The House of Djinn by Suzanne Fisher Staples

Author:Suzanne Fisher Staples
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Published: 2012-02-09T05:00:00+00:00

12

At Number 5 Anwar Road the silver tea service gleamed on the marble kitchen tabletop beside a butter cake under a blue-screened dome to keep away the flies. Leyla had spoken to Omar, and his father was settled at Jinnah Hospital. She was able to stay at home to get things ready for her luncheon. This time the occasion was her mother’s birthday. She called her Aunt Tahira to tell her about Baba’s illness.

“He has fallen ill before, Auntie,” Leyla said. “These spells have landed him in the hospital three times. He stays up till all hours of the night gossiping with Khoda Baksh and Asrar—what do they think? That they’re still boys? The hospital probably will phone at noon, just when everyone has arrived for a nice afternoon, and tell us to come and get him. Mark my words. Oh well. Khoda Baksh can bring him home.”

“Shouldn’t we go to the hospital and see him?” asked Auntie Tahira. “Perhaps we should postpone the party …”

“There is no need to put off the party,” said Leyla. “He’s tired, and he’ll be fine once he’s rested up. Everything is ready. I’m just waiting for Mumtaz to come and help. Just come at eleven-thirty, as planned.”

Leyla tried Muti’s mobile phone to check and see the girl hadn’t forgotten to come home early to help with lunch. Where was she? She was so irresponsible. Leyla would have to talk to Omar again about marrying Mumtaz off. She was an embarrassment, and Leyla was certain she’d bring disaster down on the entire family if they continued to spoil and indulge her. The old man even encouraged her to think she was as good as Leyla and her sisters and cousins. That in itself could not have any good result.

The call from the hospital came earlier than Leyla had predicted. At 11:38, as she and Amina greeted Tahira and her daughters and grandchildren in the front hall, Omar telephoned. But what he had to say was not what Leyla expected.

“Dr. Ghafoor says he cannot predict whether or when Father will awaken,” said Omar. “He believes his chances of regaining consciousness are better sooner, rather than later. He also thinks that if we stand beside him and talk to him he might hear us on some level. Mumtaz is here with me. Father also has asked for Jameel. I’ve spoken to Nargis and they’re trying to get a flight. Will you please keep trying Nargis?”

“I have company coming for my mother’s birthday. Auntie Tahira is already here.” There was no answer from Omar’s end of the line. “Omar, do you hear me? I can’t be on the telephone all day. And Mumtaz is supposed to be here helping.”

“I can’t have my mobile on in intensive care,” Omar said, exasperation in his voice. “Just please try San Francisco. They must get here before …” He stopped and Leyla sighed.

“Oh, all right. I’ll try. Hold on.” With her other hand she picked up her mobile phone and punched in the number for Nargis in San Francisco.

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