After the truth

~11~

Marwa let out a loud groan as she stretched her hands above her head. Today was a really busy day for her since she was to begin the project for her client. The alarm that she had set on her phone went off and she knew it was time to move. She had a meeting with miss Genaro at a nearby cafe. It was currently 2:15. Marwa decided to use the time to walk down to the cafe. She grabbed her tablet and the files into her tote bag.

She hurried to the elevator, not wanting to waste time. Her yellow dress looked fire as Mukhlisa had said that morning and the white jersey scarf she wrapped neatly around her head gave her more confidence than the red lipstick Zulfa had forced her to wear. She had immediately cleaned it off when she stepped on the bus to apply her lip moisturizing balm. She wore her smile proudly as she greeted the familiar faces she met at the first floor.

"Hello Emma." She waved at the lady sitting behind the reception desk.

"Marwa." The lady grinned. "You look radiant."

"Thank you." Marwa blushed, suddenly feeling shy. She took in a deep breath of the fresh air that hit her face as she stepped out of the building. It felt so nice and refreshing. It was currently 2:22. She began to calculate how long it would take her to get to the cafe before 2:30. A chuckle escaped her lips as she hurried down the walkway. By the time she arrived, she could feel hot sweat trickle down her back. Thank goodness she had on a singlet or else, she would have drowned in embarrassment.

Her eyes sharply scanned the cafe for the familiar face and when there was no sign of miss Genaro, she made way to a table at the far end away from people. She was thankful that she was here before the lady. She ordered a glass of water first to quench the thirst that was suddenly causing discomfort. The door opened and in walked a lady whose beautiful curls could be seen hanging down loosely from under the large hat she had on. The sunglasses concealed most of her face and her lips were tight in a frown.

Marwa squinted, making sure she was seeing clearly. She laughed into her palms at the clown act from her client. Marwa raised her hands and waved hard for the lady to come over. When she did, she pulled off her hat and let out a sigh.

"Miss Genaro." Marwa smiled politely at the lady.

"Please call me Camilla." The lady sighed again, pulling off her sunglasses to reveal a bright piercing blue eyes.

"Your eyes are beautiful." Marwa gasped, gazing at them. She coughed a bit when she realized how that might have sounded but Camilla simply smiled.

"You don't think it's haunting?" Camilla asked, plucking her gloves off.

"What?" Marwa frowned, thinking that was a silly question. "It's beautiful. I could stare all day if it wouldn't cause you discomfort."

"I appreciate." Camilla gave a genuine smile.

"Let's get down to business shall we?" Marwa grinned. "But first! I asked for some delicious chocolate coffee cake with coffee."

"Really?"

"I hope you don't mind. I know your schedule requires a lot of mindfulness regarding eating but I felt it would be so cool. We can cancel if you don't like it. I just wanted to make you comfortable and happy. I mean...."

"Marwa, yes?" Camilla paused, hoping she got the name right, then continued when the lady nodded. "It's fine. I appreciate the thoughtfulness."

"Great." Marwa grinned. She called for the waiter to serve and the pair had a nice meal before getting down to business.

"When Mrs Raya told me about your idea, I instantly fell in love. You understand the assignment."

"I'm glad you loved it. Wait till you see the surprise I have for you." Marwa clapped.

"Your excitement is contagious." Camilla chuckled, folding her hands in front of her.

"The minimalist touch was challenging for me at first because my go to decor has to be something spectacular. But I loved that it was challenging. It meant I had to be a lot creative than how I usually am. So with inspiration from nature and my baby girl, I made this." Marwa passed the tablet to Camilla. Her legs bounced underneath the table, as feeling of nervousness passed through her.

"Wow." Camilla gasped. "This is lovely. I love it." She shook her head, a small smile on her face.

"You think?"

"I think? I know girl. That cabin is my safe space to be honest. I've been wanting something that is all me. I love gardening, painting, and writing. These things helps me relax. The idea of an inside garden with solar lights is innovative, the little swing for cozying up and maybe meditation is impressive, and the placement of a small work table which could be adjusted by height is astounding really. I'm mind blown."

"Woah!" Marwa exclaimed. It was nice seeing someone appreciate her work.

"I look forward to seeing this manifest into something delightful."

"Thank you..." Marwa's phone went off. She apologized for the interruption and accepted the call. "Marwa speaking."

Camilla could see the look of shock on Marwa's face as she listened intently to what the person on the other end said. She could see the tears gather at her eyes as she stood from her seat.

"What's wrong?"

"Uhm. Can we do this another time? My daughter is in some kind of trouble, on her first day." Marwa let out a frustrated laughter.

"Sure. No problem."

******
Mukhlisa was expelled from a school she just started attendance today. The principal suggested for her to be taken to a specialist as her daughter was not fit to be amongst young people her age. She showed behaviours that were concerning and wasn't fit to be in social situations. What the hell?!

Marwa felt anger at the rude woman who kept on giving weird titles to her child's 'condition'. Her frustration was leveled up when she confronted Lisa about her behaviour but the little girl saw nothing in beating up a classmate, who was even bigger than her, to a pulp. Where did this little daughter of hers learn to beat people up like this?

Half of her school fees payment were immediately refunded and the rest was used to treat the 'poor victim.' With anger at the dismissal attitude from Lisa, Marwa spanked her daughter and pulled her away from the school, not bothering about her whine. Tears threatened to fall but she kept them at bay. It was tiring being a mother and all those people who made it seem like eating a cake where liars. What do one do when their child does something terrible and sees nothing wrong in it? Was Mukhlisa faulty?

Marwa groaned, ignoring the crying little girl beside her. She called up her sister to please come pick her niece up from her workplace. She was done with the girl for today.

"I did not teach you to be cruel to people." Marwa began, pulling Mukhlisa behind her as they walked into the office building.

"Leave me alone. I don't like you." Lisa yelled, yanking her tiny hands free.

"Lisa." Marwa warned, glaring at the girl. The glare she received in return put her on edge. They were in public but her level of frustration was up and she knew how well she would spank her daughter until she came to her senses.

"What's wrong?" Emma asked, hurrying over to the little girl.

"I don't like my mum. She's mean." Lisa cried out. It was like a stab to Marwa's heart. "She tells me to stand up for what's right and then hit me for doing that."

"What's going on?" Aaron's voice boomed.

"Ask your 'daughter'." Marwa muttered, walking away.

She felt really tired and wasn't in the mood for the drama. Her prayers were that Zulfa arrived on time to take Mukhlisa home.
I don't like my mum. She's mean.
A tear finally escaped as she walked to the elevator. She was doing this for them. Working hard so her daughter could attend school, travel to all the places she only saw on tv and read about. Marwa knew it was just her throwing a tantrum but it hurt her. She didn't know why. When the door of the elevator closed, Marwa finally let the tears fall. She was tired of everything and she wished she could go back to being seventeen and deciding not to visit the library that evening. It already happened and it was Allah's will.