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Narisa 2
By C. Stanton Leman
Chapter 4
Leaving the school, they headed straight for the doctor's office
arriving
about twelve-forty and waited in the waiting room as workers were moving
furniture and equipment through the front door.
A tall, very attractive woman about thirty with auburn red hair
and green
eyes dressed in old jeans and a man's work shirt appeared from the back.
She wiped her hands on her pants and introduced herself to everyone as
Dr. Sylvia Reynolds. She apologized for the mess and disarray of things and
explained they were just moving into this location. After rummaging
through several boxes, she produced a clipboard and several forms for
Marie to fill out. They talked as Marie filled out the forms and Marie
explained that both Narisa and she would become new patients, but
Narisa's needs were more immediate. That was when Marie asked if they
could speak in private. Marie motioned for Josh to follow them while Steve
remained seated and Dr. Reynolds halted and asked Josh to wait with his
father, but Marie said it was important that he be there and that it would
all be clear soon.
The three followed the statuesque redhead into her office and she
offered
them a seat. There being only two chairs in front of the desk, Josh stood
behind Narisa with his hands on her shoulders. The doctor looked at him
strangely and Marie began to explain their unique situation. When all was
revealed, the doctor just looked at Narisa and Josh, shook her head and
smiled saying, "Well at least you're married. What are you two doing
for
birth control at the moment?"
Josh answered, "Nothing. We haven't had intercourse
yet."
Her eyes went wide and replied surprised, "What? You're both
young, in
love and married. Is there a reason why you've waited?"
Josh explained to the doctor the circumstances of their forced
marriage,
their wedding night and how Narisa was frightened, his concerns and
reasons for waiting and letting her take the lead so as not to pressure
her,
making sure that what they did was what she wanted. He also revealed that
up to this point, they'd only engaged in oral sex, which made Narisa blush
profusely when she'd heard Marie's translation.
She looked at Narisa and smiled saying, "This is the reason
I'm an OB/Gyn.
My faith in love and the sensitivity of men towards their mates is
reaffirmed when couples walk through my door. I see husbands and
significant others show such sensitivity toward their partners and along
with the birth of their children I get to witness families growing in love.
I
can see in your eyes Narisa, you love your husband very much don't
you?"
"I knew in my heart," Narisa replied through Marie,
"Josh loved me from
the beginning. He loves and protects me and makes me feel safe and loved.
I love Josh with my whole heart and soul."
Dr. Reynolds eyes became teary as she smiled at Narisa and
answered, "My
dear child, you've found what most women strive for and spend their lives
longing for. Cherish him as he cherishes you and live a long and happy
life.
Now, let's take a look at you shall we?"
Narisa had never had an adult female examination and became
visibly
apprehensive as they rose.
Sylvia led the three to an examination room and asked Narisa to
undress,
put on a gown and climb up on the table. Oh God. I'm so embarrassed! I'm
going to have a woman looking at my privates and I'm frightened, really
frightened. Oh well, I guess it's all part of growing up and being a
woman…
Dr. Reynolds left and returned several minutes later wearing a
disposable
gown as Narisa sat on the table. She snapped on some rubber gloves and
pulled Narisa's gown down and examined her breasts. Marie translated as
the doctor explained to Narisa how to do breast self-examination. Narisa
was visibly embarrassed and the doctor gently reassured her that if she is
to lead a healthy life as an adult married woman it's vital that she take
care
of herself. She then had Narisa lie down and helped Narisa put her feet in
the stirrups for her pelvic exam.
Narisa felt so embarrassed and nervous to be lying there, legs
splayed wide
open with the thought that the doctor was looking directly at her vulva. To
take her mind off things, she began to count the dots in the ceiling tiles
as
she waited for the first touch to her pudenda by a woman. One, two,
three… Please hurry up and get it over with! Five – or was it four?
