HER LAST WISH Chapter 32

(Moremi)

Zeemah Writes 📝

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As if the surprise wasn’t enough, Phil’s next words almost threw her off balance.

“Let them in, I invited them over”

Layla blinked in shock and confusion, she turned back to look at Phil to confirm if she was truly the one who just spoke.
Phil nodded at her “I invited them over”
“And where are your manners! Won’t you allow them in?” Phil scolded.
“Oh my ” Layla turned back to the door.
“I’m so sorry guys, I was just . . surprised. Come in please” She said, hugging them one after the other as they walked in.
” I guess Anne’s taking a rest at home” She smiled.

“Yes plus she has so many presents to unwrap” Dan smiled.
Layla led them to the couch and they said hi to Phil before sitting.
“Thanks for coming” Phil smiled.
“We’re glad to be here” Fel said, starting to bounce on the chair.
“And the surprised look on Layla’s face was so satisfying” Rylan laughed.
“Tch” Layla glared playfully at him.

“Okay, I’ll leave you guys to yourself, have fun” Phil said, rising to her feet, she slipped on her slippers.
“Thanks for inviting us over Phil” Dan said, smiling as he looked around.
He loved how cozy the apartment is, he felt relaxed.
Phil smiled before walking to her room.

“You guys actually took me by surprise” Layla said.
“We know right” Fel laughed.
“When did Phil invited you guys? How?” Layla asked.
“When we came over to the cafe last Saturday” Dan said.
“Oh” Layla sigh, blinking.
“And damn, you look bombed in that bum short” Fel winked.
“Ah” Heat rushed to Layla’s cheeks, realising her laps were exposed, she had threw on the pink short and vest after she returned from church thinking she would be home all through with Phil alone.

“I love your apartment” Dan said.
“Really? Thank you” Layla smiled.

“I’m actually waiting for you to offer us something to drink” Fel groaned.
“Oh, pardon my manners please.” Layla laughed, getting up.
“And you can change the channel to whichever that suits you” Layla said.
“The remote control please?” Rylan asked.
“Right beside you” Layla said, pointing to the stool beside Rylan.
“Oh” He said, picking it up.
“Do not try to switch it to any of those dumb channels! you’re obsessed with!” Fel yelled.
“I don’t watch dumb channels!! You only think they are dumb because you have a poor taste!” Rylan yelled back at her.
“I hate you” Fel snorted.
“I hate you more” Rylan rolled his eyes.

Dan shook his head and stood on his feet.

“I think I should go with you to the kitchen Layla” He said.
She laughed “Come”

They both walked to the kitchen.
Dan admired how neat and well arranged everything was.
Every surface shone with no single speck of dust. He knew Layla had done it all, and she hadn’t even knew they were coming, this is just how she lives.
He was so impressed that he smiled, he turned towards her. She was backing him, fetching drinks from the open refrigerator.

He’s convinced that Layla would look good on anything, how can anyone look so good on vest and shorts, her hair was not even combed yet she’s making his heart thump hard.
God . . Not after he planned to get over whatever feeling he’s developing for her.

“Now I understand why Phil had stocked the refrigerator with packs of juice” She said, cutting through his thoughts.
“Oh” He smiled.
“Can I help with anything?” He asked, glancing at the packs of juice and cookies Layla had placed on the counter.
“The cups please” She smiled. “Open the shelf behind you”
“Okay” He said and quickly washed his hands in the sink. He dried it and then opened the shelf.
He picked four tall glasses and placed it on the tray Layla had gotten ready.

“I always have to stretch on my toes to reach the shelf, watching how easily you reached it made me realize how short I am” Layla grimaced and he laughed.
“Actually, you’re not short. I’m just the tallllll one” He said.
“You’re not just tall, you’re built also” Layla said. It’ll be so hard to believe Dan is actually seventeen, he could pass for an Athlete with his broad shoulders and narrow waist.
“Is that a compliment?” He asked with a grin.
“Oh someone is blushing hard already” She teased and they both laughed.

They heard Fel and Rylan yelling at each other again and Dan groaned.
Layla laughed as she picked up a tray.
Dan picked the other and they both headed to the living room..
~
They settled down to watch the movie Dan had selected when Fel and Rylan wouldn’t stop yelling at each other over the right channel to watch.

