Life Is a box of Chocolates.

Chapter 11

It's been a week since dada abu's demise. His loss still burning in our hearts.  Relitives neighbours and friends have been coming all week to offer condolences and to cheak up on us.

Dad keeps to themselves hardly talking or eating. Am getting worried.  Ruby just sits chewing gum and blowing bubbles. I don't know what Rashid sees in her.

Humaira s out burst had a slight side effects on ruby for a few days.  She began  clearing the table helping with cooking.

On the forth day muttered "this is too tiring I don't know how you guys do it."

Rashid and Humaira don't talk to each other as much . just "salaam . you hungry ? What do you want to eat .Ok."

This house is just a mess.  I need to fix the relations here. الحمدلله mum dad and Humaira are on good terms with me...... its just Rashid and Ruby.

Then there also the fact that Rashid and Ruby don't get along with any of us. How can I fix this house?

Hmmmm........I guess first I need to fix the relation between mother father and son. If mum and dad except ruby then hopefully Rashid will change.

"........SALSABEEL BHABI!"

I jumped. Humaira was holding my arm, shaking it and mum behind her looking worried.

" What happened?" I asked.

" We should be asking you.  What happened.  Humaira's been calling you for awhile now. "

Turning around so I was facing Humaira fully, I placed my hands on her arms and smiled.  " sorry sweetie ,I was deep in thought. "

" What were you thinking about? " she asked

" That doesn't matter ,why were you calling me?"

" Oh dads not eating. Can you try?"

" You must remember they've lost their father. It will take time. "

" I know I just wish. ...."

I saw Rashid join mum behind Humaira. He was wearing black jeans and jacket with a tight  black top underneath.

"I just wish we were all together you know?........Going threw this together........" she sniffed crying silently.  "helping each other out.......going threw this loss together. .........supporting each other. ........ Its like.......its like were not even one family...........  Its like its me mum dad........ and you......against Rashid paijan........... and Ruby bhabhi."

Her eyes were full of tears and falling down her cheeks.  Her voice Was trembling and her shoulders began to shake. Humaira's a strong girl this is the first time I've seen her break down.

She wiped her nose on her sleeve and looked straight in to my eyes.

"I miss how we were one caring family. ..... how we would do anything for each other you know?....... always at each others side in a minute. ....
And fair." Humaira sighed.

" The same brother who used to stay by my side whenever I had a fever...... tge same brother who used make me laugh when I was sad ...... the same brother who use to solve any problem I had , who beat up a boy in our street because he was picking on me as a kid..... that same caring brother" she sobbed.  Her voice hiccuped" That same brother who has never hit me in my 16 years of life slapped me."

She began sobbing uncontrollably. I looked at mum and they also haf tears rolling down there face.

" He who was the peace of this family ...... is now ....... is now the source of grief. I just want my brother back. He didn't even as me my side of the story. Why I said what I said. ....... he should have asked me too. ......" Humaira sighed deeply." Its like she's right.......she's all he cares about......what about the mother who carried him for 9 months......the mother who fed and cleaned him.....the father who played with him taught him to walk......what about his mother who used stay up because he was ill. ...... what about the parents who are ready to sacrifice their life for him."