Narisa was broken from her ceiling tile assessment by an
obnoxious, wet
farting sound as the doctor squeezed some lubricant from the bottle onto
her fingers. Oh, Lord. Here it comes! Count faster - six, seven, eight…
Narisa flinched and gave a tiny squeak when the doctor's cold hand
made
contact with her vulva. "Sorry for the cold hands." Dr. Reynolds
apologized
as she began her exam. She verified that Narisa's hymen was intact and
revealed that it was fairly thin and shouldn't cause too much discomfort if
any when it was broken. She stripped off the gloves and threw them into
the waste can instructing Narisa to get dressed. She left as Narisa got
dressed and returned with a syringe a few minutes later. Marie asked Dr.
Reynolds for a medical report stating her hymen was still intact and the
doctor smiled and replied "No problem."
While she was getting dressed Narisa told her mother-in-law that
she was
totally embarrassed. Marie reassured her by saying that she felt exactly
the
same way her first time, but now that Narisa is a married woman, she
needs to take special care of her body, especially her private parts to
ensure
healthy babies and a long life to raise them.
Dr. Reynolds asked Narisa when her period started and upon hearing
the
answer told those present that she was giving Narisa an injection of Depo-
Provera. It would become an effective contraceptive as soon as her period
was over and would be good for three months. She explained that it was a
better option because young girls tend to sometimes forget to take their
pills and it had an added benefit of decreasing menstrual cramps and
sometimes even eliminating a girl's period after several injections.
The Williams liked Dr. Reynolds - a lot. She was sensitive, kind
and gentle
with Narisa and reassuring. Narisa smiled her appreciation for the doctor's
gentle manner and said so through Marie. Dr. Reynolds gave Narisa a hug
and told her that she can call her for anything: no matter how private or
embarrassing. Marie gave her the insurance card and after a copy was
made and with the medical report in hand, the family was on our way
home. Josh had a naughty little thought and when he looked at his little
princess, he thought she was thinking the same thing: no condoms!
Marie is no slouch either because when Josh caught her eyes in the
rear
view mirror she said "Now I can sleep in peace knowing that I won't
become a grandmother for a few years." Narisa and Josh just giggled.
They stopped for a quick lunch and got home around three. They'd
been
home about half an hour when Marie's cell phone rang. It was Zaara's
mother and they talked for about thirty minutes and agreed to meet at a
restaurant that Zaara's mom had recommended at seven that evening.
Narisa was feeling cramps again so she and Josh went upstairs and took a
nap before getting ready for dinner with Zaara's family.
The teens awoke from their nap and started getting ready about
four-thirty
and everyone was standing outside the restaurant on Maple Street by six-
forty. Narisa had chosen to wear a cute A-line dress in blue and white,
white thigh highs and shoes with a white headscarf. They only had to wait
about five minutes when they saw a blue Acura pull into the parking lot
with Zaara's hand out the window waving at them. Narisa waved back
excitedly.
The Williams observed Zaara's family exiting the car and they
looked like a
typical American family. The only woman wearing a headscarf was the
mother and the two girls both had on slacks and light tops. The father wore
a grey suit.
Steve made the introductions as they all shook hands and made the
obligatory salaams. Josh was quickly becoming familiar with the Muslim
way of greeting and he felt quite comfortable doing so.
Tariq Khalid, Zaara's father stood about six feet, wavy black hair
with a
ruddy, Mediterranean complexion and average build. Mehar, the mother,
was about five-feet five, attractive and was slightly overweight and full
figured with short, wavy black hair and brown eyes. Kamya, Zaara's
sixteen-year-old sister was about five-feet five, had ample breasts with a
full round butt, a narrow waist and shoulder-length brown hair. To Josh,
she looked overweight. Although she had a cute face, she wasn't anywhere
near in the league with Zaara and not even close to Narisa. She coyly gave
Josh a provocative look right away. Narisa saw it and just snuggled closer
against his arm and ignored her.
Both families entered the restaurant jovially and didn't have to
wait long to
be seated. The seating was decided by the girls because Zaara wanted to sit
next to Narisa and Narisa didn't want to leave Josh's side as if projecting
her marital status so the three of them sat on one side with Kamya, her
mother and Marie on the other. The men sat at each end of the table.
