Page 69 of Don't Tell Me Who To Love

“Conchita has a final dress fitting later, and everyone will be here. Don’t be late back.”

Aisha slammed the door shut before her mama said another word and ran down the hill. She stopped outside the playground, out of breath, her vision distorted, her heart pumping as hard and fast as the tears that streaked her cheeks. She took deep breaths until the trees and fields became sharp and bright, and the sun warmed her skin, and she had the strength to face the optimistic faces of the children in the playground.

“Aisha, Aisha.”

She smiled weakly at Marta as she ran towards her. Marta had been scarred for life by her drunken father, an accident, he claimed. Her smile would light up the sky at night and her curiosity deserved so much more than the lack of prospects living here would give her. She stroked her hair and hugged her closely.

Marta looked beyond Aisha. “Is Gabi here?”

Aisha cleared her throat. “No. She’s busy.”

“When is she coming again?”

“I don’t know, cariño.”

“Why are you sad?”

Aisha wiped the tears from her cheeks and put on the best smile she could. She lifted Marta into her arms. “Because I’m happy to see you today.” She sat on the ground and tipped out the beads and thread. “Now, what shall we make?”

Marta picked out red and orange beads and a gold-coloured cord and started threading them in an alternate pattern.

Aisha watched her tiny hands at work. The beads twisted out of her grip as she tried to slot them onto the string, but her persistence won out. Marta’s smile grew with each small success, and after she added the final bead, she looked up at Aisha and her smile faded.

“She’s not coming back to see us, is she?”

Aisha’s lips trembled as she spoke, and the sadness welled in her eyes. She stroked Marta’s cheek and forced a smile. “I don’t think she can.”

“Why?”

Aisha sighed deeply, and Marta frowned at her.

“Is she a tourist?”

Aisha shook her head. “Not really.”

“Was she your friend?”

Aisha nodded.

“I want a friend like Gabi,” Marta said. “Why don’t you make her a bracelet?”

Aisha kissed her head and collected up green and blue beads and a white string. “I can’t stay too long. My sister is getting married soon, and I have to help with her dress.”

“I don’t want to get married,” Marta said.

Aisha threaded two green beads. “Me neither,” she said.

“But you’re engaged to Nicolás.”

“Can you keep a secret?” Aisha leaned closer to Marta.

Marta nodded and threaded a gold bead. She smiled as she stared at the almost complete bracelet.

“I don’t want to marry him,” Aisha said.

Marta picked up another bead and shrugged. “Then don’t.” She slotted the bead and held the two ends of the bracelet together, and a clasp, and held them up to Aisha. Marta looked beyond Aisha and squealed. She jumped to her feet. “Gabi, Gabi.”

Aisha gasped.

---