HER LAST WISH Episode 28 by Azeemah Salami
âDonât ever! allow anyone take up my seat just because of whatever uncontrollable feeling or weakness you have for them!â He added and she stared at him, stunned.
He dropped his books on his desk and sat down without sparing her a glance, she couldnât tell if she was surprised or angry, if it is anger then its directed at Dylan, she wasnât at all pleased with his behavior, and if it is surprise then its at Dan.
He almost yelled at her . . No, he did yell at her, for the first time and she would have cried if she hadnât controlled herself.
He even looked more angry than he had when he stormed off to find Elvis at the thanksgiving party.
Itâs all Dylanâs fault, sheâs more pissed at him than she wants to. She wont allow her feelings for him cloud her judgement. He had acted irrational, how can you take up someoneâs seat and refuse to get up when the person arrive even after you said you will and when your own seat is clearly empty, thatâs just like intentionally seeking trouble. And he had even mocked Dan before leaving.
Dan has every right to be angry but it shouldnât be directed to her but Dylan, the only mistake from her was allowing him take up Danâs seat but she couldnât have stopped him if she wanted to because it wasnât even her seat, she can only exercise authority over her own seat. Dan must have thought she had invited Dylan to take up his seat just because he was absent, she would never do such, regardless of whatever feelings she has for Dylan and not even when everybody knows the guys do not tolerate each other.
The teacher was still teaching and she wasnât even concentrating, she glanced at Dan and it looks like he was fully following the teacher. He still looked pissed, though not as pissed as earlier and he wasnât even looking in her direction. That hurts. Sheâs still so worried about the wounds on his face, she was tempted to ask him about it but she knows this is no time for it.
She glanced towards Dylanâs seat also and could see he was also fully concentrating. Even the guy who had caused all this was listening attentively to the teacher and here she was thinking and worrying.
She sigh and stared at the teacher who was teaching with full vigor like always, she almost hissed knowing they wont escape assignment.
*
It was time for lunchbreak and neither Dan nor Layla were standing up, they both go to the cafeteria together, holding hands most time but now the situation made it feel awkward, they both look like they have something to say to each other but were waiting for who to talk first.
Dan felt bad to have yelled at her and he really wants to apologize but he was so ashamed to do it. How could he have yelled at Layla. Heâs trying to find excuses, reasons he had done that but he couldnât come up with one.
All he knew was that he had felt so angry seeing Dylan on his seat and Layla looking so smitten with him. It had angered him so much, heâs not the one to get angry over trivial things but the anger had suddenly claimed him and clouded his sense of reasoning. He would have punched Dylan if he hadnât restrained himself.
Or could it be that what happened yesterday had overwhelmed him . . No, he had been happy after giving Jacq the beating of his life, he had been happy until he walked into the class to see Dylan had taken up his seat.
Coming up with an excuse for his bad behavior is so jackass-sy!
He had been a jackass because he couldnât control his anger, he had yelled at his special friend, he had been an asshole!
He should apologize and stop being more of an asshole.
He chewed his pinky fingernails, something he does whenever heâs feeling bad or guilty. He stole glances at Layla who was also buried in her own thought.
She badly wanted to ask him what had happened to him but he wasnât even looking at her, she stole glances at him and found him chewing his pinky finger, she has never seen him do that, he was looking down at his laps so she couldnât read his expression, she wanted to know if he was still pissed at her.
Sheâs feeling so bad to have allowed Dylan take up his seat but she there was really nothing she could have done.
âLayla iâm so sorry for yelling at you, I . . â
âDan iâm sorry for pissing you off . .â
They both said at the same time and it sounded so funny to the ears that they laughed, it wasnât a guffaw laugh, it was a chuckle-laugh.
They both stared at each other after laughing.
âYou go firstâ Layla said.
âNo, ladies firstâ Dan said and she smiled.
She was glad to see the humor return to his voice. âSoâ She started. âI know you probably thought I invited Dylan to take up your seat but that isnât so, I know im head over heels for him but I would never do suchâ She paused and Dan felt his heart ache painfully at what he just heard, he couldnât understand why. Of course Layla is head over heels for Dylan, he knows, everyone knows so that cant possibly be the reason his heart had ached.
