'When do you start Bela?' Sara inquires.
'Tomorrow.'
'Cool, who's your boss?'
'Michael Sawyer.' Bela sets the plates on the dining table. Her heart is buzzing and her thoughts are wild. Michael had interviewed her, thinking of it makes her wince now. He'd put forth his hand and she'd rejected politely. I wouldn't shake his hand no matter how rich he is. The man had money to burn and the fact that he chose Bela to be his finance manager despite the small awkward moment that took place made her feel a little guilty. She knows friends who dread going to work because of their boss but Michael is the exact opposite. He's warm and respectful, Bela can't wait to get to work.
Everyone sits at the table whilst Thabith goes to the Supermarket. The girls discuss school and studies. Maria watches her eldest daughter laugh lightly at something Sumayya says about her Biology teacher. She leans into her arm and thinks about giving her daughter in marriage. She hasn't thought about it until now. It's a mother's instinct to know that it's a sensitive topic to instigate.
'How long do you have to work at this place?' Sara's curiosity is beyond obvious and Bela feels slightly flattered at this.
'Six months In Sha Allah.'
'Do you plan to stay longer?' Her older sister cocks her head to the side, contemplating the idea.
'I haven't thought about it. Maybe, if things go well.'
'As in if you get a promotion by Mr. Mikey?' Sumayya butts in.
'Sumayya!' The young girls laugh at Bela's horrified expression.
'Think about it, he's already given you the job, what's wrong in expecting something a little more?' This forces Bela to flick her sister's ear. Sara shakes her head with a grin in place.
'You're so corrupted.'
'No, it's something called high school.' Sumayya laughs at her own joke.
'So ridiculous.' Bela massages her temples. The girls quiet down a little and begin examining their phones. Snapchat, WhatsApp and the like are being used to another level these days and these girls aren't any better. Maria decides to seize the opportunity to broach the idea of commitment.
'Bela, mi hija.' (My daughter) Bela whips her head to her mother.
'Si, mamma.'
'I want to talk to you about something important.' She smiles softly, hearing this kind of tenderness elicits intrigue in her daughters'. Sumayya and Sara exchange weary glances but Bela is too busy analyzing the situation.
'What is it?' The fact that her mother is speaking to her in English sends warning bells in Bela's mind.
'I was thinking that... Maybe... You-' the front is unlocked and in walks the man of the house.
'Ah, Salam Alaykum.' A gruff voice greets. Maria purses her lips in dismay, she couldn't speak about this in front of her husband because he might lose his mind but this is important to her.
'Wa Alaykum Salam.' Bela greets quietly. What is it she wants to talk about? Is it like... I don't even know what to think! Allah, whatever it is I hope it's to my benefit.
The night had passed rather quietly, the ladies pretended as if nothing happened and their father as a result is clueless. Bela stares at her reflection, her long black straight hair, high cheekbones, lips that form a heart melting smile and big eyes. Those are her most attractive features. She splashes water on her face and takes her wudhu excitedly. It's my first day! La la la, happy happy. She dances around as she throws on her abaya and scarf.
Chapter One
Start from the beginning
