Following morning girls were woken up by someone ringing their house bell. Nadia was first to get to the door and when she opened she found her parents standing in the hallway.

''Mom? Baba? Come in…''

She moved from the door and let her parents in. Lucrecia wished them good morning and went back to her room. She knew this was the conversation they had to have without her. Nadia's father took a seat on the chair and took a deep breath.

''I don't like the idea of you living here and being far from your family and all the things we believe in. I somehow managed to stop myself from thinking all sorts of things during these years, because I believed you would be home after you finish your studies… And now you come to us with this. I have spoken to your mother and we reached an agreement.''

Nadia was very inpatient and scared of what her parents agreed on.

''You can stay here and continue your work and studies….''

Nadia was happy. She had huge smile on her face. She did it … She will stay here

''…if you marry your cousin Namid.''

''What?''

''Yes, that is what you have to do if you want to stay.''

''But baba…''

''No, Nadia! You asked me for my permission to study here and I gave it to you. Now, you want to stay and live here. It's my responsibility as a father to keep you on the right path. If you want to stay here and live here, you can only if you are married to a good boy your mother and I choose for you.''

''Baba, please.''

''I think it's only fair for you to accept it.''

''Why are you doing this to me?''

''I am not doing anything to you Nadia. I allowed you to wonder of the path for a little bit, but it's time for me go bring you back.''

''With marriage?''

''Yes, before you completely forget who you are and where you come from. Namid's parents are good and decent people and he is also a good boy. He is a doctor and he will be good husband and provider.''

''I don't need to be supported by any man.''

''Nadia… Those are our conditions…If you want to stay, in two weeks you will be married. If you don't want to marry Namid, then you are coming home with us.''

With that Yusuf left the apartment. Nadia's mother stayed and sat in silence.

''Mom, please.''

''I am sorry Nadia, but I can't help you with this.''

''But I love Guzman.''

Her mother gave her a very sad smile.

''Oh, my love… We all loved someone before we were married. I am sorry that you forgot who you are and where you come from. Women like us don't have the luxury to behave like the western women. We are bound by our honor and honor of our families. Omar has brought enough shame to our name. Please don't follow his lead. Your dad's hope is set on you. You can restore our good name and honor Omar took away. Your father stopped going to the Mosque after some relations learned about Omar and his…ways… He is so ashamed… He loves Omar, bit there is also his faith that has been tested so many times… Don't let our family name go to waste… Please Nadia, don't do that to your father. Your betrayal would kill him.''

And that was the moment when her mother had her. She was being ungrateful and disrespectful daughter. She lowered her gaze and took a breath.

''So, you want me to choose between my dream job and my love for Guzman?''

''Oh, Nadia… I am just hoping you will choose what is the best for this family. You are not a child anymore. You know what condequences choices of a woman have.''

''But mom… He is a good person. I love him… He loves me back.''

''For some women, love is the luxury they can't afford.''

''And I am one of them?''

''Nadia, we have to bend our will to the will of our fathers, husbands…even sons sometimes.''

''But Omar…''

''Omar is a man… Unfortunately, rules are different for him.''

''But they don't have to be.''

''Yes, they do… You've dishonored yourself Nadia. Be happy that baba found a modern man to marry you.''

''Dishonored myself?''

Her mother looked at her lap and then lifted her gaze.

''I saw the video… You gave your innocence to that boy… I've never said anything to your father, but… It would kill him to know that you did something like that.''

''You saw the video?''

''Well, your friend made sure that everyone sees it….but that is another thing…''

Mrs. Shana fixed her hijab and got off the sofa.

''Think about what I said Nadia. You know that baba could have you killed for that…if he wanted…''

''Honor killing? Really mother?''

''If his reputation is at stake, you can end up dead.''

''And Omar would live? He would not kill Omar for being gay?''

''Nadia! Omar is a man… There are different rules for them… Even if some things are written in the scripture, same rules don't apply to us.''

''Fine, I will think about it mother.''

''Good… Have a nice day Nadia.''

She gave her mother a fake smile and Mrs. Shana left. As soon as she heard the door click, Lucrecia left the room. She took a seat by Nadia and took her hand.

''Are you ok?''

''No, not really.''

''I heard what happened…''

Nadia didn't speak. She just looked at her feet in some weird state Lucrecia has never seen her at.

''I am sorry for the video.''

''It's in the past.''

''Past that is hanging over your head now.''

''It has been hanging for years. It was just a matter of time.''

''I am still sorry.''

''I know Lucrecia.''

