Chapter 9

"WHAT!!!" My screech could be heard over two rows as people turned to see who is making the ruckus.

"Shhh... tone it down, will you? I don't want to get thrown out," Shirley threw a sharp glare my way.

"Sorry," I mouthed as my cheeks heated.

"Will you listen to me completely before throwing the idea out of the window?"

"But... Shirley... marriage?" My voice came out meekly as if pleading her to understand my point.

"It's not real," she waved her hand before her as if swatting a fly.

"What do you mean not real? What else will be there?"

She rolled her eyes as if I'm getting on her nerves and said with a huff, "it's not. People do it all the time to get the green card here. You just have to find some American guy who is willing to do it. In fact, I can find you someone if you are ok with it."

"What? No... no. You are not listening. I can't marry. I don't want to. Marriage... it's a big thing. A huge thing in my family. We can't...I can't-"

She cut my words by saying, "so, you are not serious about finding your father?"

"Of course, I'm."

"Then, this is the only way for you to stay longer here. You won't get any acceptance letters at this time of the year. Especially, if you are a foreigner. Think about it. No one needs to know. Not even your family. You just have to sign on a piece of paper and ta-da, you will be the owner of a green card. You can stay however long you want"

"But... what if... what if they check? What if I get caught?"

"Girl!!! This is New York. People don't have time to eat contently. Who will bother checking it? Even if they do, we will conjure a lie or manage it when the time comes"

"I don't know Shirley... I don't feel right about it"

"You are the one searching for your father Sameera. Not me. You have to be the one to convince me. Instead, I'm begging you to try this idea"

"I'm... I'm sorry. I'm not ungrateful. But your idea is a bit-"

"You have to be extreme to live extreme. Think about it Sameera. You have what? How many days? 35? 40?"

"27"

"Less than a month"

"That's a lot less time babe. I would have grabbed it with both of my hands, if I were you," she looked at me pointedly as if I'm giving a hard time.

"Suppose, let's assume, hypothetically-"

"I know the meaning nerd, get on with it."

There goes friendly Shirley who was giving me a crying shoulder.

"Let's assume I agree to this marriage. Do I have to live with him?"

"What? No. You just meet in the court, sign the papers, pretend all lovey-dovey before the judge and go your own ways. It's that simple."

Hope bloomed in my heart.

"That's it?"

"That's what I'm saying. You meet, you pretend, you marry and you go your way. Hello green card."

"What about the guy?"

"You leave that to me."

I looked down at my fingers thinking about it. Am I really thinking about doing this? Yes, yes, I'm. I don't see any other way.

"But... won't I be a married woman in the court of law? What if I want to marry someone for real? Will it be my second marriage? Oh my god, I will be a married woman except without marriage. This is a bad idea. Very bad," I started hyperventilating thinking about it.

"Hey, Sam... hey, shush... relax. Jesus woman, you are more hustle than worth."

"Sorry," I wheezed as I bend my head to take some much needed air. Though, I don't know what I'm saying sorry for.

"Isn't it illegal?" My voice came out as a croak. I can feel my lungs pumping hardly to get some much needed air.

"It's just the definition. Look Sameera, I can't cajole into doing this. You have to do it with your own free will otherwise it's no use. Ultimately, you are the one who is going to benefit from it. Not me," Shirley snuffed without looking at me.

"Yes, you are right." I extended my hand and gently squeezed her arm in warm gesture.

"Thank you Shirley. For suggesting it. I would have to think about it"

"Don't take too much time"

"I won't. One final question though. No, make it two."

"Shoot"

"When will we divorce?"

"Usually within a year. But not before 6 months. It will raise suspicion. Don't worry," Shirley rolled her eyes at my panicked eyes and continued, "you don't have to live with him. You will be like an unmarried woman. Except for a certificate. That's it. Nothing more"

"Oh"

"And your other question?" Shirley asked after awhile when I was lost in my thought.

"Sorry. How much is it going to cost me?"