Layla watched them laugh whenever a funny part comes into display, she smiled, she had watched the movie severally and it wasn’t so funny to her any longer.
Plus she was a bit disturbed. She had wanted to invite her friends over so many times, she had been to each of their houses and she wished they would come to hers too but she knew Phil would never allow it and now, Phil had invited them over herself. Yeah, she can be surprising but this feels different, strange even.
Thinking back, Phil has changed so much, she’s now so mild, lenient.
It can’t possibly be what she’s thinking right. . Because she had clearly warned Phil not to be nice to her if it’s for a reason.

She gently dropped her glass of juice and slipped away from her friends, they were so engrossed in the movie that they hadn’t even noticed her movement.

She approached Phil’s door in quick strides.
“Come in Layla” Phil said after she knocked.
She walked into the room and closed the door behind her.

Phil was seated by the edge of her large bed making account of the week’s sales.
“I invited them over because you’ve been to their houses severally and it’s only fair they come to yours too” Phil said.
Layla stared at her.
“Isn’t that what you’re here for?” Phil asked, looking back at what she was doing.
She grabbed her bag and shoved some of the money into it and then continued accounting for the rest.

“Why are you doing this?” Layla asked.
“What?” Phil feigned ignorance.
“You know what I’m talking about Phil”
“Unfortunately I don’t” Phil shrugged.
“If you’re being nice to me because…”
“I’m not being nice to you for any reason!” Phil cut her short.
“When will you stop nagging and just accept and appreciate what I’m doing for you, stop being so uptight Layla!”

Layla stared at her and let out a shudder breath.

“It’s not nice to leave the guests all on their own, go join them. I need to take a nap” Phil said, shoving the rest of the money in her bag.
She dropped the notebook and pen on her bedside table and laid on her back, staring at the ceiling.

“You’re still yet to leave? Do not push me to yell at you” Phil warned, not removing her gaze from the ceiling.
“I’m leaving” Layla said, walking to the door.
“And the frozen chicken in the freezer, you are free to use it to make a nice meal for your friends” Phil said, rolling to her side.
“Thanks Phil” Layla said, and stared at Phil’s back for a while before walking out of the door.

What if something is wrong with Phil?
So bad of her not to have thought of that all these while, she had been focused on herself alone, so selfish in her thinking, she had attributed all of Phil’s new behavior to her, she hadn’t even cared for once if her Aunt is fine.
All she had cared about was herself alone.

“Leave my door young lady and go join your friends” Phil’s voice broke into her thought.
Gosh, she had almost forgotten her friends.
She hurried to the living room the same time the movie came to an end.
She doubt if they had even noticed she left, they were looking like they really enjoyed the movie, she was glad.

“Did you go somewhere?” Rylan asked.
“Yeah, seems you guys loved the movie” She smiled, sitting beside Dan.
“Of course we do, I have a knack for selecting the best movies” Dan boasted, smiling sweetly.
“Yeah, it would have been terrible if Rylan had selected it” Fel said.
“Not surprised that’s coming from you” Rylan laughed, sipping his juice.
“Ugh” Fel groan.

“So what would you guys like to have?” Layla asked.
“Anything” Fel said, making to select another movie.
“Dog poop?” Layla teased and Fel screamed, fake-vomiting .
They laughed.
“Thanks for that Layla” Rylan laughed and Fel glared at him.
“What? You said you would have anything and she offered you something” Rylan said, still laughing.
“Exactly” Dan laughed.
“Whatever . . Y’all are .. ugh” Fel rolled her eyes, turning back to the TV.

“I’ll be right back guys”
“Off to the kitchen?” Dan asked.
“Yeah, wanna join?” Layla asked.
“Yes!” Dan smiled, getting to his feet.
“I can’t believe you both are leaving me with this bully again” Fel sniffed.
“Look who just called someone a bully” Rylan frowned.
“Whatever, come here. Which one do you think will be more interesting?” Fel asked Rylan, holding out two movies.
Rylan moved closer to her and Layla and Dan shared a knowing glance before walking to the kitchen.
~

“So what are we making?” Dan asked after they both washed their hands.
“Pasta, Salad and fried chicken? Is that okay?” Layla asked passing him just a hair cover.
She knows he doesn’t like putting on apron.
“Perfect” He said.
“Let me help you with that” He said.
“Oh thanks” She turned her back to him and he helped her with her tie her apron.

