"I don't like this one."said Malaika, as they sat by the flower beds a few days later.
"You're not liking anything today."said Fahriha.
"I know. I just feel so...sad, and angry."she said. "I'm just tired of it, you know!"she exclaimed. "I just...just don't want to be changing from one feeling to another, just for no good reason! I wish I knew what happened."
Jovita cried, as she read a letter. She knew that she had no reason to cry, after all, it was only to be expected. She always knew it would happen. Her grandmother certainly wouldn't always be with them, she knew, but...she was all they had.
Jacinta walked around the house. She was angry that her grandmother had died. They had buried her that same morning. It just wasn't fair! She knew that.
"You're just weird."said Iago, as he swallowed most of the fruit.
"And you're just a pig."said Malaika.
"I'm a parrot."
"Do you think Genie might know something?"Fahriha asked him.
"Hmm, the Genie's more concerned about keeping you under lock and key, and how to make sure your brothers make your dad proud, than about your friend."Iago told Fahriha.
"Can't you ask him? He knows more than everyone here."
"Maybe, but the Genie doesn't listen to me. He pays more attention to the Rug and the Monkey."
"Poor Iago."sighed Fahriha.
"Well, they certainly feed you guys better over here, than over there. And it's never good to fly on an empty stomach."he said. "Gotta go. I think it's almost time for the an afternoon snack."
And he flew off.
"He left me no pineapple."said Malaika.
"He says they don't really let him eat over there. So I let him come over here."Fahriha told her.
"I'm sure he eats plenty."
"Of course, because we let him."said Fahriha.
"Oh, well, I suppose you're right."
"My brother's used to be mean to him, you know."
"Oh, well, at least he can be fun."
"He says funny things sometimes, doesn't he, Malaika."
"Yes. Well, I guess I could use a little tea or something to help cheer me up."
Fahriha smiled.
"A raspberry one."
"Yes."
And they went to get the teacups.
"Maybe if we told Carpet, or Abu."suggested Fahriha.
"Carpet? Abu? Abu might tell Genie."
"Yeah. At least Iago never tells anyone."
"Yeah, Abu told you dad about the time when you said you wanted to go to the kitchen to get some bananas."said Malaika.
Although neither girl knew that it had actually been Iago the one who had told Aladdin about that, by letting it slip out.
"Well, maybe Abu just thought it would be something Dad might like to know."
"I still wouldn't trust that monkey anymore!"
"Well...I'm sure he meant well, you know, Malaika."
Malaika rolled her eyes.
"If you say so. But still..."
"Did anyone ever tell someone about something you wanted to do?"Fahriha asked Malaika.
"Other than Abu, you mean?"
"Yes."
"Well...let's see...no, I don't think so..."
"Is that why you don't like Abu anymore?"
"Yes. I mean, they were only bananas."
"He said I could have just asked for them. That I shouldn't be leaving for any reason."