The unbreakable

Chapter 8

Layla

After spending a week in Kabul we drove to my family's hometown. I guess I do not really know what I feel anymore, all the tears and pain have made me numb. My parents seem to have gotten over it, though Emir does taunt me every now and then. The car ride to Panjsher was long and horribly warm, I'm still not used to wearing a hijab everywhere and the stare that everyone gives when I walk by. Sometimes I wonder if there is sign on my forehead saying 'Look at me'. After what feels like hours the car comes to a halt, slowly we step out of the car one at a time.

"Assalamualaykum!" a woman in her mid 50's yells out, approaching us.

Hugging my mother and crushing me. God she is strong. We are welcomed into the house, which seemed reasonably larger then nearly all the houses I have seen in here. The lady in her mid 50's shows the way to my room, she assumed my eyes had gone all puffy because I was tired of the ride, which I guess was partially true.

"Here you go dear, this room is yours."

"Thank you very much...um khala?" I stuttered as I was unsure what to call her.

"Janan, my name is Janan," She grins.

"Thank you very much khala Janan," I finally manage to say.

The room was honestly beautiful, everything was simple and consisted of only two colours, pink and white, just like back at home. I lay down on the bed and before I knew it, I had gone to a very deep sleep.

~~~~

The first thing that hits me once I wake up again, is that all this is not a dream and that I am actually in here. Janan khala's husband (Khaled) was my dad's childhood best friend, unfortunately Uncle Khaled passed away last year, I still remember my dad devastated the day he found out. Looking around the room, my eyes freeze on the clock hanging on the wall. 3am. Wow I must have really been tired, my throat aced and I was beginning to feel very dehydrated. I decide to visit the kitchen and grab a drink. My hijab had practically come off while I had slept, so I didn't really see the point of putting it back on either, I mean no one is actually awake at 3 in the morning. I walk out as quietly as possible and try to find the kitchen, way to go Layla. The house is soo big that I will never be able to find my way to the kitchen and even if I did, I would never be able to find my way back. I guess it's better than standing in the middle of nowhere. After what felt like 10 minutes I find a corridor, It must be the one, I begin walking towards it like a kid that has found their long lost candy. Almost there. Something pulls me back hard ripping every muscle in my arm. Duht. A hand covers my mouth and pushes me against the wall.

"Let me go!" I muffle under the hand, trying my hardest to release myself from the tight grip. A torch flicks on, a pair of brown eyes appear.

" Who are you?!" the husky voice asks, making shivers run down my spine.

" I should be asking you that?!" I reply as he takes his hand off my mouth. My wild hair starts falling to my face, instantly I realise what a big mistake I have done by not wearing my hijab. I change my mind about the kitchen and decide to power walk back to my room when he asks ..."Laya?" I turn around, my eyes widen how does he know my name?

"How do you know my name?" I stutter, caught off guard.

" Go to bed, you are very tired, we'll talk tomorrow," he smirks.

"What?....how?.... who...?...talk?....we?"

He turns around to leave, leaving me there confused as ever.

"Oh and don't forget to wear your hijab next time you are out," He says as he disappears into the dark corridor.

~~

I decided that I simply couldn't go to bed after all that had happened. Who was he? How did he know me? And how dare he tell me what to do! With all that I sit down for my fajir prayer. " Oh allah please help me, show me the way, I have not done anything wrong, yet I am still going through all of this as if I have."

~~

8:30 am

Everyone is finally awake, and finally it is bright. The corridor is actually not that long or as scary as it appeared last night.

"Good morning Layla, how are you? Did you get enough sleep?" Khala Janan chuckles.

"Yes, I did thank you very much," I reply as politely as possible.

We make our way to the dinning table, where breakfast was already made by the maids. Maid or no maid, they should always be respected, regardless. My mother sits next to me, with aunt Janan to my other side.

" Good morning," a familiar yet very unfamiliar masculine voice greets. I look up to see those same pair of brown eyes I had seen last night, he looks around to greet everyone and stops when he sees me. A grin appears, which he hides almost instantly. I roll my eyes, kinda unintended, score is even. And he takes a seat right in front of me, making me lower my gaze, he wins, what a loser.

"Fawad my son, did the meeting go well? Aunt Janan asks.

Son?

"Yes mother, the matter is now solved."

"You trip home last night must have been very long dear, you could have waited."

" I would have, but I decided I would not want to leave my guests alone on the very first day."

Alone? Are you kidding me? Who is up at 3am for you to not leave alone? Ok maybe me, but that was just once.

"Besides, Im sure our guests had slept well," he adds, that had a double barrelled meaning, it was definitely hinted towards me.

He then starts discussing god knows what, with dad and Emir, while aunt Janan engages my mother and I in her conversation. I couldn't help but feel agitated by his presence.

Hey everyone, sorry if there is any typos etc. The story now officially begins, there are many surprises ahead. Hope you all liked the chapter, vote and comment :)