HER LAST WISH Episode 36 by Azeemah Salami
“Shh, we’re in the library remember” Dan whispered to Layla, grinning.
“You shouldn’t have made such joke knowing we are in the library” She whispered back, laughing as quietly as she could.
They were sitting beside one of the many library windows after lunch break and none of them has addressed the books on the table in front of them, that were glistening with the ray of sun floating in through the unglazed window . They had been discussing in low tone, ditching what they came into the library for.
And as Layla laughed as soundlessly as she could, tilting her head forward, the sun swept through her hair and perfect set of teeth. Dan’s breath caught in his throat and his heart started racing in that familiar way again.
A week had passed and their bond got even tighter.
They went everywhere with each other, not giving anyone else the room to come between them again.
People tried to get closer to either of them but it was just so clear there wasn’t the slightest chance. No room for a deeper friendship than the other already existing between them.
Dan knew his feelings for Layla had grown over the week and there was no denying it anymore, he likes her. Why else would his heart beat so crazily whenever he’s with her and even most times when he isn’t with her, once she creeps into his thoughts, his heart would start racing…so fast it’s almost painful.
He hadn’t even felt this much torture before he got into a relationship with Jennie.
It’s so unnerving.
Perhaps he should stop trying to stop his feelings for her, it seems it’s even making him fall for her more.
He wasn’t scared to ask her to be his girlfriend, he’s so straightforward when it comes to feelings but the situation surrounding them made it complicated.
The fact that she’s one of his special friends isn’t what is stopping him but the fact that she’s in love with another person is what’s pulling him back.
Though she had really kept to her promise of not making anyone else come between them and placing anyone else above him but she still stares at Dylan with so much love and longing and she smiles brightly and gleefully whenever he responds to her greetings.
She’s still so smitten with him.
Telling her about his feelings would not only fluster her but make her feel uneasy around him because she doesn’t feel the same way. Their friendship might suffer a strain and he doesn’t want that.
Though he knows he can’t keep his feelings buried forever, he’s going to reveal it sooner or later. It’s weighing heavily on him, making him restless and he’s sure he’s not going to feel any better until he spills it.
She doesn’t have to date him, he’s just going to tell her about it and things will continue the way they were. Well, he’s such a fool to think it would be that easy.
“Why are you suddenly quiet?” Layla asked. “Is there something on my face?” She added and he realized he has been staring at her while buried deeply in his thoughts.
“It’s nothing actually, just lost in thought” He said.
“Is it anything you are willing to share?” She asked.
“Not yet, it’s nothing serious really”
“Are you sure?”
“Perfectly” He said.
“Let’s read then, we have few minutes left before break is over” She said.
“Oh yeah” Dan twirled a book in his direction, he opened it and his gaze felt hazy through the lines, he couldn’t even pick out the words, he stopped trying to read and just stared at the page blankly.
What is she doing to him.
Layla found her gaze on Dan’s sun-glittering hair instead of the book.
The unknown feeling sweeping over her again, she’s still yet to figure what it was and she’s trying not to beat herself up over it like Aria had advised but it’s so hard. The feeling whirls around her almost everytime, it’s so strong and pulling, always rising from the depth of her belly, she has never felt that way.
Is she even going to figure it out? because she has never even felt this way, so how would she know what it is.
Perhaps it’s what all friends feel for each other or rather what best friends feel for each other but she doubt it.
How would she even know if it was a friendship type of feeling. Dan’s her first best friend.
She had refrained severally from asking him about it, if he feels the same but then something kept hinting her not to.
She breathed deeply without even realizing.
Dan raised his gaze to her and she quickly flashed him a smile to reassure him she’s fine .
He winked and buried his gaze back to the book and she released the breath she hadn’t been aware she was holding.
***
“Look at you!” Layla giggled happily.
She was on a video call with Aunt Esther and David.
They were both giggling also, looking happy.
She was preparing to leave for the Coffee shop when the call came in.
“Moremi” Aunt Esther called gleefully.
“Aunt, how have you been?” Layla asked.
They’ve not contacted each other in a week, it was the longest they had spent without contacting each other since Layla owned a phone.
She had tried contacting Aunt Esther but hadn’t been able to, she knew it was something with the network connection.
“I’ve been good sweetheart, how have you been also?” Aunt Esther asked. David was seated on his mum’s laps, waving happily to Layla, she waved back at him and they both giggled again.
“I’ve been okay. Dave! How are you?”
