Broken Birds

Thirteen

Kamal's POV.

I groan.
Ma asked to see me.
I know it's just going to be another round of her 'be like your brother' conversations.

I hate him.
I hate my brother more than anyone else on this God forsaken planet.

He was always the smartest, most obedient and most charismatic. With him around I'm always invisible, it's like I do not exist and it's painful.

No matter how hard I tried in school I never got anywhere near the top 5 and he even without trying was always the first. Our parents, everyone always compared us. Whether they knew me first or him they always complimented him and made me feel insignificant.

A lot of the girls I've liked would approach me with intention to get close to him. I feel like all my life I've lived under his shadow.

That was why I changed, if they wouldn't give me attention even when I did things right then I'll get it another way and believe it or not it feels better. The comparison still happens but I get the attention and recognition from my dear parents.

And at the same time, I get to frustrate my dear brother. He doesn't give a damn about me so this is my way of rewarding him for ruining my life.

I knock on her bedroom door.
"Come in" she shouts at the top of her voice.
That woman has a very sharp voice.

I open and peep.
"Why are you standing there like a hypocrite?" She asks looking annoyed.

She was seated on her bed watching her Telenovelas, as usual.
I enter and close the door "Ma, isn't this room too cold for you"

She raises her eyebrows "So because I'm now old my bones can't handle the cold? I can't use my own AC until I ask for your permission, right?"
I huff.

Whenever she's with my dear brother she's always so loving and clingy but it's like just the sight of me makes her angry.

I sit on the carpet "You called for me?"
She nods "Yes, your uncle Ahmed is offering you a job and whether you want it or not you're taking it"

"But Ma—"
She shakes her head "Not a word. You know how he is. He doesn't like slackers. Anyway tomorrow morning is your first day and I need you there on time. Also he said he wants you staying at his house, so you'd be going together"

I felt like strangling myself.
Uncle Ahmed is literally the man people in the family send their kids to get molded. The man is merciless and I guess this is my parent's way of getting me off their hair.

"You're sending me to that man?"
She shrugs "I don't know what you mean, I just got you a job" she smirks.

I nod "I'll be there"
"Good and you better pack as soon as possible, don't piss him off. He's my brother but even I fear him" She smiles turning back to her show "You can go".

I walk out, close the door and groan.
"The fuck!"

"Oooh I guess you heard" Azza says with her plate of food.
I nod "Didn't Abba ban you from eating in your rooms?"

She smiles "Yes but he'll never know. Anyway, how're you doing? You've been missing our family dinners"
I was confused.
"You've been having them?"

She nods "Yes. Every week like we normally do"
"Aryan shows up?"

She nods.
"I didn't know we had them"
"I remind you all in the family group every Friday"

I chuckle "I'm not in the family group"
She makes an 'O' with her mouth before smiling awkwardly "I'll add you then"

"Don't bother, I'm going".