Babysitter Cougar [COMPLETE]

Chapter 13 - Sibling Fight

2013

"Well, that's sudden news," Maheera gulps, trying hard to digest the information that I relayed to her. I can tell from the anxious look on her weary face, she couldn't accept the news of my acceptance to further my Master's Degree in Manchester University. "When will you be leaving?"

"My intake starts on 6 September so I'll be off by 31 August," I give my brisk answer.

"My baby's due by mid-September. Who's going to look after him?" she jumps. "You don't have to be there by 31 August. Usually it's Fresher's Week in September and classes will start in October. Or can you defer for another semester until I get better?"

This is typical Maheera. Not only she's known for being a killjoy, she'll deprive my every opportunity in life for her own gain. Instead of being happy for me, she frets about herself and the welfare of her incoming son.

"I'm done babysitting for anyone," I snap. "Your husband's filthy rich, he can afford a Cayenne. Why can't he afford childcare?"

"Sofia's right," Mom intervenes. "She has her own life and your baby is your own responsibility. You can't ask favours from your sister anymore. Send him to a reputable caretaker or hire a nanny. I've some contacts I can recommend."

"It's Aleksandr isn't it?" Maheera blurts out. "It's the only plausible way for you to live together uninterrupted. Does Dad know about this?"

"What do you get out of this?" my jaw clenches.

"That's what those kids do when they study abroad. They eloped secretly with an ang moh (Caucasian/foreigners) and they never returned," she winces at me.

"Aleks is not any ang moh, he's already part of the family since you married Hardy. And he has nothing to do with my decision, I happen to have the same opportunity as you which isn't factored by his influence. Besides, you and Dad dumped him, remember?"

Aleks had once restored my faith in marriage when he came to our house and met Dad, seeking his permission to marry me. But the moment was short-lived when Dad rejected him on my behalf after Maheera goads Dad into thinking that Aleks' a carefree, good for nothing boy with no career prospects and no bright future. Dad even threatens us by abstaining himself from becoming my wali (guardian representative) for the wedding should we proceed with the idea. This has left dejected Aleks to quit the relationship and pursue his solo trip.

"UK's learning method is not something you can take lightly like you did back the days," Maheera rolls her eyes at me. "There's a lot of critical thinking to it with no luxury of being spoon fed. That's what I had gone through in Cambridge, I bet Master's Degree is even tougher than that."

"What's your fucking problem, woman?!" my voice thunders, shaking off any inaudible resonances in this dining area. I couldn't bring myself to conform to her anymore.

"Sofia!" Mom chastises.

"Mom, she can't stand seeing me succeed. She can't stand seeing me and Aleks have that special connection that she and Hardy don't have. She clearly has issues with me since we're kids. It's obvious, isn't it?!" I unleash my vexation.

"I did not -"

"Shut up, I'm not talking to you!" I shake my finger at Maheera.

"But what Maheera said it's true. When you study abroad, you'll face a different perspective," Mom reason out.

"Well, my perspective right now is to focus on my self-development even if someone else in this room thinks I outdo her," I swivel towards agitated Maheera. "Listen, sis. You get to go to boarding school and advance into IB, you get to study at Cambridge, you've been promoted to senior auditor. And you are... married! Technically, you've won the race. Your life is perfect. Haven't you had enough? I'm done putting up with your narcissist compulsive behaviour. Can I at least have my own cut?"

"I never intend to overshadow you," she mutters.

"Then why the bitter statement? Why do I sense envy coming from you? Why did you take Aleks away from me?!" I accentuate.

"Okay, that's it. Stop, both of you!" Mom's soft concern voice turns firm. "You just make things worse by going toe to toe with each other like this."

"Aleks not age appropriate for you," Maheera presses on for winning. "He's too young to be your husband."

"Are you against our prophet for marrying his much older wife?" I fire at her with Dan's quote. "Are you even fucking listening to yourself?!"

"Enough!" Mom's bark causes an uproar in the dining area. "Maheera, I'll sort out the childcare for you. Sofia, stop bickering over the past and let's move on. Your sister has nothing against you. She's having a lot on her plate right now especially when the baby's coming. She needs you to understand her situation."

"I could've understood her better if I'm pregnant too," I gritted my teeth, averting my eyes while pushing my chair out to get up. I got morose, animosity and impassiveness in my heart for Maheera all sealed tight into a package. "But since the potential father to my future baby is roaming around the world nursing his broken heart, I just can't relate. Godspeed, you miserable one."

Wooo hooo! My first shortest chapter ever!

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Photosource: Tenor