Tales of Laila

Chapter two

I open my eyes and I'm no longer on my bed
I'm on the floor
I am covered in sweats
And I'm gasping for air

It's  2:34 am and it looks like sleep has lost its way to me. After such a drama filled day, all I wanted was a long sleep but from all indications, the day has no intention of favoring me and the nightmare just confirmed that.

After seeing him today and hearing his voice, I should've seen the nightmare I've managed to detach myself from coming back with its full force. Waking up with a muffled scream and soaked in my own sweats was the least thing I expected.

When Ya Bilal walked out of the door with satisfaction written all over his face eight years ago, I wished  he also walked out of my life because nursing a wound is so much easier when the cause is absent. But it happens that I am stuck with him in this cruel world. I honestly wish my heart can accept the fact that I would be married to its destructor in less than two months but it seems quite impossible especially when I have Imran in my life and when there's this urge to fight my family for him.

We met a two years ago and I honestly have no idea how he was able to get to me despite the walls I've built around me. It shouldn't be a mystery since he has a charm and he's a very determined man who can go to any extent to get what his heart desires.

"The worst battle I've fought in my entire life is making you mine so I want you to know that you're stuck with me Laila. Till death do us apart." Imran would always say to remind me where I belong.

I have no right to question him for always reminding me do I? It took him a year and seven months after we met at a social function to be able to prove to me that the male gender isn't what I see it to be. I spent 7 years of my life avoiding any of contact with the opposite gender. I was popular in my secondary school for fainting whenever a male student or teacher gets too close and I regret to say that the male gender is the reason why I chose not to further my education. I knew there was no way I could avoid them in the university so I sacrificed my future for my sanity. For me, detaching my self from the male gender is my worst battle. They can't be trusted and I know that so well that I've made sure there are only two men in my life. My father and Imran.

Rolling to the other side of the bed, I grabbed  my phone from the head drawer and without any hesitation, I dialed Asmie's number.

Being the only children of our parents have made us closer than we should be despite the three years age gap. On days that she isn't my sister, then she's either a best friend or a fight buddy. One thing that doesn't change is the fact that she's my safe heaven.

On days I'm denied sleep by my nightmares, she's always there to comfort me. We talk about everything except my nightmares over a cup of coffee or ice cream, we watch movies, play games and pray.

"Laila?"

I quickly picked the  phone from the bed after she picked and brought it to my left ear.

"Sorry to disturb your sleep baby girl. Are you in for some girls talk over a cup of coffee and toast bread made by yours truly?"

I heard her sigh. "You can't sleep?" She asked.

"May Allah show me the day you'll stop answering a question with a question. I wouldn't call otherwise would I?"

She started laughing loud  and hard. " You're too serious Laila. I was just doing jan aji for you. Get your serious ass over here and please I want extra pepper in my toast bread and extra milk in my coffee.

I bring my right hand to my forehead and let out a sigh as I listen to her speak like she's talking to a waitress at a restaurant. Helpless, I end the call then change into a t shirt and sweatpants before exiting the room.