Probably because he realized he had yelled at Layla over nothing . . yeah that should be it. The guilt must be slamming his heart really hard for his heart to have ached that painfully but it doesnât seem so . . .
âHe approached me and said he wanted to take up your seat â Layla continued. âI told him youâll be in school soon and he said heâs gonna leave for his seat when you arrive. I couldnât even have stopped him if I wanted to because it wasnât my seat, I have no authority over it, though if I had known he would have refused to get up when you arrive, I would have tried more to make him not take up your seat but I can only try, I cant stop him. Iâm sorry about everything Danâ She said.
Dan chewed his pinky finger, feeling more bad than he had felt earlier.
âWhy do you keep doing that?â She asked.
âBecause Iâm feeling so bad to have yelled at you over something you didnât even do!â He said, so angry at himself.
âYou have every right to be pissed, though not at me but Dylan but itâs understandable because you had misunderstood the situation, you had thought I invited him over and to be sincere, you shouldnât be blamed for that, anyone would have thought the same with how obvious my affection is for himâ She smiled, not a happy smile, nor a sad one . . in between.
âEven if you had invited him over here, I shouldnât have yelled at you, I should never have done that but Iâm such an asshole!, a jackass, a jerk, an insolent fool . . . â
Enoughâ Layla stopped him. âEnough of feeling bad, enough of calling yourself names and enough of chewing your pinky fingernailâ She smiled at him, a smile that relaxed him completely.
He stopped chewing his fingernail and stared at her, like a kid caught stealing cheese. She almost laughed.
âAnger is such a strong feeling and unfortunately most of us have no control over it, we only get to feel bad or remorseful after it has cleared off. Itâs not your fault Dan, itâs normal to get angry over something we cant seem to tolerate and in the course transfer our anger/aggression to other people, though thatâs bad, we should try to work on avoiding that, making other people suffer the bad actions of others is not so nice. In your own case, itâs understandable because you misunderstood the whole thing, so you should stop feeling bad, I hadnât even taken it as an offense and what the hell happened to your face?â She asked.
âTell me youâve forgiven me firstâ He said pouting childishly, it was so cute and funny at the same time and Layla found herself laughing.
âNo, you should tell me youâve forgiven me firstâ She said.
âBut you didnât offend meâ Dan said.
âI feel we should apologise to each otherâ Layla said.
âThatâs not necessary, Iâm the one at fault hereâ
âWell, if you wont tell me youâve forgiven me, then iâm not going to forgive you eitherâ
âOkay but Ladies firstâ He grinned and she scoff playfully.
âDaniel Keyes, you are forgiven with utmost pleasureâ She said with a curtsy bow.
âLayla Moremi Williams, youâre forgiven even if you did nothing wrongâ
âWhat a way to forgive someoneâ Layla rolled her eyes and he laughed. He always found that funny.
âSo, what happened to you, your face?â Layla asked, solemnly.
âOh what a long story, you sure youâre ready for it?â He asked with a wink.
âIâm most ready but you know what?â Layla asked with a smile.
âWhat?â Dan asked eagerly.
âYou should talk about it over lunch or weâll have to hide to eat burgers againâ Layla said.
Dan laughed. âWasnât that fun?â
âSure it was but if weâre caught our punishment wont be fun in any wayâ Layla shook her head.
âWell, Iâm looking forward to thatâ Dan grinned naughtily.
âWell, not me. Iâm offâ Layla said getting up.
âGosh . . Ocean High students are cowardsâ Dan teased, getting up after her.
Layla glared at him and said slowly . . âI think you should run for your dear life, Iâm about to pounce on you on behalf of every Ocean High studentâ
âOh my . .â Dan laughed, dashing off.
***
âThanks Layla, these are so beautiful. Sheâs gonna love itâ Aria smiled adoringly at the hairpins in her palms. Layla had just gifted them to her daughter.
âBut I think just one is okay, these two seems . . too much, donât you think?â Aria asked Layla, who was sitting on one of the high stools, looking as beautiful and happy as she did these days.
âNo, itâs okay, Philia got so much for me, so much that even after giving six out, I still have much more leftâ Layla said.
