Walk Of Shame (On hold)

Part 2

***

For the first time since ninth grade, Layla was home on a Saturday. She had been in no mood to socialize since 'the incident' she had turned away all her friends who visited. Ahmad had not called her back and it's been two weeks. Ahmad that was all over her like an annoying leech was now avoiding her like the bubonic plague. "I thought he loved me?" She had cried to Safiyya.

The door opened suddenly, startling Layla. She wiped the tears from her face and smiled.
"Mama Ina yini (good evening)"

The middle aged woman with a striking resemblance to Layla looked at her grimly causing Layla's face to pale. She knows, she has found out.

"Layla you haven't left this room in days. What is wrong? You've not been eating well, i dont see your friends anymore and you barely talked or did anything on your sister's wedding. Me ke faruwa? (What is happening)"

"Nothing mama. I'm just a bit under the weather"

"For three weeks? Layla, i gave birth to you. Do you think i wont know when something is amiss with my little daughter?" Layla paled. she didn't know if it was because of the questions she was being asked or because of the phrase "give birh" A mass lodged itself in her throat, efficiently cutting off her oxygen circulation. She felt like she was about to pass out.

Her mum stayed quite for almost a minute before she spoke again.

"Maimu found these under your pillows a week ago while she was cleaning" the woman said holding two pink pregnancy test strips. Layla was now dangerously close to passing out. "That snooping little twit" Layla thought. She had made sure the used pregnancy strips left the house the very same day they arrrived, through Safiyya but she had entirely forgotten about the unused ones under the pillows.

"They're not mine. I got them for-"
"Layla Amin, you dare not lie to me" the woman cut her short.

"Layla what have you done? please do not tell me you are pregnant". The woman said, her voice quivering.
Layla stayed quiet, causing the woman to burst into hysterical tears while repeating "Layla kin kashe ni (Layla you have killed me)"

"Layla you've barely turned eighteen! What have you done with your life?" The woman yelled, gripping her daughter by the shoulder and shaking her almost violently.
" you have destroyed your life Layla and you've destroyed mine. Who else knows?"

"Who else knows!"

"Just Safiyya and Ahmad"

"That cursed Ahmad. Is he responsible?" Layla nodded. Yes

"So he is planning to marry you kenan" the mother said. Lyla nodded, no.

"Innalillahi wa inna ilaihirrajiun" the woman repeated. 'Cursed Ahmad indeed' Layla thought.

***

"I have decided, i am not ready to be a father" Ahmad said, Layla looked at him like he was growing a new head.
"Excuse me-"
" you heard me Layla!"
"I'm also not ready to be a mother but-"
"Then just terminate it! And things can go back to the way they were" he said softly, bringing his hand to stroke her face. She flinched away, disgusted.

"You are a wicked person Ahmad. You are vile and loveless. Immediately i told you i was pregnant you changed. You stopped calling, you stopped visiting-"

"What do you expect slay? I'm just twenty five! I have my whole life ahead of me! I cant start buying diapers and all that shit"

"And i dont have a life ahead of me? You think I want this? I do not! But we made the mistake together, we have to bare the cross together"
He shook his head vigorously.
"No, i am not ready to and neither are you. You should just terminate it. Ill pay for it, ill take care of you afterwards i swear. Besides, I'm sure you don't want your tight body sagging and becoming hideous because of a baby"

"And if i die? during the abortion what if I die? Or I'm unable to have babies when I am finally married?" Ahmad stayed quiet, mouth opening and closing but no words coming out.

"Layla, I'd appreciate if you dont look for me or call me again. Since we could not come to an agreement, its better that way"

"Ahmad dont you dare-"
"I'm sorry Slay i tried to help" Ahmad said and walked away. 'I tried to help' he said it like she went and got pregnant all by herself and he was just a friend trying to help. Layla decided right there that she was in fact going to tell her brother.

Layla told her mum everything that happened with Ahmad.

"We have to tell your father" was all the woman said.

Layla's father was away for work in japan, most of the time. So the scolding and disapointment will not be that bad since it could only be over the phone, Layla thought. How she thought wrong.
Her father stopped speaking to her on the phone. He stopped sending her allowance, he even stopped asking after her. It was as though he had washed his hand off her completely. It was the worst kind of pain Layla had ever felt. She cursed the day she met Ahmad Goni.

"Layla, uncle Farouk is here" her mum told here through the slightly open door of her bedroom. Uncle Farouk was always here, why she was specifically being told like it was a big deal this time around, layla didn't understand. She wanted to say 'so' but she couldn't. She was on probation so she couldn't afford to  be insolent. She pulled on her hijab and made her way down the stairs.

Uncle Farouk was he father's business associate turn friend. He was in his mid forties or so. Bald headed, a slightly protruding belly and a beard that looked like it would be itchy. He also had beady eyes and since day one, something about him didn't sit right with Layla.

"Ina yini sir" she greeted with the best fake smile she could muster.

"Ah Layla, how are you? Come and give me a hug" he said. Layla was taken aback . Excuse me? when did that one start? She wondered if he was going crazy. She looked to her mum and the woman just stood there, smiling sadly. She ignored his "come and ad give me a hug" bullshit and turned to leave.

"Layla, get uncle Farouk something to drink please" her mother said. Layla was confused. The maids did that. Why are they asking her to do it today? What are they playing at? ignoring her subconscious and hoping she was overthinking, Layla nodded quietly and went to get the drink.

Before he left, the man gave Layla a fat envelope which she rejected and her mum collected it on her behalf.

Layla's brother Habib arrived a few days later. She stayed locked in her room as everyone welcomed him. He was in the US navy. He was her absolute favorite person in the world and now he was going to hate her. Tears ran down layla's face. He is going to hate her, she just knew.

Moments later she heard him pounding up the stairs and she almost died. She ran into the bathroom just as he knocked on her bedroom door.

"Slay, Slay" he called out.
"I'm in the bathroom!' Layla. Replied.

Habib opened the door and entered the room, making himself comfortable on the bed. Ten minutes later, Layla came out of the bathroom because she knew even if she stayed in the bathroom the entire day, he would wait for her outside the entire day.

"Welcome Yaya" she says quietly, waiting for his reaction. His disappointed, judgemental stare. Because she knew that he knew. Mama had told him for sure.

Relief flooded her the moment he smiled.
"Come here" he said with open arms and Layla ran into them.

"Mama told me what happened. Are you alright?" Layla burst into tears. She didn't even realize how 'not alright' she was until he asked. No one had asked how she was fairing. Everyone was concerned with either how to conceal or get rid of her 'situation'

"Ahmad told me not to call him again" she told him amidst tears. Habib did nothing but shush her while he soothingly rubbed her back.

"Everything is going to be alright slay. We've all done stupid things. You will be just fine. I'm here now"

"And one thing, heavens forbid the day I set eyes on Ahmad " Habib said menacingly before leaving Layla's room.

A/N

I didn't even proof read this. Maybe a new book isn't such a bright idea atm