Jalo estate.

14

After stepping out from the house,we found Grandpa Ali standing near the house "You two come here."

We walked to him and greeted him "Just because you are seeing a failed marriage,that doesn't mean you should think all marriages are like that.Their are happy marriages which peace and live reigns."

I nod my head smiling at him "Just like mine and Tee's." He further explained making me smile more wider.

"What is her real name thou?" I questioned and he smiled brightly "Tauhida,such a beautiful name for a beautiful woman."

Okay am literally awning.

We said goodbye to him,after reaching my apartment I turned to Maina who was very unusually quite "Bye."

He gave me a little tight lipped smile "Bye,Maryam."

Uh oh.

Something is off.For sure.

It felt like Maryam was not my name,but that is what I wanted right? For him to call me with my real name.

That is so....ugh

"What happened to Miriam?" I questioned and the sad thing is he didn't even turn,he just raised his hand.

"Thought you hated the name." I heard his faint voice then his door shutting close.Letting out a sigh of annoyance, I pushed our door also and entered our house.

••

Bashir jumped on my bed immediately after coming in and I eye him "Ammi said that you are so bad at washing dishes.Do you need classes for that too?"

I threw the comb right beside me at him as I let my angry eyes land on him "Don't play with me,Bash."

He scrunch his eyes before growling "You are really becoming mean.Thinking through it now,you have always been mean."

I roll my eyes looking at him with duh look.

Al'amin peeped in then came inside after realizing that both of us are here "This room smells of sweat and your perfumes.In short it is somehow awful." The words roll out of his tongue innocently and I had to face palm myself.

God! My brothers are so annoying,but aren't all brothers like that? Annoying species born with one aim; To make their sister's life a living hell!

"You can carry your legs which you used to enter the room,to kindly get out of the room with them." I smiled sarcastically and he raised up his hand in surrender.

"I surrender." He said plopping next to Bashir.The bed is actually too small for three people,so I had to result to sitting down on the floor staring at them.

"Before I forget,Ammi said I should call you for her." He said with his eyes on his phone.He is such a phone freak,he always have his phone.

"And you are just telling me." I hissed knocking his head "Ouch, I just walked in!"

Eyeing him one more time, I stood up stretching a little before I walked out of the room.The parlor was empty so I aimed for her room,I found her sitting on the prayer mat with her hands raised up while she pray.I quietly sat down beside her and waited for her till she was done "Allah Amin." I mouthed.

She turned to me smiling a little and it is now that I am realizing how she has changed,she have lost a little weight and she have dark circles beneath her eyes,she seems tired and worried.

Letting out a little sigh, I let that slide "You called for me."

She nod her head "I heard that their is a laundromat here.So, I want you to take our clothes to him for dry cleaning."

A smile made its way to my lips,some of my clothes really need washing and also the dirty clothes are making my room have an usual smell.The room is small and I have nowhere to keep them, I am definitely not mixing them up with the clean ones.

"I will go and pack mine then. I will also tell those two buffalos to pack theirs too." I giggled at my own sense of nicknames as I let my legs carry my weight.Ammi breathed in shaking her head "We can't afford that,Maryam."

A confused look crossed my face as I turned to her "What do you mean?"

"Only mine and your father's clothes will be taken for laundry.You and your brothers have to wash your clothes by yourselves."

What? It is just laundry! How much will it even cost? How can we just freaking not to he able to afford it?

"But,we don't know how to wash clothes.We don't even have a washing machine!!" I reason as I paced around the room in distress "You will learn,you will wash with your hands."

I can't even believe this!

"I can do this!"

I am tired, I am trying to be considerate but it is too much.

"You have to.It is not a matter of what you want anymore,it is a matter of managing." But we have never learnt to manage.We have always had everything! Every single thing!

"Are we really so poor? How can Abba not afford money for our laundry?" I questioned feeling my eyes fill up with tears.It is too much.This kind of life is too much for me to take,I feel extremely suffocated.

Ammi tried to hold back herself from getting emotional "Your father wants to open a shop.He need to start a business if not,we will wake up one day with no food to eat."

We never ran out of food,our store have always been full of food.But now,Ammi is getting worried that we won't have food to eat if Abba doesn't start a business.

"This is more serious than you are thinking.Just have patience Maryam."

I nod my head wiping my tears "Give me the clothes."

We can do it.Al'amin,Bashir and me can wash our clothes,we do it with our own hands.

She smiled a little at me before handing the clothes she wrapped in a bedsheet for me.I collect them and let my eyes rest on her "It will be fine,Ammi."

"I am worried about you all.My children." She slurred crying and I wiped her tears "We can manage."

I really wish we can.