Parvana: wringing hands I... I h-have something to t-tell you.
A person Parvana met before was sitting near her
takes a deep breath It's about my relationship with Asif. We... we got married.
Married? That's big news, Parvana! Why didn't you tell me sooner?
nervously I-I didn't want to worry you, Pearson. It's been a complicated journey, and I needed time to figure things out for myself.
How did you two meet? Was it love at first sight or a gradual thing?
smiling nostalgically Well, it all started when I was working as a translator for a project in his country.
So that's where you two first met! Did you hit it off immediately, or was there a bit of a learning curve?
laughs softly Oh, definitely a learning curve! You see, Asif and I come from very different backgrounds, cultures, and traditions.
That must have been quite the challenge, especially when it comes to cultural differences. How did you navigate that?
opens up It wasn't easy, but we both made a conscious effort to learn about each other's cultures.
That's impressive, Parvana. You and Asif are truly a power couple! What kind of challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
pauses, takes a deep breath There were many challenges, Pearson. Our families didn't approve of our union, and we faced prejudice and discrimination from society.
I'm sorry to hear that, Parvana. That must have been incredibly tough. How did you hold on?
reaches out and holds Pearson's hand It wasn't easy, but we had something that kept us going: our love for each other.
Love can be a powerful thing, Parvana. How did you two maintain that love through all the hardships?
leans in closer, speaking softly We had to fight for our love, Pearson.
Did Asif's family try to intervene in your relationship at any point?
whispers Yes, they tried to force him into an arranged marriage with someone else. But Asif stood his ground, and we found a way to be together.
What happened? Did you two run away together?
smiles warmly No, we didn't run away. Instead, we decided to take matters into our own hands and got married without their approval.
That must have been a huge step, Parvana. Did your families eventually accept the union?
sighs It wasn't easy, Pearson. Our families were hurt and angry. They felt betrayed, and it caused a rift between us.
That must have been so difficult, Parvana. How did you two navigate the tension with your families?
pauses, voice filled with emotion It took a long time, but we tried to mend the relationship with our families.
Did they eventually come around, or are there still tensions in the family?
looks down, voice trembling It's... it's complicated, Pearson. While some members of our families accept our union, others still hold onto the resentment.
That's understandable, Parvana. It's not easy for people to accept change, especially when it challenges their traditions. What matters is that you and Asif stood true to yourselves and each other.
takes a deep breath, looks determined You're right, Pearson. We can't let the negativity of others define us.
And you didn't. You and Asif proved that love can conquer all, even cultural and familial expectations. What's next for you two?
leans in closer, speaking in hushed tones Well, Asif and I have been thinking about starting a family of our own.
A family, that's amazing! Have you two made any plans or preparations yet?
grinning nervously Well, we've started looking into different parenting styles and baby products, but we're still figuring out the logistics.