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 .