“Aunty Moremi, I’m fine. I had the highest score in the mathematics test today” David grinned.
“Oh wow, that’s great. Keep it up bro” Layla winked, giving Dave thumb up .
“I’ve got a new toy also” He said and quickly skidded off his mum’s laps, he returned seconds later, bouncing on his mum’s laps again, not even noticing she had winced.
He stretched his new toy to the phone..
It was a cool small red car with complete wheels, almost looked real, except for it’s small size and plastic body.
Layla could remember her brother owned something similar to this too, he had so much toys but they gave out everything to charity after his death.
“Wow, what a cool ride you’ve got!” Layla said, pushing back her emotions to compliment her nephew’s new ride.
“Thank you” David smiled, obviously enthralled with his new toy.
“My Dad got it for me” He added.
“Big ups to Dad!” Layla smiled. Though she rarely get to communicate with David’s dad, he’s mostly away at work but the few times they had communicated, he had been so nice to her.
“I’m going to get you more toys when we see okay?” Layla said.
“Are we going to be seeing soon?” David asked eagerly.
“Maybe” Layla said and Aunt Esther looked confused, Layla hadn’t discussed it with her and with the look on Layla’s face, it seems she’s pretty serious.
“I can’t wait to see you, it’s been so long” David said longingly.
“Yeah” Layla nodded, David had been three when they visited then and now he’s eight…nine soon.
And she really had to see him again… Once more.
Aunt Esther turned away, it looked like she was distracted with someone else’s presence at the door.
“David, your lesson teacher is here, go and get ready” She said.
“Okay mum. Bye Aunty Moremi” David waved before sliding off his mum’s laps once more.
“Bye David” Layla smiled.
Aunt Esther angled her phone properly after David has left.
Layla admired her flawless dark skin, she was putting on a sleeveless wear, though Layla couldn’t tell if it was a dress or top, she could only see to her shoulders.
She has always admired her Aunt’s skin, it’s so dark and it always glitter as if there were millions of tiny diamonds on it, her oval shaped face was so good looking also and her body shape, damn… Layla could remember the last time she saw her, she hadn’t even known then that her own shape would be similar to Aunt Esther’s.
“Moremi, you want us to visit?” She asked.
“I’m still thinking about it” Layla said, folding in her lips.
“I’m not sure your Aunt will be fine with it, she doesn’t like us” Aunt Esther said with a roll of eyes.
Layla chuckled, her two Aunt’s haven’t met each other yet and they seem not to like each other in any way.
“Phil is not so mean anymore, I’m sure she won’t mind but then again she can be so unpredictable” Layla said.
“Ah, I don’t want wahala o” Aunt Esther said and Layla laughed.
She loves it when Aunt Esther slips in Nigeria tone.
She knows what wahala means, Aunt Esther once told her it’s means problem….She doesn’t want problem.
Layla laughed again. “I’m still thinking about it though but I really want to see you and David”
“We would love to see you again also, we miss you” Aunt Esther said solemnly.
“I miss you too, I’m going to let you know once I come to a conclusion”
“Okay. How are your friends?”
“They are fine” Layla smiled.
“Say hi to them for me and special hi to Anne” Aunt Esther winked.
“You’ll make Dan jealous again” Layla laughed.
“Ah, that fine friend of yours” Aunt Esther smiled, she was yet to speak to any of Layla’s friend except Anne but she had seen their pictures and she knows each person’s name.
“How’s work going Aunt?” Layla asked.
“We thank God o, sales have been moving real fast these days” Aunt Esther smiled brightly.
She owns a shop just outside the compound she lives.
“That’s great news” Layla smiled. “How’s Mr Agbaje?”
“My husband is fine, your pronunciation won’t cease to make me laugh, I’m sure my husband will cringe if he knows how you pronounce his name” Aunt Esther laughed long and hard.
Layla pouted.
“Don’t worry, I’ll teach you a lot of things whenever we see okay?” Aunt Esther said after her laugh subsided.
“I’ll be so glad and your hair looks so beautiful” Layla smiled admiringly.
Aunt Esther was on cornrows that looked neatly and newly plaited.
“Thanks dear, my neighbor helped me make it. Amina. ”
“She’s so good at it” Layla said.
“Yes o and you won’t believe she’s not even out of high school yet, though she’s almost done, about your age sha”
“Are you serious? Wow” Layla looked intrigued.
“That aside, aren’t you leaving for your Aunt’s Cafe? Did she gave you the day off?” Aunt Esther asked.
