HIS LAYLA ( #COMPLETED)

CHAPTER 22

SIX YEARS LATER

RIDWAN POV

I am currently in one of Paris luxurious hotel getting ready for a graduation ceremony in one of the top most universities here , since I am an influential and a reputable business/ medical doctor known almost worldwide plus a philanthropist who has helped in that particular university's funding programs, I was officially invited by the board of the university to present an award to the top first class student also being the overall best student in their school, I wonder who that lucky person is, though i initially was about declining their request to be present at their university for the occasion, but Ali stubbornly insisted I come too, especially because coincidentally his kid sister is also graduating from this same university , I remember how he practically dragged me to come here with him the day he visited me in my office.
"Come on man, you are mostly locked up in here, in your office doing paperwork or attending to a patient or also at the company.. Man, you need to have a life, go out, have fun, loosen up a bit to relieve some work tension, remember all work and no play makes Ridwan a dull boy... I am Not taking no for an answer, you are definitely coming with me to Paris for my kid sister's graduation ceremony IN SHAA ALLAH " he said to me as he raised his hands up in the air signalling end of discussion when he saw I was about saying something knowing full well I would decline his request cos I still got so much to do at the company.

"You better get ready, we are leaving for the airport tomorrow afternoon and oh don't worry, i have already booked your flight and everything has been arranged... You know I got your back.. Hahaha " he further informed me with a smirk on his face as he stood up to leave.

"You what !!..hmm you never cease to amaze me man.. Okay I guess I can't back out now, can I " ...i replied back to him in amusement.

"Nope, see you tomorrow bro " he says to me then walked out of my office.

"Krr, krr " the sound of my phone ringing brought me back out of my thoughts to the present , I walked towards the dresser to take my phone off the table, looking at the caller ID, I know it's Ali, I quickly picked and told him I be at the lobby in few minutes then hanged up .

I stare at my reflection on dresser mirror as I tried fixing my suit tie around my neck ...well I must admit I have become more masculine during the past few years besides I have a gym in my house so I work out regularly, my suit reveals my broadly built chest and arms, my black hair is nicely trimmed plus my beard have grown quite much but I made sure it's perfectly shaped around my face and under my chin, ...i really don't blame those women always parading themselves around me though some of them are pretty but still... Layla, she is the only one i so desire, she has my whole heart and have indeed captured my eyes and mind.. So much have changed over the past six years now since she disappeared with her mom. I myself have changed in a better way I think , Layla has changed me, I now pray on time, I take my salat more seriously, I try getting more closer to ALLAH through Ibadah (act of worship ) , I try to be in control of my temper, I am more humble and calm now I guess, because I promise God that, I will take my ibadah more seriously and be a better man, He should just help me find her soon. I have never stopped searching for her.

Zaibs mother died of stroke a year after Layla and her mom were sacked from my dad's house, but before dying, she confessed her crime of incriminating Layla and her mom through the help of her right hand maid, she pleaded for our forgiveness but i was so angry at that time but later after my friends spoke to me to forgive her solely for the sake of Allah, I decided to forgive her.

Alhamdullilah now I am a fully a medical doctor after I graduated three years ago, I work in a big public hospital back in California as one of the head medical practitioners, though I also have a business running in my dad's company,... I am also building my own hospital gradually actually almost done, I wish my mom was here to see the man I have become. I bet she be so proud of me.

Now I just need one person to complete me wholly, without her, all these achievements will mean nothing to me.
"I need you Layla, please where are you? " I whisper to my self.

I grabbed my wallet and made my way down into the lobby, I saw Ali sitting on the Sofa at the waiting area as I approached him. " Sorry man I know am a bit late, actually woke up quite late, and took a short nap after offering fajr salat, I was even fixing my neck tie before coming here to meet you " I rattled out to him as i stood in front of him. Ali hasn't changed much though over the years, except for the fact that his body is now also built just a little but not compared to how my body is built though, we have always been best friends, he is actually also a surgeon but at least he gets some free time to travel around the world unlike me who is mostly busy. Farouk is actually married with two beautiful daughters, I wish I am also married too but I really couldn't bring myself to marry anyone or think of settling down with anyone but Layla and raising our children together in our home.
Oh ALLAH help me find her.

"Okay man, i forgive you this time. We are actually running late, let's get going, a car is waiting g for us outside " Ali replied back to me almost in a haste as we walked out of the hotel and hopped into the SUV heading straight to the university.