Princess Play by Barbara Ismail Page B

on.’ Zainab yanked her arm and pulled her to her feet.
    In the living room, everyone looked relieved when the two came out. It was clear that everything would be alright. Even though Rahim’s relatives knew the whole story, Zainab was reluctant to tell it to Osman with a full audience, and she pulled him, together with the young couple, over to a corner of the room. The rest of the family tactfully withdrew outside, or into the kitchen, to give them some privacy.
    Osman’s face creased with concern as he heard the story. Would it be a motive to kill Zaiton’s mother? If she already knew, and Zaiton was telling the truth, then there was no reason. However, if her story was now a convenient whitewashing of the truth, then it might certainly push one or the other, or both together, to murder. Still, Osman could not bring himself to consider that this girl would kill her own mother. It was unnatural, and he hated to even consider it. He looked at them both, trying to divine from their eyes whether they could really be that wicked. He wanted to see that it was impossible, but the policeman in him wouldn’t allow it.

Chapter XV
    Though back at the market, Maryam was still not herself. She tried to think about the case, but her mind was still blurred, and she became easily tired and even more easily irritated. Mamat had suggested she stay away from the market for a while: ‘Let Ashikin handle the stall – you know she’ll do a great job.’
    Maryam erupted in fury. He’d never seen her like that, and everything he said in an attempt to pacify merely seemed to stoke her rage. He tried to keep the children out of her way. Aliza was still delicate, and needed tender care. He worried about her. Whenever he looked at her, without her curly hair, her eyes huge in her face, he cursed himself for not protecting her, for not protecting all of them.
    Yi was home now, and just a kid, and frightened by this new side of his mother. He sent them both to stay with Maryam’s brother Malek and his family, confident they would be comfortable while Maryam had a rest, while he could devote his time to her recovery. After all, without her in the centre of the family, everything would fall apart.
    He tried to talk to Maryam as she prepared dinner, hoping to draw her out. She was pale lately, and haggard. Really, she should have been resting, but she refused. Rubiah tried to bring dinner over every night, but Maryam wouldn’t have it, and Rubiah would leave without comment.
    Maryam squatted on the floor of the kitchen, chopping onions and garlic with a will so vicious Mamat flinched every time her knife hit the board. ‘So, what have you heard about the case?’
    The knife hit even harder, threatening to break the board.
    â€˜The case,’ she answered bitterly. ‘Well, Zaiton ran away to Sungei Golok to get married to Rahim. I understand she’s having a baby. Her poor mother.’
    Whack! The onions were already pulverized and she put them in a pan to fry. Now she brought out a coconut grater and began using it. Bits of coconut were spraying around the kitchen. He feared she would hurt herself, but knew if he said anything, she’d probably throw the whole thing in his face.
    â€˜Now, would a daughter kill her own mother so she could get married sooner? It’s unnatural. And I thought Rahim was a nice boy, but now I’m not so sure.’ She began squeezing out the milk from the grated coconut, with a gusto which made it look like she was strangling someone.
    â€˜And you know what else I think? That wife of Murad is crazy. All her answers are like a code, if only I could figure it out.’ She stopped for a moment, and reflected.
    â€˜There’s something wrong there. Though, of course, being married to Murad could probably make anyone crazy.’ She resumed throttling the coconut.
    *  *  *
    Mamat made the trip to Bacok while Maryam was busy at the