Salaam Aleikum

“Nothing happened, I was just stupid to think that it would work out, besides his intentios were revealed. I mean… It’s different for me and my culture, if I’m not virgin anymore my husband can give me back to my father, he took me knowing this fact and… It’s a commitment for a whole life but well, it’s not his problem right?”

“I know the feeling. That actually happens? Sounds less messy than a divorce right? Or no? Anyway, I suggest we should start a cleansing ritual for you.”

“You had me at cupcake, the watermelon can wait. Wait-single? Oh honey what happened?”

“Nothing happened, I was just stupid to think that it would work out, besides his intentios were revealed. I mean... It’s different for me and my culture, if I’m not virgin anymore my husband can give me back to my father, he took me knowing this fact and... It’s a commitment for a whole life but well, it’s not his problem right?”

“Do you want a slice? It’s really good.”

“Hm... Actually I’ll eat this cupcake, I do need something high fat right now, so, I’m single again, I mean, I think I was never single cause my father always had a suitor for me, but well.”

Cassim didn’t want to listen to everything Shanti is saying, but he half-listened anyway. Although, she was right on some points. He can’t take it anymore. “Shanti, I think we shouldn’t see each other for a while. It’s best for the both of us.” 

And that was it. Cassim had ended everything, if she said she didn’t see it coming she’d be lying, but was just it? Their relationship was so weak that with just one fight it would end? If that was the case she’d rather to end everything now. The young girl nodded. “The door is open.” She said quietly motioning to her side. 

“I do think of the two of you deeply before I go. Because if I don’t, I don’t what I’m doing or why I’m doing what I do out there. I think of you and Aladdin having what you need and that you’re safe here.”

“That’s not true, because if you did you wouldn’t only think about in what you want, when you go stealing you go for you, because that’s not what I want, and I can bet that’s not what Al wants either, so this is for you, and only you. As you said because you’re greedy, and I’m sorry to say this but also because you’re selfish, I almost gone mad because I was worried about you, I---I can’t live like this Cassim, always worried about where you’ve been, it should be the other way around because I’m the younger here.”

Cassim stay seated on the couch whilst Shanti got up from his lap. “And I got arrested, along with my team but managed to escape.” He huffs out a sigh. 

Shanti clicked her tongue as she heard him, she tried, she really did, but she lost it. “How can you tell me all those things so naturally? I mean! Cassim you got arrested again, I mean ok, I do understand in the past, but you have Al again... You have me! Shouldn't you think a little bit more in the two of us before you go in one of your quests? “

But you’re letting this slide for now?”

“I am, you can breath normally.”

“I steal because of greed and that it was a necessity to survive. Before I left I told myself that the heist in Abu Dhabi would be the last time I will go stealing. That failed.”

The girl listened carefully to all his explanations, her arms crossed in her chest, her lips a tight line. she stood up, trying to put some distance from him. Shanti knew she should be used to this, that she should expect for it, but truth be told she wasn’t, and she didnt know how to act either.  She didn’t even know what she was going to say. Could they make it work? “And then you got arrested...” She repeated his words, more in a way to sank their meaning into her head rather than anything else.

“He’s good, and no I didn’t tell him about you. He’ll be really pissed, and seeing his reaction about finding out that I’m his father was bad enough. I know where he gets his anger from.” He shakes his head at Shanti. “Exhausted, just came back from a jail in Abu Dhabi.“

“What? Cassim! Lord Ganesha give me strenght, I can’t believe you’re stealing again, why?”