Strangled

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

LAYLA
  Dark skinned,  fake lashes, long colourful braids, pointed nose and a beautiful smile this it is Layla,  the woman Hameed fell in love with.   He was her prisoner and he would do anything to please her. Layla Abbakar Fari,  the Fari family were known for their wealth and were refered to as “FARI” which later became a family name because of how fair complexioned they were, Layla was the only dark skined child of Alhaji Abbakar that's why she was called Layla . Being as dark as she was,  her beauty was flawless and  her dark skin was as radiant as the sun.
Waiting in the passenger seat of her car tapping at her phone and chewing a gum ruthlessly, you could easily hear the sound of each and every turn the gum made in her mouth “where is he? ” her patience was growing thin as she waits for Hameed.
A light sigh escapes her lips as she sights his car parking at the open space, rushing out of his car “sorry I kept you waiting ” he apologizes as he sits beside her. “well, I heard about the death of your daughter and I must say I'm so very sorry for your loss, she wasn't part of the plan any way so no problem ” the words leave her lips as if death was nothing it eases of as if she held  a grudge with the little girl before she died.
“it was an accident, I didn't mean to hurt .......her ” Hameed bursts into uncontrollable tears in front of her and she brings his head closer to her chest whispering soothing words into his ears the lump in his throat keeps swelling and he knew better than anyone that he needs to let it all out.
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With awestruck eyes she looks at the black sky,  her eyes shining as she takes in the tiny dots of the stars. Sipping her tea and sitting here in the balcony has become a habit she seems to find solace at this time of the day and  she had a great view of the city from this side of the house .
Silence was her guest and loneliness was a company “maybe I should go home " she thought.  Mum and Junaid may be pleased and happy she came back but what about her Abba? Her thoughts were cut short by the sound of Hameed's car driving in she was so lost in thought that she didn't know when Musa opened the gates.
She stood her ground on the fact that she was never forgiving him even though he looked shattered and unkept she still couldn't find the sympathy for him anywhere in her heart , his three days away from home should have molded him up so as to add more salts to her wounds which this  time she can't allow. What more was he going to take away from her?  He's done the worst already . Surprised to see him that way, on a normal day his absence from home brings her joy and his return sometimes relives her but most days tense her nerves, why was he so affected by the murder of his own daughter? He wasnever a father to her.
“I knocked but you seemed to be lost in thoughts ”  pushing the door open Hameed was already dressed and freshened up . She looked at him with sunken eyes it was obvious she hasn't slept for days, and then she  turned away “I don't expect you to forgive me really, neither do I expect my conscience be free of what I've done.  I have wronged you and Allah in many ways but please give me the opportunity to make it up before its too late.
Look at us we're a mess and this wasn't how we planned our lives we can still make it.  I believe it's not to lat........” he was cut short when he saw her moving to lie on her bed and making herself comfortable with the blanket.
“Get out of my room I need to sleep ” she answered.
Dragging his feet after him he gave her one last look and slammed the door. He returned to his bedroom and sat behind the door weeping like a child that lost his toy he's gone to far this time and there's really no going back, his phone kept ringing on the bed when he decide to answer it he switching it off knowing Layla was the caller.

A soft knock  no the door woke her up, sighing as she sights Hameed coming in with a steaming cup of coffee,  “here have this ” he said and hands her the cup.
She pushes it towards him and the hot brown liquid spill on his hands “ouch!  That was hot! ” he squealed in pain “the burn of that liquid is not up to the pain I feel when ever I see your pathetic face,  I never said I was hungry so get out of my face. ” he left quietly not knowing what to say.  Was she really serious when she said she'll never forgive him?  What has he done?
        Sunset was just so beautiful she thought standing at the balcony she could hear the bustling city, vechiles honking and moving all with a common goal workers and market women, young and old all moving home to rest for the night.
As the soft wind blew some of her hair to her face. The silence was just too much, she knew if she continues like this it may drive her crazy if only Noor was here to keep her company with her giggles and blabberingsShe decided to go get something to eat, “there's enough food in the pot. I'm sure you are hungry ” Hameed said even though he was ignored afterwards. The sound of plates and utensils is heared and the aroma of food fills the air “you're cooking noodles? ” Hameed asked “as you can see”she replied without looking back “but there's enough food in the pot ” he replied “who knows what your next plan is?  You might be planning to end my life just like Noor 's” that left Hameed dumbfounded she left him and moves to the sitting room eating silently as she watched a soap opera he joins her and watched as she ate . There was a pregnant silence and it lingered all around Hameed was about to open his mouth to say something when his phone rang so he left to answer it. *********************************
In a beautiful garden all the flowers were overgrown and the trees had birds singing on them. She saw Noor dressed in a plain white gown and her hair packed in a ponytail she has the best smile on . She moved to hold her hand and hug her, to maybe feel the warmth and smoothness of her skin once again but when she moved closer she flinched and moved away “Noor it's me your Ammi ” she ran towards her and gave her a tight hug when she touched her hair she felt her fingers wet she decided to look at it and saw blood.  Eyes widen she tapped Noor only to find her lifeless body on hers,       “NOOOOOOOOR!  she shrieked sitting up instantly her bed and sees Hameed rushing in “what happened to you? ” he asked confused “I want adivorce ” she replied.
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  I have done it again, how was the previous cliffhanger?  I bet a lot of you had nightmares  thinking about who LAYLA was.  Here's chapter fourteen I Intentionally didn't update and I am not sorry😜.  I wanted you guys to think🤔 long and hard😨 about LAYLA .

How many of us are in support of Jalilah's decision? Well I am 🙋 raise up your hand if you support her decision to get a divorce.
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Love Zarah 💞
I love you all.