Behind The Veil

By Shamima Gaffoor

I was just eight years old when they decided to put me into a veil. My abusive father decided to make a deal and marry me off to a man I barely knew. My mother tried protecting me from his wrath but she couldn't stop my destiny from playing out. Within those few moments everything changed and my whole world turned upside down.

Behind my veil lies my truth. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shamima Gaffoor
• Release date: Feb 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9780620972505

Shamima Gaffoor

Shamima Gaffoor was born and raised in Lenasia, a small town which is situated in Johannesburg, South Africa.  Singing brings joy to her life even though she is almost certain that she sound like a frog. Shamima considers her mother as her pillar of strength and holds her in high regard, therefore she has written and dedicated Behind The Veil in her honor. She sees herself as a fierce warrior and believes that perfection takes time. Working hard to achieve her goals is a necessity.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Iwas only eight when they decided to put me into a veil. Mama placed those beautiful pink roses into my hands before straightening out my white fluffy dress, the tears in her eyes confused me.

She placed her hand upon my head and said some sort of mumbo gumbo. She wouldn't tell me at that time why she was crying but I knew it was something bad. Mama only cried when daddy hit her.

She pushed her fingers under the veil and tucked my curly brown hair which stuck out back underneath, I couldn't help but giggle as her fingers rubbed against my neck.

She smiled and placed a kiss upon my cheek and hugged me so very tight I couldn't breath. if only I knew it were the last time I'd ever be getting hugs and kisses from her.

She covered her face with her own black veil after dressing into a black and gold long dress. What's happening mama, are we playing a dress up? I asked which caused my tiny voice to echo throughout the hallway which we walked down.

Hush, Zara, you know how your father gets when you speak too loudly she whispered.

I could never understand why we weren't allowed to speak loudly until I hit my teens.

The hallway was long and had poor lighting yet I could see the brown stains on the carpet beneath us. The dress she had put me in weighed a ton which caused me to stop a couple of times. I tried catching my breath but she pulled me along and insisted we be quick before he got upset.

She was the bravest woman I knew, she stuck to a man who beat the crap out of her for just taking too long to bring him a glass of water or speaking when she wasn't told to speak.

We walked into a huge hall filled with black chairs which no one but dad and Azar sat on. What a strange place I whispered.

Hush child she whispered back, shutting me up immediately. A man wearing a black suit sat at the front accompanied by a man wearing white suit.

As I got closer I recognized him, he was dad's friend Mr. Ally.

Mum took a hold of my hand and approached dad which had his head down the whole time playing a matching game on his phone.

I stretched my tiny hand out towards him Can I play? I whispered not wanting the two men to hear me. He finally looked up and gawked at me in amusement. I've always known you'd make a beautiful bride, he mumbled.

Bribe, what is a bribe mama?

She got onto her knees and looked at me through my veil, not a bribe you silly goose a bride she said. I continued looking at her waiting for an answer which I never received, instead she lifted her black veil just a bit and wiped her eyes.

Dad stood up and yanked her up, forcing her to not make a scene. Whatever a scene was; she was not allowed to make it.

I looked up at them as he shouted at her saying, the deal has already been made.

First bribe now the deal what's going on? I thought to myself.

I looked at Azar thinking maybe he would have the answer but he looked just as confused as I was.

Chapter 2

He held onto her shoulder and squeezed it tight making mum crunch down, ok, ok let mama go I am ready for the bribe. Just let my mama go I yelled so loud that Mr. Ally turned around and stared at the show dad was putting on.

I grabbed him by the hand and pulled as hard as I possibly could trying to get him away from her. Azar sat there looking at us enjoying his ice-cream while the drama unfolded in front of him.

Within no time daddy took me down the red carpet. Mum sat on the chair next to Azar with her head down, she was not allowed to talk until everyone had left the hall.

I turned around and looked at her while the man in a black suit spoke. If anyone wants to disagree with this marriage, speak now he shouted. No one spoke so he Continued, Mr. Huizar can you please come and sign on behalf of your daughter he yelled louder this time.

