Fate of deception

Chapter 28 - Umaizah's POV

After sitting in silence for what seemed like years, Layna told me to shower to take my stress away. I did exactly that, though the thought of standing under the warm water seemed to weigh on me like everything else these past two days. The steam began to rise around me as I stepped into the shower, but it did little to clear the fog in my mind. The events that had unfolded were like a twisted reel playing in my head, over and over, with no sign of stopping.

I still didn't have my own pair of clothes, so I'm relying on Layna for however long I'm here. She had been so kind, but it only added to my guilt. Sharing clothes with a newly adult must feel strange for her, yet she never complained. Layna is 14, turning 15 in two weeks? I think? I can't remember when her birthday is, but I know it's soon. The thought of asking her later crosses my mind, and maybe I could prepare a gift. Something small, but meaningful. It's the least I could do.

As the water cascades over me, I try to focus on the sensation, to let it wash away the tension that has knotted itself in my muscles. But it's impossible. My thoughts are too loud, too persistent. I think about what Layna must think of me, the burden I've become. I think about the people I left behind, the choices I made that led me here. It all spirals, faster and faster, until I feel like I might drown under the weight of it.

I turn the temperature up, letting the heat scald my skin, hoping it will burn away the anxiety gnawing at my insides. But even as the water turns my skin red, my mind is still racing. I don't know how long I stand there, just staring at the wall, but eventually, I force myself to move. I can't stay here forever, hiding in the steam.

With trembling hands, I shut off the water and step out of the shower. The air feels cold against my skin, a harsh contrast to the warmth that surrounded me moments ago. I quickly dry off and pull on the clothes Layna left for me—a simple t-shirt and sweatpants. They're soft, comfortable, and smell faintly of her—a reminder of the kindness she's shown me.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I need to thank her, to show her that I appreciate everything she's done. But I don't know if I have the strength to face her right now. Not when I still feel so lost, so heavy with everything that's happened. Maybe I'll stay here a little longer, just until I can breathe without feeling like the walls are closing in.

But I know I can't avoid her. Layna deserves better than that. And maybe, if I can manage to pull myself together, I can find a way to repay her. Not just with a gift, but by being someone she can rely on, too. I owe her that much.

I force myself to step out of the bathroom, still feeling a bit unsteady, but determined to do something—anything—to ground myself. Layna's bedroom was empty and quiet. Almost too quiet, amplifying the restless energy coursing through me. I spot a book on the bedside table, something Layna must have left me to pass the time. The cover is worn, it looks like it's been read a hundred times. It's comforting in a way, knowing that someone has found solace in these pages before.

I pick it up, running my fingers over the textured cover before flipping it open to the first page. The words blur for a moment as I try to focus, then they start to make sense, drawing me in. I settle onto the bed, pulling the blanket around my shoulders as I lose myself in the story.

For a while, the world outside fades away. The book pulls me in, and for the first time in what feels like forever, my mind isn't spinning with worry. The character's struggles and triumphs distract me from my own. I find myself turn page after page, hungry to read more.

Eventually, I reach a point where exhaustion hits me all at once. My eyes grow heavy, the words start to blur again. This time from the sleepiness rather than stress. I set the book down, marking my place. I let out a long, slow yawn. I feel a little lighter, a little more at peace. Maybe the shower helped me more than I realised. Maybe it's just knowing that I'm alone, that there's someone like Layna who cares for my privacy.

I'll decide that tomorrow and talk to her. I'll ask about her birthday discreetly, finding out what she likes. I'll figure a way to show her how much her kindness means to me. For now, I allow myself to rest, letting the comfort of the bed and the lingering warmth from the shower lull me into a a dreamless sleep.