The Williams learned that the Khalids had immigrated to the U.S.;
having
been given asylum for helping the U.S. led coalition immediately after the
first Gulf War in 1991. Steve was acting as Josh's translator since Marie
was
currently across the table. Mr. Khalid was a bit sorry that Josh was the
only
one present that didn't speak Farsi and offered to speak in English, but
Josh declined insisting that he was used to receiving information by
translation. Everyone thought that although it was very commendable, it
was sort of funny also.
Everyone in the Williams family was sure that Zaara had spoken to
her
parents about the true relationship between Narisa and Josh, but being
polite and tactful, Mr. Khalid asked Steve, "Are you and your wife
sponsoring Narisa as a minor child seeking asylum?"
"No," Steve replied. "Narisa is my son's wife. They
were married in Tehran
about a month ago."
So again, Marie gave a descriptive account of what happened in
Iran: the
stoning incident, their arrests, trial and convictions and their resulting
marriage. She finished by saying that the newlyweds were very much in
love and were truly husband and wife.
Kamya started to shoot Josh some subtle glances along with coy
smiles,
which he ignored. Mehar began asking Narisa about her marriage, and
Narisa sang Josh's praises as a husband and faithful protector. She went so
far as to tell everyone that he treated her like a princess and showered
her
with love and affection. Looking at his princess Josh thought, God how
her
eyes sparkle!
Josh was a little self-conscious about the praise heaped upon him,
but was
proud that his wife so profusely held him so dear. Mehar asked Josh if he
might be considering converting to Islam. When he told her that he hadn't
considered it even though he'd vowed to let Narisa practice her faith and
raise their children as Muslims, he asked her why she asked. Is it
something that might be necessary for the children later on? The Williams
- especially Josh - were a little surprised to say the least when she
replied,
"Zaara and Narisa are like sisters already. If you were Muslim, they
would
certainly blossom together as sister wives."
Josh's mouth, along with his parents, just fell open. Narisa and
Zaara
abruptly stopped talking, looked at each other, then at Josh and putting
their heads together broke out in a giggling fit.
"Did your mother just say what I thought she
said?" Narisa whispered
amusingly.
"Yeah," Zaara whispered back with an unsuccessful
attempt to stop
laughing, "she's hell-bent on finding me a husband. I think she's
afraid I'll
turn out like Kamya so she'll marry me off early, but jeez, I'm only
fourteen! I didn't think she'd even mention marriage in front of me
yet
much less to a guy, and a married one at that! I'm going to wait though and
get me a guy like you've got: tall, blonde hair and those scrumptious blue
eyes!
"She can't be serious about us being sister wives.
Sometimes I think she's
bonkers. You know how crazy mothers are. She sees things from an old
world perspective. Sometimes she's soooo out of touch with me and this
culture!"
"Oh yeah? Every time you look into my husband's eyes just eat
your heart
out, Sister. He's mine! Don't worry, I'm just teasing and am not
jealous."
She silently thought, I hope. "I can tell you'd never try and
take him away
from me."
"You're right about that, Sister. I'd never steal another
woman's husband.
If he cheated on her with me, he'd do the same thing to me, right?"
"Exactly!" Phew!
Narisa appeared to Josh to be totally occupied with Zaara and they
were
having a great time so he let her have her fun. They giggled as they
excused
themselves to powder their noses and he sort of zoned out and ate quietly.
Once in the ladies room, the two girls continued their discussion.
"You know, Sister," Narisa opened with, "Momma
explained to me about
how a marriage would work with sister wives. She told me I had to know
because there might be the slightest chance, even though it would be pretty
remote, that when I married, my husband might take another wife. We
always assumed I'd marry a Muslim. I'd completely forgotten about that
talk until your mother brought it up."
"But just think for a minute," Zaara added with a coy
smile and a giggle. "It
would be kind of neat to be sister wives wouldn't it?"
Narisa giggled at the thought and replied, "Maybe. Does that
mean we'd
have to…you know, do it to each other too?'