Mr. Ally looked at him with a grin on his face, she is finally mine he whispered as soon as daddy signed the paperwork. Without saying a word he placed a kiss upon my forehead and walked back to where mama and Azar sat. I couldn't tell what was going through his mind because he showed no emotion all the time.

He grabbed my mum by her wrist and pulled her alongside him as Azar hopped behind them. Why are they leaving? I asked softly.

Mr. Ally looked down at me and placed his warm hands onto my cheeks. They have to go home darling he whispered

No wait for me mama I yelled as I hopped off the high chair and ran behind them. She turned around and fell to her knees sobbing into her hands. My sweet child I am sorry was all she said before he yanked her back up again and pulled her towards those huge doors.

Daddy I called out to him but he never turned around, he continued pushing the door open whilst he dragged my mother behind him. The doors shut and Mr. Ally stood behind me. I turned around and looked into his blue eyes, they didn't take me with them I whispered, my throat began to dry up and eyes started watering.

He lifted me up and placed my head onto his broad shoulder, it's ok Zara, don't you worry, your father is a coward.

I looked at him through the veil which had been over my face the whole time. What's a coward? I whispered Into his ear.

That's something I will never be my dear. Come-on we have to go home he placed my head back onto his shoulders and hushed my sobs away until I was fast asleep.

He laid me down on the back seat using a blanket as a barrier between me and the seat, he hit the brakes and my tiny body hit the floor.

Before I knew it he flung the car door open and had me in his arms. Are you ok Zara? were the only words he repeatedly said until a soft squeaky yes left my terrified lips.

He placed me in the passenger side and clipped my safety belt in. I'm so sorry Zara I made a mistake, that will never happen again.

Ok I mumbled as I curled myself trying to preserve the heat.

He removed the pink blanket from the back seat and placed it over me. Thank you mama, I whispered as I drifted back to sleep.

I felt my body sink into the soft bed as he placed me down, a sharp prick pierced into my skin but I paid it no mind instead a warm feeling rushed over me as he placed the huge duvet cover over me. I couldn't understand why I felt so at peace until I opened my eyes the next morning and looked around.

My heart nearly stopped beating, the room was a bright shade of pink, the bed I laid on was humongous, it was overloaded with white continental pillows. It could probably fit ten of me on it, white curtains hung from each window inches away from touching the ground.

A small round table and chairs were placed in the middle with four little bunnies on each one. A beautiful glass tea set sat in the middle of the table.

I scanned the room where there was a bookshelf filled from top to bottom. I don't actually know how to read because daddy always said girls aren't allowed to know much. Next to the bookshelf stood a huge pink and white teddy bear.

I screamed and screamed until a lady wearing a black and white nurse outfit ran into the room. What on earth is going on, child? She asked

Chapter 3

L ook! I shouted as my little finger pointed towards the Bear. The lady could not control her laughter. I thought she was going to burst open.

You silly girl, you almost caused me a heart attack She said as she flipped open the duvet allowing me to finally move my legs.

My big blue eyes looked up at her, where is my mama? I whispered.

She plopped herself down next to me, taking a close look at her, she had light brown eyes which matched the brown hair sticking out from under her white hat.

Oh, my sweet little girl, what do I tell you?

For now she isn't here but I promise I'll take you to visit, would you like that?"

Tears rolled down my eyes, I've never been away from her this long. Can we go today? I whispered just loud enough for her to hear.

I'm sorry miss Zara, today you have to meet with your English and Maths teachers. She sighed loudly. Why did he leave me with the mess? she mumbled underneath her breath.

My name is Miss. Alice, she said as she walked into the bathroom to run my bathwater. As soon as the temperature was right she lifted me out of bed and carried me inside, undressed and settled me in. Her eyes fell upon a scar on my tummy which I had for as long as I could remember.

She questioned me about it as she shampooed my hair, scrubbed me down and left me to soak for a few minutes. The warm water felt so good around my body, according to dad we were only allowed hot water once a week. I chose Sundays as my hot water day.

