Chapter 18

She walked into the living room same time Dalia was coming in. She smiled when she saw mommy. "Mommy, I am back. Good evening. I hope I met you in good health," she spoke excitedly. "Welcome back. We're fine here. Hope your mother is doing okay," she retorted nonchalantly as she crossed her hands behind her back and gazed at dalia from head to toe. Her smile disappeared while she swallowed hard. She nodded slowly, "ye-yes she's doing great." She massaged her arm nervously, head ducked. "Very well then. You should head in and rest before it's time for dinner," she stated before walking away. Dalia watched her retreating back and sighed. She shrugged off her thoughts and headed to her room. "Why do I have to go see your mother when you no longer allow me to go see mine?" She dared to ask same time she was glaring at him. He kept mute till they were stopped by the traffic light. "Just five days ago you visited her, so why are you complaining? Or trying to accuse me? When last did you visit my own parents, Amira?" He implored not glancing her way. She hissed a bit as she crossed her arms on her chest. "Well it's not my fault that I don't like visiting your mother, she obviously hates me and your brother hates me too...." She quickly swallowed the rest of her words and looked away. "My mother does not hate you. If you had sense, everyone would've treated you nicer," he vented at her before he focused on driving again. She glared his way, aghast. "Wallahi if she tries to do anything or say anything to me I won't hesitate to retort back," she opined. "And I will not hesitate to show you my other side," he retaliated. The storm had ebbed to nothingness, now the silence was as pure as the wintry blanket. He continued driving calmly while she kept sending daggers his way as she hissed. He knew paying attention to it would only cause more argument and he wasn't in for it. The car came to a halt and he dropped down the moment he turned off the ignition. She hissed again before following him. She took slow steps into the house as she cursed everyone and anything that crosses her mind. "Salamu alaikum, aunty. Ado parlour daddy. Min nyalli jam (You're in daddy's living room. Good afternoon.)" He plumped down beside her on the three seater. "Jonta babama vurti kanjum wadi a tawi am haddo. Toi a ifti? (Your father just went out now that's why I am here. Where are you coming from?)" She asked same time Amira sauntered in with a furious expression. "Good afternoon," she mouthed and settled herself down on the two seater. Aunty looked at her briskly and averted her gaze to her son before she answered her greetings. "I hope you're doing great, amira. How's your mother?" She asked further. Amira retorted, eyes on the working Tv. Muhsin glared at her and hissed softly. "Aunty ko'a defi? Mi do nana velo. Mi nyamai nyamdu kirki hande. (Aunty what did you cook for lunch? I'm starving. I haven't eaten much today.)" "A do vi'ya a nyamai nyamdo hande? Dume hujja ma? (You mean you haven't eaten a proper meal today? For what reason?)" She asked even though she knew the reason. Amira furrowed her brow, wondering what they were saying. They must be gossiping about her, she knew. "Aunty vi'u huwo defi na'am ko dume on. (Aunty just ask the maid to cook something for me now please, I'm so hungry,)" he lamented. She placed her hand on his shoulder while she replied, "ta saklu don nyamdu lutti, hami wata be waddinna mon. (don't worry we still have food left, let me ask them to bring it for you guys.)" She left the living room and came back together with to maids holding trays claiming varieties of meals and refreshment. "Kanjum wadi midi ma aunty (Reason why I love you aunty,)" he claimed as rubbed his hands together. They dropped the trays in front of him and left. "Uhh- amira, you should come closer and eat," aunty offered. "No I am okay," she muttered and continued watching the tv. "Aviya mo o badita on nyama ho kuma a wanna mo (Muhsin ask her to come closer or you should serve her,)" his mother spoke but he played deaf ears till she knocked his head. "Aunty accu mo o jo di da be velo, hanko subti, moi jo vi ta'o definna a'min (Aunty.... allow her to stay hungry, it's her choice. Who asked her not to be cooking for us.)" He continued eating his mouth watering meal. Amira adjusts her sitting position when her stomach groaned. She was obviously hungry but too arrogant to drop her weapons and eat. "Your brother is going back to school next week, my money will rest for a while." She heaved a sigh as she scroll through her phone. "Where is he even? I don't see him much when I come." "He's in his room probably playing those video games as usual," she replied and shrugged off her shoulder.  He finished eating and continued conversing with his mother while amira sat there brows furrowed. She hated coming to their house ever since they got married. His mother observed her every move, not that she took it personally but she knew her son was better off without amira. She chuckled softly and shook her head. She remembered when amira used to visit her almost everyday especially the weekends just to impress her. Even though she doesn't know to do much, but she still helped aunty with the house chores. Clean her room, massage her feet whenever she needed it till she had impressed his mother.