|
Narisa 2
By C. Stanton Leman
Chapter 5
September 3, 2000
Josh lay in bed listening to Narisa in the shower. He had a rough
night's
sleep because of last night's events. Even the ensuing discussion at home
didn't help much. What bothered him most were Narisa's open-ended
remarks that left a multiple marriage as a possibility, even if it were
extremely remote.
Looking up at the ceiling, Josh's thoughts rolled over in his
mind. I've
grown up having been affected and shaped by my parent's mores and the culture
in which we live. Like all the boys and girls I've grown up with, I've
always seen my life taking the familiar path of completing school, marrying
that one true soul mate, raising a couple of kids and trying to eek out our
own measure of happiness. Having two wives just didn't fit the picture I've
grown up with as a happy life.
When I married Narisa, I decided that for whatever reason, my life
was
following that perceived path, albeit a lot sooner than I expected. I threw
myself into my marriage and have made it my life's ambition to love my
wife and have the kind of marriage my parents have. At the moment, my
love for Narisa completely envelops me and that's all I ever want.
Maybe everyone is right and I'm wrong by making a mountain out of
the
proverbial mole hole and it's just a non-issue. Like Dad said last month,
at
least I know I can go forward with my eyes more fully open to the world
around me, more fully aware of these types of marriages. Right now, I've
got a beautiful amorous wife. That's one-third of Hasan's formula for a
perfect life. What I'm going to do is work my butt off to get the other
two-
thirds: beautiful kids and the security to provide a happy life.
While showering, Narisa had thoughts of her own. Why did such a
stupid
remark affect him so much? He's been so single-minded in giving me his
love. Does he think I'll throw all that away and invite someone into our
little piece of heaven? Men! Sometimes they are just little boys that can't
see what's right in front of them. I hope his outburst last night wasn't
because of guilt… Could he imagine Zaara and me together in bed with
him? That blue-eyed hunk better not! I'll have to cut his legs off at the
knees!
Narisa had come from her shower and Josh hauled himself out of bed
to
follow suit. After he'd finished his morning ritual, he took even more
pleasure in playing Narisa's hairdresser and indulging in his now admitted
fetish with his pixie wife's tiny feet. When he kissed her feet, he looked
at
her tiny pink toes and they reminded him of a string of little pink pearls.
He started crying and immediately Narisa rose and pulled him to her
bosom. He told her that he loved her more than life itself and wanted only
her in his life forever.
I don't understand what you're saying Josh, but I understand your
love
for me. Don't be frightened, my darling. We will always be together -
forever and a day.
Josh sensed that she seemed to understand, just rocking him like
her child.
She kissed the top of his head and whispered, "You make Narisa so
happy!
Dooset daram, husband."
Josh looked up and shrugged like he didn't understand and she
smiled
down at him and whispered, "I love you" in his ear.
Josh collected himself and stood to dress. Looking back at her
tear-filled
eyes, he smiled gently as he stroked the side of her cheek with the back of
his hand and said, "Forever and ever." She nodded with a tender
smile.
They went to breakfast, Narisa in her blue and white dress and
white
headscarf and he in the only suit he owned. Conversation was relaxed, but
there was a little tension in anticipation of that day's meeting with Judge
Stiles. Both parents reassured the newlyweds that everything would be
okay and just tell the truth.
They arrived and were sitting in the outer office of Judge Stiles'
chambers
at nine forty-five. His secretary answered the phone and after hanging up
said, "Judge Stiles will see you now," and opened the door for
them to
enter.
Judge Henry Stiles rose from behind his impressive oak desk
dressed in a
black suit and extended his hand to Josh's father introducing himself.
After
the introductions and handshakes, everyone was seated. Judge Stiles put
on his reading glasses, perused the papers in his file and sat back, taking
off his glasses and setting them on the pile of papers.
"Well," he began, "this is certainly a case I don't
see very often. I must tell
you that after talking to Mr. Stanley Wiseman this morning for almost an
hour, I'm a firm believer that fact is stranger than fiction. I understand
that
these two young people are married legally with a valid marriage
certificate
from the country of Iran?"
