By ZEE ASLAM
CHAPTER NINE
“Mama why are you doing this to me, do you want to see your only son suffer”? Bello asked Mama but she turned her face away.
“If I were you, I would just divorce her, I mean what you want in a marriage is a child right and am here to give you one,,,,opppss not only one but as many as you want” Husna chipped in.
Bello glared at her but she pretended not to have seen what he did, she stood up and walked to where he was, turned round and said, “just take a look at me very well, what does that woman have that I don’t have, why do you always chose her over me even after knowing am carrying your child”.
She was still talking when Bello stood up and gave her three slaps in a row. Husna held her cheek and led out a loud cry.
Mama stood up too and slapped him back.
“Don’t you dare lay your hands on her because of that brat”. Mama said and Bello stared at her shocked.
“Mama did you just slap me because of her”? He asked her with a shaky voice.
“Yes I did and I will do so over and over again if you don’t come back to your senses”. She replied him with no atom of guilt.
Bello was surprised, this is not his mother he used to know or has the love for grandchildren blinded her eyes. Did Husna cast a spell on her or what is exactly going on!.
This thoughts came running through his mind.
He glared at Husna again, pointing a finger at her and said, “you will pay for this” then walked out angrily.
Mama smiled at Husna and said, don’t worry, he can’t hurt a fly not to talk of hurting a human. His threats are empty.
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Khaleel got home only to meet his family all sitted awaiting him.
“Hey boss man, welcome” His kid sister, Rayhanah said putting up a smile.
He gave her a bad stare then murmured greetings to his parent.
“That’s how you will be squeezing face like the replica of Satan” his mother said.
He did not mind her words, he went and sat close to her then placed his head in her lap.
“Boss man, what is it”? His mother asked while running her fingers through his hair. She knows he only get glued to her when he is facing difficulties or when he needed something from her.
“Boss man will never grow up, always sticking to mummy like a chew gum”. His younger brother, Sadeeq who has been quiet all along said softly.
Boss man was the name given to him by Rayhanah because she claims he is a narcissist. He is so hyper controlling even at home thinking the world only revolves around him.
He had tried severally to stop her from calling him that name but it all proved abortive and as time goes on, the rest adapted to that name including his parent and Ofcourse he had to learn to be okay with hearing the name.
“Mummy I have never felt this way before, she disgraced me before my subordinates”. He said and Rayhanah bursted into a laughter.
“And why are you laughing”? Their father decided to chip in.
“Nothing actually, it’s just the way he spoke like an infant”……she said amidst laughter.
Khaleel raised his head and gave her a hot knock on the head. She was on the same couch with him so it was so easy for him to stretch his hand.
“Haba what did I do wrong to deserve this”, she led out almost in tears.
“Learn to mind your business, perhaps you won’t have to receive a knock again”. Sadeeq said to her.
She casted a nasty look at him then hissed.
I won’t mind my business, someone needs to tell him the truth. This attitude he is putting up is what is stopping him from bringing home a wife, which lady will tolerate him. ‘Rayhanah made a rude remark and made to stand up instantly but Khaleel was quick to catch up with her’.
A slap from him sent her back to the couch. She was groaning in pains when another slap from him sent her sprawling to the floor.
“How dare you talk to me like that”? He retorted angrily while she cried her eyes out.
“Listen and listen good! I am not your mate nor do I look like an infant to you. Don’t you ever talk to me in this manner again in your life and even in your next life. I won’t tolerate this loudmouth of yours. I have warned you severally but it seems it has become part of you. Work on your moral deficiency because someday you will be a wife and a mother. What do you intend to inculcate in your children then……stupid girl”.
He said furiously and left for his room.
The sitting room remained silent if not for the nose sniffs done by Rayhanah, no one said anything nor consoled her.
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Bello returned to his room and sat on the bed pounding on what just transpired in mama’s room.
His mother has never raised her hands at him since he became a teenager, so hitting him now really baffles him.
He was really bitter and angry at the same time, he was boiling with fury, the rage in him burnt like flames.