"Oh yeah," Zaara answered teasingly, "I'm older
than you so you'd have to
kiss my butt."
"Don't get sassy, Sister." Narisa chided, "I'd be
first wife so you'd have to
lick mine."
"Eeeeuuww!" Zaara shuddered. "No thanks, I'll find
my own husband and
make him lick mine!"
That shut her up!
"By the way," Narisa asked, "What's up with your
sister? Why is she
making eyes at Josh?"
"She's just a bubble-butt slut." Zaara said
matter-of-factly. "It all started
when she was about ten. We used to be very close, then for some reason
she slowly started to get mean and nasty to me. She had a great figure
until
she was thirteen, but she's let herself go and gained weight. She really
hates
my Dad even though I know she's his favorite. He hardly ever pays any
attention to me and when he does, it's always to get on my case about
something. She slowly started to withdraw and then she started lashing out
at everyone in the house… I just don't know."
"Do you think she'd really try and steal Josh from me? I
mean, do I have to
be afraid of her?" She'd kill me in a fight, but a girl's got to do
what a girl's
got to do!
"Nah. She's just trying to get under Mom and Dad's skin. As
bad as she is,
even I don't think she'd mess with a married guy."
Narisa uttered a silent
Phew! That's a load off my mind! " Mom put her on the pill when
she was
fourteen because she'd always go out and comes home late with her clothes
all messed up and sometimes she'd been drinking. They just don't want her
getting pregnant. My Dad would probably kill her if she did. He's got a
terrible temper. He's from the old country and honor is a big thing for
him.
Man! I shudder to think what he'd do if he knew for a fact that either of
us
girls weren't virgins before we married. Mom pretty much rules the house,
but when he gets in one of his moods, we all head for the hills. I've
gotten
pretty close to Mom ever since I started my period. She seemed to take
more interest in me and I was just naturally drawn to her because I'm not
close to my dad. What about your home in Iran? What was it like?"
"My home in Iran was totally different. In our home, even
though Daddy is
a district police chief, Momma was the queen of Iran as far as he was
concerned. Dad hardly ever raised his voice to either my brother or me.
What Momma said was law and Daddy always listened to Momma. She
made sure my brother and I always ate before they even took a bite.
Sometimes I'd tease Daddy because Momma used to make pistachio
baklava and they were Daddy's all-time favorite. I knew he'd never reach
for one until we'd had our fill so I'd snatch them all up and bat my lashes
at
him. He'd always give me this puppy dog look as he eyed the baklava on my
plate and lick his lips. I'd have mercy on him and give them to him. We'd
hug and laugh afterwards. It was always a fun game we played. "
"Aw, that's so sweet."
"Yeah, I miss my family so much. Josh treats me like a
princess and his
family treats me like their daughter. If I can't be with my family, I'm
glad I
married a loving guy with a great family. Allah has blessed me greatly.
Momma told me to love and treat Josh's mom as my own mother and she
was right: Momma Williams always calls me daughter and even bought me
new clothes and took me to a wonderful woman doctor and got me birth
control. She really cares and loves me.
"I learned very young that my mother always put her family
first and never
once made a decision that didn't put us kids first. She's my role model and
I'll have a marriage and family just like she's taught me."
"Will Josh be putty in your hands? Will he let you be the
master of your
home? You know American men: think they're the kings of their
castles."
"Josh adores me. He even likes to kiss and play with my feet.
He's a big ole
lovey-dovey teddy bear."
"Kisses your feet?"
"Licks my toes too… and other places."
"Boy, girl, I may just have to steal him anyway,
sister or not!"
Both girls broke into a laughing fit. Having "powdered"
their noses, the two
giggling girls returned to the table.
Meanwhile back at the dinner table, once the initial shock wore
off,
Hasan's words came zipping back into Josh's consciousness but with a
twist: Ah, to be between the slender thighs of two dark haired,
doe eyed
nubile Iranian/Iraqi girls! Damn! Where'd that come from? He
started
to firm at the thought.
