A lunchtime date (EA closed Qasims home)

[Raya]

"Yes. It is making me feel worried" Raya said with a frown "I am not stupid and thinking that others would not love Sayyeda Soraya because I know her, but I am not sure I am liking what your intentions are feeling like when you seem to be knowing things. It is making me worried for Sayyeda Soraya."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim sat back "and why does it make you feel worried for Soraya?"

[Raya]

"Because it is feeling to me like she is being...I am not sure how to say. Like she is being planned around, and being told it is ok" Raya shook her head "or not being told at all, I am not knowing."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim nodded "that makes sense. Though if that were true why would I have said that it was something the three of us should talk about?" He asked taking a drink and raising an eyebrow.

"In truth they are her intentions, not mine."

"I do not wish to speak for her and truly misspoke when I said what I said. This was never intended to be a conversation between you and me."

[Raya]

Raya went silent. She sat back slightly, looking at the man with slightly narrowed eyes, clearly thinking something.

"I am thinking I need to speak with Sayyeda Soraya too. You two are speaking of me behind back and I am not comfortable being lied to. Feel like some spare part in game of feelings and is hurtful."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim nodded again "I can understand how you might feel that way but that is not what happened. It was only last night Soraya told me. I am sure she just hasn't had a chance to talk with you yet Raya."

Qasim took a deep breath "I asked her to marry me at least to start the process, these things take time months sometimes years among our people." He explained briefly "but she said she couldn't, not until she talked to you. She said she loved me but that she also loved you just as much. We were not talking about you behind your back, or scheming, no one has lied to you."

"I swear to you upon my name and house that I had no ulterior motive in talking to you today except to get to know you better."

[Raya]

Raya closed her eyes, taking a small breath, before opening them and looking at Qasim.

"I do not think you are bad man sidi Qasim. Am thinking you have good heart, and care. But in matters of the heart, you are like me blindly walking and not in how you say...in your comfort zone? Where you are knowing what to say best. Is fair?"

She paused, giving him a chance to answer that before speaking more.

"Am thinking you did not mean to have other motive, but were spurned on by talking with Sayyeda Soraya. However, when I asked how you knew about feelings, you did not say this that you are saying now. This is why am not trusting, I hope you are understanding. If you are hoping for me to say am ok with your marrying Sayyeda Soraya, I cannot answer that until I am trusting of you. I am knowing that I am not factor in future of Sayyeda Soraya, am Ra'Shari not Dahabi, but am not willing to let Sayyeda Soraya be tied down with blessing when am not believing in it. I am wanting someone to give Sayyeda Soraya all she is deserving, and be with her for her, not...be part with her and part with others."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim nodded "You are right I am not in my comfort zone at all. I have never felt this way about a person before, I have cared for people and been on dates but never have I felt what I feel for Soraya." He smiled down into his cup and back up to her

"Yes, when someone who I feel about that way tells me there is another that they love it makes me want to know. Makes me want to know more about this person. But it is still as I said before I would have wanted to do this anyway."

"I did not bring you here to get your blessing, that is a conversation you have with Soraya."

He thought for a moment "but I respect what you have to say though I still believe you have the wrong idea about me but I think it is something you will not believe until you talk to Soraya about it."

[Raya]

Raya nodded, a smile finally appearing on her face again.

"Am thankful it is understood. Sayyeda Soraya has never spoken of another in this way before, so it is big surprise to me that I was spoken of to you. Was unaware of her feelings to you. That you are close enough to want married is even bigger surprise, would have thought it important to say. When I joked of stealing her, she said of missing you but maybe it is me not understanding context. Sounded like missing friends not more. Will speak with Sayyeda Soraya."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim smiled "I think Soraya is a very complex person and unlike anyone you or I have ever met before." A small chuckle

"I truly am sorry for the way things started, it was not the way I or likely Soraya wished for you to find out."