After a few minutes Miss. Alice removed the stopper, scooped me out and dried me off. Oh, how I missed my mother's warm embrace.

She changed me into a pretty blue floral dress, dried and braided my hair then she tied a blue ribbon at the end which got me excited.

Where's Mr. Ally? I blurted out, sending her face into shock. She looked down at me, took my hand into hers and walked me towards the stairs. I took a quick look around. The house which he lived in was enormous, it had two staircases leading in two different directions.

I tried pulling her in the other direction but to no avail she barely budged. She looked down, giving me a sweet smile. you're not allowed on the East wing little one

Why not? I sighed loudly, making her giggle a bit, because Mr. Ally said so, she whispered as she gently tugged me along. She walked down slowly making sure I didn't lose my balance.

As soon as we got downstairs I noticed him sitting at the dining room table reading the newspaper. He didn't even notice us until Miss. Alice cleared her throat getting his attention. She pulled out a chair and placed me down, my body sunk down which made only my nose and eyes visible to him.

He took off his glasses and laughed loudly, Alice would you please get her a higher chair? he asked.

Sure sir she replied before leaving.

Is there anything you'd like to have for breakfast? he shouted from the end of the table. I hopped off the chair and walked closer to him, he watched me in amusement as I tried pulling out the heavy chair alongside him.

After a few moments he stood up and pulled the chair out for me, I hopped on and swung my legs back and forth. He looked down at me waiting for my response. Um, could I have a Strawberry milkshake? I've always wanted to taste one.

His eyes grew bigger and he mumbled something underneath his breath causing me to stop kicking my legs. Are you mad at me for wanting a milkshake? it's ok I'll have water and a slice of jam bread.

This time his eyes grew even wider, No it's not you that I am upset with Zara, it's you da.. He stopped right there and ran his fingers through his light brown curly hair. You may have anything your little heart desires, I promise I won't get upset he said calmly.

Ok, I want a pizza and a milkshake please I grinned at him, making him laugh out loud. He called over a man dressed in a black pants, white shirt and white gloves. Our little madam would like a slice of chicken pizza and a strawberry milkshake.

Why does he have white gloves on, doesn't he know white gets dirty fast? I asked. He burst out into laughter and I just stared at him highly confused.

The white gloves show which area needs to be cleaned Zara.

So you want me to eat from his dirty hands?

His laughter echoed throughout the house. You'll understand it when you're older Zara, I promise not to allow anyone to give you dirty food ok he said letting out a soft sigh.

Ok I shouted before I started swinging my legs once again. He went back to reading his newspaper until the man in white gloves pushed a cart towards us.

He placed a huge slice of pizza down in front of me accompanied by a glass of strawberry milkshake.

He moved on to Mr. Ally, placing down a plate of chicken pasta and a cup of black coffee. I stretched my arm out trying to reach the milkshake and the glass tipped over, there was the strawberry milkshake all over the table. I held onto my face in disbelief, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'll clean it up I said as I sobbed into my hand.

Chapter 4

He sighed loudly, Zara calm down no one died he whispered. I looked up at his smiling face as tears rolled down my cheek. He really did a great job messing you up, he mumbled.

Just then Miss. Alice walked into the dining room carrying a higher chair, oh, my what a mess you've created she said softly.

He gave her a stern look as he got up and retrieved the chair from her. I'm really sorry sir she said before she lowered her head.

It's ok Alice, you may leave were the only words he told her before she walked behind those big white doors. I hopped off the low chair and moved aside for him to replace it with a slightly higher one.

He lifted me up and placed me onto the chair, for as long as I’m around no one will say or do anything to hurt you ok he whispered before going back to his seat. Within minutes another milkshake was placed before me and this time I was careful, I gently lifted it up, placed it to my lips and I took a long sip.

He laughed loudly the moment I smacked my lips together, startling me a bit. Is it that good? he asked softly.

It's just like I imagined, daddy only allowed Azar to have some, thank you I whispered. Not responding to what I had said he smiled sweetly before taking a sip of his coffee.