We were sitting in a very comfortable atmosphere. Soft jazz music was playing in the background and despite the constant chattering from some fellas behind me, I was relaxed. I took out my file, my calculator, and pencil case. I set it on the small round table in front of me. I started to read the question in the study guide and immediately worked on the problem. My companion soon sat in front of me with a grande size Starbucks. The whipp cream on top looked so appetizing I had the urge to splurge on a cup but decided not to. We had both shared a Buddy Meal at KFC a few minutes ago, so I better not indulge myself with something that is probably gonna add kilos to my weight.
We sat down in silence and I told him that I am working on question two. He said he was done doing that and I rolled my eyes. I knew what he meant. I saw him flipped through the last few pages of the study guide. The heading read 'Suggested Solutions'. Who was he kidding? I continued to work on the problem, trying not to look at the suggested solutions. But I did checked on it a few times, to make sure I was right on track.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him holding his pen still, not writing anything. I looked up and saw him looking at me. Was he watching me work?
"Yes?"
"Erm...nothing." He said and cast his eyes down on the study guide. I shook my head and my lips curved into a smile.
"Can I ask you something?"
I nodded my head, not looking up from the problem I was working on. After writing the last digit, I looked up at him.
"If a Chinese guy wants to marry a Muslim girl, he has to convert?"
"Yes."
"If a Muslim guy wants to marry a Chinese girl?"
"She has to convert. It's Islamic law."
I continued to work on my problem.
"What if the Chinese guy who wants to marry the Muslim girl doesn't convert?"
"Hmmm, her family probably disown her. He has to convert."
"Why?"
"Erm...I honestly can't explain that...I don't know how to."
We had went through this before. A couple of times at least. I still have no idea why he wants to know all these. He even had asked me about pre-marital sex!But we're adults, so I approached the matter maturely. I gave him my honest opinions.
"You know, I cannot see myself as someone who would sacrifice his current achievements and career for a girl he likes or loves. I just can't see myself doing that."
"You mean you can't see yourself getting married?"
"Ya, I really can't see myself doing that."
I shrugged off his statement. It's a modern and dynamic world. Women and men found themselves dependent on their career and feel that marriage or a relationship will dampen that achievement. Why do they think that way? Couldn't they juggle both? It's easier said than done of course.
I don't need your opinion...but just think about it.
