Endurance

CHAPTER EIGHT

Layla spent most almost the whole days of that week in her room, coming out only when she had to attend her sister's convocation. Not that anybody minded her absence nor did she mind being left alone. On the seventh day by late afternoon, she got up, freshened up and walked down the stairs. The house was noisy, indicating her brothers were in the living room. She greeted them like she usually does and passed by to Abbu's wing. She could feel their stares on her as if she were some kind of an alien, but really, she just wasn't ready to have any kind of conversation with them at that moment.

"Where are you going?". Zahra asked with raised eyebrows when Layla walked down the porch steps. Layla looked in her direction, her eyes darting to the keys that dangled in her hand, indicating that she just got home from somewhere. In a car. Layla took a steadying breath and focused on her cousin as Hadi took the grocery bags from the car into the house.

"Out". Was the brief reply she got.

"Yeah, I mean out as in where?".

"It's none of your business Zahra". Zahra's lips drew into a frown at the response. "We're having guests over, you know". She called out when Layla passed by her.

"Well then why am I getting to know that now?".

"Because you've been avoiding me, and all of us". She complained. And as if she didn't say anything, Layla continued towards the gate. Zahra shook her head and marched away into the house with a huff of her mouth.

A white GLA250 Mercedes Benz parked by the gates in the early evening. Mariam was walking back from a kiosk from another street when she saw the car as Ma'am Layla elegantly slid out of it. The glass rolled down when she circled around the car and the man seated behind the wheel flirtatiously looked up at her and spoke in the same manner. He wore a well sewn grey brocade Kaftan.

His stubble fitted perfectly on his fair skin, the lips and eyes and looks were on point. Layla smiled and waved at him when his eyes landed on where Mariam stood, who was unable to hide the shock from her face. The look he had before faltered a bit, but he quickly composed himself and waved back at Layla then drove off. Mariam stood glued to the spot where she stood near a tall palm tree. If she had been walking when saw him, she would've surely tripped and fall, probably lose a teeth or two.

"Mariam!". Alarmed, Mariam snapped back to reality, still unable to wear the shock off her mind. "What is wrong with you?. Will you get into the house my friend ". Layla snapped and hissed making Mariam swallow thickly at the annoyed look on her face and shook her head, her hands slightly raised in front of her. A defensive posture.

Layla's heart dropped to her stomach at the sight of Mariam's body language, but before she could react, the girl had already scurried away into the house. Layla's steps were heavy when she entered through the gate and was met with Khaled on her way in and the number of cars that lined up the driveway. She greeted her brother as Mariam followed through the back door, and when she was almost at the entrance, he called out.

"Where were you?". She turned, and he watched her closely, trying to ascertain her expression. She gave him a neutral one before replying.

"I went for a book club session with my friend".

"Did you go on foot?". He asked gesturing to her feet with a raised eyebrow. Her lips twitched indicating a hint of smile but she cleared her throat.

"No, I ordered a ride".

"You could've just asked for the car to be fueled ". She knew he was trying to make up for what happened the week before, and the sadness that had found its way into her heart felt even worse.

"Abbu has forbidden me from using any of the cars". She spoke, looking down at her feet.

"What? Even with the driver ?". He gave her a confused look and she sighed. Before she could reply Zahra came out, waving her in.