âReally?â
âYeah, so you should better give those two to Jane before I decide to add to itâ She smiled playfully.
âThanks Layla.â Aria smiled.
âAaargh, enough of the Thanks, itâs just two hairpinsâ Layla said.
âWell, no matter how little you think these are, they are worth thanking you over â
âI know right but itâs enoughhhhhâ Layla said.
âYou didnât have to prolong the enough thoughâ Aria laughed.
âA customer is hereâ Layla said and got on her feet, she waited for the woman to get seated before going to take her order.
âCafĂŠ Latteâ She said to Aria on walking back to the counter and Aria quickly prepared it, Layla went to serve it return to sitting on the high stool.
She was balancing her self on it when she heard her phone ring, she grabbed her bag and pulled her phone out of it.
Fel.
She smiled. âHi Felâ
âLayla! Thanks for the hairpinsâ Felâs cheerful voice rang in her ears and Layla almost doubted if she was the one who got heartbroken just yesterday.
âItâs fine Felâ
âThey are so beautiful, I love them! Iâm wearing one on my hair right nowâ Fel said.
âReally?â Layla smiled. âIâm glad you love themâ
âAnd Iâm so sorry about the break upâ Layla said.
âOh that . . thank you. Did Dan told you he gave the asshole the beating of his life?â
Layla laughed hard. âYeah he did and I was so glad he did thatâ
âYou need to see Jacqâs face looking like he was stung by honeybees. I secretly took a picture of him though, do you wanna see it?â Fel asked, grinning wickedly.
âOMG, I would love toâ Layla laughed.
âIâll send it to you right awayâ Fel disconnected the call.
Laylaâs phone beeped few seconds later and after staring at the picture, she gently stepped down from the stool, knowing the type of laughter brewing inside her is enough to make her fall off the high stool. She found herself laughing all over the counter, holding her stomach. Aria gave her quizzical looks with a smile on her face and soon enough she was laughing too though not as hard as Layla . She couldnât help herself, Layla had a contagious laugh.
âSo good to see my employees laughing without even noticing the two customers that walked inâ Phil smiled, a smile that didnât quite reached her face and they knew it was forced, the smile smelled DOOM.
âOMGâ Layla and Aria exclaimed and quickly set to work, bumping into each other.
HER LAST WISH Episode 29 by Azeemah Salami
âOMGâ Layla and Aria exclaimed and quickly set to work, bumping into each other in the process.
**
Dan raised his head from his phone on hearing the door open.
Anne stood by the door.
âWhy are you not coming in?â He asked.
âJennie is hereâ Anne announced.
âJennie?â Dan asked and Anne nodded.
He sigh before getting up from his bed, wondering what Jen wants.
She hadnât even texted him she was coming.
âAnd she doesnât want to come in, no matter how much I tell her toâ Anne said.
âReally?â Dan asked with a raised brow.
âYeahâ Anne said, adjusting her glasses.
Dan followed her down to the living room, she sat on the couch to continue watching the TV while he walked further to the door.
He saw Jennie standing there, clad in a pair of pink fitting jeans with a top as blue as her eyes, her hair was unpacked and pulled to a side and her hand on the hip. She looked like a model . . A pissed model.
She didnât looked pissed though but Dan knew her too well to figure she was pissed at the moment.
âHey whatâs up? Come inâ He said.
âI wonâtâ She answered coldly.
âWhy?â
âI donât want toâ She said.
âOkay, I wonât force you to. Is there anything wrong?â
âReally?â She folded her arms beneath her breasts casting Dan a âare-you-serious-lookâ
âWhatâs going on?â Dan asked, starting to get real confused.
âAre you going to keep pretending? Or they are really yet to tell you?â She asked.
âSay whatever it is, Iâm the most confused being on earth right nowâ Dan said, closing the door as he stepped out in front of her.
Jennie was no doubt a tall teen, sheâs taller than most girls her age but Danâs height still made her feel small and itâs not like heâs so so tall but his charm is capable of making one feel inferior.
âIâm Jacqâs girlfriend, the one he chose over Felâ Jennie said with an air of pride, looking as though she cared less what Danâs reaction would be when indeed she really do.