Once he'd mentally slapped himself, He then felt a little angry
with Mehar -
and himself. He asked her, "Why would you say something like that? You
and your husband or Zaara for that matter don't even know me or
Narisa?"
Tariq replied, "Calm down, Joshua. Everyone here can see the
love and
devotion you have for your bride and no offense was meant. It's just that a
man like you wears his love for his wife on his sleeve and it's easily
seen.
We in Middle Eastern countries are much better at looking behind the veils
and things normally hidden in American society and can better see the
measure of people. Although from different countries, Narisa and Zaara are
both peas from the same pod. As you can see, they're already like sisters
who've known each other for years, are about the same age and it's just in
our nature to make the observation that in a single home, they would be
very compatible as sister wives, that's all. Besides, polyamorous
relationships are illegal in America, no?"
His remark seemingly put Josh further ill at ease and he wondered
if this
mentoring with Zaara would become a problem. Yeah, Zaara was a very
pretty girl and although about four inches taller and about the same build
as Narisa, he loved his wife more than his own life. Narisa and he would
face some really tough challenges ahead and he didn't need this kind of
complication in his life. Trying to relate to one girl was a daunting task
but
two? That's impossible! What if Zaara took her mother's words to
heart
and used Narisa to finagle her way into their lives? What of the lecherous
vixen across the table? She had no compunction about making eyes at a
married man. That girl spelled trouble with a capital "T"! This
whole
family could spell trouble! Josh wondered: Were his parents holding
their
tongues simply out of courtesy? What of Narisa? He would make it a
priority to find out why she reacted that way and why she wasn't as
offended as he was. Did she think it was an idea worth considering because
multiple marriages were an acceptable part of her culture?
What worried him most was his reaction to the statement. He
started to
actually visualize being with both of them. He sort of dismissed this as
being a normal, horny fourteen-year-old boy's hormone-induced fantasy
and it really didn't mean anything. Even so, to him it was more than a
little
unnerving…
Josh never once looked in the direction of Kamya for the rest of
the
evening. He thought the adults saw his discomfort and didn't press him or
try to draw him into more discussion on the matter. Both Tariq and Mehar
did apologize several times for making him feel uncomfortable. For the rest
of the evening, Josh would comment once in a while, smile politely, but his
evening was pretty much a bust. Narisa? She was having a ball and enjoyed
her newfound friend.
On their way home, Josh was quiet, as were his parents. Narisa was
bubbly,
happy and very affectionate as she snuggled into her husband's arms. They
kissed some, but Josh really wasn't in the mood and he thought she sensed
that. By the time they got home, he wanted some answers and called a
family meeting.
Marie, being the take-charge person in the family knew her son was
in
distress. She tried to calm him down saying, "Now Josh, don't go
flying off
the handle. I know what's bothering you and it's not as bad as you
think."
"That's just it, Mom. I don't know what to
think!"
Narisa looked troubled, almost angry at her husband, but remained
silent
preferring to let her newly adopted mother speak. She felt he should be
more secure in their relationship and not have let a stupid remark get
under his skin.
"Come, let's sit down and discuss this as rational adults,
not like a couple of
emotional kids. You and Narisa are married and in the eyes of your father
and me, you're both adults, not children. If you want to change that
opinion before we see the judge tomorrow, speak up now and save us all a
lot of grief."
Josh turned to Narisa and asked, "When Zaara's mother
suggested that I
take Zaara as a second wife, what was so funny? Why weren't you offended
by her remark?"
He listened with one ear to his mom's translation as he looked
into his
wife's eyes as she spoke, "Josh… First of all, Zaara and I thought it
was
funny because she said her mother is always trying to find her a husband.
Kamya you noticed, and Zaara confirmed in the bathroom, is a very loose
girl and is a bitter disappointment to her family. She's on birth control
because at least that way she doesn't come home pregnant from one of her
many dates.
