After the truth

~15~

It was recess and most of the children were in groups, playing on the swing, acting out scenes from their imagination, running about and having fun.

Mukhlisa was sitting on the round table in the middle of the playground, her eyes in direct contact with Cherry's as she listened with rapt attention to the story the girl was saying.

Coming from a humble family, Mukhlisa had never been out of the country so she found it fascinating the wild adventures Cherry had been on. Although the little girl did not think so due to her disability.

"It would be so cool if mummy can take you along with us on our trip to Nigeria. There's a cool doctor that can help with my therapy." Cherry said, concluding her story.

"Nigeria? I've never heard of it." Mukhlisa mused, index finger in her mouth as she pondered on past geography lessons she had with her mum.

"Oh my goodness!" Cherry exclaimed dramatically. "Do not say this outside. You can forget there's a place called America but not knowing Nigeria is a bruise."

"Now you're being dramatic." Mukhlisa laughed.

"It's only one of the best country ever. They're funny, I love funny people. Their food is full of flavour and even though the people do not realize it, they're really stronger together. Do not mess with a Nigerian and expect the others to fall back!"

Mukhlisa grinned. She would love to visit as well, but she couldn't tell her mum. They weren't rich.

"You could easily be Nigerian." The girl in the wheelchair commented.

"What? Why?" Mukhlisa asked. She was confused by the comment seeing that her striking feature highlighted her Indian heritage.

"You're brave and you do not feel intimited by people."

"What?" Mukhlisa scrunched up her nose. "Intimited?" Then she busted out laughing

"What?" Cherry asked with a smile.

"It's intimidated." She guffawed.

"Whatever little Einstein."

A cough interrupted their conversation. Cherry seemed startled to see Maryam by the table. The girl had her hair packed in a low ponytail but her bangs needed some trimming. Her eyes were red rimmed.

"Did anything happen?" Mukhlisa asked, suddenly concerned.

"I'm so sorry for pushing you off your chair Cherry. Please forgive me. I won't do that again." She pleaded, her eyes dripping something akin to sadness and regret.

"It's alright." Cherry smiled.

"It's just that when you cried, it reminded me of my mum. She'd smack me till I drop to the floor and say I'm weak that's why my dad don't love me."

Mukhlisa and Cherry both shared a look. It seemed the crying girl didn't know when Not to share certain information. Nor did she seem to understand that there are ways to place them. Regardless of this, Mukhlisa pulled her by her jumpers, asking her to join them.

The girls had fun conversing about various experiences. From afar one would think they were sisters or they've known each other for so long. And although Maryam was two years older than the both of them, they made the best of friends.

*****
"Mummy. Can Maryam come home with us?"

Marwa blinked down at her daughter. She was lost in the situation of things. When did the victim embrace and bring home their bully?

"My parents wouldn't care." Maryam inputted, staring up at the pretty lady.

"I heard you have a nanny. How about her?"

"She'll do whatever it is I want." Maryam stated, oblivious to how disrespectful she sounded.

"She was placed as a guardian for you while your parents are out of the country. She's responsible for you."

"It doesn't matter." Maryam waved a hand, giving a wide grin.

Marwa felt sad for the little girl. She lacked genuine warmth as well as parental care. She had no proper manners without even realizing it.

"Can I have your Nanny's name and number? Do you know that?" Marwa asked, smiling at the child.

"Her name is Belinda." She responded, albeit grumpily. She pulled out the latest iPhone from a pocket in her backpack. "I'll call her."

Minutes after, Marwa and the kids were on their way home. She had informed Belinda to join them at home or come pick Maryam up once it was six. Marwa was pleased to hear that the little girl had apologized to both Cherry and Mukhlisa.

When they got home, she made the girls take a shower and because Lisa was a lot smaller for her age, Maryam had to wear one of Marwa's t-shirt while her clothes spinned in the washing machine. The girl was ecstatic about wearing the cloth.

"My mum would never." Maryam stated matter-of-factly.

Marwa served them a portion of white rice with chicken Tikka sauce and well seasoned asparagus. And when the girls were done eating, she assisted them with their assignment, discussing about word plays in the book they were asked to read. During their discussion, Marwa learnt that Maryam had previously been home schooled and when she didn't turn out to be the genius her parents expected of her, she was placed in elementary, to sort herself- in the little girl's words.

It was disappointing that all the girl attributed things to were negative, a relation to her experiences. Marwa suddenly felt protective of her, like a mother hen, wanting to keep off cruelty away.

"Well, I believe you're a genius in your own way. You're beautiful and smart. You also seem good with words." Marwa had told her resulting in small arms tightly wrapped around her waist and a full blown sob that wracked her body.

Around evening time, Belinda came over to pick the spoilt princess. She was surprised when Maryam ran over to her and hugged her. The girl rambled about Marwa's kindness and even offered the cupcake she was given. Belinda glanced up to find Marwa, caressing her daughters hair with a smile on her face.

"You must be Belinda. I don't mind Maryam staying over until evening time." Marwa said.

"Good evening. That would be splendid." Belinda offered a small smile.

"Maryam told me about your classes. Surely, you have enough time to study properly."

"She did?"

"Yes. She was worried you wouldn't do well. Now you can impress her further with a nice result." Marwa winked at a blushing Maryam.

"Mummy you weren't supposed to tell her." Maryam whined, hiding her face in Belinda's jacket.

Belinda let out a chuckle. She almost cried in disbelief. Who was this child? Throughout the girl's life, she had never been kind to her. So all those hurtful words and nagging was because she cared? And why was she calling Marwa mummy?

"Join us for dinner tomorrow Bel. See you later Maryam." She waved, moving back inside.

"See you in school Marie." Lisa yelled, waving and jumping. The girl was unbelievably small.

"Maryam, what is going on?" Belinda asked immediately her friend had disappeared inside their house.

"I'm sorry aunty Belinda for being mean and hurtful with my words. Marwa's mummy said I was being disrespectful. I didn't know that." Maryam blinked up at the dark skinned beauty that had been there for her more times than her mother was ever present.

Belinda took in a deep breath and finally smiled at the girl. She understood that the girl was angry and bitter. She had wealth but she wasn't arrogant, never was. Maryam was rude, she wouldn't deny, but the girl only wanted her parents.

"It's alright Maryam. And also, I'm glad you made a better friend." Not the tiny assholes you move about with. She wanted to add. "Nurain is waiting down the road. This street is tiny."