BANE

CHAPTER FOUR (2)

"Ibrahim,we need to talk." The last time he tried talking to his neighbor's dog,he received a better reply .

After about two minutes . "Talk about what?" was all the other guy managed to ask ,not even bothering to break his gaze from the television .

"You know,about everything ."

"Oh! Do I now? You knew where I was for the past few years ,but you never had the desire to talk . " Mubarak didn't know what to say to that.

"I am busy if you don't mind." He increased the volume without another glance at Mubarak.

"I understand how you feel,but ..."

"Do you?" He laughed mirthlessly. "You have no idea how I feel."

"I know I have wronged you..."

"Then,there is nothing to talk about ." Mubarak stared at his back sadly . He wished he could undo his mistakes . But unfortunately, life has no reset button.

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"Take this," Karimah handed him a steaming cup of tea. "It will soothe you."

He didn't want it,but he didn't want her to feel unappreciated either,so he took a sip reluctantly . It burned his tongue a bit.

"You really should eat,you need your strength ." She added soothingly, looking at him with sad eyes. It had just been a couple of days ,but he looked terrible. He seemed to have lost weight and had sleeping bags under his eyes.

"I am not hungry ." Truly ,he didn't feel hungry . Plus he felt guilty eating,while his daughter was out there somewhere . How could he eat if he wasn't sure she had eaten.

"You need your strength . She needs you to be strong for her. Just finish this cup and I will fix something for you." Poor man,she thought as she stared at him.

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"What?"

"Yes Tahir,I was shocked to see him too. You should have seen his face when he saw the flyer . He was so shocked." She paused unsure of how to start telling Zaid about what she did .

"Why are you staring at me?" He asked ,looking at her suspiciously .

"I am sorry Zaid." She blurted out . Better now than later,if he finds out on his own,it would only get worst.

"For what?" He was clearly confused . he sat up from his bed . His room was red and black . Apart from the bed,he was lying on,there was a small reading table and a wardrobe . There were a few posters on the wall as well apart from that ,it was a really simple room.

"I told him everything . I don't know why I did it." She braced herself for what was about to come.

"What? You did what? How could you? It was supposed to be our secret . our secret Banan." He knew deep down that she had meant no harm but he couldn't help getting angry.

"He promised he won't tell. You know he wouldn't tell Zaid."

"And how can I be sure ? I was sure you wouldn't tell either ,but yet here we are." He spat bitterly . He couldn't believe that she went opening her mouth to someone after what they agreed on.

"Maybe he can help." She tried to reason with him, as if that was possible.

He scoffed ." if someone gets to know about this.Be sure you have no one to blame but yourself ."

"But ,Zaid...."

"But what? You told him our secret because of a stupid crush you have ?"
He felt a bit guilty after his outburst ,but he knew she deserved it .

She nodded her head ." I know what I did was wrong Zaid. But do well to remember, this isn't about us .It never has been." With that she stormed out of the room ,and he slumped on the bed fuming.

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Headache's seemed to become a part of her life these days . She felt as if her head was about to split into two , she knew it was as a result of the incident two days ago.

As if that wasn't enough,the man came in again. Fortunately for her ,he didn't come really close,he just threw her a blanket . " You are fortunate girl" he barked," the boss is in a good mood."

She ignored him and the blanket as well,though she needed it . It usually gets chilly during the night . "its a gift from the boss stop acting all snobbish as if you deserve more."

If he was expecting her to bow and thank him,he was mistaken . She would rather die than kneel for a worthless creature like him . They may take away her freedom,but she still had her pride. And sooner or later,she intended to get it back.

He hissed and exited the room,she heard the key turn harshly on the other side . she let out a breath she never knew she was holding, at least he didn't hit her .

When she gets out of there,she is going to make him pay; him and his precious 'boss' as well.