Lucrecia took her hand and laced their fingers.

''So, will you marry your cousin?''

''I think I have to.''

''Really? Is that even legal?''

Nadia had to make a joke…

''Why? Are you thinking about converting so you could marry certain someone?''

Lucrecia smirked at that comment.

''You idiot!''

Nadia looked at her for a moment.

''And would you?''

Lucrecia made a bit disgusted face.

''Convert? God, no! I am bad Catholic and I've been in church since I was a little girl. I can't imagine how much I would suck in any new religion.''

Nadia laughed at that.

''No, I meant marry him…''

She was silent for a moment.

''No… I would not marry him.''

''Why? I tought you loved him.''

''I do… But…''

Lucrecia was trying to find the words.

''I would spent the rest of my life with him, but I would not marry him. We simply don't believe in marriage. We saw how it looks with our parents and we both came to same conclusion. We would live with someone but never do the marriage thing.''

''Why?''

''Because when there is no ring or paper, it's about staying because you want to and not have to.''

''What do you mean?''

''Many people stay married because they are too lazy to change something and move from the dead point in their lives. They have kids they use as an excuse not to change anything, they have property they don't want to share or split… I want to be that person's choice every day because of how much they love me and not because they have to be with me.''

''You believe it's possible?''

''To choose that person every day on and on?''

''Yes…''

''I want to believe. I need to believe. I don't want to tie myself to someone and have no pleasure in being their wife and mother of their children.''

''Would you have kids with him?''

Suddenly, Lucrecia looked sad.

''You see, you are not the only person facing a difficult choice. If I choose to be with him…I choose life of secrets, lies and life without children. We can't have biological children. My options are single parent adoptions, using a donor of an egg or sperm… That kid growing up in a very unconventional family… We would have to hide forever if we choose to be with each other.''

''Would you be ready to do it?''

''I don't know Nadia… I don't even know it is my option. I haven't seen him for so long and we haven't spoken about us…or whatever this is… It's impossible to tell you what we would do.''

''What would you do if you were me Lucrecia?''

'' I have no idea… You know I was never a dutiful daughter living by the rules. I tend to break them, not live by them and honor them… And you know me… I checked out seven deadly sins like they were my shopping list…''

Nadia rolled her eyes and smiled at Lucrecia. She was right… She was not the person to ask for advice in this case.

'' So, baby, this one is on you.''

''That was not helpful.''

Lucrecia got serious for a moment.

''I guess it comes to this in your case…. Who could you live without? Your family or Guzman? There is your answer… When you get through that mystery, you will know what to tell your parents.''

Lucrecia kissed her cheek and got up.

''Now, I will make us something to eat and after that I have to go out and get some things done for the internship.''

''Ok.''

Lu made them pancakes and fruit and Nadia spent time curled at the sofa thinking about what she should do. She really loved Guzman, but her mother was right… She forgot her duties as daughter, she was ungrateful to her baba. He gave her a chance to study abroad and asked nothing of her, and now when he does, she is not thinking of giving back to him. It was her duty as a daughter to obey her father and do what he asks of her. She could imagine how bad the treatment was if he stopped going to the Mosque and seeing some of the old friends. She knew how devoted her father was and how Omar's sexuality was a blow to him he barely survived. She took her phone and went to her room. She called her mother and when she answered she just blurted.

''Tell baba I will marry whomever he chooses.''

''Thank you Nadia. Thank you for restoring the reputation of our family.''

Conversation ended and Nadia felt like she would die. She betrayed the promise she gave to Guzman when she was leaving. She promised to come back to him and start a life with him. She repeated that promise few times more when he was coming to see her or when they saw one another in Spain… Now she had to call him and tell him that she will have to marry someone else.

Lucrecia left the apartment and went to her adviser for the internship. They spoke about what would she want to do and he told her that there is one internship in Spain and other in Mexico. Both positions were perfect for her, but now she had two days to make that decision. Spain was better payed, but Mexico was her home.

Her boss was looking at her with curiosity.

''Ha, I was sure that you would take Mexico right away… You are from there and it's a pretty good job.''

''I know… But there is so much in Spain too.''

''I guess you have to make a choice Miss. Montesinos Hendrich. But I understand your dilemma. Your dad is back in Spain as ambassador and it's normal to want to be with your family.''

''My father is back?''

''Yes, he is being confirmed in September.''

September, September… Valerio wanted her home in September… Could it have to do something with their father? There was only one way to find out.

''Well, I guess Spain it is.''