Layla's voice trailed off as she struggled to find the right words to continue. After a few moments of silence, she looked up at Zahra with tears in her eyes. "She's my stepmother," she whispered.

Zahra's eyes widened in surprise. "What? How is that possible?"

Layla wiped away a tear. "Well, she is. My father left her with me immediately after I was born and I stayed with her for 10 good years."

Zahra's heart ached for her friend. "I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you, staying away from your biological mother and family."

"It was tough seeing my siblings together living together happily while that witch was torturing me."

Zahra put a comforting arm around Layla. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. Now that you're all grown up and you have your mother with you, you don't have to let her control your life. You're strong enough to make your own decisions."

Layla sniffled and nodded. "You're right. I'm going to stand up to her and let her know that I'm in charge of my own life. I don't get why she came back into my life all of a sudden, I guess the torturing she did years ago wasn't enough and now she is back to lecture me about my life choices."

"But first I've got something to fix."

•

My past but I can choose to not let it define me. I can choose to not let it control me. I can choose to live in the present and make the most of what I have now." Raheenah listened to Mufida's words and felt a pang of guilt. She didn't know what to say, but she knew that she had to help her friend in any way that she could.

"Listen, Mufida. I know that you're going through a tough time, and I don't want to make it seem like I'm trying to trivialize your pain. But I want you to know that you're not alone. You have me, and you have your husband. And most importantly, you have Allah. He is the Most Merciful, the Most Forgiving. He knows what's in your heart, and He will help you through this. You just have to trust in Him and have faith that things will get better."

Mufida looked at Raheenah with teary eyes and nodded. "Thank you, Heenah. I know that you're trying to help, and I appreciate it. It's just that sometimes, it feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders, and I don't know how to carry it."

Raheenah squeezed Mufida's hand and said, "You don't have to carry it alone. We'll carry it together, okay? And we'll take it one day at a time. We'll get through this, I promise."

Mufida gave Raheenah a small smile and nodded. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she had someone who understood her pain and was willing to help her through it. And that gave her a glimmer of hope.

"I'm so lucky to have you in my life Heenah," Mufida stated with a genuine smile and wrapped her arms around Raheenah.

The sound of the bell ringing interrupted their little special moment. Mufida sighed and wondered who was it because she was sure Haidar said he wasn't coming back home early today.

She opened the door, Lo and behold The great Layla was standing right before her. Not going to lie she thought it was a dream because why is Layla in front of her door? Or is she here to claim something like she always does?

For all I care She mentally rolled her eyes and welcomed her in. Layla uttered a 'thank you' which left her in awe.

Is this really the Layla that I know? Lmao what a life!

She shook her head and settled herself beside Raheenah, who was just giving both Mufida and Layla a weird and questioning look because of how tense the atmosphere was.

"So.... there are no formalities between us, and we don't even get along that well for any greetings just go straight to the point, I'm sure something brought you here."

Layla took a deep breath and sighed. "Yes you're right." she rubbed her palms nervously. "I need your help."

Mufida gave Raheenah her 'I knew it' look before looking back at Layla. "Why do you think I want to even help you? Even if I can there's no way I'll help you."

"Don't say that....please" She was a little hesitant. "I'll tell you everything and then you can decide whether you want to help me or not."

"Why me??? I don't get why. There are so many people out there who can help you."

"Because it's about Muhammad."

Mufida's body suddenly became tensed and it was very visible. Raheenah reached out for her hand and rubbed it gently. "It's okay," she whispered calmly.

"What...is it...about him?" she stuttered unable to keep eye contact, or maybe she was just trying to hide her teary eyes from them.

Layla narrated everything to them, how they met, how she even supported him despite knowing he raped someone, her pregnancy, stole money and gave it to him, and to how and when she lost the baby.

Raheenah sighed deeply. Every single person in this life is going through something, you just never know because of how they try to hide it.

Mufida was mute, her mouth trembled and shook but no words came out of it. She just kept looking at Layla and back to Raheenah, at this point, she couldn't even hold back the tears anymore.

As far as she knows, Layla isn't a good person but that doesn't mean she deserved what she went through because of that imbecile.

"And I also know that he wasn't punished for what he did to you."Mufida looked up quickly, her eyes were red and filled with tears. "If we join hands and find him, then we'll bring an end to all this, you'll get that justice you've been waiting for a long time."

Mufida wiped off her tears. "Do you think justice is the only thing I want? Do you think that's the only thing that's making me go through all this pain?" she cried. "By coming here I know you think that some way or the other we're the same, but no! You're wrong!"

"You and him were in a relationship, you loved him. But I? We were not in a relationship neither did we love each other, he ruined my life! My dreams and everything! And even if tomorrow I'm able to send him to jail that won't make my pain go away, because every time I look in the mirror the memories flash right through my eyes" she hiccuped, shaking her head.

"And please just get out of my house right now! I won't get involved in anything that is going to bring me more pain."

Layla stood up to leave but stopped. "I see that you've already made up your mind but if you think sitting down like this will help them suit yourself."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Muhammad is still in Nigeria, and the Muhammad I know wouldn't stay after everything that happened knowing very well the police are after him. He's going after someone, and maybe this time around it's not you, hence why you're so calm about this."

The text message! She thought

"The text message," she whispered to herself but loud enough for them to hear her.

"Text message?"Layla asked surprised.

"Yes, two days ago I received a text message and I'm sure he sent it," she stated very sure of herself.

"Can I see it?"

Mufida was a little hesitant before she unlocked her phone and showed Layla the message.

Happy married life Mufida.
You're still as naive as before,
Not a single thing has changed about you.
Your relationship, your happiness just so you know won't last long...
The truth that you aren't aware of!
There's more to that!

-M.

"It's from a Nigerian number," Layla stated the obvious and they both nodded. "Do you think we should trace it?"

Both Mufida and Raheenah exchanged looks with each other. Raheenah shook her head indicating 'no'

"Mufida I don't think you should do it."

"Yes," Mufida said quietly. "Yes, I think we should trace the number."

Raheenah shook her head and sighed deeply. Tracing Muhammad, and getting a hold of him will only lead to Mufida knowing the truth about Haidar's demise and nothing else.

Ya Allah khairan In Shaa Allah she prayed mentally and faked a smile.

Hey
I've nothing to say really 😭
I'm so sorry for keeping you guys waiting for so long, school happened and all.

So how was the chapter? I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Thank you 🫶💕