“You good at slicing veggies?” She asked.
“I’m perfect at it, bring it on” He winked and she smiled.

***

“Byeeee” Layla smiled, waving at her friends.
They waved back at her, smiling.
“Thanks for the cotton candy” Rylan shouted before the car drove off.
She smiled and waved till the car was out of sight.
She enjoyed their company greatly, they had all ended up preparing the meal together, it turned out great even though Dan and Ry almost burnt the chicken.
And she had gotten them cotton candy down the street while they were waiting for Paul to bring the car.

The evening cold made her shiver and she ran back into the house.

***

“I should better use the restroom before the teacher comes in” Dan said to Layla who nodded before turning back to her book.
He stood up and walked out of the classroom, if Layla wasn’t so occupied with the book she was reading,she would have noticed Dylan follow him.
~
“Hey” Dylan smiled at Dan as he stepped out of the restroom.

“What do you want?” Dan asked.
“You like her right?” Dylan grinned.
“Who?” Dan asked even though he clearly knew who it was.
“Layla, you like her” Dylan said it like it was a fact.
Dan looked stunned,not because Dylan had mentioned Layla but with the certain way he had said it. Was it that obvious? Does this mean so many people are aware . .

“Well, I don’t need you to answer, the look on your face said it all and yunno what? I know what to do” Dylan said, smiling wickedly before strolling away.

***

“It seems everyone is talking about Anne’s birthday” Dan said.
“Of course, with the amount of students that attended, I knew it’ll be talked about” Layla said, glancing round the cafeteria. Almost everyone had their gaze on Anne who was looking a bit uncomfortable.
“Plus her birthday pictures will surely be in their class group chat” Layla added.
“Oh wow” Dan said and continued eating.
“Anne’s looking a bit uncomfortable though” Layla noted.
“Of course. She doesn’t like attention” Dan glanced at his sister and smiled.

“She’s even yet to unwrap most of her presents, she slept all through yesterday” He said.
“She needed it” Layla said. “I’ve never seen so much presents in my life”
Dan laughed.

Layla bit into her chicken.

“I bet the chicken Ry and I fried tasted better than this” Dan said, looking so proud of himself.
“You and Ry almost burnt the chicken!” Layla laughed.
“We almost did but we didn’t and it even made it taste better” Dan said.
“That’s not true” Layla said “And stop feeling like the world best chef after you failed at the simple task of frying chicken ” She chuckled.
“You and Fel actually distracted us”
“God, another excuse” Layla laughed.

“Hi Layla” They both heard and saw Dylan by their table, he was smiling down at her.
“Hi” She smiled back at him, trying to look normal with the butterflies she was feeling deep in her belly.
He’s so close to her and damn it, she had to hold her breath.
“Do you mind joining me at my table?” He asked with a charm he knew she couldn’t resist.

Layla blinked at him, stunned.

“Yo..you wa..nt me to e..at with you? . .” She stammered.
“Yes or do you mind?” Dylan asked.
Layla swallowed hard, her heart racing. She stared at Dan who was looking down at his meal.
Dylan wants her at his table, she couldn’t think properly.
And why won’t Dan look up.

“Its fine if you don’t want to…” Dylan was saying.
“I want to” Layla said, not wanting to offend him.
She glanced at Dan again as Dylan picked up her tray with a smirk.
“Dan” She called.
“It’s fine” He said, without raising his head.

Layla looked back at him as she walked away with Dylan.

Dan stabbed the peas on the plate with his fork, gritting his teeth hard.
He could feel the rage burning in him and it took a great restraint not to bang the table.
He now knew what Dylan had meant earlier.

Dylan will be using Layla as a tool to unnerve him, he almost banged the table this time but no he wasn’t going to give Dylan that satisfaction.
That’s exactly what Dylan wants and he’s not going to do that.

He continued his meal even though it now tasted sour in his mouth.

Zeemah
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