“OMG! I need to go” Layla said, scrambling to her feet, she had completely forgotten about the Cafe.
Damn, Phil would be so pissed.
“You should hurry, that Aunt of yours is not nice at all.” Aunt Esther scoffed.
Layla chuckled.
“Bye dear”
“Bye Aunt Esther, my kisses to Dave” She said before disconnecting the call.
She dropped her phone on her dressing table and grabbed her comb, pushing it through her hair hurriedly.
She dropped the comb back on the table and slipped on her slippers.
She grabbed her phone and was about rushing out of her room but her feet wouldn’t move after her gaze landed on the comb.
She stared at the familiar silky fibre on it.
Her hair.
Not just a strand but a huge chunk.
“Finally’ She smiled sadly, her throat going dry and tight.
HER LAST WISH Episode 37 by Azeemah Salami
“Layla, what’s wrong? You look pale” Aria said worriedly as Layla approached the counter .
“Yeah, I’m a bit tired.. school was kind of stressful” Layla lied, dropping her tote bag.
“Oh, was wondering why you were late. You should rest, just sit over there. I’ll handle everything” Aria said.
“Oh God, Aria I’m so sorry, you should go pick Jane” Layla said guiltily. She had forgotten that Aria would have to pick her daughter from school.
“I already called my husband to go do that. It’s no problem” Aria said, hurrying to go attend to a customer.
Layla was putting on her apron after washing her hands when Aria came back.
“I told you to rest. You don’t look well Layla” Aria complained mildly, with worry in her voice. Layla looked sick and sad. She had walked in with her shoulders hunched and her eyes distant like she was deeply worried about something.
Although Layla had said it was school stress but Aria didn’t believe her, something else was wrong. It was written all over her face.
“I’m fine Aria, I already took a rest at home before coming, that was the reason I came late” Layla said.
“No, I insist” Aria said, placing her hand on the top of the counter.
“You should go home and take care of Jane and her Dad, they have to eat dinner. I’ll take care of the rest here” Layla said, picking the hair cover.
“I can still get to prepare dinner by the time work is over. I’m not leaving you to do all the work alone when you look so sick” Aria said, preparing the customer’s order.
Layla stared at her back…
She looked sick.
So sick that Aria had noticed.
She swallowed, hard. “I’m not sick, just tired”
Aria turned to her from the coffee she was making. “You can’t deceive me Layla, I know the look on your face when you’re tired. You don’t have to tell me what’s wrong if you don’t want to, I just want you to rest, you look like you really need it”
Aria turned back to the coffee machine and Layla sigh.
She sat reluctantly on the high stool..
Aria deserves to know, doesn’t she?
But then she’d be putting her in a restless position, she doesn’t want anyone’s pity, she doesn’t want to make anyone worry over her pathetic state. No one deserves to be in constant worry over her.
Aria has her own family to look after, burdening her with her own problem doesn’t seem fair.
And she should stop feeling this way over her condition, though it can’t be helped but feeling any type of way won’t change her condition either.
She should have expected it, she shouldn’t have been so shocked and terrified seeing that much hair on the comb, didn’t she know it would happen at a point in time?
Wasn’t that the reason she had trimmed her hair, knowing they’ll fall off sometime.
She had been so buried in her new life with her friends, so distracted that she hadn’t even given her condition much thought. Though it creeps into her mind once in a while and she doesn’t really worry about it.
Haha..had she probably thought it was a joke?
Well if she had thought it was, clearly, it wasn’t anymore.
First, that sudden fatigue…and then her hair . .
Well, it had to remind her it was no joke and she was glad it did.
She’ll get to do as much as she can…
“Oh, Phil’s coming. She was here earlier and seemed pretty upset you weren’t here yet. You should prepare what you’re going to tell her” Aria quickly hinted Layla before Phil got to the counter.
“What’s wrong with you?” Phil asked to Layla and Aria’s surprise.
The expected question was WHY THE HELL WERE YOU LATE!
Though Phil has been nice to her lately but she never tolerated indiscipline regarding her business.
“I.. Im sorry I’m late” Layla said, slowly stepping down from the stool.
“I didn’t ask if you are late, I don’t care . What’s wrong with you? You look pale” Phil noted worriedly and Aria eyes widen in further surprise. Layla was surprised also but not so surprised.
“It’s just school..it was quite stressful today” Layla said.
“Come with me to my office” Phil said, walking away briskly.
“What’s going on?” Aria asked Layla who shrugged.