"Yes, Your Honor." Steve replied as he handed him the
teen's marriage
license. "I have their marriage certificate right here."
Judge Stiles looked at it and said, "This is in Arabic. How
am I supposed to
read it? How do I know that this document, although official by the seal on
it, isn't a birth certificate or something?
Steven apologized and pointing out that the documents weren't in
Arabic,
but in Farsi, and offered to translate them for him while offering Narisa's
birth certificate. The judge looked at him as he pondered his next move.
"All right, no matter." he said. "Either way, I'll accept
your translation for
now, but I'll need certified translations of these documents for the record
as soon as you can have them completed."
"Yes, Your Honor." Steve replied, again apologizing.
Steven Williams translated every document that they'd been
furnished and
after a complete review of all the documents, Judge Stiles sat back, sighed
then leaned forward with his hands together on his desk and said,
"Here's
my understanding of the case as it stands now, using both the INS and
government's positions as to the legal marital status of Joshua and Narisa.
"The State department has deferred what constitutes a legal
marriage
between an American citizen and a foreign national to the definition as set
forth in the immigration statutes. Under immigration law, a marriage is
only valid when a certified marriage license is issued by a governmental
agency of the country in which the marriage took place. That could be a
local or municipal agency having jurisdiction. A religious marriage license
isn't a valid document according to the INS. From my conversations with
the State Department and reviewing the proceedings here in this court
document, it appears that Joshua and Narisa do have a valid marriage
license."
Everyone audibly exhaled a sigh of relief.
"However, there are certain conditions regarding INS
regulations that
might nullify this marriage in the United States. Those conditions being,
that both parties are of the legal age of consent. It's obvious that at
fourteen and thirteen, they are not what is considered legal age in the
Commonwealth of Virginia, which is sixteen."
"If I might point out, Your Honor," Marie interjected,
"in the country in
which this marriage took place, they are of legal consenting age to enter
into a marriage as adults."
"I understand that, Mrs. Williams, but the explanation I
received from Mr.
Wiseman is that because of several factors, all the normal and customary
procedures for processing the admission of an alien spouse of an American
citizen to the Unites States were waived due to the circumstances of this
case. I was informed that by delicate negotiations and diplomacy the U.S.
and Iranian governments arrived at a decision to expedite their trials and
commute their sentences thereby sparing their lives with the agreement
that the children's ages would be a moot point. That plus the fact that our
government granted Narisa Assad, now Narisa Williams asylum because
right here in these court documents they state that if she were refused
entry to the U.S., she was facing a mandatory life sentence and she could
possibly be executed at some later date without anyone ever finding out
about it."
When the judge said that, Josh suddenly thought, Maybe they did
negotiate the outcome of our trials after all…
"Another point of fact that cannot be overlooked is that this
marriage was
coerced under penalty of death. That in of itself constitutes an invalid
marriage. Regardless of how they feel about each other now, at the time
they were essentially forced to marry someone they'd never even met.
Please don't think I'm being callous and unfeeling; I'm simply telling you
what the law states. The law doesn't take into account the feelings or
relationships of those involved. Law and the execution of proper
jurusprudence have no feelings: only statutes. As an officer of Family
Court, it is my duty to use the law and temper it with my judgment to help
keep families together if possible, not tear them apart. That's why we're
here today, correct?"
"Yes, Your Honor," all agreed.
"My take on all of this is as follows: Your first option is
to let sleeping dogs
lie and do nothing, going on the assumption that a valid marriage license
is
in hand because it was recognized by the U.S. government and leave it at
that. There's a major problem with that though. You, Mr. and Mrs.
Williams as legal guardians of these two minors, leave yourselves open to
possible prosecution for contributing to the delinquency of minors by
allowing them to cohabitate in a conjugal relationship should someone find
out and press charges. This would probably happen sooner rather than
later because the true relationship these two kids have could be discovered
or disclosed to a student, neighbor, a parent or a news agency. Everyone in
this room knows that this will eventually come out. Mr. Wiseman told
me
of the press conference that took place when you returned to the United
States and I'm sure some reporter is sniffing around vital records waiting
to get lucky.
