Um Abdullah sighed wearily as she heaved herself off the low seating in the living room where she had just finished having her afternoon tea. El hamdullilah, she groaned pitifully. Her knees were stiff and her back hurt constantly these days.
Mariam! Mariam!
She called in her weakest, most dependent tone.
The windows were covered in thick velvety curtains that always kept out the light, no matter what time of day it was. The ceiling lights were always on, blazing brilliantly in their halogen ways. She had told Mahmood that she wanted the white fluorescent lights but he just said yes and went ahead and did what he wanted. Always.
She had been too weary to argue with him. No doubt it was Nahla’s fault. Daughters-in-law always turned into selfish son-stealers.
She heard herself muttering out loud and the sound of her voice felt cathartic. She continued to remonstrate about all her children to the brightly lit room. She had a right to feel sorry for herself, she said in growing disgust, picking up the remote control and switching on the large LCD screen. It was another hour before her favourite Turkish soap opera would be aired. That was like sitting with family.
She plopped back down again on the cushions and ensconced herself comfortably amongst the plush pillows, flicking through channels as she bid her time.
She froze as she paused the station at the KTV channel 1.
It was Shayma’a presenting a program. She was in top gear, full make up, and looking absolutely…slutty. Um Abdullah felt the bile surge within her again as the intensity of her negative feelings resurfaced. Thank goodness Mariam was not like her cousin Shayma’a to work at such a shameful job. She kept the channel on and continued to stare at Shayma’a, taking in all the little details so she could recount them to Mariam. What man would ever want his wife to work in such a job?
Without taking her eyes off the screen for long, Um Abdallah reached for the platter of mixed nuts and started to crack open some pumpkin seeds with relish.
Mariam! Maryoom!
Where was that girl, she wondered again out loud.