"Zaara is a traditional Muslim girl like me and we're both
very close to our
mothers although unlike me, her father is indifferent to her because she
thinks Kamya is his favorite. She knows how much I love you and she can
see your love for me. We're just friends that have seemed to have made an
instantaneous and close bond. She has no designs on you and she knows
we're faithful to each other.
"Mrs. Khalid's statement was just a normal, Muslim mother's
habit of
trying to play matchmaker for her daughter. I think Mrs. Khalid is worried
about Zaara and she fears her daughter may end up making a bad choice to
get away from her father. That doesn't mean that Zaara's parents are going
to ask that you court her. If that happens, then we both
should worry. Until
then, just take it as a cultural thing and don't read too much into it,
okay?"
"Would you ever think about a poly-whatever-it's-called
relationship?"
"Right now, at this time in my life, no. I will admit that
the thought has
crossed my mind in past discussions with my mother because it was a real
possibility. If I married a Muslim man and he decided to take another wife,
even in a temporary marriage, what could I do about it? If I didn't
acquiesce, he'd divorce me. Momma and I talked about it and I know how
these marriages work and what's expected of each in such a relationship;
that is to say, what is expected according to the Qu'ran, not what some
Muslim men do in actuality.
"You have to realize that in Iran, girls may sometimes marry
very young
and mothers teach their daughters about such things out of necessity. I am
perfectly content and happy with my life with you and can't imagine
anyone else in our marriage, but at the same time, I'm not offended
about
it because it's a familiar custom in our culture.
"I have a girl's dream of a life with you. You love me
unconditionally; you
shower me with affection and treat me like a princess. You and your family
cherish me. If I married an Iranian man at my age, I'd go to my husband's
house, and might possibly end up essentially becoming his family's slave
and have to cook, clean and wait on everyone because of my position if I
married the wrong man. I feel so happy and free in this family and am
living a dream! You talk to me with your eyes and your heart knows my
deepest feelings. You are my soul and my one true love! I can't imagine
ever sharing you, but I also know how love is."
After a few moments delay to digest his mother's translation, Josh
confusingly retorted, "What's that supposed to mean? Aren't you
leaving
the possibility for someone else into our lives?"
"Look at our lives, Josh! Did you ever think you and I would
be married a
month ago? Did you ever think you could give me, a person you didn't even
know, a love that you've given so freely? I fell in love with you in the
courtroom and was willing to die knowing I'd found someone who cared
enough for me to risk his own life. When you took my stripes for me, my
love for you was affirmed and on our wedding night, you stole my soul! I
knew that I'd never deny you any part of me because you cherished me.
"What if someone suddenly came into our lives in much the
same way:
abruptly, needing to be loved and we felt it also. What then? Do we walk
away and leave this person to wither and die inside never knowing or
feeling what we have to give? I'm sorry, but I can't answer that question -
only Allah can. I will live my life loving you every day more than I did
yesterday and be content with my lot in life. If in our golden years it is
only
you and I and our children, then I'm happy with that. But Momma always
said, "Never say never" because we never know what Allah has in
store for
our lives. That's the best answer I can give you."
"Son," Steven said, "Narisa's right. You're getting
yourself all worked up
over a cultural difference. Although it was a sudden shock to hear, it's
not
an uncommon thing in Middle Eastern culture. Your job right now is not to
get sidetracked with some stupid non-issue and concentrate on your wife
and your marriage. That's what you should be worrying about right now.
Tomorrow we go see the judge. Take one day at a time and just do what
you've been doing. Love your wife with all your heart and the rest of it…
well, it's all irrelevant."
"Do you have your head screwed on straight now?" his mom
asked.
"Aren't you gonna lecture me too?"
"What for?" she retorted. "You're a man with good
instincts and have done
a pretty damn good job so far. Listen to your wife. She said it as well or
better than I could have. Now get to bed, you two lovebirds. We have an
appointment in the morning."
Narisa giggled and gave her frustrated husband a good kiss and
hug.
"Goodnight, Mom and Dad," they sang out in stereo
"Goodnight, Son and Daughter," they replied in equally
duo phonic stereo.
Edited by Morgan
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