His words made her perk up. “You know…what was your name again?”
“Silas Tzeremes; Tzeremes is a Greek name meaning ‘outgoing; sociable; a people person.’”
“Well, Silas, I can understand your dissatisfaction with the Western way of life. It is very lax, very status conscious and given to immorality.”
“Yes, I know. What’s worse, I’m getting ready to get married this weekend, and I’m having serious misgivings about the whole thing. There must be a better use of my time and talents.”
“I’ll tell you what: why don’t you follow me, and I’ll take you to someone who can explain an ancient way of life that has meaning, and fights against the Western way of life. What do you think?”
“I’m game. I’m always willing to listen to a good philosophy.”
“Tell you what: let me call a TNC car, and I’ll take you to my friend there.”
“Sure,” said Silas. “By the way: what’s your name?”
“Perri,” she said. “Perri Loliyekar.”
Getting out of the TNC car, Poisonous and Silas walked towards the Islamic Temple. Before they went in, she said, “Silas, I’m going to put on a scarf. It’s appropriate in Middle Eastern cultures.” She pulled out a dark hijab, and then said, “Alright, Silas; let’s go in.”
Again, at the front desk, the guard asked in Arabic, “What is your business here?”
She answered, “I have business with Hammad Quraishi.”
“Are you aware that you need an escort?”
Red hot suggestion burned into the eyes of the guard. You will let me visit with Hammad Quraishi, or you will lose your life.
“Very well,’ he said. “ Please allow me to alert him that you are here. What is your name, please?”
“My name is Sāmm. He will know who I am.” She looked at Silas, who looked a bit puzzled. “It’s my Arabic name. It helps me be accepted among Muslims.”
A short while later, she and Silas sat in front of Quraishi, who said, “So Sāmm, what brings you here with this young man. I hope you have good news for me.”
“In fact, I do. This young man is interested in learning the ways of Sharia. Could you help him with that?”
“This bodes very well, Miss Sāmm. You have done well. Let me speak to him for a while. You can wait in the lobby. Would that be acceptable to you?”
It was clear that she had convinced this radical Muslim man that she was not to be treated as an insignificant woman. “No problem,” she said.
About forty-five minutes later, Hammad Quraishi walked towards her with Silas by his side, smiling with satisfaction. “This has been a most fruitful occasion, Miss Sāmm. Silas is interested in learning more of our ways.”
“Very good, Hammad. I hope your relationship with Silas works to the utmost advantage.”
“I am sure all will work out well,” Quraishi answered.
Suggestion overcame young Silas who stood there, smiling with expressionless eyes. You will not remember ever meeting me.
* * *
Friday, August 22nd
Silas sat in the chair in his apartment, staring at his phone, trying to muster up some courage. Finally, he just decided to call her and not think about it any more. He punched her numbers into his phone, and called.
“Hello?” she said.
“Sofia. It’s Silas. I need to talk to you, and soon. May I come over to your apartment?”
Several moments of silence lingered on the other end of the line. “Is everything alright?” she asked.
“Everything is very good.”
“Okay. Come on over. I’ll be expecting you.”
Silas walked down the hallway to her room, and knocked on the door; firmly and with purpose.
“Hi,” she said, reaching for him to embrace him, and give him a kiss.
He backed away, and said, “We must talk. May I come in?” He ignored the hurt look on her face.
“What’s wrong with you?” she asked.
“Nothing’s wrong with me; may I come in or not?”
“Sure come on in.” Sofia walked into her apartment without saying another word. After they had both sat down, she crossed her arms in front of her, and said, “What’s on your mind, Silas? Why are you being so distant?”
“Sofia, I’ve done a lot of thinking lately, and I have decided to follow a different course in my life. I no longer want the ‘American Dream:’ no forty hour a week job, no seeking to climb the corporate ladder, no house in the suburbs with a white picket fence around it. I’m fed up with the Western way of thinking. I would like to follow a simpler way of life, which has nothing to do with following the traditions of our parents. I am going to follow the Muslim way of life.”
“I don’t understand what this Muslim way of life is, but what does this mean for us?”
“I’m calling off the wedding Sofia. You and I both went with the wishes of our families, and followed tradition. Well, I’m done with that tradition. I’m choosing my own path, which is not what our parents have done.”
“You’re calling off the wedding? It’s only two days away. What are we going to tell all the guests that have been invited? What about all the money that’s been spent on flowers, food, the church, the reception hall?”
“You’ll have to take care of that. I no longer want to be involved.”
“You’re a coward, Silas. You’re running away from manhood to follow some cockamamie religion. Worse, you’re dumping the responsibility for the wedding on me. I don’t appreciate it, and I don’t appreciate you. You’ve broken my heart, Silas, and you don’t care. Well, I’ve had enough; please leave my apartment.”
He said nothing more and got up and walked out of the apartment. As he walked away from her apartment, he could
