UNDER HER ROOF,UNDER HER RULES
“She talks back. But in my house, I don’t tolerate nonsense. She will learn respect.”
Heads nodded. Some women laughed. One even clicked her tongue in sympathy, as if Mama were the victim.
I stood a few feet away, pretending to be engrossed in adjusting my gele, but every word pierced me. My husband stood beside Mama, smiling politely, not once correcting her, not once defending me.
The walk home was silent, my jaw clenched, while Mama hummed hymns in the front ,holding my husbands hands as if she were hus wife . My husband’s hand rested on his lap, twitching as if he wanted to reach for mine but couldn’t find the courage.
Bab Populer