nadia was not banking on.