Chapter Twenty One

Layla woke up in the taut embrace of her lover. Mikail looked so sound sleeping in her embrace. She had noticed how hours back, he looked so tired. It was obvious he hadn't slept in a while. She felt or can't, so she tucked him in and off to the pleasing embrace of sleep they went. They had slept for what seemed like hours. Layla woke up before him and she felt very strong. So much for being in a coma. She then remembered that today was his birthday. She was contrite that he had to miss out on such a memorable day because of her. But at least she had some hours to make it up to him.

She tried thinking of the best gift to offer him. What gift would be the best for a man like Mikail on his birthday? A nasty small voice in her head conceded

Offer him your body

She cringed at that thought. She never had such a nasty thought like this, so why now?! Okay..let's try this again shall we?? What was the best gift to convey unto an aloha make like the Great Mikail Bun Sheikh Abd Azeez?

She was still pondering over the thoughts. She had no idea in mind. She has to think hard. Bug the grip in which Mikail held her was so suffocating that she had to leave it before she passed out, because of lack of oxygen. She wriggled herself out of his grip and replaced her body with a pillow. She saw how Mikail's face hunkered when she left his side.

She tiptoed to the bathroom, did her business, performed wudhu and said her prayers. She hadn't said her prayers for about a month. She didn't feel good. But Yaa Ghafuru Raheem, Knows and Understands.

After saying her prayers, she decided that she would gift him a Quran. It was a simple gift but it was the best gift amongst everything in the world. She sighed as she got up and picked up her phone that she hadn't used for about a month. It was surprisingly full. She had expected it to be on low battery. Which means, Mikail had been making sure that her phone was always on. That was sweet of him. At the same time bizarre. Was he expecting something from her phone? Perhaps a call?

She just shrugged her shoulders at the thought and connected to the Internet. She found a Quranic bookstore nearby who do deliveries too. She ordered for three sets of Qurans. The first was a purely Arabic Quran, the second was and English and Arabic translation and the last was a Transliteration form so that those who couldn't read the Arabic properly would refer from it.

It was undoubtedly the best book ever. Her delivery came within an hour. By that time, her family had made a grand preparation for his birthday party. The whole place was decorated with flowers and balloons. It wasn't Mikail's thing, but at least it made him more lucid like everyone else.

She had also ordered a beautiful baby blue men's suit for him and an emerald green lehenga for herself. The blouse of the lehenga was not as exposing as always. She had to keep her body parts wrapped up for someone's eyes only.

She walked to the room he lay in and left a note on the suit she had ordered. She had chosen baby blue for him exclusively because she had blue eyes and chosen an emerald green wholly because he had green eyes.

The note read

"Jammy? It's been 26 years since you escaped from your mama's womb. You must be very excited. I'm exceptionally excited for you. This suit is yours. Wear it for me and meet me downstairs. Try to look at your best Lord Governor. Like you always do. Remember who is still yours.

             xxx_Layla

She never knew that she could write such a thing. She moved downstairs to the hall as the preparations were made. All she could think about was the beautiful man up there in her room sleeping. She smiled involuntarily to the delight of Munaiya who had been staring at her since they started making preparations for Mikail's birthday. She was pleased that her best friend had found love and the love was in her oldest brother who used to be unloving but now was deeply lovestruck by this doll-like creature.

As the boys helped out with the decorations, Mikail's mother suggested something.

"What do you say, we the ladies, leave the work for you the men and go do something fun" she grinned like a child. The childish side of her was so sunny. It made her look brighter and younger than her age. Everyone laughed at her suggestion. The boys gave in finally. Giovanni had been here too and he and Munaiya had been deeply engrossed in some conversations that were for their ears only. The sparks that flew between them didn't go unnoticed by the rest of the family.

Layla began singing Señorita by Camila Cabello ft Shawn Mendes

I love it when you call me Señorita,

I wish I could pretend

I didn't need ya

But every touch is

Ooh Lalala

It's true Lalala

Oh I should be running

Oh you keep me coming"

Layla sang to the surprise of everyone except Munaiya. It was their secret code. Munaiya stared at Layla in embarrassment and soon, the two burst out laughing. Everyone else didn't understand why, but it was hers and Munaiya's secret.

Who's the lovesick girl?

Munaiya is...

Who's in love with Giovanni bro

Munaiya is...

Layla continued to tease Muniaya until everyone burst out laughing. Munaiya blushed at Giovanni's reaction to her. He seemed to like what he was hearing. He smirked and winked at her.

Maiya's face becomes red as a rose and she had to be pulled away by Layla and Layla's mother in law before she passed out because of profuse blushing. If only that is possible.

The ladies in the house moved to a different room in the mansion. Layla missed her and Mikail's matrimonial home. She wished she could go back there as soon as possible.

"So Mikail's grandfather is turning 80 next month and he is a fan of belly dancing. So we suggest that Layla, you teach Muniaya the techniques so that she shows what she's got " Munaiya, Mikail and Manaf's mother said.  That woman was crazily cute. She had a very soft spot for everyone. Especially Layla.

