A two-woman job

Anxiously Laila was waiting for the phone to ring but fortunately she didn't have to wait long because after just two rings the phone was picked up. "Well it was about time you got the courage to call me. How are you doing stranger?"

Laila let out a chuckle at Maria's silly greeting. She was happy to see that there was no awkwardness or tenseness now that they were finally back in contact. Maria might be able to hold a grudge and could take revenge like a true woman scorned but she had never been that way towards her. She didn't know why Maria had a weak spot for her but she was glad she did. If she didn't and had held a grudge or feelings of resentment towards her, Maria could have made her turn into ice over the phone with just her silent treatment. The cold air coming from her end of the call would pass through time and space and freeze her to the ground.

"Well since I have managed to get that wicked witch of the west out of my house yesterday and managed to find my friend back today, I must say I am doing wonderfully well. How's my best friend, biggest ally and chef without a license doing?"

Maria let out a 'ché' and Laila imagined that she must have rolled her eyes at her as well. "Stop you flattery. It will get you nowhere. I knew you were a silly goose when I befriended you and that you would one day be fooled by some crafty b*tch. So, no need to feel guilty over your mistake and try to suck up to me. I forgave you the very day it happened."

Though Laila wasn't sure what 'it' Maria meant but she was happy nonetheless to know Maria hadn't blamed her for 'it'. She let out an amused chuckle and said, "Who says it is flattery? I am simply speaking the truth. But it seems I have to add 'generous goddess' and 'one whose kindness rivals angels' to the many titles you already have. So, tell me, when am I going to see you again. Not only do I miss you like crazy, I miss your cooking and craftiness as well. It is clear that I am far over my head with this tricky woman. I don't know how you found the courage to leave me alone with her but she is all kinds of shady and has her eyes locked on my innocent hubby dearest. Getting her out of my life without going down with her is clearly a two-woman job."

"Well clearly. I could have told you that as well. Did you really think an ordinary witch could get between us and put you under a strong enough spell to no longer see the truth AND want to leave me? No she is some kind of high level witch. One with a hidden wart the size of Mount Everest I am sure. I have a big bone to pick with that fake barbie that has more plastic in her body than an actual barbie. So, if you are free and up to it, you can come over as soon as tomorrow. It will be Friday. I will get off work early and you can stay for the weekend. In fact, stay the entire week. It would be so much fun! I will take a couple of days off work and for the weekend I have zero plans so far. I must have felt that my little daft princess would come to visit and kept my schedule wide open just for that! Lord knows I have a lot of catching up to do with you and a weekend is barely enough to manage that alone. Never mind anything else we might need to do. I am getting excited already just imagining all the things we could and must do!"

Laila could hear the excitement in Maria's voice and couldn't help but laugh along in silence as Maria listed one thing after another. It was clear from this alone that her friend had missed her dearly. Despite all that she had done and said, Maria had forgiven her so easily and was just as eager as ever to spend time with her. Laila knew she had to make it up to her friend for her past behaviour, even though it technically wasn't her who had done the things that had hurt her. She also needed to thank Maria for still willing to help her like this and for forgiving her for causing her friend such unnecessary pain and troubles. So, for that Laila decided that she would go have a chat with Noah today in order to make this girl's week, that Maria was asking for, happen.

"Very well, you have convinced me that if I come, you will give me the best week ever. So, I shall bat my lashes, show my most beautiful smile and coax that husband of mine to do without me for a week. I shall let you know tonight if I have succeeded. If not, I shall knock him unconscious and gag him before I tie him to the bed till I am too far away for him to stop me. How does that sound for a plan?"

"I say it sounds marvellous! Don't be too harsh on him though. I couldn't blame him if he didn't want to part for you for such a long period of time. Regardless, I shall await your rapport before I get started on planning every day that kind hearted goofball can miss you for!"

Like that the two friends, who had supposedly been fighting and had been out of touch for a long period of time, had made plans as if they had never spent a minute apart or had a disagreement among them in their lives.