Walk Of Shame (On hold)

Part 9

Its my baby's first birthday!! Oh my God I can't believe it's been an entire year already. A tumultuous year.

It's been a few weeks since she scared me half to death when she got sick. It was the worst fear I ever felt honestly. I was petrified.
We had stayed in the hospital for five days. Zayn stayed there with us although. He didn't sleep in the hospital, but he was there with breakfast every time I woke up. He was a man written by a woman.

Rya was wearing a green tutu princess dress, waiting for Zayn to come. He's grown on her. Maybe a little on me too. The doorbell rang and I jumped up while she awkwardly waddled herself up excitedly and towards the door as fast as her tiny legs could carry her. It was the most precious thing ever. She had walked at ten months but for some reason hasn't spoken. She could babble mama but all else was gibberish.

I opened the door and Zayn walked in with a bouquet of orchids. It made me smile. I saw this cute flower shop and I kept saying I would buy some but never go to.
"Flowers for the lady of the house" he says handing them to me. I muttered a 'thank you'

"Da-da!" Rya screamed opening her little arms with a wide 2-teeth smile. Zayn picked her up and threw her up and she giggled excitedly. All while I stood fixed to the spot.

"Look at my little princess! You look beautiful baby" he gushed over her and she babbled in return.

"Did she just call you Dada?" I asked.

"What? I didn't hear anything" he says with a straight innocent face. I glared at him playfully and he laughed.

"What's your mummy's problem?" He whispered to Rya walking towards the sofa. I smiled to myself remembering the day I told him I was Rya's mum. I half expected him to bolt, or to judge me atleast since I was eighteen. It was after he dropped us at home one Sunday.

"There's still no one home huh" He'd asked, to which I stayed mute.

"I know you're Rya's mum Layla, I'm not dumb. She's a splitting image of you. Literally your twin" I was still speechless.

"You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to. But I really like you Layla, and I love Rya and I don't know if you've noticed but I am desperately trying to be a part of your life but I feel like there's a huge gap that-"

"Geez! Okay I get it don't burst into tears" I say jokingly to lighten the mood.

"Very funny" he says with a slight frown. Bad joke? Bad timing?

"I'm sorry. It's just that- it's a painful story and I don't want to bring anyone temporary into my daughter's life"

"Ouch"

"I didn't mean it like that, I just-"

" I know what you meant Layla. Go inside it's cold, we'll talk tomorrow?"

"Okay"

So we talked the following day over breakfast at the palm olive.

"Do you ever eat at other restaurants?"

"I have the best food in town" he shrugged bringing his coffee cup to his lips. I rolled my eyes.

"I doubt it" he scowled at me and I rolled my eyes again bringing my coffee cup to my lips.
We spoke for hours. He told me about himself and I told him about myself. It was the first time we had an actual conversation.

***

"You look absolutely stunning" he said almost inaudibly. I was wearing a bright yellow sundress that hugged my waist with a cream hijab and my baby bag which Zayn immediately took from me.