Page 69 of Dark Shaman: Eternal Hope
"It's a very nice piece," Soraya agreed. "But even though gifts are nice and show affection, life is about more than this." She leveled her dark eyes on Ruvon. "Am I right?"
"Absolutely." Ruvon nodded. "Life is made of moments, and none of them should be squandered. I cherish each moment I get to spend with Arezoo."
Soraya smiled. "What are moments usually squandered on?"
No one around the table was breathing, including the little ones. They all knew Ruvon was being tested, and he hoped that they wanted him to pass the test.
"Small and big things," he said. "Even indifference is a culprit. When one partner prefers to scroll the endless feed on some social media platform instead of paying attention to the most important person in his or her life? Why watch meaningless television shows when you could be talking to your loved one? Then there are the big squanders like anger and resentment. I'm not saying that everything always has to be rainbows and flowers but paying attention and communicating is paramount in a relationship."
Laleh sighed. "That's so beautiful, Ruvon. Do you have any friends who think like you?"
"Laleh!" her mother admonished. "You are not allowed to date anyone older than you."
"But there are no boys my age in the village."
"Then you will have to wait." Soraya turned back to Ruvon. "You didn't mention trust."
"Trust is important," Ruvon agreed. "It should be earned, though."
"And how does one earn such trust?"
"Through actions, not words," Ruvon said. "Through being present, consistent, and reliable. Through showing respect not just for the person you love, but for their family, their values, their dreams." He paused, gathering courage. "Through understanding that when you love someone, you're not just choosing them, but everyone they hold dear."
Soraya was quiet for a moment and then turned to Arezoo. "What do you say to this?"
Arezoo reached over and took Ruvon's hand, interlacing their fingers on top of the table where everyone could see. "I say that Ruvon has shown me all of these things. But most importantly, he never doubted me in anything. His trust in me is absolute, and that's precious to me."
Arezoo was right about him trusting her absolutely, but he hadn't known that it was so important to her.
Soraya studied him for a long moment, then looked at her sisters and daughters, each in turn. Some form of silent communication seemed to pass between them, a conversation conducted entirely in glances and subtle expressions.
"Maman," Arezoo said softly, "Ruvon is the one for me. I know it, everyone around this table knows it, and deep in your heart you know that too."
Soraya's expression softened. "You're very young, my Arezoo. Nineteen is too young to make such a commitment."
"You were younger than me when you married Father."
"That was different, and you know it. I didn't have a choice, but you do. You can do whatever you want, choose any path. Why limit yourself?"
Ruvon cleared his throat. "I will never limit Arezoo. She can choose any path, become whoever she wants to be. I just want to accompany her on her journey."
That seemed to break the last of Soraya's resistance, and she reached for his hand, clasping it with surprising force. "Look into my eyes, Ruvon."
He did, his heart pounding. This felt very much like a pronouncement was coming.
"Do you love my daughter?"
"Yes," he said without hesitation. "With everything I am."
"Will you keep her safe?"
"With my life."
"Will you always respect her?"
"Always," he said. "Arezoo is extraordinary and deserving of respect, not just mine but everyone's. She is brilliant, kind, and brave, and just being with her makes me a better person. She's a force of good in this world."
Soraya nodded. "My daughter has chosen you. I see the way she looks at you, the way she lights up when you enter the room. I see the way you look at her, too, like she's the sun and you're the moon orbiting her."
