‘Shameful,’ said Aunt Romlah. ‘Aziz and Juli used to argue because Juli didn’t want to rent out the room. And now look. She lures their boarder into her bed.’

‘That’s what happens when women are too smart,’ chimed in Aunt Yati.

‘That’s what happens when women aren’t religious,’ Aunt Nur added.

‘And with Aziz, she didn’t even have to work. What more did she need?’

‘Maybe she works so she can go on the prowl in her office. Remember that shiny lipstick and those lashes of hers?’

—

Sometimes it seemed like there was nothing new to talk about. It was the same old story, repeated over and over, all stitched together. But Cousin Juli was unquestionably magnetic; you couldn’t ignore her. Perhaps what she did was wrong, but I didn’t care. Other questions preoccupied me: what would she do now? Would I ever meet her again? Would she still wear pink lipstick and manicure her nails?

One day my mother fielded another bombshell of a call. Not from Aunt Romlah, Aunt Yati or another relative but from Cousin Juli herself. My mother’s tone was friendly. I imagine that Cousin Juli’s was no different. They asked after each other’s news and then chatted about another cousin, who had just given birth. After their call Mum seemed dazed. She looked at me.

‘Juli has invited us over next week.’

‘An arisan?’

My mother shook her head.

‘She said it’s a silaturahmi.’ She paused. ‘A get-together to help patch up ties.’

‘Will Cousin Aziz be there?’

‘No, he moved out, but he’s letting her stay in the house until the divorce is finalised. He’s either too nice or just plain stupid.’

We thronged to her home for this gathering. It was strange that Cousin Juli had personally invited every single woman in our large family; all this time, it had seemed as if she was only pretending to get along with them.

‘Did Juli not realise that we were talking about her relationship with that loafer?’ Aunt Nur wondered aloud.

‘Maybe not,’ said Aunt Romlah. ‘But it’s never good to break ties. Anyway, aren’t you all curious about young Yusuf? Whether he is living with her in the house? What he’s like?’

The man was fourteen years her junior. For my aunts, there are thrills to be had in a visit to an enemy kingdom.