"If some person, persons or organization wanted to challenge
this Iranian
marriage license in a Virginia court and it was ruled invalid, then you're
looking at being charged with a class four felony and Joshua would be
found guilty of a class one misdemeanor for having sex with a girl under
the age of fourteen. A class four felony in the Commonwealth of Virginia
brings with it a one hundred thousand-dollar fine and two to ten years in
prison. A class one misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to twelve months
in jail and a two thousand-dollar fine. I will tell you from experience
that
the U.S. government does what it wants and can overlook any regulation it
wishes and later wash its hands of any culpability regarding settling any
loose ends later, so don't expect them to help you one bit. Their opinion
is
that they saved the lives of two kids and brought them here to live in
safety.
End of story."
"Your Honor, my question now is," Marie asked,
"will you grant Joshua
and Narisa special permission given the circumstances, to be married
under Virginia law?"
He smiled and replied, "We'll have to wait and see, won't we?
What I'd like
to do now is talk to each of them separately, without the parents, and
determine if they have a realistic and mature sensibility towards
fulfilling
their obligations to each other as husband and wife. If they can prove to
me
that they understand all the responsibilities they have to each other in a
marriage, I'll grant them a marriage license and perform the ceremony
myself."
Marie replied, "Thank you, Your Honor. Both my husband and I
speak
Farsi fluently and either one of us can translate when you speak to Narisa,
but I am her legal guardian and would like to provide that service if I
may."
"By all means. Thank you, Mrs. Williams." With a chuckle
he quipped,
"Now, who wants to sit in the hot seat first?"
"I will," Josh offered.
"Fine. Mr. and Mrs. Williams, will you please take Narisa
outside, have a
seat and I'll call for you with Narisa when it's her turn to speak."
With that, everyone except Josh rose and left the judge's
chambers.
"Well, Joshua, don't be afraid. We're just going to talk like
two old married
geezers about married life all right?"
"I'm not afraid, Your Honor."
"Good! Why don't you tell me, from the beginning, how you've
come to be a
married man at fourteen."
Josh then when into vivid detail beginning with that Sunday as he,
his
parents and their guides watched Narisa being apprehended, the stoning,
their subsequent arrest and trial and what he felt at their sentencing. He
told him what was going through his mind when they were sentenced and
the shock at being asked to marry Narisa. Josh also explained his sudden
affection and bond to her from the moment they'd met as husband and
wife on the courthouse steps.
He led Judge Stiles step-by-step through their wedding night: her
fear and
lack of clothing and what he'd done to relieve her fears along with every
detail of the evening including how he'd clothed her and even when those
boxers fell and he had his hand on her butt. The judge laughed at the
mental picture and was touched by the fact that Josh was excited like any
boy would be, but put her welfare first. Josh told him of their first kiss,
their first intimate night together and why they had not intercourse yet.
Josh spilled his heart out to the man that held their fate in his
hands and
even revealed his fascination with Narisa's eyes, her hair and even her
tiny
feet. He explained to him how they seemed to be able to sense and know
what each other's thoughts and feelings were even though they couldn't
communicate verbally. He told him of his embarrassing trip to the drug
store for female products and the judge laughed saying that he has to do
that for his daughter and wife. Judge Stiles jokingly quipped, "I
don't know
why it is, but they always seem to need those damn things at night when
everything is closed!"
Josh explained to him his overwhelming desire to protect his tiny
bride and
love her and treasure her like his dad does his mom. How he wanted to
grow old with her, have children with her and make her happy. Josh
poured out all his thoughts and feelings to this man. When he'd finished,
he sat back emotionally drained and looked at the fatherly judge pleadingly
and asked, "Please, Your Honor, give me my wife and let me love her
forever.
"Son, your parents should be very proud of you. They've
raised a good man:
a man that any woman would be proud to call her husband. What you have
just revealed, what you've been through and how you've accepted your fate
and loved that girl is something that touches my heart. Hundreds of kids
your age come through my courtroom every month without any direction
or sense of responsibility with regards to their lives. What I admire most
is
that you didn't do what most boys your age would have done and taken
that young girl because it was your marital right. To me, that is the proof
of
a real love and caring for a woman. Now step outside while I talk with your
wife and see if she feels as you do."
