The chronicles of Layla

London Times

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Heathrow Airport. Local time is 2pm and temperature is 60 degrees F. For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with you seat belt fastened until the captain turns off the fasten seat belt sign. This will indicate that we have packed at the gate and it is safe for you to move about. Pleas check around your seat for any personal belongings you may have bought on board with you and please use caution when opening the overhead bind, as heavy articles have been shifted around during the flight. If you require deplaning assistance, please remain on your seat until all other passengers have deplaned. One of the crew members will then be happy to assist you.

"On behalf of British Airlines and the entire crew, I'd like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you on board again in the near future. Have a nice day.

After the pilot was done, I turned on my iPhone and searched for uncle Ashraf's number in my contacts. I called him and told him we've just landed. He said we would be going into a meeting but he will send his son , Adam to pick me up. I thanked him and bade him goodbye.

I asked the man sitting next to me to help me get my hang luggage from the overhead bins. He gladly helped. I rolled it out and stepped into my new life which was full of uncertainty.

**********************************

The streets of London were bustling with people and vehicles. Adam came with his sister, Aisha to pick me up after 30 mins. He said their house was far away from the airport. Thank God he came with Aisha because it would have been very awkward. Aisha kept chatting us up. Asking me about Nigeria, if it has developed or not and all because they rarely came to Nigeria anymore. What I understood about Aisha is that she can talk for Africa. I gave her curt nods or answered monotonously. She kept quite later and said maybe I was tired and we had a lot of catching up to do. Adam kept quiet all the way listening to the radio. She's the same age as me, Adam is 27 and the twins are 15. Nadiya and Sadiya.

Adam and Aisha's age gap is wide because Adam's mum died. His new step mum Aunty Asiya is a very good woman. She took care of him as she would with her son.

I winded the window down and let the cool air brush against my face. I inhaled the sweet smell of freshly baked croissants and finely brewed coffee. My stomach growled out loud.

"Woah! Layla, you must be really hungry. Do you want us to stop for some food." Adam asked with concern etched in his voice.

Embarrassment was an understatement to watch I felt. I gave a nervous laugh "that would to kind of you."

"Don't be formal with us. We are your cousins." Aisha said giggling

I nodded and murmured a thank you.

"Oh my God Layla, what's with the thank you. Please be free."

Nothing was said in the car again. Ya Adam, that's what Aisha calls him so I think it is only right if I call him that, entered an underground parking lot of an Italian restaurant called Bar Remo Rustic food and Pizza.

We exited the car and made our way into the restaurant. It was cozy, casual and very family friendly. I love it. My stomach grumbled at the scent of the food and my mouth watered.

We found a table at the far corner and sat down. A male waiter approached us and greeted us with a smile.

"Welcome to Bar Remo Rustic Food and Pizza. Would you like to other now?"

Ya Adam answered with a nod " yeah, we would like to Order the starters first. Do you have anything special for today."

"No but take a look at the menu and see."

"Okay. Aisha and Layla, what do you want?" He asked after some time.

"I'll want Mozzarella sticks." Aisha says what about you Layla, have you decided.

"Uhm.. I'll take a Large kiwi salad"

"Give me the kiwi salad also"

"Okay, your order will be here in a while"

We ate in silence for the rest of our lunch. Only Aisha ramblings once in a while. What I noticed about ya Adam is that he talks only if it's important, really important. We took the main dish which was ordered by ya Adam and bailed out on the dessert. I couldn't eat it thinking about what my uncle and aunty must be thinking about me? Does anyone know, meaning Adam, Aisha and the twins. I don't think so because they wouldn't be nice to me. Or maybe that's why ya Adam is cold to me? The questions kept piling up and my brain is going to combust anytime soon.

"Earth to Layla. Are you there? Can we go now? They must all be waiting for us."

I snapped out of my reverie and a said yes while standing up. I noticed him looking at me through the corner of his eyes but looked away when I turned to his direction.

"So, you're going to my university, which course are you applying for? Aisha asked with interest

"I don't know yet to I think I'll change majors"

"Well, which ever it is. Allah ya bada sa'a"

We kept chatting and I was beginning to open up to her. We reached a duplex house a parked in the garage.

"Welcome to our home and your new home also. Ummi must be thrilled to see you."

"Thank you Aisha. You're so kind."

She blushed prettily and answered "you're kind too"

"Are you guys going to come out?"

"Yeah. We're coming"

He was already rolling my second luggage into the house. Wow! That was fast. We trooped into house saying our salams. I was looking at the house in awe. It was not extravagant but it was warm, cozy and beautiful. Ya Adam greeted Ummi before passing into the room by the door which I assumed was his. I went and sat by her chair but she pulled me into a bear hug. It has been long since I hugged someone. I felt warm and content.

"Ina yini Ummi Good afternoon"

"Layla! Is this you?! You've grown up. As beautiful as always Masha Allah. Welcome. How are you?"

"Alhamdullilah."

"How are your parents? Did you leave them okay?"

"They are good."

"Masha Allah. Nadiya and Sadiya come and greet your sister. She is going to be staying with us."

They neared me and hugged me each saying welcome. They are beautiful. Masha Allah.

"You must be tired. Take a shower and sleep. Aisha told me you stopped for a grab, correct?"

"Yes."

"Aisha, show her to your room."

Aisha took my hand and led me upstairs where she opened a medium sized room with twin beds with a night stand each. There's your bed, the one on the left. I'll help you unpack your bag later. Shower and sleep Layla. You look beat. She went out of the room to give me space.

I took out my phone and roamed my sim before I get a new one. I called Armanu and he picked on the second ring.

"I thought you've forgotten about me since you're at the queens country. I feel betrayed. Did you forget our always and and forever?" He said jokingly.

"Hello to you too, Armanu you are so funny. You never cease to amaze me.

"How was your trip?"

"Alhamdullilah. There are all so nice. I feel kinda welcomed and I think I'm gonna fit in."

"That's good. I feel relieved."

"How's Mama and Baba?"

"They're all good. Have you called them?"

"No. I'm going to now."

"Okay. Everything is going to be better."

He didn't need to say it but I knew what he was talking about. "Thanks Armanu, for everything. Take care."

"Take care also and my little nephew or niece or even both. Who knows if it's twins."

My eyes welled up and I placed my hand on my tummy. I'm sorry baby. I'm so selfish. I got caught up wallowing in my self pity and loathe that I forgot about you.

"I will" I said determined to fulfill my promise.

"Bye" I disconnected and called Baba next.

It rang but he never picked. I left 2 missed calls then I decided to send a message.

Assalamu alaikum Baba, I landed safely and I'm in uncle Ash's house. They are really nice even though it has been long since we met. Uhmm.. I'm sorry. May Allah make it possible for you to forgive me. Amin. Thank you for everything.

I pressed send. I called Mama and she picked.

"Hello"

"Hello"

" Good afternoon. How are you? When I was leaving, you were out. We landed safely"

"Ohh. That's good. Stay out of trouble." She disconnected.

That's it. That's it. Mama hates me so much that she can't even stand me. I stood up and entered the bathroom and turned on the shower. I sat on the toilet sit and cried.

I cried for lost times.

I cried for being stupid.

I cried for not being able to talk.

I cried because mama hates me.

I cried because I felt disgusted.

I cried for the right reasons.

I cried because this is the last I'm going to cry............. ever..........

Will it be the last?

I hope so....

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