THE BORROWER

"Mummy?" "Yes, Bint.What is it?" "I want to drink zobo." "I can buy that's for everybody," Omar said "teemah, bring five bottles of zobo." " Bring the money first." Omar turned to look at balefully at me. " You see, mum. Teemah does not even trust me ." I just sat there smiling. "When it comes to money, Omar," Teemah said, " do you, even you, do you trust yourself?" "I sure do." "How many times did you take my zobo without paying?" "That was different. I was not an undergraduate then. Now, you are talking to a potential lawyer. See, young girl? You'd better watch it. You could be in trouble one day and your only brother here would be called upon to defend you. I would remind you of this day, believe me ." "Teemah, go and get the zobo," I said , "I would pay." "Thank you, mum." By this time But and Jamila were done cleaning the chairs . We sat as close to each other as the white plastic chairs would allow and waited for Teemah to bring the zobo. There was a very joyous atmosphere in the air and the nobody wanted to spoil it .