HER CHOICE

Chapter 21

We got to Laila's mansion, late at night, around 10:30 pm. I was even sleeping when the driver woke me.

"We are here madam" He said as I stretched and came out of the car. My leg was aching due to cramps. Laila was already waiting at the front door.

"Welcome home dear, how was your journey" She smiled at me. She was beautiful beneath the moonlight and it always struck me how a person as beautiful and calm could be vicious and very dangerous.

"How was your journey yawale?" She asked the driver.

"It was fine ma. Thank you" Yawale replied.

"We will see tomorrow, ok?" She said to him and lead me back to the house.

The sitting room was exactly as I remembered it except it smelled of incense this time around and I was not sure if it did the last time I was there but I was too upset to perceive it.

The room was bright, too bright that it looked as if it was morning. There was no one there except for the two of us.

"Go and sleep now. Tomorrow, we talk," She said and pointed at a door. I was hesitant to approach it and she noticed.

"Do not worry, no harm will come to you. I promise"

"As if I believe you," I told her.

"Come, check," She said and opened the door wide. "You can use the key to lock yourself in if you still don't believe me. Goodnight" she said and disappeared through another door.

I quickly went in and locked myself in. I leaned against the door and all my thoughts came rushing back.

What was I doing? Why did I come back to Laila? Why didn't I try harder to win back my parent? Was it already too late for me to be good again? Everyone hates me back home. What would be my future at Laila's? Why did I let Fahad ruin my life? Everything that happened was his fault! He was the reason my life had changed. I would not let him get away with it. How could I stop Laila from blackmailing me into doing what she wanted of me? I felt my body getting weaker as my eyes became heavy and I slept off.

•••••••••••••

The banging of the door was what brought me back. I had slept into the morning.

"Hey R, are you alright in there?" Laila's voice came through the door. I yanked it open as she was about to go at it again.

"What do you want?" I asked, my eyes sleepy.

"I don't know but your room was too quiet. I wanted to know if you are alright" Her eyes showed concern but I was getting used to her and I refused to fall for her tricks.

"If you will excuse me, I need to pray," I told her and walked to the bathroom and pushed the door.

"Take your time, I will be waiting for you in the living room, eh" I heard her muffled voice and she was gone.

After I was done with Fajr, I sat on the praying mat, doing nothing. I knew I bought my predicament with my own hands. I was too ashamed to ask Allah for anything, I couldn't even remember the last time I recited from the glorious Qur'an and I still couldn't process how my life took a different tone entirely. I folded the mat and dragged myself out to the living room.

Laila was in the dining area, picking at something from her plate. I didn't recognize it as it looks foreign.

"Yes, it is foreign" She laughed. "It is an Italian dish. Panzenella is the name. Sit and be my guest if you want"

I just stared at her, wondering how she always seems to be the only one to hear my thought.

I pulled a chair and sat on it. I didn't see Juwairiyya and I didn't bother to ask. She was my second most hated person, after Laila.