Read Online Spirit Tiger by Barbara Ismail - Free Book Online

accepted. She cleared her throat, as introduction to topics she was now reluctant to broach, but was compelled to, nevertheless.
    â€˜What was it? That is, was anything, you know …’ she paused, knowing she was getting nowhere with this. It was time to get on with it. She took a deep breath. ‘Was anything going on with Cik Yusuf?’ she asked Khatijah. ‘I understand that when you married, at the celebration, he was watching you very closely. Why?’
    Khatijah did not seem offended. She considered her answer. ‘Nothing between us, not like it sounds when you say it, Mak Cik . Never!’ she said vehemently. ‘You know, Cik Noriah doesn’t like me. That’s OK, I don’t like her either, but I’m not angry at her, do you know what I mean?
    â€˜ Cik Yusuf, though,’ she paused. ‘He was not a good man. I know he’s died and we should be careful what we say about him, but do you know what he wanted? He wanted me to work as a prostitute! Yes, in the parlour. He said people wanted to do that when they gambled; it was part of the thrill, he said.
    â€˜I don’t know if Cik Noriah knew about it,’ she said, anticipating Maryam’s next question. ‘I didn’t ask her about it. But I told him no. Maybe that’s another reason why I married Suleiman,’ she mused, ‘to make sure he wouldn’t ask me again, though knowing him, he probably would have anyway.’
    Her anger flashed suddenly, and just as suddenly disappeared. ‘That’s probably why he was watching me like that at the celebration. He was angry I said no, and even angrier that I got married so quickly. That sealed my ‘no’.
    â€˜You know what he told me then? If I didn’t want to do it, he could find another girl. “Never mind,” he said. “You’re not the only girl around.” Like this was a chance for something great. Can you imagine?’ She shook her head angrily.
    â€˜As though Siti Hawa’s mother would be a prostitute. How would that be for her? As if I would do that to her. I’m her mother now,’ she said, her cheeks getting redder, ‘I can’t do things like that. Not,’ she amended, ‘that I ever would.’
    â€˜Did Suleiman know?’
    She nodded, avoiding Maryam’s eyes. ‘I told him. He didn’t say anything, really. He said he was surprised, but he didn’t seem angry. That surprised me. If it were my wife, I’d be furious.’
    â€˜Did he say anything to Yusuf?’
    â€˜I doubt it,’ she said with asperity. ‘I don’t think he had the nerve! He’d just look sheepish in front of Yusuf. Probably owed him money.’
    â€˜What do you know about Zainuddin?’
    â€˜The gambler, Zainuddin?’ She seemed mystified.
    Maryam nodded. ‘I hear he owed Yusuf a lot of money.’
    â€˜He did,’ Khatijah confirmed. ‘He always lost. Well, in the end, they all do, don’t they?’
    â€˜What’s he like?’
    â€˜He has a temper. Kind of the opposite of Suleiman, in a way. Though they both gambled, which is a lot. But Suleiman wanted to be led around, like I said. Zainuddin wanted to lead, even though he was … stupid.’
    â€˜Really?’
    She raised her eyebrows and made a face which said, ‘Of course!’
    â€˜He never thought at all. Just went from happy to angry in a few seconds. But he’s big and strong, so angry and not smart is a dangerous combination for him.’
    â€˜Had he ever fought with Yusuf?’
    â€˜Of course! Whenever Yusuf tried to collect some of the money he owed. Yusuf was also big and strong, so neither of them was likely to give in. Yusuf, for all I really didn’t like him, was smart. He’d never let Zainuddin get away without paying.’
    â€˜Had it happened before?’
    â€˜A few years ago. And believe me, Din paid up. He wouldn’t dare cross Yusuf