Dahling If You Luv Me Would You Please Please Smile. Rukhsana Khan

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СКАЧАТЬ One year short skirts are in, the next year they’re not. I mean, who decides when they look good and when they don’t? People should wear what they want to.”

      Jenny nods thoughtfully. “What about the story about the king who was tricked by those tailors into paying for imaginary clothes?”

      “I know the one. I can’t remember the title, though.”

      She says, “You know, the tailors kept saying how beautiful the material was and everyone, even the king was too embarrassed to say he couldn’t see it because the tailors said that only people who were terrible at their job couldn’t see it.”

      I nod. “And when the king went parading through the streets in his new clothes, no one told him he was in his underwear, until a kid said, ‘Look, the –‘ Now I remember! It wasn’t a king at all, it was an emperor. It was called The Emperor’s New Clothes.”

      Jenny laughs. “That’s it. It would be great.”

      “Nah. I’d never get anyone to parade around in the nude.”

      Jenny looks serious. “Well, I don’t know. Maybe not nude, but in their underwear. Besides, well, what I mean is, not everyone is against being naked.” She glances at me and frowns. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not talking about me. I’m just saying some people like the feeling of wearing no clothes. You know, they don’t think it’s any big deal. And in the art galleries, there’s lots of pictures . . . what I mean is that the human body is beautiful. Some people don’t mind showing it off.”

      “What are you talking about, Jenny? Do you . . .”

      Jenny blushes deep red. “Of course not! Don’t be silly. But my mom belongs to a club and they . . .”

      The only image of a mother I can think of is my own. And the idea of a bunch of chubby, saggy naked women on lounge chairs almost makes me gag.

      “Why would she do that?”

      Jenny looks grim. “Even if you don’t agree with it, you don’t have to act like that!”

      I stop snickering. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

      Jenny has her arms crossed beneath her huge breasts as she stares out over the field in the direction of Kevin. I am respectfully silent, and soon the lines of her shoulders ease and her expression softens.

      I wouldn’t have dared bring up the subject again, though I’m dying to know more.

      Surprisingly, Jenny continues. “My mother thinks that she’ll find a nice man at this club.”

      I don’t say anything. Not one word. My gut tells me it’s the right thing to do.

      Chapter 5

      The sky is the color of steel wool, and the wind, which had been almost playful this morning, is driving needles of rain against every soaked inch of me.

      Jenny is with Kevin. I have nothing but the play to think of on the long cold wet walk home.

      It’s a relief to peel wet polyester off my clammy legs. I put on some warm clothes and go to pray. I need all the help I can get.

      Afterwards, I plop down on the sofa and a few moments later, Layla barges in, as usual. “Have you prayed yet? Prayer time is going.”

      “Yes.”

      She stops and really looks at me. “What?”

      “Yes, I prayed, now leave me alone.”

      She narrows her eyes. “You’re being disrespectful. I am your elder and you’re supposed to respect anyone older than you.”

      “You’re only a year older.”

      “For your information, I’m nineteen months older. Besides, it makes no difference. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said you have to respect your elders. He didn’t say you only had to respect them if they were a lot older.”

      All this twisted logic makes my brain hurt. I don’t have the energy to argue. I rub my head and say more respectfully, “Would you please not bother me then? I had a rough day.”

      Instead of leaving she comes and sits down right in front of me. “Was it the play? You’re not doing the story of Prophet Joseph, are you?”

      “Yes and no.”

      “What is it? Yes or no?”

      I sigh and put my arm down so I can look at her. “Yes, it was the play and no, I’m not doing the story of Joseph.”

      “That’s prophet Joseph, peace be upon him.”

      “Prophet Joseph.”

      “Peace be upon him.”

      I take a deep breath and say, “Prophet Joseph, peace be upon him.”

      She tilts her head, letting her hair fall to one side, and looks at me speculatively. “Then which story are you doing?”

      My head is throbbing and she’s cornered me. I don’t want to tell her. She’ll just laugh at me. I’m so tired! Darn! Why does she always have to boss me around?

      In a calm, even voice, with no hint of attitude, I say, “With all due respect, I’d rather not say.”

      Her mouth hangs open for just a moment, then she narrows her eyes and shrugs. “Fine. Don’t tell me. I was just trying to help but it’s obvious you don’t want any help. I just thought that since I starred in my grade eight play, and our house league won, you might want some help. But no, you think you know it all. So fine. I just didn’t want you to make a fool of yourself. But if that’s what you want to do, you go right ahead.”

      I forgot about that. She’d played Marilla Cuthbert in their play, Anne of Green Gables. It wasn’t quite the starring role, she’d tried out for Anne, but the kids in charge just couldn’t imagine a brown-skinned Anne. Maybe she can help. “Okay,” I say, “I’ll tell you.”

      She gawks at me, her brows arched high. “What makes you think I still want to know?”

      “We’re doing the story of The Emperor’s New Clothes.”

      “That fairy tale? I thought you were doing a hadith.”

      “No.”

      “I was sure you were doing a hadith.”

      “No, I never said that.”

      She shakes her head, her forehead puckered. “I could have sworn you were doing a hadith.”

      I grit my teeth to stop myself saying something I’m going to regret.

      She taps her finger on the tip of her chin, gazing at the ceiling tiles. “Well, if you ask me, I think you should do a hadith.”

      I get up and see if my mother needs help with supper.

      We’re СКАЧАТЬ