THE CONFRONTATION

Can you tone that down please? I leaned in and whispered, forcing a smile

"What?" she asked, looking utterly confused.

"I mean the sounds you make while eating," I answered still wearing the faux smile.

"Everybody makes sounds while eating. Why's mine a problem?" she retorted.

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"I guess everyone does but this is a little noisy," I said.

"I don't eat noisily," she said, irritation lining her words.

"I never said that you eat noisily. I am only saying that you can control those slapping sounds. If you heard someone else do them, you would complain, I bet that," I told her.

"I wouldn't. It's normal with everyone. Why should I?" she asked, her voice a tone higher."

"It's improper. Not a good table manner," I shot back.

"Do you realize that you have just insulted me?"she asked, angrily.

"I have not. I am only voicing what I know is the right thing to my cousin. If it was any random person, I wouldn't care," I told her.

"And who asked your thoughts or opinions. Who?" she said

"All of that slurping, finger-licking and chewing are noisy and irritating. Very unnerving, I can't stand it.'' I said looking directly at her.

"That's one thing with you. You're always acting all prim and proper...." she was saying but I cut in

"That's enough. Let's pretend I never said anything. I'm sorry I'd just go someplace else and eat." I said pissed.

I got up, picked up my tray and left the table. I could hear Jessica murmuring but I ignored.

Jessica, my cousin, had come alongside her mother and kid brother, to spend the Easter break with us. We used to be really close when we were younger but after being apart for years, time and situation happened. We are cool still.

Prior to when our little argument happened, I had witnessed how badly her eating habits were but managed to ignore. But on that fateful day, we were having eba and melon soup which is usually eaten with bare hands. The sounds she made, sucking at her fingers and lips and talking with a full mouth all put me off so much I had to restrain myself from pushing her over, hence the confrontation.

Just when I had got up and was leaving the table, Jessica belched. It was so loud and gross, I almost puked. I could only manage a hard stare.

Some two days later, I was in my room when I heard angry voices. I rushed out to see what it was.

I could hear a voice, unmistakably Jessica's saying, "... he not learn table manners at school? I keep correcting him but he wouldn't stop chewing like a goat."

I stopped just behind the door to listen.

"Calm down, Jess. He's only a little boy. He'd learn," her mother said.

"When would that be? Those eating sounds he makes are disgusting and they set my teeth on edge. What's there for him to chew with his moth closed?" she said fuming with rage.

It was at this point that I revealed myself and when mine and Jessica's eyes met, I had a smirk on. I did not bother to ask what was going on.

I turned back in the direction of my room but before I left their presence, I tugged at Jason, her younger brother's cheek, rubbed his head and murmured, loud enough to be heard, "so much for it's normal with everyone and I won't complain."

I sniffed and walked slowly, hoping that she'd say something to me so I'd get to bash her proper. But she didn't.

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