Chasing Her Heart

64| little Hope? |

Layla's voice trailed off as she struggled to find the right words to continue. After a few moments of silence, she looked up at Zahra with tears in her eyes. "She's my stepmother," she whispered.

Zahra's eyes widened in surprise. "What? How is that possible?"

Layla wiped away a tear. "Well, she is. My father left her with me immediately after I was born and I stayed with her for 10 good years."

Zahra's heart ached for her friend. "I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you, staying away from your biological mother and family."

"It was tough seeing my siblings together living together happily while that witch was torturing me."

Zahra put a comforting arm around Layla. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. Now that you're all grown up and you have your mother with you, you don't have to let her control your life. You're strong enough to make your own decisions."

Layla sniffled and nodded. "You're right. I'm going to stand up to her and let her know that I'm in charge of my own life. I don't get why she came back into my life all of a sudden, I guess the torturing she did years ago wasn't enough and now she is back to lecture me about my life choices."

"But first I've got something to fix."

•

My past but I can choose to not let it define me. I can choose to not let it control me. I can choose to live in the present and make the most of what I have now." Raheenah listened to Mufida's words and felt a pang of guilt. She didn't know what to say, but she knew that she had to help her friend in any way that she could.

"Listen, Mufida. I know that you're going through a tough time, and I don't want to make it seem like I'm trying to trivialize your pain. But I want you to know that you're not alone. You have me, and you have your husband. And most importantly, you have Allah. He is the Most Merciful, the Most Forgiving. He knows what's in your heart, and He will help you through this. You just have to trust in Him and have faith that things will get better."

Mufida looked at Raheenah with teary eyes and nodded. "Thank you, Heenah. I know that you're trying to help, and I appreciate it. It's just that sometimes, it feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders, and I don't know how to carry it."

Raheenah squeezed Mufida's hand and said, "You don't have to carry it alone. We'll carry it together, okay? And we'll take it one day at a time. We'll get through this, I promise."

Mufida gave Raheenah a small smile and nodded. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she had someone who understood her pain and was willing to help her through it. And that gave her a glimmer of hope.

"I'm so lucky to have you in my life Heenah," Mufida stated with a genuine smile and wrapped her arms around Raheenah.

The sound of the bell ringing interrupted their little special moment. Mufida sighed and wondered who was it because she was sure Haidar said he wasn't coming back home early today.

She opened the door, Lo and behold The great Layla was standing right before her. Not going to lie she thought it was a dream because why is Layla in front of her door? Or is she here to claim something like she always does?

For all I care She mentally rolled her eyes and welcomed her in. Layla uttered a 'thank you' which left her in awe.

Is this really the Layla that I know? Lmao what a life!

She shook her head and settled herself beside Raheenah, who was just giving both Mufida and Layla a weird and questioning look because of how tense the atmosphere was.