Endurance

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Layla had never truly known how exhausting starting a business from the scratch was, especially one with a small endowment of money but she was doing it just fine. The past weeks had been extra busy for her dormant life as the exclusive fabric and jewelry business she started worked miracles in keeping her afloat. She had been thoroughly occupied if not by getting the items needed then it's by cracking her brain on what to come up with next. Her mother had been a tremendous help in getting her fixed and she fervently prayed every of her efforts will work in her favor.

"Do you not wish to get married again Layla?." Her mother had gently asked over the phone when she called her weeks ago.

"I don't know Maama. I just want to get on my feet first, then anything can come later."

"But are you happy?." The mere question had made her lethargic as tears burned the back of her throat. She shook her head as if her mother could see her, sighed and smiled sadly.

"I try to be Maama. I try."

"Khaled will find me a more stable place soon in shaa Allah then you can come back here if you wish. It'll be nothing like your father's but it'll be healthier for you."

"You don't plan to come back?." She had asked, and her mother was silent as if the call was disconnected.

"Ma?." She choked out. 

"Same as you Layla, I don't know." She sighed. Layla knew her mother, she was the loveliest woman whom anybody would want to be close with. Abbu must've messed up big time for her to take this giant step on him without a look back, not even a glance.

On a Saturday, she sat in her room having a takeout and reading on Allan Dib's ''The 1-page marketing plan' when her phone rang. Picking it up, it was Ya' Khaled who called for her, downstairs. Getting up, she slipped her feet into the slippers that were placed beside the bed and went out. Aunt Alia was out with one of her aunts for Zahra's body treatment, leaving her father's cousin, aunt Jidda behind. Layla greeted her in the living room, confused as to where her brother might be.

By the living room window she saw him outside on a call and decided to meet him there. Padding down the entrance steps to where he stood, she looked up at him with a squint of her eyes. He turned and looked in her direction then excused himself before hanging up.

"Good morning Ya' Khaled." She greeted smiling.

"Someone's in a good mood today." He commented and she laughed, a genuine one she hadn't had in days.

"You needed me downstairs?." She wanted whatever it was to be quick as she had orders to dispatch already.

"Yeah, but I figured aunt Jidda was in the living room. I don't want to discuss it in her presence." He spoke, while looking down on his phone.

"Can we at least move to the palm shade then?, It's starting to get hot out here." She squinted her eyes at the sun looking up at him. He raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

"You're going to make me some coffee now, then we can talk about it." Her smile faltered a bit at his request. She turned her head aside and cleared her throat.

"I am not allowed into the kitchen anymore." Her face straight, she spoke.

"Why? What did you do?." She bristled at the question and just stared up at him for a moment. Taking a breath, she replied.

"I didn't do anything wrong. Even if I did, then I have absolutely no idea what exactly my offense was."

"Layla—"

"I know you won't believe me, Abbu hadn't too. It's not a big deal really. I just want you to know that I am innocent." She spoke without any hint of offense at his presumption.