The Other Side

Chapter Two

Misbah wanted to punch something. Preferably the insufferable rich boy who she had the displeasure to meet, but she wasn't fussed. She just wanted to hear the satisfaction of her knuckles slamming into someone's face. Rich boy's face actually.

Groaning silently, she kicked an empty can harshly onto the street, the force sending the can flying out onto the road and rolling out of sight. How could she have been so stupid? She had just lost her family's fortnightly food, all because of her stupid pride. She just should've have taken the money he was offering in the first place, instead of becoming all high and mighty.

Misbah walked home quickly, her hands balled up in fists as she thought of ways she could bring some extra money in for food. She couldn't cut anymore for anywhere, there wasn't anything to cut down on. All the money coming in every month was divided straight into rent, bills, debt and food, and that was thinly spread too. The blisters on her foot could attest that she didn't even have money to pay for a bloody bus ride, so where the hell would she find this money for food?

The sky was beginning to tinge with red, Misbah noted miserably as she turned the corner to her estate. It was like the sky was mocking her too, she thought. Maybe she had tempted fate but buying those bloody donuts and cookies to begin with. Maybe this was God's way of reminding her that she didn't deserve this, and to shoot her back down where she belongs.

Sighing heavily, she wrinkled her nose at the smell of weed that passed her. Tightening her bag around herself, she walked fast, with purpose, past the large groups of people that hulked around the corners. Some who she recognised, she gave a quick nod to in acknowledgement, and they returned the address, ushering the others to the side to allow her to pass. This was something that Misbah had picked up from the start; it was important for survival to make sure you had acquaintances, not so much for herself, but certainly for her family.

Turning into a dimly lit alleyway, Misbah walked up to a row of shabby houses. She opened the gate to one particular house, and walked up the pathway, mentally preparing herself for the crestfallen looks from her family when she told them about the food. That was an entire fortnight's she repeated to herself, scuffing her shoe in anger as she thought about her foolishness. She should've punched that fool in the nose, and taken her rightful ten pounds. Or even better, she should have had done whatever she could to make sure that it hadn't wasted to begin with. She should've taken an extra bag, dived to catch the eggs, leapt for the milk, something, anything, to stop her family from going hungry again.

She resigned herself to adding a couple more hours for tutoring to make up for the lost cash. There wasn't any time during the day, but maybe she could offer a niche in the market, maybe tutor Urdu to adults in the evenings and make up the cash for food so at least her sisters and mum could eat this week.

Misbah stuffed her key in the lock, but as usual, the door swung open before she had even turned the key. A small body tackled Misbah into a welcoming hug, and she wrinkled her nose as the musty smell of the house wafted her way.

"Aapi! You're home!"

Misbah laughed softly at the muffled voice, and gently passed her hands over the soft dark curls of her youngest sister, who was still latched onto her waist. "That I am sweetheart. Do you mind just shuffling a little that a way so I can come in?" Not letting go of her elder sister, Mahira shuffled slightly backwards, allowing Misbah to enter inside the house. "Did you have a good day today sweetie?" Misbah asked, swinging her sister onto her hips as she made a beeline to the shabby sofa. It was worrying how easy it was to swing eight year old Mahira onto her lap, and Misbah felt another stab of piercing guilt as she thought of the wasted food, and her sister's bony ribs. Vowing to work harder for money for food, Misbah turned her attention to her little sister.