“Phil is so different now” Aria noted. “I’m surprised”
Layla smiled wanly. “Isn’t that good? You’ve always wanted her to change”
“Yeah but … It still doesn’t feel right and you… what’s going on with you? What’s up with you and Phil?” Aria asked in bewilderment.
“Nothing you should worry yourself about Aria, everything is fine” Layla said.
“It doesn’t seem so” Aria said.
“I should go join Phil in her office” Layla said excusing herself, she felt so bad to lie to Aria or leave her puzzled. Aria didn’t deserve to be left in the dark. She had been there for her since forever.
She pulled the door of Phil’s office open and stepped in. Deep down, she knew she was taking advantage of Phil’s recent softness, she wouldn’t have dared open the office door without knocking first.
She sat opposite Phil in the small neat office.
Layla stared at the computer while waiting for Phil to speak up but had to look up when Phil didn’t say anything.
Phil was staring at her, pathetically.
“Stop that” Layla said, her voice almost in a whisper.
“Don’t look at me that way, I’m fine” She added in a breaking voice, a lump forming in her throat.
“I know when you’re tired Layla and this look of yours isn’t tiredness, you look unwell, sad, distant, scared” Phil said and every emotion Layla had tried bottling up came rushing back, tears burned the back of her throat before rushing to her eyes, it pooled there, she was determined not to make it fall but she knew she would give in eventually, her body was quivering already.
She had always tried to be strong but she guess it wasn’t working anyone.
“What’s wrong?” Phil asked tenderly.
“Well… A huge chunk of my hair was left in the comb after I finished combing” Layla smiled but with no hint of humor, she gave in to the tears and it came rolling down her cheeks.
Phil stared at her, her face expressionless.
She watched her cry while struggling to hold back hers. The office was still, silent except for the sound of Layla’s sobbing.
Phil stared at her for a long time and after she trusted herself to speak without breaking down, she slowly rose to her feet.
Layla was still in tears and Phil was glad she was letting it all out, she has been strong enough.
She walked over to Layla and pulled her to her chest, rubbing her back comfortingly.
Her tears started building again and she bit her lower lip hard, she had to be strong for Layla.
“I’m so sorry Layla, I.. I don’t know what to say , I don’t have any comforting word, I’m so sorry” Phil said.
Layla chuckled, a humorless one, wiping her tears. “Even if you did, is it going to change anything? Nothing is ever going to change”
She was still in Phil’s embrace, the first time Phil has ever hugged her . Perhaps this condition of hers is meant to make her have the things she lacked. First, she got wonderful friends and then Phil..who had been dead mean to her could now pass for one of the sweetest person she has ever known.
She laughed inwardly… What a ridiculous situation she’s in.
“Are you crying?” She asked Phil after hearing her sniff.
“No, why should I? I can’t cry because of you, remember I don’t like you” Phil said, trying to sound as normal as she could but Layla caught the wavering in her voice and the drop of liquid that dropped on her back confirmed her suspicion.
Philia was in tears.
For her.
She stared blankly, not knowing what to do. Phil didn’t want her knowing she was crying..for her so she better not bring it up but she felt flustered.
They remained that way for what seems like hours but was just minutes.
The silence was straining.
“I need to go join Aria” Layla said, slowly easing herself out of Phil’s embrace.
She finally got to look at Phil’s eyes, they looked puffy and her face was pink, Layla was hundred percent sure she looked worse, she should splash some water on her face if she doesn’t want to make Aria worried again.
“You can use my restroom” Phil said as if reading her thought.
Layla nodded and got to her feet, she walked to the adjoining restroom and stood in front of the sink. She was right, she looked terrible. She studied her face, her eyes in particular, red and swollen…there’s no how Aria wouldn’t notice she cried.
She splashed water on her face and the cool water relaxed her a bit, calming her seemingly hot face, she wished she could strip and take a long bath.
She splashed more water on her face for some time and when she finally raised her dripping face to her mirror, her eyes looked a bit better, less swollen but still red..not so red anyway.
She turned off the faucet and picked the neatly folded towel, she unfolded it and wiped her face dry.
Spreading it out on the rail so it could dry, her eyes caught the little rectangular box sitting by the window.
A pregnancy test kit .. according to the inscription on it.
Layla blinked, could the cleaner have left it there? it didn’t make any sense though, for the cleaner to leave such behind and Phil would have found out about it and thrashed it but of course Phil had gotten it for herself, it was slightly opened, which means it had been used.
Could Phil be pregnant?
