Chapter 10 Ameera's P.O.V.
Present day
It's getting quite late. Why does it feel like this morning was a month ago? After eating two delicious meals that Layla had prepared for me, I felt like it was time to leave but Layla somehow read my mind and insisted I stay with her for the night
Layla also insisted she wanted Nuriyah to see something at her apartment. So she came with us. As she opened the door, Layla was wearing the biggest grin.
She looked around in awe, the place was decorated with pink and gold balloons with four sleeping bags in the middle of the room.
"Bienvenido a su fiesta de despedida de soltera sorpresa!" A lady who was hiding behind a couch jumped out said before throwing her arms around Nuriyah. I think she meant welcome to your surprise sleepover something
"Who's this?" the lady asked after she was done reuniting with Nuriyah, switching from Spanish to English.
"This is Ameera, the girl I met on the train last year, remember?" said Nuriyah by way of introduction.
"Oh yes, now I remember. I'm Anne! You're really pretty, by the way; like a porcelain doll I once had! But, unfortunately, my cousin broke her. I will never forgive him for that," said Anne who then threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly too.
"Nice to meet you too," I said to her, managing a smile for the first time in weeks. Anne looked like the type of person who could cheer up anyone.
"Wow! You guys did all this just for me!?" Nuriyah exclaimed as though she thought this was all a dream. Honestly, I was also feeling like I was in some sort of dream.
"Well, you're like a little sister to me and every rocket deserves a good send off," Layla nudged her and said.
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I was woken up by a wave of morning sickness, a reminder that I now shared my body with someone else. I had only found out two days ago, I wanted to tell Anwar as soon as I could. But then yesterday when I finally got the chance to talk to him, he wasn't listening so I got upset and ran out and that's how I ended up in Fortaleza.
I looked at the girl staring back at me in Layla's guest bathroom mirror.
I don't remember the last time I had colour in my cheeks. I wanted to go home so badly. I wish to go back to the countryside, where the only noise would be the occasional moo of a cow, back to where the air was clear and milk was fresh. Tears began to flow from my eyes once more. What sin had I committed to deserve a punishment like Rumaysa?
I washed my face and headed out of the bathroom where the most amazing breakfast was laid out for us. We all sat like kids on high stools at the counter with Layla being like our mum, putting pancakes on each of our plates. The truth is, she is like a mother to everyone around her, even though Nuriyah tells me Layla has five kids who adore and respect her.
I felt so bad having to throw up all the nice food she cooks for me.
Layla is nothing like what people say she is, not in anyway the manipulative slut the newspapers and tabloids describe her as. But a kindhearted woman who offered me food and a place to sleep under her own roof.
"You didn't get a chance to tell me you how you got engaged". I said recalling where Nuriyah had stopped telling her story.
"Don't forget, I helped with the most important thing" boasted Anne pointing at her friend's engagement ring.
"It all makes sense now why you told me you needed my hand for needed for glove measurements" Nuriyah said smiling proudly at her friend.
"So I thought we were going to our nephew Fernando's birthday party but when I got to the gallery I found it empty, oh my falooda I thought I had missed it and felt terrible. I then went to Rodrigo's room I worried at first since the whole thing was almost empty. All of his paintings were gone there was only one canvas standing alone standing alone covered with a sheet. Being the curious creature that I am I pulled the sheet off. I'm used to seeing myself in photo's but a photograph could not compare to the painting I had in front of my eyes! I mean it wasn't just beautiful it was huge! Rodrigo painted me in the middle with planets orbiting around me. I was wearing a dress that was gold and glowing and my red hair was open with a crown that looked like sun rays. I then turned and there Rodrigo was on his knees. I said yes before he even opened his mouth to ask. After we came out everyone jumped out and said "surprise"! Our nephew was there and when I asked him when his actual birthday was he giggled and said it wasn't until March".
