A/N: Okay so I thought I had posted this chapter, I posted it on AO3 like a year and a half ago! Not sure why it's not on here, but now you get a double chapter! (the next one is much longer!) If you want to know why I haven't updated in ages read the note at the start of chapter 4!
As Yaz opened the door she was hit with the smell of her mum's cooking, mixes of aromatic spices and cooking meat drew her to the kitchen; her mum was busy at work, dashing between the counter and the stove, whilst her father had obviously been set the task of dicing vegetables, which he was carrying out diligently.
She stood slightly awkwardly, neither parent had acknowledged her entrance, she stood for what seemed like at least half an hour, but was probably only a few minutes, before her mum told her to lay the table for dinner; she didn't sound angry, but Yaz could tell there was something different about her mum. This wasn't her normal mum who had raised her with words of love and happiness.
The room remained silent until they were all seated at the table, food laid out in front of them.
"No Sonya then?" Yaz piped up, finally breaking the silence.
"She's round at her boyfriend's for dinner," her dad said, barely looking up from his plate.
"Speaking of which," her mum finally looked up, meeting her eyes, internally Yaz groaned, "we realise that things may have been a little tense recently, and your father and I feel that this is partly our fault," there was a glimmer of hope in Yaz' heart, maybe they had just taken a while to get used to the idea of her liking girls, and now they were ready to accept her? "So, we thought that it would be nice for you to have a chance to relax and get out a bit." Her mum paused, looking at her dad who continued to eat, nodding along with his wife.
"Okay?" Yaz said, still slightly unsure where this was going, but hopeful,
"Which is why your father has been talking to some of his colleagues about your… situation, and we have managed to set you up on a date!" Her mum finished, clearly very excited and pleased with them.
Yaz herself was dumbfounded, she had hoped for them to accept her, but for them to go as far as to set her up with someone was unbelievable, maybe the Doctor was right, and they just needed a little time, she could feel herself grinning as her dad took over the conversation
"Yes, Amir is a very nice young man, his father is a friend of mine and he says that Amir would be very happy to meet such a beautiful young woman!" Yaz felt all her hopes shatter.
"Oh and he's Muslim too!" her mother added enthusiastically; both of her parents were now watching her, looking, waiting for her reaction. Still fumbling to collect her thoughts, Yaz avoided their gaze, her eyes focused on the food in front of her. How could they be so oblivious? Finally, she met their eyes.
"Mum, Dad, I know you're trying to be kind but I don't want to go on a date with Amir, or any boy for that matter, I've already told you I'm gay, why can't you just accept that?" She could feel tears starting to build up in her eyes, "why can't you accept me?" she said in a quiet voice, the tears starting to drip down her cheeks.
"Now come on Yasmin, don't cry," her mother said, reaching across the table to take her daughter's hand,
"Yasmin, you need to understand that this family has traditions and values, and as a member of this family you're expected to uphold them, now enough of this silly behaviour." Her dad's tone was harsh and firm, barely any affection of the father she knew before seemed to remain.
"But dad," Yaz began to protest,
"Don't argue with me, Yasmin. If you wish to remain a part of this family you will go on that date with Amir, and you will have a good time, and you will make us proud." Her dad banged his fist on the table showing that that was the end of the conversation.