Trafika Europe 6 - Arabesque

faïza guène

“You’re the one who doesn’t understand anything. Aren’t you ashamed of doing this to our parents? You have to make everybody suffer, with your filthy selfishness. Push off with your guy then, you filthy sell-out. And leave us in peace. We’re better off without you.” “My daughter! Why are you doing this! Why?” My mother pressed her hand so hard to her chest that I thought it would go all the way through to her heart. “It’s not like anybody’s going to miss me, if I leave. You’ve never loved me.” “It’s the devil who’swhispering you evil things! Don’t leave, my daughter!” “Let her walk away, mum. She can clear off out of here.” “If I’d let you have your way,

you’d have slammed the brakes on my life. That’s the truth. I’m taking charge here, I’m free! I won’t let you choose a husband for me or lock me up inside this house.” That was when the first tower fell. Crash! Mina, who was close at hand, managed to cushion my mother’s fall and then call out: “Quickly, Mourad! A glass of water! A glass of water!” Of course, you’vegot topicture all this happening in the style of a Mexican telenovela. My father, who had remained impassive up until that point, finally spoke: “If you leave this house, you’re never coming back.” “I’ve already chosen between you and Daniel, and it’s him!” Crash. The second tower collapsed. On a chair in the living room, but it still counts.

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