Ch.3

we sat in silence for a few seconds before baba's deep voice broke the silence " well why exactly am I here ?" . the principal shifted uncomfortably he looked slightly intimidated by baba ' good ' .

"Mr Habib , I called you in to discuss about your daughter's inacceptable attitude " I scoffed ." she expressed disrespect to me as well as to her fellow student calling us ' dogs' may I quote " he said looking stern , baba turned to look at me with disbelief " she what ?" , " Rose kwanini ?" baba asked ( Rose why ?). " baba I didn't call him a dog it was just a question " I defended . " you implied Rose and I don't need to repeat the same words whether it was a question or reference either way it was inappropriate " the principal said getting annoyed by the minute . " let her explain herself " baba said firmly and the principal sank back in his seat " sir what is inappropriate is you using favoring a student to the rest " I said " and referring to us as flavors " said Malik from wherever he was sitting on the sofa next to his mom while his father sat next to mine "wait" "what" they exclaimed " I would say no such thing " the principal tried to explain " are you insinuating my son is lying ? " his mom asked with a challenging look as she crossed her arms . ' boi you messed with the wrong parents' I smiled amused as Malik gave me a knowing smile " I- I mean that he got it all wrong " he stutters ' what a sight ' I was fighting so hard no too laugh " it was one of the students and I will make sure he gets punished as well " he said " you better Malik's dad said . yea-" hold up, you believe him ? " " Rose he is the principal if he was that kind of guy you wouldn't be in this school " Baba looked at me with pleading eyes.. ? .

" there's no way my son staying in this kind of school , Malik let's go " Malik's mother said ushering him out Malik looked back with a look of pity " Salma wait" his dad tried to plead as he followed her outside leaving us . ' what is going on ?'

and you can imagine the rest ...

** BACK TO THE PRESENT**

'I am mad mad ' furious even

how dare he agree with that ... that pig

if I doesn't stop now what else will he do separate the coloured kids from the white kids ? .

Baba is the one who always supports me when I speak up for myself and defend what's right .

Yeah maybe I used the wrong words but I didn't deserve to be suspended .

atleast Malik's mother believed him and he won't have to face that excuse of a principal again. everything was good until something clicked in Baba's head .

'all this pondering is making me hungry'

I slowly open the door not to make noise and listened for any noise from the kitchen . I heard none so I made my way to the kitchen. as I made it to the kitchen the TV turned on making me jump slightly at the sudden sound . " you finally decided to grace me with your presence" Baba says .

'pfft rather the kitchen ' I thought but didn't voice .

I opened the fridge and took out the ingredients for my 'sàndwich de carne '.

I doubt a sandwich will satisfy me but I don't want to stay long enough to prepare something better . I start making my sandwich as baba enters the kitchen and takes out what looks like pasta from the microwave . how dare he make pasta and not share , I bet it is to make me jealous and-

" here I kept some for you " he said with a kind smile . now I feel awful for sure .

" will do me the honor and join me " he said dramatically . I want to stay but I can't help it " if you insist " I say with a tiny smile trying to hold back as much as I can .

we are watching a sappy old movie by old I mean black and white kind of old .

the story honestly sad but the acting is exaggerated as excepted .

Baba looks like he could cry at any given moment , he's probably holding back because I am around .

I sniff and wipe a fake tear . " don't cry there's nothing to cry about " he coos as pulls me close " it's horrible" I dramatize " I know feel like crying" he says not catching on "it's okay for a big man to cry you know " I say faking empathy , he turns his attention to me and I keep mine on the TV " are you mocking me ? "

he asks " I would do no such thing father " I answer back in an British accent he slaps the back of my head lightly and chuckles . " baba am sorry " I say looking down in shame " neither did I explain myself" baba says " why would you explain yourself ?" I ask confused

" when your mother and I decided-" before he finishes " sorry sorry is this going to be long ? no disrespect baba but can I grab a blanket first ? please ..." I say apologetically " hurry up and bring the long one " he says as sprint up stairs to get it.

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