Shirley pinched her lips thin. "These things are going to cost. I'm not lying. But since you are my friend and the guy will be someone I know, I will talk to him and will let you know"

"What if he doesn't agrees?"

"Trust me, he will agree," Shirley gave me a look that is hard to decipher.

I mentally calculated my budget which is laughable at the moment.

"Umm... I don't have that much with me currently. I don't think I can pay him"

Shirley looked panicked as if I imported with the news of world war. She squeezed her eyes shut and pinched her nose.

After awhile she snapped them and directly looked into my eyes and said, "the deposit!!! Of course, the deposit."

"What deposit?"

"Our house deposit. You paid your share last month remember. We can use it."

"But Shirley, how can I? The payment is done. It's for the house," I said, feeling guilt.

"You don't worry about that. Let me handle it. You just worry about this one. Let me know when you decided. Don't be too late."

"I won't. Thank you Shirley for everything," I throw my arms around her and gave a gentle squeeze.

"Whatever," Shirley replied in her flippant manner and slightly patted my back.

After that, we both decided that our heads are not into club hopping and cut the night short. Poor Shirley, thought she would convert me into a club-hopper. Instead, she tucked in before midnight.

But my brain is busy thinking about the marriage and what it entitles. All day, everyday, her words ring in a loop inside my brain until I thought I would go mad if I didn't do anything.

A call from Nani doesn't help matters either. Though, she is busy asking me to send the inside of a strip club photos, I felt guilty for lying to her about my education.

Aunt Malini also did her routine check to know about my status quo. But I remained undecided.

20 days to go.

15 days to go.

10 days to go.

When it seemed like I don't have any other option, I threw in the towel.

"Thank god you finally gotten to your senses. You were almost late now. I don't know if he still agrees"

"Oh no!!! Was I too late?"

I leaned forward as she devoured the breakfast I made for myself.

"Nah. I will check with him and get back to you by tomorrow. If all goes accordingly, you will be a married woman by the end of this weekend," she winked while licking the spoon.

"This weekend?" My voice stuck in my throat.

"Isn't it too soon?"

"Why? You want to wait until you left for India?" She lifted her left eyebrow and thinned her lips.

"No. Of course, not. This weekend is... fine," I couldn't get to water sooner as I felt my throat parched from lack of wetness.

This weekend. I'm going to be married. Marriage. New life. New beginning. I will be a married woman in the eyes of law. People will call be with my husband's last name.

My breath came out in short gasps as I started to hyperventilate.

"Hey. Hey. None of that. Don't think about it Sameera. It's just a signature. Breath," Shirley abandoned her loot to came around the table and gently rubbed my back until I felt like breathing again.

"Thank you," my voice came out husky.

"You're welcome. Why don't you take a break and just rest? You are stressing yourself over nothing. Stop thinking about it. Watch Netflix or something. Just chill."

"Easy for you to say," I rolled my eyes as I made another plate of pancakes for myself.

"Your wish. I will let you know by tomorrow. Got to go," Shirley up and left, leaving the dirty bowl at the table.

"Great!"

The next day, I was on pins and needles until she was back from where ever she went.

"So?"

"He is in!!!" Shirley screamed, jumping up and down.

I widened my eyes feeling all too real about my decision.

"How much is he asking?"

She quoted a number which is in the budget if I stretch my remaining balance for a month or two and spend frugally. Very frugally. But if I get to stay here and search, then it's worth it.

"Oh. I can arrange that," is all I could say form my dry lips.

"Congratulations girl, you are getting married!!!" She screamed again.

"Shirley please," I covered my face with my hands.

"You are no fun. The wedding will be on this Sunday. I will message you the address. Don't be late."

"But... what about registering? Don't I have to be there?"

"You just leave everything on me. You concentrate on what you will wear."

"Yeah, because, that's the only thing I can think of," I rolled my eyes. Unfortunately, my sarcasm is lost on her as she replied, 'that's the spirit!'

3 days until I get married to a stranger. 3 days until I belong to someone else.