AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You show no respect for anyone.”
She threw her hands in the air. “And where is the respect for me and what I need?”
“Need. Need.” Mama put down the knife. She took a pace towards Aisha, and Aisha cowered and took a pace backwards. “I’m not going to hurt you, Aisha.”
Aisha glared and unclenched her jaw. “You already did.”
Mama lowered her head. “I didn’t mean to hit you.”
“I’m not talking about a slap. The physical pain is easy to take. Have you ever had your heart crushed?”
Mama picked up the knife and hovered it above the chopping board. “You have no idea what love is, Aisha. And I will hear no more of this. You are marrying Nicolás, or you will marry Pedro. You decide which one you love more, and then you tell me. You are making a fool of this family, and it must stop now.”
“I am not marrying either of them.”
“You think I don’t know you’ve been lying to me while you’ve been sneaking around with that girl? I don’t want to know what goes on in your head.”
Aisha froze. “How can you do this to your daughter? You think this is love?”
“Yes, Aisha, this is the toughest kind of love. A mama who looks out for her children. We help each other make the right decisions for our families and our people. It is what makes us stronger.”
Aisha shook her head. True Gypsies were the ones who ostracised those who dared to speak for changes to their laws. No, she wasn’t going to conform. “It makes me weaker. It’s killing me.”
“Don’t be pathetic. You have no idea how our ancestors had to fight, the government, the systems, the Guardia just to survive. You would have us throw away our laws and standards just so you can live in some fanciful way that you do not even understand?”
“I won’t marry.”
“You will, and there is nothing more to be said about it. If you choose Pedro, I will get your father to speak to Nicolás, but neither will be happy. This is the only choice you have now. It is my fault. I gave you too much space with the dancing. Your papa said we should have guided you, that your spirit was too strong for you to know how to use it wisely. I thought you were capable, but I was wrong.” She shook her head.
“I will leave,” Aisha said.
“Nunca. That is not possible. Now, grow up, Aisha. I’ve had enough of pandering to your whim.”
“I hate you with all my heart,” Aisha muttered and marched towards the door.
“Where are you going?”
“The school.” The children wouldn’t mind her showing up earlier today. “I am going away from here to be with the children. I’m going to help them to believe they can use their minds to dream of a future they can grab hold of, and that they will have choices when they grow up, because this way, these laws, cannot crucify the next generation.”
“Conchita has a final dress fitting later, and everyone will be here. Don’t be late back.”
Aisha slammed the door shut before her mama said another word and ran down the hill. She stopped outside the playground, out of breath, her vision distorted, her heart pumping as hard and fast as the tears that streaked her cheeks. She took deep breaths until the trees and fields became sharp and bright, and the sun warmed her skin, and she had the strength to face the optimistic faces of the children in the playground.
“Aisha, Aisha.”
She smiled weakly at Marta as she ran towards her. Marta had been scarred for life by her drunken father, an accident, he claimed. Her smile would light up the sky at night and her curiosity deserved so much more than the lack of prospects living here would give her. She stroked her hair and hugged her closely.
Marta looked beyond Aisha. “Is Gabi here?”
Aisha cleared her throat. “No. She’s busy.”
“When is she coming again?”
“I don’t know, cariño.”
“Why are you sad?”
Aisha wiped the tears from her cheeks and put on the best smile she could. She lifted Marta into her arms. “Because I’m happy to see you today.” She sat on the ground and tipped out the beads and thread. “Now, what shall we make?”