"Please sir, be gentle with her. She's in a new country;
she's frightened and
kind of vulnerable if you know what I mean."
"Rest assured, Josh, I'll treat her like she's my own
daughter."
"Thank you, Your Honor." With that, the emotional young
man got up and
quietly left the room.
When he emerged from chambers, everyone saw the emotion in Josh's
face
and Narisa looked as though she was going to cry. Narisa shuddered inside
as she prayed, Oh Allah, please let our marriage be confirmed. Please,
oh
please Lord let me fulfill my wedding vows. Josh stroked her cheek and
told her everything was all right and for her to express what was in her
heart and everything would be okay.
Marie and Narisa went inside and closed the door. Josh told his
father that
his mom was right and what the judge said about waiting to have
intercourse and his dad smiled his reply saying, "Yeah, your mom is
pretty
smart when it comes to those things."
When Narisa and Marie entered his chambers, Judge Stiles politely
stood
and extended his hand asking the ladies to have a seat. Once everyone was
seated, Judge Stiles smiled warmly and said to Narisa as she listened with
one ear listening to her mom and her other fixed with her eyes on the judge
before her.
She was frightened because of her remembrance of the terrifying
courtroom events just one month ago. In her mind, all judges were the
same and after seeing Josh's condition when he emerged to greet her
frightened her terribly. Silently she continued her little prayer of hope
while the man that held the fate of her marriage and future in his hands
paused.
"Mrs. Williams," Judge Stiles began. With that opening
greeting, both
women answered as if spoken to with a simultaneous "Yes?"
Judge Stiles chuckled and said, "No, I mean this tiny young
lady before
me."
Marie smiled embarrassingly and apologized.
"Narisa," he began again, "what I'd like you to do
is just tell me what's in
your heart. I'd like to understand what you think and feel about being
married, about being a wife and what you think are your responsibilities as
a young married woman. I can see that your frightened, don't be. I won't
bite you. This is not a trial. It's simply a meeting so that I can
understand
all the facts in order to reach the right decision regarding your marriage
here in America. Believe me, I'm here to help you and Josh, not tear you
apart. Before I can allow you to marry here, I need to believe that you are
mature enough to actually have a marriage that can survive life's struggles.
Can you understand that?"
After Marie translated the judge's remarks, Narisa nodded and
Judge Stiles
replied, "Narisa, I need you to speak. I can see your nod as an
answer, but I
also want to hear your voice and expressions while you talk. Can you do
that for me?"
"Yes, Your Honor," she replied after his admonishment
was translated. "I
understand."
Judge Stiles listened with one ear to Marie's translation while
observing
the frightened little waif before him. "Good!” He replied with a
smile. "Now
we can talk. Think of me like an uncle and you're telling me your thoughts
and feelings, okay?"
"Yes, sir. So much has happened to me this past month that
it's really
difficult to explain. I have seen you review all our documents and with
your
permission, I'd rather not relive that horrible day of my stoning."
Judge Stiles nodded after Marie's translation and motioned for her
to
continue.
"While I sat in jail, I prayed to Allah to protect the man
that saved my life
and keep him safe. I thought he was a grown man because he's so tall. I
only caught glimpses of him that first day. Anyway, I was so happy and
proud, even though I'd lived through a terrible ordeal, that a man other
than my father would risk his life to save me.
"When I saw Josh in the courtroom, my heart soared like an
eagle at seeing
him again. Even though I was crying, I tried with all my strength to show
him with my eyes that I was thankful for his efforts. When I was sentenced
to death, it felt like I died at that very moment and yet, I was happy in
knowing someone besides Daddy offered his life for me. I prayed that Allah
spare his life even as I knew that mine was coming to an end.