Dan was surprised and he didnât hide it, he looked stunned as he stared at Jennie and she smiled inwardly, satisfied with the look on his face.
He was more surprised at how he felt than he was at what Jennie just said. He should feel hurt, furious, scream, his heart should be aching, he should feel terrible but none of that is happening. He wasnât even feeling the slightest anger or jealousy, he felt calm instead, just surprised, if not stunned.
And now . . Heâs just realising that his heart hadnât even raced when he saw her, he must be improving with getting over her and heâs so glad. Laylaâs words really helped.
âOh, youâre still so stunned. I hope you donât plan on beating up Jacq again!â Jennie snarled.
âReally? Why would I do that? I already dealt with him for hurting my friend, why else would I want to beat him up again?â Dan raised his brow. âExcept if he hurt another of my friend thoughâ
Jennie stared at him . . This wasnât what she was expecting, she expected him to get mad, furious, she expected to see jealousy spark in his eyes, he had only looked surprised, not even pissed at the least and he wasnât even looking at her with that charming mildness like he always do, the look in his eyes is so different . . so free of every gentleness it once held for her.
Has he gotten over her? . . Her heart almost ached at the thought.
He wonât even fight Jacq because of herâŚthat says a lot.
She dropped her arms by her sides, trying not to look disappointed and defeated.
âOh, is this what you said I was going to find out myself?â Dan asked.
âYesâ She said, keeping the edginess off her voice.
âTurns out you told me yourself, well . . It wasnât even worth the waitâ Dan smiled and her stomach churned.
He was over her, sheâs so certain of it now and she wonât deny it hurts so much.
She had loved him so much but then he chose his sister over her without the smallest apology, she told him not to leave Prestige High School or their relationship will be over but he left, meaning their relationship hadnât meant anything to him and then she called things off.
At the Thanksgiving party, seeing that he was yet to get over her gave her immense satisfaction and she wanted to see him look more hurt by telling him about her new relationship though leaving Jacqâs name out of it but then Layla had appeared and the look on Danâs face had been unmistakable, thatâs the look Dan do give her alone and she has never seen him look at another girl that way except Layla.
Dan cares for Layla like he does his other special friends but she could tell heâs more affectionate towards her, she had been hurt thinking he probably has feelings for Layla and she had walked off not bothering to tell him what she wanted to but the thought that he was yet to get over her consoled her.
âI canât believe this is what you wanted to tell me then because i can remember clearly how serious you were when you told me not to be surprised when I find out, though you were right, i was indeed surprised when you told me but I had thought it was a very important thing and it even got me worried for days. I canât believe I was thrown in suspense over . . thisâ Dan sigh, brushing his hand through his hair.
Jennie felt more terrible as she stood looking at him.
Her relationship with Jacq doesnât mean anything to him . .
âAnd you had even said you didnât deem it fit to tell me, why do you suddenly deem it fit to tell me now?â He asked.
âThough Iâm glad you didnât tell me then though, I would have been so hurt and Jacq would probably have his ass dragged out of the partyâ Dan added warmly like it was the most normal thing to say.
âI hadnât planned to mention his name! And I didnât deem it fit to tell you then because of how you looked at Layla!â Jennie said before she could stop herself.
âExcuse me?â Dan asked.
âWell . . It was obvious you have feelings for her, the way you look at her . . â Jennie trailed off.
âWhat are you saying? Its not so. Layla is someone I care deeply for like I do my special friends, you must be mistakenâ Dan chuckled.
âNo! Iâm not mistaken, you like her! You do! I know you doâ Jennie said louder than she intended.
âYouâre wrong, very wrong. How can you claim I have feelings for Layla when I know I donât, youâre not me, you canât state how I feel for someone. And even if itâs so, which is not, why should that be the reason you felt you shouldnât tell me about Jacq?â
Jennie fell silent. .
âIs that all you want to say?â Dan asked, getting impatience with the silence.
âItâs so shameful of you to fight someone just because he broke up with your so called special friend! Who does that?â Jennie yelled and Dan shifted back startled.
