Chapter 7

I woke up to a disturbing noise of music, I turned around and kept a small pillow on my ear to prevent me from listening to the music but unfortunately, I could still hear it, I decided to ignore it as I was very tired

I kept turning around before I felt a cold liquid on my body.

I screamed as I touched my body I realize it was water. Who poured water on me? I used the back of my hand to rub my eyes after I let out a short yawn.

"Noor," I said in a sleepy voice

What is she doing here?

"It’s time for you to wake up" Noor said

"It’s just midnight, why are you here?"

"Get up and prepare something for Jamil and Hannan, they have to go to school."

"It’s not time for their school, just go back to sleep I have already set an alarm."

"Get up" She yelled

I looked at her in silence when I realized she woke me up by pouring water on me

"How dare you pour water on me" I yelled

"Oh it’s now you realized that, well if you don’t behave I have to do this every day."

"Look Noor, it’s just three am, can we please postpone this argument till after breakfast"

"You think this is a joke right? but let me tell you something this isn’t your house, you are just lucky that mommy is kind, if not you would have been on the streets where you belong" She yelled

This isn’t my house! This isn’t my house, I think I have heard enough of that.

"And you think this is your house, Noor it’s better for you to remember that this is my dad’s house, not your dad's house" I said

"How dare you" She yelled as she brought her hands closer to my face wanting to slap me. I held her hand and dragged her out of my room, I locked the door after I threw her out. She’s so jobless

I looked at my wet bed, I decided to take my blanket and lay it on the floor to make it more comfortable for me to sleep.

Noor is crazy she needs help, why will she disturb her peace and comfort just to irritate me? I could hear her voice from behind the door yelling and banging at the door.

If she gets tired, she will eventually stop.

Shortly after I slept, I woke up to the ring of my alarm, I stretched my hands and let out a yawn. I didn’t sleep well after my argument with Noor, the blanket wasn’t as comfortable as I thought it would be.

After I stretched for a little while before I entered the bathroom to take a shower.

This is the second time my stepmother is away from town, staying with Noor is always hard especially when Aunt Sabina is away. I remember the last time when she traveled for two weeks, Noor didn’t spend the night at home and when I asked her where she was, she argued with me as always. Bringing strangers to the house while Aunt Sabina is away, is something Noor is very good at.

After I took a shower, I wore my clothes, I briefly combed my hair and used a white scarf to cover it. Immediately after I left the room, I went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, Jamil and Hannan might have been awake already.

I tried to open the pantry but it didn’t open, I’m sure Noor locked it

I quickly went to Noor’s room and knocked on the door before I turned the door handle but the door was locked

"Noor, open the door I have to prepare breakfast for Jamil and Hanan's school bus to arrive. Noor" I said while knocking on the door "Noor, I need the key to the pantry"

I placed my ear on the door, but I didn’t hear a sound from inside.

I was about to leave she opened the door

"Why were yelling, don’t you have other things to do," She said immediately as she opened the door

"I need the key to the pantry before Jamil and Hannan’s school bus arrives"

"Hmmm, if that’s the problem then you shouldn’t pretend to worry because they will eat the leftover pizza in the fridge, and for school, I will give them money"

"Pizza for breakfast!"

"What! Do you have a problem with that?”

"I never said I have a problem if they are gonna eat pizza then is fine just give the key then I will prepare something for Khalil and me"

"What are you talking about, mommy never said anything about giving you the pantry key”

"Okay, at least tell me what I’m gonna cook for Khalil and me"

"Well, Afraah you are very much aware that foodstuffs are increasingly getting expensive, so I don’t think we should waste the foodstuffs we have on someone near to his grave"

"Noor, don’t you dare" I yelled

"Did I say anything wrong" She smirked

"What is wrong with you?"

"What is wrong with me, are you seriously asking me that question? Afraah this is what you get for the misbehavior you did earlier"

I glared at her for a moment "Don’t just don’t start this nonsense" I yelled

She hissed at me before she walked back into the room.

"Noor, open the door" I shouted as I knocked on her door.

I went back to the kitchen and brought out the leftover pizza from the fridge, and microwaved it. I took two slices and kept them on a plate for Khalil and the remaining three were for Jamil and Hannan.

I took the plate to Khalil’s room and kept it on the table next to his bed. I took at him, he was sound asleep. I decided to lock his room door from the outside to prevent Noor from coming inside. After I locked the room, I took the key with me as I already know Khalil has a spare key in the cupboard.

I sent him a message telling him why I did that before I left for work