Well… getting a pregnancy test kit doesn’t necessarily means one is pregnant but it definitely means one might be, you wouldn’t get a pregnancy kit if you are not suspicious of being pregnant.
Phil might be pregnant…the realisation amused her and well, she might not be.
Thinking about it now, she realised Phil’s men have stopped coming around for some time now.
Could that mean she’s really…
Well, Phil’s old enough to have a baby, she should stop snooping around in her Aunt’s affair.
She has a more pressing issue to deal with.
She walked out of the restroom, Phil was now seated in front of the computer, busy with it, looking better than she had before Layla walked into the restroom, Layla guessed she had used that time to pull herself together. Phil isn’t someone to let you know she worries about you.
“Are you okay to return to the counter now? You can rest behind if you want to” Phil said, raising her head from the computer.
“I’m fine now” Layla said, pushing back the urge to glance at Phil’s stomach, not that she could see it from here anyway.
She almost slapped herself to shake off her stupid curiosity.
“Okay and you don’t have to make dinner tonight. I will or we could order something” Phil said.
“C’mon” Layla laughed. “I’m not paralyzed, I can work perfectly and I’m going to. See you later” Layla said, walking out of the office.
Phil was glad to see the colors return to Layla’s face, she knows Layla would rather make herself happy than be sad.
She sigh, pushing back the computer. She hadn’t been working on anything, she had only pretended..for Layla but she wasn’t fine a bit.
***
“Is there anything wrong?” Layla asked Dan as they opened their lockers to slip their bags in.
Dan was still holding his bag in his hand, his attention on something in his locker, Layla tried to see what it was but Dan quickly pushed his backpack in.
“It’s nothing, I was just distracted” He smiled.
“Are you sure?” She asked.
“Of course” He laughed.
“Okay” She said and locked her locker. “Aren’t you coming?” She asked, seeing he was yet to lock his locker.
“Go ahead, I need to arrange my books” He said.
“I will wait” She said.
“I’m feeling pressed actually, I’ll visit the restroom after I’m done here. You should go ahead” He said, smiling reassuringly.
“Okay” She said after a while, her suspicion obvious in her eyes.
She walked away and Dan quickly grabbed the paper someone had slipped in his locker.
He had been taken aback seeing the paper and what was inscribed boldly on the back…
LET SOMEONE ELSE SEE THIS AT THEIR OWN RISK!
So, he couldn’t show it to Layla. He couldn’t put her at risk just because he doesn’t like hiding things from her.
He realised he wasn’t even scared as he picked the paper, knowing it might be dropped by some guy who was feeling insecure and complaining their girlfriend had been staring at him, though… the papers aren’t always like this . . .
He turned it over to the front and discovered there was a short note.
~She’s going to get hurt and it’ll be because of you. Start feeling guilty ahead!~
Now..he was panicking.
She.
He was closest to Anne and Layla in the school and he knew it’d be one of them, the anonymous writer had obviously not mentioned the particular name to make him more anxious.
He couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to either of them and the thought of something happening to them because of him rose his panic.
He glanced around nervously, his heart beating frantically in fear.
Could this be some sort of prank?
No, it couldn’t be. This doesn’t look like a prank.
What is he going to do?
He was contemplating hard when he saw Dylan walk past…he didn’t just walked past, he flashed Dan a knowing grin.
Could he have… Dan didn’t wait for the thoughts to form before rushing after him, the paper in his hand.
He quickened his pace when he saw Dylan disappear through another corridor, he was about calling him to stop when Dylan stopped walking himself, his back to Dan.
Dan approached him and was close enough when Dylan turned suddenly, landing a punch on his mouth, the force made Dan reel backwards and it was a miracle he didn’t fall.
“Oh, I’m sorry, didn’t know it was you” Dylan said, smirking as Dan wiped blood off his mouth.
“Of course you didn’t” Dan smiled, his mouth aching slightly.
“Just wanted to know if you wrote this” Dan said, stretching the paper to Dylan, who had a smug smile on and just when he was about taking the paper, Dan landed a punch on his jaw, sending Dylan’s teeth clattering. Dylan who had thought he had gotten away with the punch, stumbled back in shock, groaning and managed to stop himself from falling.
His eyes caught a teacher approaching and he quickly threw himself to the floor, asking loudly why Dan had punched him when he clearly didn’t do anything.
Dan was confused until he saw the teacher approach.
“Daniel Keyes, come with me to immediately” The teacher said, looking horrified.
Oh well ..
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