"When we were granted clemency and asked to marry each other,
I knew - I
just knew that Allah had answered my prayers. Inside I was joyous because
I knew in my heart that if Josh risked his life for me and never even knew
me, as my husband he would die protecting me against any danger. I
gave
him my heart as I spoke my vows and promised Allah that I would fulfill
my repentance and be a good, loving and faithful wife to my husband.
"When he offered to take my caning, I was overwhelmed with
love for him
because he immediately proved his worthiness as a husband by his desire
to protect me from further harm. My heart melted inside when he referred
to me as his wife to the judge. He proved to me that he truly was my
husband."
Narisa started to cry and continued. "On our wedding night, I
was confused
and scared. I was conflicted because Josh had shown me nothing but
tenderness and a protective security, but on the other hand, I didn't know
what to expect. I didn't know if he'd take me to bed and consummate our
marriage or what. Even though I felt a deep affection for him, I didn't
know
anything about him except his name. When he let me bathe in private, I
was reassured that he wouldn't hurt me or force me to do anything against
my will.
"I think the moment I was the most frightened was when he
came back in
the room and I was wrapped in a towel. I struggled inside because I knew
he was my husband and I should give myself to him, but I'd never been
naked in front of a man before. Even my father hasn't seen me naked since
I was five. I wanted with all my heart to be a good wife so I slowly dropped
my towel and showed him my nakedness from behind.
"I truly believe that Allah has ordained our marriage and
love. When I
dropped my towel and exposed myself to him, Josh knew… he just knew
that I was frightened and didn't have any clean clothes. He dressed me and
covered my nakedness without even attempting to look at my covered
parts. I knew then, at that very moment, that he loved me and would
always respect and honor me. I gave him that part of my soul that only
belongs to a woman's soul-mate and I've never doubted his love for me.
"Josh has been a perfect husband to me. He's kind, gentle,
loving, and
considerate and he showers me with his affection. He makes me laugh,
both inside and out. His eyes read my thoughts and his heart knows my
every feeling. We have a bond that communicates with the soul and
transcends language.
"Ever since I was nine, my mother instructed me in the ways
to be a good
Muslim wife. Put your family and children above all else. Maintain an
orderly home and raise our children to be as loving as their father.
Support
my husband and never squander his money or our resources because they
are for the life and support of our family. Never bring shame upon the man
that I share my bed and body with for he is my strength and security.
"Your Honor, I ask nothing more of you that what is mine. I
ask that you
give me my husband, my soul-mate for I shall die a death far more painful
than stoning or hanging if I have to continue to live without him.'
Narisa covered her face with her hands, broke down and was sobbing
as
she concluded her statement. Judge Stiles rose, came around his desk and
opened his arms to the distraught young girl, offering her a hug. Narisa
stood and fell into his arms. With a fatherly embrace and tone, he rested
his chin on her head and said, "There, there child don't cry. While
listening
to you speak, your feelings and emotions reminded me that your idea of a
good wife is almost exactly as the Bible relates in the Book of
Proverbs."
He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, dried her tears and
helped her
back to her chair. Turning to Marie, he said with a twinkle in his eye,
"Mrs.
Williams, you may ask the rest of your family to return. I think I've heard
more than enough to render my decision.”
Josh and his father waited - Josh fidgeted and paced - for about
thirty
minutes before Marie poked her head out and asked them to return. Josh
took his seat next to his loving wife and she was beaming those pearly
whites and her eyes just sparkled and he knew they were home free.
Judge Stiles smiled at the teens silently and gave Marie and
Steven a
simple nod then said, "Joshua and Narisa, sometimes I go home at night
and literally cry because of all the pain and misery that passes through my
courtroom in regard to families - especially young people. There are times
however, when young adults like yourselves reaffirm my faith in the future.
You two have demonstrated a bond and a love that I hope will see you
through all the troubles life can bring as a married couple all the days of
your lives."
He pressed a button on his phone and said, "Sally, please
bring me a
marriage license application along with the bride and groom's information
sheets please."
Turning to the two young teens he asked, "I'll issue the
marriage license
today. When would you like to be married? I must warn you that your
marriage will become a matter of public record and the press will have
access to these public records so you're not out of the woods yet. I'm
confident though that if and when it happens - and make no mistake about
it - it will happen, you're strong enough to weather the storm."
