‘Good morning Madame.’
‘Good morning Sir, how can I help you?’
‘I’m your wealthy neighbour, the third road on the left. My mansion can’t be missed.’
Of course I know your mansion, heard about you, no need to brag about your power and wealth. Besides, I have never wished, never would, to be honoured either with your presence or your company, I thought holding the door half -open.
He remained silent, looking from me to my house. I remained silent looking from him to his massive, monstrous car swallowing the whole wide road just like an enormous whale stuck in a small lake.
‘You’ve got a beautiful house,’ he said, with one of those fake forced smiles.
‘Thank you,’ I replied.
‘May I come in and have a look?’ Now, his smile was a mockery one.
‘A look at what?’
‘Your house.’
‘Have anyone told you mine is for sale?’
‘If you allow me some of your time, I’ll be happy to explain things.’
‘I’m so sorry but I don’t know you and I can’t let you into my house to explain things that have nothing to do with me.’
All his smiles, forced or mocking, disappeared. His face reddened and his eyes blazing. He was, definitely, on the brink of exploding, but that wouldn’t be my fault, would it?
‘But of course, they have. It’s about your house which I know is not for sale. But, I’ve come to offer you the deal of a lifetime.’
‘For my house which is not for sale?’
‘Yes. Now may I come in to talk business?’ He looked a bit calmer, a bit hopeful.
‘No.’
‘Why?’
‘I told you.’
‘I can turn your house into a fairytale palace.’
‘It’s already my fairytale miniature palace.’
‘Your garden will be exotic and magical.’
‘Thank you very much but I’m not a wich.’
‘Your kitchen will turn into a sophisticated, modern restaurant with…
‘Sophistication and I do not go well together.’
‘Your bathroom…
‘Clean and tidy.’
‘How many rooms do you have?
‘Enough.’
‘Your bedroom..
‘I want to replace my dressing, and fix my wardrobe drawers.’
‘Give me time to explain.’
‘What do you want?’
‘Your house. It would make a great extension to my compound, influence, and buisness. But it will also remain your place. You can choose to live in its modern renovated version, or nearby. I’ll simply hold the “ownership”, and you will live a better life.’
‘Thank you very much but my house is not for sale.’ I shut the door.
He exploded, but, unfortunately, I don’t have a fire extinguisher to contain the mess.
With hope and peace,
Nahla
Pure and Simple 