Princess Play by Barbara Ismail Page A

Penambang. It was a whole other world.
    â€˜His name is Rahim, and he’s a fisherman. And his parents have already been to see Zaiton’s parents. Her father is considering it, and said he likes him and he works hard.’ Maryam thought the same.
    â€˜ But ,’ she paused for effect, ‘her mother didn’t like him, and thought Zaiton should marry someone with more money.’
    Maryam said mildly that Jamillah may have only wanted what she thought was best for her daughter.
    â€˜And Rahim was there for the ceremony, but he left before it ended. He had to get to work the next day and go all the way back to Semut Api.’
    Aliza then wrapped up: ‘Zaiton says she thinks she’ll marry Rahim when things get back to normal. She thinks her father will accept it.’
    â€˜Well! That was great. I’m so proud of you. And grateful for your help.’
    Aliza glowed. ‘I can help some more,’ she said with enthusiasm.
    â€˜Not now,’ Maryam said, a bit more sternly than she’d meant to. ‘Don’t get involved in this on your own, Aliza. It can turn dangerous.’
    *  *  *
    Aziz stood uncertainly in the middle of the yard, surrounded by honking, snapping geese. Mamat had got them during Maryam’s last case, when he felt the need to ensure no one came close to the house without being announced. The geese were perfect: they honked loudly, they hissed and they snapped, especially at people they didn’t know, although they were capable of making anyone’s life miserable, stranger or friend. Aziz had his own geese, and was no neophyte when it came to avoiding being bitten. He protected himself without riling the birds and waited where he was until rescue arrived.
    Mamat clattered down the steps, waving the geese away and greeting Aziz. ‘It’s so nice to see you. Please, come up. Yam! We have a visitor,’ he cried, and Maryam soon appeared at the door.
    â€˜ Abang Aziz! How nice to see you. Are you alright? One moment, I just have to get something.’ She disappeared into the kitchen and the welcome sounds of rattling dishes signified that coffee was on its way. Aziz seemed pleasantly impatient to receive coffee and snacks, and Mamat wondered whether he’d been eating regularly with Jamillah gone.
    â€˜Have you spoken to him?’ he demanded of Maryam while she still poured coffee.
    â€˜Do you mean Murad?’ He nodded, and picked a cake to accompany his coffee. Mamat leaned forward proffering his box of cigarettes, which Aziz accepted gratefully. Thus prepared, the conversation could continue.
    â€˜We saw him,’ Maryam said carefully. ‘I don’t know that it was … “conclusive” in any way.’
    â€˜He hates me.’
    â€˜He doesn’t seem to like anyone very much.’
    â€˜Yes, but me especially. You can see how he would have hurt Jamillah. Punggong dipukul gigi habis tanggal: kick the rear end and the teeth fall out. He’d hurt Jamillah to get at me.’
    Maryam sat down and lit a cigarette taken from Mamat’s box. ‘What’s this I hear about a wedding for Zaiton?’
    Aziz stiffened. ‘I’m not even thinking of that right now.’
    â€˜But there’s been someone interested?’
    â€˜A boy from Semut Api,’ Aziz told her grudgingly.
    â€˜Do you like him?’
    Aziz took an exasperated breath. ‘Why are we talking about this?’
    â€˜It could have some bearing. What about Murad’s son?’
    Aziz’s face and neck became bright red. ‘I don’t know what you’ve heard,’ he said between clenched teeth, ‘but that is completely wrong. I would never agree to have my daughter marry into that family. Never!’
    â€˜Does this other boy have hopes?’
    Aziz ran his hand over his face. ‘You know,’ he sighed, ‘I haven’t been thinking about it much. But why not? He’s a nice