Stuck In Orbit by Yasmeen Musa

Author:Yasmeen Musa [Musa, Yasmeen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19: Laylah: A Life of Sin

Friday morning, Laylah and Sam sat in their favourite café, both sipping their coffees before Sam drove Laylah to the airport, she was going home to visit family for the weekend.

‘Do you think your parents would like me?’ Sam asked teasingly, but with a level of earnestness just below the surface.

‘Of course, how could they not?’ Laylah laughed. ‘You would dwarf everyone though, honestly, I am the shortest, but no one in my family would be described as tall either.’

‘Wait, even shorter than your eight-year-old sister?’ Sam teased.

Laylah frowned and feigned anger, ‘You are playing a dangerous game here!’

‘I am sorry, I am sorry,’ Sam laughed and clasped her hand from across the table in his. ‘I am going to miss you,’ he said, his playful tone becoming serious.

‘I will miss you too,’ Laylah said and squeezed his hand in return. ‘What are you going to do?’

‘Some marking, go to the gym with Nikau, but mainly finish up my proposal. Its due Wednesday.’

‘Sounds busy,’ Laylah smiled.

‘Well I should really get as much work done as I can since you aren’t here.’

‘Are you calling me a distraction?!’ Laylah asked in mock horror.

‘Yes, but I am not saying that’s a bad thing. You are the best kind of distraction,’ Sam grinned.

‘Good,’ Laylah said knowing she was going to miss him immensely, more than she was willing to admit.

◆◆◆

As the engines of the plane whirred, Laylah’s mind wandered, thinking about the best way to tell her parents about Sam. Logical Laylah suggested silence, that it was too early to tell her parents about someone that she had only known for such a brief period of time. But her heart disagreed and even the logical side of Laylah, flustered as it was by the events that had unfolded recently could not deny that Sam certainly wasn’t just someone. Couldn’t deny the feelings that were blossoming, blooming for him. Sam was important, her soul knew that he was important. This wasn’t something that she could hide and even if she wanted to.

Still unsure Laylah slipped into a weary sleep. As the plane flew towards its destination, like a pendulum she swung between the moments of sheer joy that she had spent with Sam and nerves at her parent's reaction. She had never told them about a boy, before Sam, there hadn’t been anything to tell. It will be fine she promised herself and forced herself to breathe.

◆◆◆

The plane landed with a gentle thud and then within moments came to a halt. Almost immediately people began to unclasp their seatbelts and gather their bags but Laylah remained in her seat, avoiding the queue that was quickly forming while they all waited to be able to leave the plane. Instead Laylah opted to enjoy the view outside the window, the sun blazing in a clear sky.

Fire in sky blue.

Once people started moving Laylah quickly and efficiently, grabbed her carryon and strolled out of the airplane where Mama and Baba were waiting for her.

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