“Hello Habeebah? Are you there? Can you hear me?” He asked.
Contemplating on whether to answer or not, she unwilling found herself replying. “Um…Hi?”
“Okay, it’s good to know you can hear me. Actually, I called to tell you that I’d like to see my children.” Mahmoud said authoritatively. “So, do me the honour of bringing them over to my place.” He added.
“What arrogance?!” Habeebah muttered pissed off.
“Pardon?”
“How dare you talk to me like that? Like I’m your slave?” Utterly enraged, she said stamping her foot abruptly.
“You wouldn’t want to raise you voice at me woman. I am talking so you should listen, and not say a word.” He warned.
“Don’t! I repeat don’t you ever raise your voice or speak to me like that ever again. I am not your puppet Mahmoud.” She replied agitated. “Who the hell do you think you’re talking to me like that huh? And what children are you talking about? The ones you pampered with love or the ones you didn’t?” Habeebah added terrified.
“Habeebah I’m warning you, things won’t go pretty if you don’t stop this minute. I have every right to want to see my children.”
“If you really want to see them, you know where to find them. I am not stopping you. What I would not tolerate is you speaking to me without manners. Moreover, I’m not surprised you are still this way.” She spat angered.
“You don’t really want to test my patience,” Mahmoud replied mad. “I command you Habeebah to bring them to me.”
“You’re insane, it’s a pity you don’t know that. The Habeebah you used to know died a long time ago. I am different now. Do yourself a favour and invest your time in other things, I have better things to deal with. Have a good day.” She said ending the call.
“Arrant nonsense.” She mumbled turning to her parents.
“Who was that dear? Why are you upset?” Umma asked concerned
“Who else if not that narcissist that doesn’t know he is sick?” She replied fuming. Without even a mention of his name, they already know who Habeebah is talking about.
“What did he say to you? Why did he even call?” Baba questioned getting angered.
“He had the nerve to command me to bring his children to see him, like I’m some kind of employee.” She replied hissing.
“Why does he want to see them? After such a long time?” Umma asked vividly petrified.
“That I don’t know but, he has the right to see them. The court didn’t tell him not to.” She answered sighing.
“I am not at the slightest bothered about that, he knows where to find them if he really intends to see them. But why I’m mad is that he chose the wrong person to annoy this evening.” She presses on.
“You know what this means right?” Umma asked, almost whispering.
“I know mum and I am ready for what’s to come.” She said looking on.
*
“How dare she? Who hell does she think is?” Mahmoud shouted kicking a chair, flying across his office room.
“You need to calm down okay, just relax.” Fu’ad said trying to placate him.”
“Calm down? You are really asking that of me right now? Oh my God! You are fucking unbelievable.” He uttered in disbelief. “She had the audacity to talk back at me and you of all people is, asking me to be calm? No problem, I am calm.” He presses hyperventilating.
YOU ARE READING
The Power Of Calmness
General Fiction"I want to become a renowned lawyer and Human Rights Activist when I do grow up." Seven year old Habeebah, happily said to her father. As time passes, we as humans tend to move closer to reality. Because, with each passing second, nothing stays stag...
