After the truth

~2~

Marwa watched her daughter draw red hearts with her crayon on the small card. A smile was on the little girl's face as she recounted her adventure in the "big office".
She felt proud of her baby girl's confidence, feeling glad that her daughter wasn't as shy as she was.

She checked the time on the clock above the fridge. Marwa and her twin's birthday was today. Mukhlisa insisted on making the best birthday card for her twin sister. Marwa moved to the fridge to get the cake she had designed, out of it. She also grabbed the ginger cookies that she had sprinkled ice cream on, it was her sister's favourite.

"Mukhlisa! Stop that." Marwa chided, placing her hands on her hips.

"It's just the ice cream mummy." Lisa giggled.

"I don't appreciate such behaviour Lisa. That's silly." Marwa frowned, placing the cake into it's box.

"I'm sorry." Mukhlisa apologized.

"It's alright. Are you done with your artwork?" Marwa asked, smiling.

"Yes mummy. Should I go put on my shoes?"

"Yes love. Can you help mummy get her pink hijab?" Marwa asked, placing the cake inside the white box.

"Yes mummy."

Few minutes later, Mukhlisa returned with a white jersey scarf and her black sandals. Marwa watched her daughter, a look of confusion on her face.

"Mummy! Your pink scarf doesn't go well with -" Lisa paused,  giving her mum a once-over. "- your mighty green dress, silly." She giggled, shaking her small head of brown curls.

"Thank you." Marwa blew a raspberry at her daughter.

"Mummy, that's so rude." Lisa chided but laughed nonetheless.

"Alright. Let's get going. Take the cookies and wait outside." Marwa pointed to the small box, then wrapped the white jersey scarf around her head. She made sure to turn off all electronics and double checked the gas.

Grabbing the cake and her purse, she walked to the door and locked it behind her as she stepped out .
"Hold my hands." She ordered her daughter.

................

"To the nicest aunty in the whole world who loves my mummy so so much and loves me more than mummy happy birthday, I love you."  Zulfa read out from the cute card, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Don't cry aunty Zully." Lisa begged, going to hug her aunty.

Marwa smiled at the scene and pulled out her phone to take a picture. She felt a surge of happiness looking at the cute scene between her sister and her daughter.

"You're just so sweet Lisa. Thank you so much." Zulfa kissed her niece. "Your handwriting has improved a lot."

"I have the best teacher." Mukhlisa grinned at her mum as she held her aunt's hands. "Come, let's have a taste of your favourite snack ever."

"Ginger cookies and frozen ice cream?" Zulfa gasped, walking beside an excited Mukhlisa.

"I knew you would love it aunty Zully." Lisa giggled, pushing open the door to the kitchen.

Marwa let out a tired sigh as she made her way to the balcony. Her sister lived a few blocks away from her home and she was glad. Zulfa was not only her sister, but her best friend too. When their parents had disowned her, and her siblings frowned at her, Zulfa was the only one who accepted her. She went against their parent and moved out of the house. Zulfa was the one present on the day her daughter was born and for that she was really grateful.