She hadnât yelled because Dan had beaten Jacq up, she had because she was so angry he has gotten over her and doesnât even care how she lives.
âWow. Jacq is so lucky to get a sweet lover like you, I canât believe you came all the way here to yell at me for beating up your boyfriend, youâre the shameless one here and your boyfriend is more shameless for narrating to you how a guy his age had beaten him to a pulpâ Dan snorted.
âDid you just called me shameless?â Jennie asked, shocked.
âYou called me that too, well Iâm sorry for calling you that but are you done?â Dan asked.
âI have tons of assignments to doâ He added, opening the door.
âAnd I hope Jacqâs face is healing fast, say hi to him for meâ Dan said before walking in and closing the door behind him.
Jennie blinked at the door in shock.
Was that Dan?
***
âMy mum said to invite you over for lunch on Sundayâ Dan said to Layla as they had their lunch in the cafeteria.
âOhâ Layla smiled.
âWill you be coming?â He asked.
âOf courseâ Layla said, though a bit worried about Phil, sheâs not sure she is going to give her the permission.
âMum would be so glad to hear that. She actually wanted to invite you over on Saturday but I told her youâll not be chanced, I know you wonât want to leave Aria to all the workâ Dan said.
Layla smiled. âYou know me so wellâ
âI saw Jacqâs faceâ Layla said, chewing on her fries.
âOh really?â Dan sigh.
âYeah, Fel secretly took a picture of him and . . his face doesnât look so goodâ
âFel can be so mischievous. Well . . Thatâs what Jacq gets for hurting my friend, I hope his face is healing fast thoughâ He shrug.
âYou look so calm to be the one who messed up Jacqâs face. Iâm so scaredâ Layla said putting on an exaggerated shivering act.
Dan laughed. âCâmonâ
âJennie came around yesterdayâ He said and Layla muttered an âohâ wondering if he already found out Jennie is the one dating Jacq.
Sheâs sure heâs yet to find out or he wonât be this cheerful, she had been so surprised when Fel had told her while they chatted yesternight .
Fel had said sheâs yet to tell Dan because she doesnât know how heâs gonna take it.
âShe came to say hi to you?â Layla asked, she had stopped chewing her fries.
âNo, she came to tell me how shameful I was to have beaten up her boyfriend âbecause he broke up with my friendâ â Dan said, biting into his chicken.
Layla stared at him, stunned.
He knows already . .
âOh, youâre surprised too?â Dan chuckled.
âNo, itâs not that. I know already, Iâm just surprised you found out and . . â
âYou know already?â Dan asked.
âYeah, Fel told me. She doesnât want you to know because of how you might feelâ Layla said and Dan laughed.
âBut , seeing how you look now even after knowing, it seems weâve been worried for nothing about you not finding out. Iâm surprised to see you this . . bubblyâ
âI was surprised at how I reacted to the whole thing also when she rubbed it in my face, I think Iâm finally over her â
âReally?â Layla asked.
âYeah, my heart hadnât even raced at her sight and to think I hadnât even tried to get over her this time made everything more surprising, your advice worked Layla. Thank youâ Dan said.
Layla smiled, so happy for him.
âIf I hadnât gotten over Jennie, I canât even imagine what I would have done when she told meâ
âIâm glad you took my advice and it worked for youâ
âYeah yeah, Iâm glad tooâ Dan winked.
âWhat a cute wink you have thereâ Layla smiled.
âYours is cuterâ Dan smiled.
âWell, if you said that to make me wink. Iâm sorry,you ainât getting any more wink for todayâ Layla stuck out her tongue and Dan laughed.
âYou can goâ Philia said to Layla.
âHuh?â Layla asked to be sure.
She just told Phil about the lunch invitation and Phil agreed without any argument.
âYou can go!â Phil repeated, turning her gaze back to the TV..
âWh..why do you suddenly keep letting me do what I want?â Layla asked.
âExcuse me?â Phil asked.
âYou know what I mean Phil, you donât normally do thisâ Layla said.
âWell, I started already. Donât question me further pleaseâ Phil said, quickly turning back to the TV and Layla knew something was up.
She hope it wasnât what she was thinking as she walked back to her room.
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