Three days and respective nights went by. Samanta settled in the room Tahirah prepared for her in her apartment. Her pregnancy developed normally. Charlotte went to the doctor with her, and they discovered the child's sex. It was a girl.
Sam decided to take a chance with Amir, who was very attentive at all times, coming with her to every prenatal control, calling her at all times during the night to make sure she was alright, bringing her any midnight craving, but mostly, loving her very much. She did not even notice, but he was really growing in her. He became her guard.
She kept attending school and there was always some jerk saying something nasty about her pregnancy. Although Sam preferred not to give any details about her state, their class mates rumored the father was Amir, everybody could tell there was something between them. It was such a harsh time and many nasty rumors Samanta had to put up with.
One afternoon, all four friends were sitting on the grass on the school grounds. Charlotte was talking to Maher about the Latino exchange student who came last week, and whom, according to Maher, was perfect for her friend.
Samanta had her head on Amir's lap and he ran his fingers through her hair with such sweetness, unable to take his stare off her eyes. He loved the tenderness this woman irradiated. Samanta was telling him how tired she was of people pointing at her and judged her for being pregnant. Sam was speaking and Amir could not stop thinking of how to tell her what he had done. He knew she would be upset he did not ask her first, but the harm, if we could call it that, was already done.
“Samanta, I need to tell you something” he interrupted her.
“Yes?” Sam looked at him with attention.
Maher, who was euphorically talking to Charlotte, was in sudden silence realizing her brother was finally going to tell his crazy idea to Samanta.
“I gotta hear this” she told Charlotte.
They both slyly turned to hear Amir and Samanta's conversation.
“I know I should have asked you first, but, I know you and I know you would have come up with a million excuses” he said. Sam frowned . “See? You would make that face.”
“What face? I am listening” replied Sam, sitting up.
“You know I love you and I could do anything for you. Since you agreed to be my girlfriend, I have been feeling very well and…”
“You look so adorable when you're nervous” she held his hand and kissed it. “But I don't see where you're going with any of this.”
“You just wait” muttered Maher and Amir glared at her.
“Let's get married” he blurted out.
“What?” Asked Samanta
“Go now!” Muttered Maher.
“Oh my!” said Charlotte at the same time as Maher.
“I can give you both a name and a home. Be the father the baby needs” continued Amir. “People would stop talking behind your back, judging you unfairly.”
“I don't think this is a good idea, Amir. Your father would never allow…”
“You don't need to worry about him. Actually, he asked to meet you this weekend.”
“What? Your father would never allow you to look after a child that's not your own. I know that, Amir. Men in your culture are very strict about that. I would only be a dishonor to your family. No” she declined with her head. “This is utter madness.”
“It's all been arranged.”
“What are you talking about?” Asked Sam.
“Yeah, what are you talking about?” Maher repeated the question with some malice.
Charlotte was nearly fainting. She had not seen this much drama since the final episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
“I told father the child you're expecting is mine.”
Samanta opened her eyes so much they almost pop out of their sockets.
Charlotte cussed in her mother tongue and put her hands on her head.
“Why would you do that?” Sam stood up suddenly, getting dizzy for it. Amir had to hold her.
“It was the only way to get father to allow us to marry.”
“Lying?”
“Good grief, Samanta! Look at us! Look around!” Samanta did. “Everybody thinks I am the father. Maher and Charlotte are the only people who know.”
“And my sister and Carlos” muttered Sam.
“Ok. four people. So?” Amir had his eyes fixed on hers. “I read that text. I read what that scum told you. He would never own up to this child.”
“Girl” corrected Sam.
“What?” Amir frowned.
“It's a girl” said Samanta.
“Alright. Girl. Let me give her a last name. I am willing to give her a home, love her like she were my own” Samanta looked away and wandered off for a minute. “I am asking you to be Mrs. Mobarek, with all that entails.”
“That's a great idea” intervened Charlotte. “Let Amir be Malena's daddy.”
“Her name won't be Malena” replied Samanta, Looking at her friend. “Her name will be…”
“Aháva” finished Amir, whispering the name.
Samanta gave him an inquisitive look.
“How do you know?”
“I saw you the other night, looking up Arab names for girls, something that meant…”
“Hope” said Samanta.
“Aháva Mobarek” whispered Amir. “Sounds lovely.”
Samanta felt a huge need to cry. She could not believe how good life was to her, giving her a man like Amir. Such a wonderful man.
It was an easy call, starting from the fact she would not be able to find another man as smart, handsome, loving and kind any place else, not to mention he was rich. Her daughter would have everything she ever needed. Samanta had nothing to lose and a lot to win. She had strong feelings for Amir, and she knew she could learn to love him madly, in time, since he was adorable.
She got closer to him, held his face between her hands and looked into his eyes.
“Yes, Amir. I will marry you.”