Sally tapped and entered, handing the forms to the judge quietly
left. Steve and Marie filled out the forms,
paid the thirty-dollar fee and within fifteen minutes
Josh was holding a marriage license in his hands. Narisa was bright-eyed with
a radiant smile as she hugged Josh's arm. Judge Stiles asked again if they'd like to be married today and Josh
remembered his birthday and said, "Your Honor? This
Monday is my birthday. Could we
possibly get married on
Monday?"
He chuckled and replied, "Well, at least you won't forget
when your
anniversary is like a lot of men! Sure! Monday at ten both of you will
become a married couple for the second time."
"I couldn't ask for a better present than a lifetime with
this Persian
Princess!"
"Well said, son!" he chuckled.
Steven promised Judge Stiles he'd have certified translations of
all the
documents when they returned on Monday. Josh and Narisa stood and
thanked him, Narisa giving him an affectionate hug for making their
dreams come true and after hearty handshakes the Williams said goodbye
until the following week. Walking out of the courthouse, Josh's mom gave
him a gentle shove from behind saying, "Now I feel like a rotten
mother. I
completely forgot all about your birthday!"
"So did I until Zaara told us her birthday was in
January."
Narisa giggled out, "I your gift?"
"Yep! I get to open my present every morning for the rest of
my life!"
"Come on boys and girls," Steve said, "we've got a
stop to make now."
"Where's that?" his wife asked surprised.
"You'll see, little girl. If you're nice to Sugar Daddy,
maybe he'll buy you a
present."
"Oh goody, goody, I juth wuv pwethenths!"
Steven kept silent about their destination as he drove around
I-495 to
Rockville and parked at a huge jewelry store. Josh asked what they were
doing and his father replied with a secretive smile to wait and see. They
went inside and up to the counter then Steve nonchalantly asked to see
some wedding sets. Josh got bug-eyed and so did Narisa when she heard
her mom's translation. Steve put his hand on his son's shoulder and said,
"It's our wedding present to the two of you." He beamed while
Marie and
Narisa started blubbering.
Narisa and her mom decided on a half-caret round diamond and band
in
white gold and a matching band for Josh. The jeweler took their ring sizes
and everyone waited while the jeweler sized the rings. When they were
done, the man handed Josh's ring to Narisa in a black velvet case and gave
Josh her rings in one also. When Josh took out the diamond to put it on
her hand, she was shaking with excitement. Right in the middle of the store
the young man got down on one knee and asked, "Narisa, you came into
my life at a moment of great sorrow, but I beg you now, stay in my life
forever out of love. You are a part of me now. Would you be my life partner
and marry me?"
The little waif blushed six shades of pink, nodded vigorously and
said, "In
life as in death, we will always be together. Yes, Josh, I will marry
you and I
love you will all my heart."
The whole store clapped their congratulations. Sugar Daddy even
bought
his little schoolgirl a pair of sapphire earrings to match her blue eyes.
The
entire family was on cloud nine as they left the store. All the way home
the
females preened and giggled, Marie looking at her earrings in the vanity
mirror in the sun visor and Narisa twirling her ring on her finger with a
shaky hand. They arrived home about four and Steven told everyone to go
get cleaned up so they could go out for an early celebratory dinner because
when they got home, the teens had to prepare for school the next day and
the adults for their first day at Georgetown.
For dinner, Steve settled on an Italian restaurant and Narisa
ordered
spaghetti and meatballs while Josh had the veal parmagiana. After
everyone had filled their stomachs with salad, bread and pasta, they
headed home. Upon arriving, Narisa started crying and gave her new mom
and dad emotional hugs and kisses saying to both of them "I love you
so
much! Narisa very happy!"
Steve got teary eyed and the women boo-hooed and hugged. Josh gave
his
father a manly embrace and kissed his cheek saying, "I can never repay
what you and Mom have done for us. Thank you from the bottom of my
heart!"
"Yes you can, Son. Just love that little princess like you
have been. That's
payment enough."
Edited by Morgan
|