CHAPTER 3
1190 Words
A soft knock by the door brought her back to her senses.
“Layla it’s me. May I come in?”
No response
“Layla I know you don’t want to talk now and I know it might be a bad time but I promise just to offer you hugs
No response
“Layla I know today has been heavy but I believe it would help if you spoke more about it and I can still listen to you for hours”
No response
“Layla please open up”
Walking softly to her door she unlocked the doors and opened the doors.
“Oh my pretty woman, come here”
Enveloping her in the warmest and tightest hug. Bear hugs really does the deal most times
“Mum I need to breathe”
“I’m sorry about today”
“It wasn’t your fault mum”
“Okay do you promise to talk to me?”
“Alright”
Holding her hands and walking to the bed. She patted the bed down for her to sit down.
Layla picked her phone from under the pillow and showed her mum the text she got from Chancey.
Hey Layla. I know I am probably a beast to you this particular moment, especially since you couldn’t even look at me in the eyes twice and I bet the least person on your good books right now is me but trust me things aren’t the way they seem to be and if you could give me time to explain to you, I promise to give you every detail and I am so sorry. I hope there is a place in your heart to forgive me anyway I might have hurt you.
CHANCEY.
“This is bullshit”
“Mum”
“What more does he have to say. That boy is full of s**t”
“Mum I know you are not happy about all of these but please”
“This is not being happy, I am livid. Why does he still have your number?”
“Mum”
“What happened to lose my number? He told you to do that so why didn’t he lose your number and let you be”
“Mum I know you’re worried about meeting him and ruining everything and going down the drain but it’s nothing like that”
“I think its best you avoid him at all cost”
“I am definitely going to avoid him mum”
“So I should press the buttons I can. You know I can still reach out to few people”
“Mum I told you I wanted to take this step myself “
“And I also told you there wasn’t any harm in your hands being held along the line”
“When I need help. I promise to reach out mum”
She was about to reply her when her stomach grumbled, as hunger beckons.
“Okay meet me in the kitchen in ten minutes”
“Yes mummy”
“Also rinse your face. You look like someone that got punched right in those eyeballs”
Looking at the mirror. She was shocked by her appearance.
“It’s not looking that bad but I promise to do just that”
Michaela hugs her tightly and leaves her room. Immediately the door closed behind her mum, Layla let out a long breath she has been holding and laid on the bed for a few minutes.
Nothing should make me feel this down. She thought to herself and proceed to the bathroom to clean up and meet her mum downstairs.
Looking at herself in the mirror and seeing how puffy her eyes looked, she wasn’t pleased with herself. She felt lost. She gave herself a little pep talk in her head to gain her composure. She splashed water on her face, picked up a towel, dabbed her face, and went downstairs to eat.
“I made your favourite”
“You didn’t have to go through that stress mum”
“Your favorite is also my favorite remember?”
“You always say that but you don’t eat much of it”
She pushed a plate of mashed potatoes and chicken to her.
“We should see a movie this night”
“Mum I need to get to work early tomorrow”
“You know before you start getting busy with office duties and won’t have my time. I was thinking you could spare me two hours of your evening before you start officially”
“Here comes the emotional blackmail”
“You know I just want to have a good moment today”
“Okay fine”
“Caramel popcorn?”
Mumbling with food in her mouth
“Yes I need all the sweetness tonight”
They ate in comfortable silence. When they were done, Layla cleared the plates and quickly cleaned the dishes while her mum was making the popcorn.
“Why don’t you go and pick a movie”
“You really want me to pick?” She said with arched eyebrows
“Yes but we aren’t doing horror tonight”
“Sometimes I feel like you are still a baby”
“Layla I am your mother”
“Yes I remember”
“Okay fine let’s see this series then”
“Which?”
“Who is Erin Carter? It’s actually interesting”
“I hope you it’s not something I’d sleep in between”
“When have you not dozed off during movies?”
Passing her a bowl of popcorn while sitting down and covering legs with blanket,
“Should I wake you up if you sleep off or I should just go to my room?”
“Just tap me so I’d know you are going to your room and remember to set your Alarm Layla”.
“Yes mummy”.
Two episodes into the series and Mrs. Grams was already yawning and dozing off.
“I think its best you head to your room now mum”
“Or maybe we should just shut it off and go to bed?”
“Yes I plan on doing that after this episode”
“Alright goodnight baby. Do take of yourself and wake up early”
Few minutes passed and Layla shut the television. Cleared the popcorn bowls and went up to her room to sleep. Not forgetting to set the alarm so as to get the work early.
Layla was lost in thoughts and couldn’t sleep. She closed her eyes hoping to get a good sleep anytime soon. Not knowing when she slept, which might have been a bit late because she slept with her chest feeling heavy and jolted up from her sleep when the alarm went off.
Shutting the alarm immediately and rolling to the other side of the bed. She started considering her mother’s offer. She wasn’t sure she wanted to do this anymore. There are other companies she could apply for and be granted an interview. She didn’t want to be dragged back in any form.
- Writer
