Struggling with my parents after telling them about my husband-to-be
As-salamu alaykum. I'm a 28F in the States, from an Indian Muslim family, and I'm really unsure what to do. My parents have always provided the basics - a roof and food - but we barely talk about anything else in this house. Recently my mother asked if there's anyone in my life since I'm getting older, and she was upset that I'm still single. I had been planning to tell her about my partner and did istikhara the night before, so I decided to bring it up. I've been with my partner for a year; he's Muslim and 28M. When I first told my mom she asked questions, seemed okay, even happy, and wanted to meet him and asked for a picture. That was three days ago. After that she basically stopped talking to me until this morning, when she said she doesn't want to discuss it until after my graduation (I'm finishing my MBA this May). When I mentioned graduation as a practical timing point, she reacted badly. I told her that waiting was fine, but that she could've at least said something instead of leaving me anxious for days. She exploded and started calling me a wh*re for taking pictures with men (one photo was from high school graduation with a male friend) and for going out. She said nobody cares for me like she does, that I'm miserable and she hates talking to me, and that people only like me out of pity. I want to add that I've been in therapy for almost five years and have been trying to accept my family's abusive patterns: not being there in serious situations, resorting to yelling and name-calling, constantly calling me a failure, and generally being unhappy. I don't know what else to say without just venting. I'm heartbroken and confused. I almost hate myself for telling the truth instead of lying to keep the peace. Why does Islam allow people to behave like this? My parents have started showing more outward acts of worship, like going to Umrah and praying, but behind closed doors they still treat me this way. Any advice or dua would help.