Last Tears

Chapter 12

"We didn't talk about anything heavy or light. We were just there together. And that was enough."

-Stephen Chbosky

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"I'll take that one" Maama pointed at the brown clothe being held in front of her. While the lady was folding it Maama looked at me, "What have you chosen?"

I shook my head.

"Don't you like any of them?" She asked

"It's not that" I looked down, "I can't really afford these. I'll go buy some cheaper ones while you're still choosing" I stood up to leave and stopped because Akram was blocking the door. "Excuse me" I murmured but he refused to budge. I frowned and looked up at him to see why he wasn't moving.

"Where are you going?" he asked

"I'm going to buy clothes from another shop. I'll be right back"

"Come here" Maama called and I walked back to her

"Yes?"

"Sit" she patted the empty space where I had been earlier and I reluctantly obeyed "Now, choose whatever you want, whatever amount you want"

"Maama I can't afford-"

"Who said anything about you paying?" she frowned at me. "Now choose what you want to buy"

I couldn't just let her spend such money on me so I chose one of the cheapest clothes and told her it was enough. She shook her head, "You are so stubborn. Akram, come help me choose clothes for her since she won't budge" Maama called and he came in. I watched as the lady brought down more and more of those clothes. I was scared to touch them in a way. Although Nasir was affluent enough, he had never spent more than the required on me so I wasn't exactly used to this kind of luxury.

"This will look great on her" Akram said to his mother holding up the peach colored cloth with silver thread decorations.

"I agree" Maama grinned taking it from him. She inspected it before holding it out to me. "Do you like it?"

I didn't say anything. I really didn't want to encourage them to waste money on me.

"It's like she's suddenly mute" Akram said looking serious. "No worries. We'll take like 10 extra, just in case she doesn't like this one"

"No!" I panicked, "I like it"

Maama laughed and Akram grinned before pointing at another clothe to be brought down for me.

Akram chose four more for me and Maama approved each one of them. Honestly I loved them and continued silently wondering how he had such perfect taste.

"Thank you" I said to the lady that assisted us and picked the bags containing mine and Maama's clothes.

Akram reached for them as we exited the shop both of us walking behind Maama. I held onto them. "It's okay, I can hold them"

"Let me do my work" he insisted and took the bags away.

"Thanks"

He smiled and moved out of the way for me to walk pass him.

XXX

"Try that one" Maama pointed at a red 9 inch tall stiletto. "I know you young girls like walking in those death traps"

All the people in the shop including Akram and I laughed at what she said. "I don't exactly like that kind of shoe" I smiled

"What of this?" the owner of the shop held out a five foot tall silver wedge to me. I loved it instantly. I took it and put on the first one and she handed the second one to me. I took the shoe and bent over to wear it when Akram spoke, "Don't wear it"