Alluring Masquerade

Chapter 04 - Don't Pretend Like You Care.

          "What, now?"

          "I'd promised her that I could only come after I see you both home." Their mother headed outside the now cold day, saying for the girls to take care.

          "You too, mum!" the girls said in unison.

          "Ah!" Hiba sighed leisurely. "I'm so happy I won the hundred quid. At last, something good has happened!" She's already finished her food and gulped down some orange juice.

          "I know. At last, we can get pay off this month's rent-" Hira didn't get to complete her sentence, when her sister interrupted.

          "What...?" she pouted.

          "We have to pay up her in order to have a roof over heads," Hira reasoned, gesturing with her hand and nodding.

          "But you know how much I've wanted that jacket and matching bag!" Hiba said defensively. "And anyway, it's my money. I won it!" .

          Hira dropped her fork and knife loudly. "When did 'us' change into 'I', Hiba?" she demanded. She couldn't believe it that her sister wasn't being caring at all.

          "Since I'm always being laughed at by my own friends in school," Hiba replied, clearly upset. "They always comment on my stuff, my clothes and shoes being old and out of date! They make fun of me, and I don't want that anymore!"

          "Then they're not really your friends, are they?" Hira said, tilting her head to the side. She tried to take different approach. "Sis, people who judge you how you are on the outside rather than who you're on the inside aren't nice people, you know that, right?"

          "They're mean because they care about me, they're my best friends!"

          "You don't get it," Hira sighed.

          "I get it very well, Hira," Hiba retorted. "Just because you don't have any friends doesn't mean I shouldn't." Hiba's arms were crossed in front of her, lips pouted, and angry.

          Hira laughed softly. "When do I need friends when I have you and mum?" she said.

          "I'm your sister, there's a huge difference!" Hiba shouted across the table. "And I'm sick of having a sister who's always sacrificing my happiness every time!"

          "So having fake friends and materialism is better than keeping a shelter over your head, over mum's head?" Hira asked, trying to not to raise her voice. "Do you want us to be kicked out?"

          "You know I don't!" Hiba was about to get up when Hira grabbed her wrist. "Let go!" But she couldn't get free.

          "We have to settle this!"

          "It's settled already, calm down!" Hiba finally ripped her hand away. "I want us to have a roof over our heads and to be made fun of everyday for the way I dress! There! Happy?!"

          "Hiba," Hira said worriedly.

          "Don't pretend like you care!"

          "I do care." Hira walked around the table to stand next to her sister and lay a hand on her shoulder. "Who bullies you?"

          "It's bullying, when people point and laugh at your clothes and shoes, sis!" Hiba cried, moving her sister's hand away roughly as tears pricked the back of her eyes. "My friends are always wearing all those designer labels and look at me!"

          "There's nothing-"

          "Forget it." Hiba turned around sadly.

          "Hiba..." Hira said quietly. "I'm sorry. I know how you've always wanted a carefree life – heck, every person in this whole world does, but we can't have some things in life. Especially, in our situation. At the moment anyway."

          Hiba turned back around, angry once again. "Our situation, our situation!" she mimicked angrily, waving her arms around. "Are we ever going to have this situation solved? No!"

          "Hiba, just calm down!" Hira shouted.

          "No!" Hiba screamed. "I want my new stuff and that's all!"

          "We're paying the bills and rent. That's all."

          "You're not mum!"

          "I know, Hiba!" Hira was beginning to tear up. Even though she was the eldest, she had a small heart, so to speak; she could barely take all this from her sister ... all this negativity and conflicts. Especially with her own sister.

          "You know what-?" Hiba was about to say, when was interrupted.

          "No..." Hira said, trying hard not to cry. She didn't know if she was breaking down because of her younger sister's inability to understand their financial situation, or the fact that they were both arguing. Arguing over stupid money.