BANE

CHAPTER SEVEN

It was during breakfast that it occurred to him that he had still not asked Banan about how she knew about him going on with the investigation without her, but he knew he couldn’t possibly ask her when their mother was seated at the table.
Their mother glanced at her watch. “Lord, I am late again.” She stood up hurriedly, bade them goodbye and left. He was about to start asking questions when their mother came in again. “I forgot to tell you, I won’t be back early today, I need to take care of something, your aunt called me earlier today, and she said my attention is needed. Love you.” They heard her car drove off.
“We have something to do Banan.”
“Banan, I was meaning to ask you, how did you get to know about that issue?”
“What issue?” She had been dreading the coming of that question since the previous day; she knew he would ask sooner or later.
“Oh Please! Stop playing dumb.” He was beginning to get impatient.
“None of your business.”
“You are going to tell me sooner or later.”
She stopped abruptly and turned to face him. “Why do you always think that I need you all the time? As if the entire world revolves around you.” Zaid was too flabbergasted to reply. That was her only way out and she knew it.
“You are wrong Zaid, not everything is about you.”
“What is wrong with you?” He managed to ask.
“What is wrong with me? It has always been about you from the very start.  Now I am the one with the problem?”
“What are you talking about? What brought about this issue?”
“You are always trying to have your way.”
“Oh am I? Educate me on when something like that happened.”
“You’re so selfish that you don’t mind if something happens to your friend because you want to prove yourself. You have evidence that can put the police on track but you insist on going forward on your own.”
“It’s not about me, Banan it’s about the people who helped us get to where we are now.”
“Typical, keep hiding behind people to cover up your wrong doings, like you always have.”
“Don’t you ever call me selfish Banan, I have made a lot of sacrifices for you. “ His voice began to rise.
“And I have covered for you a lot of times, but your pride would never allow you acknowledge all the times I have taken the fall for you. You’re always too engrossed in yourself to look beyond you.” A slap arrested the rest of the insult, leaving Banan holding her right cheek.
“You are pathetic and you don’t have the strength to face the truth. You are weak Zaid and a coward too.” She threw the keys at him and ran out of the car.
“Banan!” He called at her but she refused to stop. He knew it would be useless running after her because she wouldn’t listen to him. She needed her space. He never knew he had been making her feel that way because God knew he loved her dearly.
“Fadil, I am sorry that I couldn’t meet up with you earlier, but I am free now.” She wiped the tears furiously from her eyes. That was the last straw that broke the camel’s back, she was going ahead with every plan; she didn’t care about the consequences. She had the present and she would use it well.

**********
“Do you know why I love you?” She asked shyly.
“No, what is there to like?” He teased, making her laugh in a musical tone.
“Well, let’s see, you are kind, funny and laugh a lot, amongst other things.” She never talked loudly, her voice was always soft.
“Wow! I didn’t realize I was this amiable.” She laughed again in a lighter tone. The tears rolled down his face, those where the happy irreplaceable moments. Ibrahim wished he could go back to those days. They say “nothing is perfect”, but if those moments were not perfect, then what could be?

***********
He hesitated before knocking; he had no idea what he would say to Banan when she opened the door. He composed himself and then knocked. There was no answer, as he made to knock again, the door opened.
“Hi!” He managed to say
“Come in.” she made way for him.
“Banan, about today, I am really…” He didn’t know what came over him, he was never the kind of person to hit someone, especially not a woman, and definitely not his sister.He barely understood himself these days, it was as if he knew himself today and the next day he didn’t. He felt pathetic for doing that. Whatever happened to his self control.
“No, Zaid, I am sorry I shouldn’t have said all those hurtful words.”
“No, you were right about everything. I am sorry that I ever made you feel that way. I shouldn’t have slapped you. I am really sorry.” He apologized. Things had never gotten awkward between them like that before.
“I overreacted.”
“I gave you a reason to.”
“It’s getting late; I am going to start making dinner before mum comes home.”
“Can I help?” He just wanted to do something, even though they usually took turns cooking and his turn was the next day.
“Sure, knock yourself out.” They chatted awkwardly as they made their way to the kitchen.
“Help me chop this please.” She handed him a large onion. She stared hard at him as he turned his back before she turned back to her work.