BANE

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“No, sorry Fadil, I can’t, I’m staying with my Aunt in the hospital.” Banan looked around occasionally to see if Zaid was nearby. She spend more time with Fadil than anyone else since met. And most of the time ,they don’t even discuss business . “Yes, he’s with me.”

“Hannah, I will call you later.” She changed the subject when she saw Zaid coming towards her. She was spending way too much time with Fadil these days, he is actually a fun person to be around and he wasn’t as bad as she thought.

“Who are you talking to?” He asked. He was scared she would explode again and accuse him of butting his head into her life, but at the same time, he was curious.

Banan faked a laugh. “It’s Hannah, that girl is crazy.”

“Or Hannah’s brother?” Does she have a secret boyfriend she is hiding from him. He hates it when she keeps something away from him because he never does and he believed that was what kept them close. He had seen a lot of siblings fall apart, and he didn’t want that for them.

“No, and quit staring at me like that.”

“I am going to the shop nearby to get Aunt Nadine something. Do you want to come?”

“Sure! Shall we?” He gave her his arm. She laughed and put hers in his.

“Yes Sir, I believe we should.”

*************

He had slept with Sabiha’s picture pressed to his chest the previous night. What a life?
A lonely and empty one. It was easier to accept his wife’s loss, because she died in his arms but he could not say so about his daughter.

It was much better for someone to die in your presence than for him or her to disappear and leave you wandering what kind of situation he or she was in, if he or she was dead or alive.

Mr Othman sighed thoughtfully.

*************
The movie he was watching had ended and he had seen the next one that was about to be aired. He started changing channels hoping to find something interesting. Finding nothing, he switched to the news channel. He was half surprised when he saw his picture on the screen.

“The sudden disappearance of this man, Ibrahim Mahboub from prudence Hospital has caused great concern…” The anchor said. He rolled his eyes, she continued on about how he was considered mentally disabled and unstable.

Ibrahim switched off the television. As if they knew anything about being sick. They thought he was crazy yet there were many psychopaths walking on the streets freely.

***************

“I think I might be discharged today or tomorrow.” Aunt Nadine announced.

“Are you sure about that?” Zaid asked. “You’re still struggling to stand up.”
      
“Oh Zaid, what a stubborn Aunt we got there.” Banan whispered, not realising that she whispered rather loudly.

“I heard that.” Nadine answered before Zaid could. They all laughed.

“When does your mother usually comes back from work?”

“Around six or even seven.”

Nadine sighed. “I told her she is overworking herself but she wouldn’t listen.“ Everytime she brought up the subject, her sister would start going on about how she needed to raise two kids on her own. She shook her head.

“Hello there.” They all turned to see Aunt Nadine’s doctor. He was tall with a pleasant and handsome face. He was always wearing a smile. He was about 28 years of age, or maybe slightly older.

“Hey.” They chorused.

“How are you doing this morning?” He directed his question at the kids.

“Fine, Sir.”

“And the patient?” This time looking directly at Nadine.

“Fine, thank you.”  She answered a little bit shyly. Zaid exchanged a look, she was never shy.

“Sure.” They quickly rose and left the room; leaving the two to their conversation.

Banan burst in laughter when they were out of earshot. “I could have sworn Aunt Nadine was blushing.”

“He looks like a pretty nice guy.” She added.

“Yes but mind you, appearances could be deceitful.” She ran Zaid’s statement over and over in her mind. He was right about that.