Cassette - z.m.

nine.

"She loves the beach."

• • •

I lean on the counter and dial Maa's number. I run my good hand through my wet hair as I wait for her to pick up. The pasta is already in the microwave heating up.

The phone continues ringing but she doesn't take the call. I groan in frustration and keep dialling again and again. I was just about to hang up the fourth call when, finally, she picks up.

I roll my eyes and take the pasta out of the microwave.

"Hello?" I hear her voice. She sounds like she just ran a marathon.

"Maa, are you okay? Why are you panting? Is everything alright?" All the anger I felt moments ago is replaced by concern as I hear her take a deep breathe.

"Yeah, love. Everything is fine. How is my lovely daughter?" She says more cheerfully so as not to make me worried.

"Your daughter is okay but she is worried about her Mum. She has been trying to reach her for a couple of days now but to no avail." I say as I grab a fork and sit down on the stool to devour the delicious pasta.

"I'm so sorry, beta but I was so busy the past couple of days. Did I worry you?" She asks with concern.

"Yes, Maa of course! I was worried sick. And I've been having these weird dreams lately." I pout at the pasta in front of me.

"What kind of dreams? You thought I died or something?" She lets out a chuckle and I roll my eyes as I hear her laugh, and grin.

"Nope, just random uncomfortable dreams. Make me all sweaty and shit." I say and I poke the pasta with the fork and play with it.

"Maybe it's the nerves. Don't worry. It must be because you're away from your Maa. Do you want me to come visit you?"

"No, thank you. I think I'm doing fine. Well, as fine as I can with the Hobo around."

"Hobo? What hobo? Don't tell me that you're letting tramps live in your house, Azin." She asks, kind of in a shock.

"I'm only letting in the tramp you sent here. Why did you send him anyway? You know I wanted to be left alone, Mum." I frown and push away the plate. My appetite suddenly gone.

"Oh, you're talking about Zayn." She says as realisation dawns upon her. "Don't talk about your guest like that, sweetheart. He's a great guy. He needed a place to stay at while he was doing a project or something so I gave him the keys to the house. Plus, he's paying."

"And why did you not think about informing me?" I say as my anger rises slowly and I hold the fork tighter in my hand.

"I was going to inform you but like I said, I've been busy a lot these past couple of days, love. Don't get angry at your old and forgetful Mum." She says, playing her innocent card.

"Alright. Fine. How long is he going to stay here?" I ask and put the plate of the half-eaten pasta away.

"As long as he desires. We didn't talk about that, really. Mrs. Malik was very worried about him not finding any place and all so I just gave him the keys to stay with you."

"Who is this Mrs. Malik?" I wrinkle my nose up. I've never heard of the woman. I mean I practically know every single friend of Mum's and I haven't even heard the name in passing.

"Oh, she's new on the block. You don't know her. Now, do you have any issues about living with him?" She asks but just when I was about to say that yes, I have a lot of issues about living with him, she continues,"Because you'll just have to live with it. He's going to stay there and I will not hear another word on this subject."