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Chapter 10
Syed and Christian met Tamwar for lunch at the Vic, happy that after all this time they could finally meet in a public place without having to look over their shoulders to see if their parents were watching. Tam was still on a high, he talked excitedly about Julie, about the thawing in the Masood household and about Oxford. His enthusiasm was infectious and Syed's mood lightened as he saw how his little brother was succeeding in wrenching control of his own future out of his parent's hands.
As Christian went for drinks, Tam asked Syed whether he had contacted Amira, Syed reassured him that he had not spoken to her, but decided against updating him on what he had found out. Tam told him it was for the best that the past should remain in the past.
It was Christian who brought up the wedding. It turned out that while Zainab thought it was an imminent event, so they could settle together in Oxford, Tam and Julie were considering a long engagement, perhaps even waiting until after he graduated. He had even teased his mother that they might choose to live together instead.
"Well I guess that would still be better than moving in with a boyfriend." joked Syed wistfully.
"Only marginally." responded Tamwar.
"Look Tam," broke in Christian "whenever it is, Sy and I have talked, and we don't want there to be awkwardness, so if it helps we won't be offended if it is easier for you not to invite me, or us. We know some of your community won't accept us and your wedding isn't the time or place to rub it in their faces."
Tamwar was genuinely shocked. "Why would I do that? Syed's my brother, how could I not have him at my wedding? And you – well you're his partner. You've stood by him through everything; there are people in our community that could learn a thing or two about loyalty from you."
Christian continued gently, "It means a lot to me, to us, to hear you say that, but however much your parents may have moved on, they might not share your views and neither of us want to come between you and them." Syed choked back tears of pride and nodded in agreement.
"Well," said Tamwar, "it is probably a good thing that they will have plenty of time to get used to the idea then isn't it? Maybe we should start by having a few more family events so they start to get used to you as a couple. When you first got together you invited me over to your flat – why don't you ask Mum and Dad over?"
Christian gulped the thought of sitting around the table with Masood and Zainab filled him with dread. Tam didn't know about the conversation Sy had had with his mother. With just the four of them could they manage to be civil to one another for half an hour? He looked at Syed, his mouth opened and closed – but there were no words coming out.
"Why not?" Christian grinned as he recognised exactly what Tamwar was throwing out to him "I like a challenge." A challenge he knew would be far harder for Zainab than it would be for him.