Layla agreed. She knew that they wouldn't let Munaiya dance before such a man since it's unethical, but she would teach Munaiya anyway.

She selected the perfect song for the dance and it was Rhythm Of The Nile. Luckily she had changed into a simple dress. It was a pair of tights and a crop top. She looked dashing in it.

It took them about 50 minutes to master the first 3 moves. Belly dancing was a complicated art. It sometimes took people 7 years to master the art of belly dancing.

What they didn't know was that someone was snooping at them and that someone was his royal Lord Governor.

After they had exhausted themselves, the decision to pause everything until after the party. Layla walked into Munaiya's room, where her outfit was. She took another long warm bath before getting dressed. Her lehenga was a stunning one. It matched her green painted nails and the emerald jewellery she wore. She looked like a bride. This doll was just so charming.

The girls left first to begin the procession, while Layla stayed in the room doing her hair. It took her 20 minutes to bomb her hair correctly before straightening it. She looked simple yet stunning. Her emeralds were gifted to her by Lord Mikail when he visited America during their 8 months stays together.

She was done and after saying a small prayer and taking a deep breath, she walked out of the room majestically. A sudden wind blew towards her direction making her fluff neatly while she looked like she had just walked out of a Vogue magazine.

She caught a beautiful sight. A very beautiful sight. An Adonis stood in baby blue suit amongst the remaining men in the hall, towering them. This as on is had his eyes on only one person and that person had her eyes on only him.

Jade green to Crystal blue. It was a wonderful scene to contemplate. The Adonis was so allured by the enchantress before him. He didn't even realise that he had climbed up the stairs and was standing right before her.

"Like what you see?" The Fatale teased. He didn't answer, all he did was drop her waist and pull her to him before he connected his lips to hers. Not minding the shocked glances and gasps he got from downstairs. All he saw and heard was the sound of their lips moving in synchronisation. Layla pulled away shyly.

"You look outstanding my love " he whispered seductively, getting a small moan from her. She blushed at that and hid her face in his chest. Shy at what just happened.

Mikail walked back downstairs with her. The usual things happened but all he could see and hear was Layla's beauty and her giggles. He wasn't interested in what was going on.

Often, when their eyes met, which was almost all the time, he would wink at her or mouth a little, 'I love you ' to her making her blush and giggle. While no one else understood why the two lovebirds understood what was going on between themselves.

Layla was super shy of Mikail even after living with him for eight months. They had kissed and cuddled before but still, she would hide her face from him after doing that. Mika'il didn't seem to know why. If after just kissing and cuddling, she's still shy, what would she feel after their first intimacy?

Mikail was just visualizing that moment when she would finally agree to be claimed by him. The joy he would have in him. Time was not on his side. Was she really in love with him or was he just having fantasies? He just prayed that she would admit and fast.

Everyone presented his or her gifts to him. Layla's gift was one of a kind. It was a Quran but it meant a lot to him. He knew that wasn't all. Suddenly, they heard the honk of a car outside. Everyone got up to check, except for Layla. She just slumped in her chair and smirked as everyone walked outside to check what was that.

Mikail rushed back into the house and hugged the lights out of her. He had never felt so happy in his life. He lived the gifts she had bought for him.

"Do you like it?" She asked him. He hugged her in a bone crushing manner.

"I don't like it... I love it. Thank you so much babe" he whispered in her ears and did the unexpected thing. He licked her earlobe. She gasped out of shock. The whole family smiled as Layla's father walked in with her stepbrother Shuaib. It was her first time meeting her stepbrother. He was fucking handsome.

If not that she was head over heels in love with Mikail, she would have had a big crush on him.

"Thank you for coming dad" she acknowledged as she hugged her father. She had forgiven him. After all, to err is human and to forgive is divine. He hugged his daughter tightly.

"Anything for my little night beauty" he whispered.

"Hi! I'm Layla" her attention turned towards Shuaib, her stepbrother. He smiled at her and enveloped her in a bone-crushing hug.

"Nice to meet you sis," he said in a husky mesmerising tone. Mikail growled lowly out of green-eye. That was when Shuaib noticed him. He was the same height as Mikail and the same age too.

"Nice to meet you Bhai" he greeted Mikail. They both smiled at each other as Mikail held Layla possessively. Everyone burst out laughing at that.

Layla offered her father and her stepbrother a seat while she took her seat near Mikail.

"That's my little doll. All grown up. She's just as beautiful as the night she was born" her father complimented making her blush. Mikail stared at her all through the conversation.

"I see that Bhai's attention has been glued on my lil sis here. She really must have a deep impact on y'all" Shuajb said as he referred to Mikail. Everyone noticed that he still hadn't heard what Shuaib said because he was deeply engrossed in his admiration for his 18 year old wife.

They all burst out laughing.

"My little boy Mikail is in love " Memuna, Mikail's mother said with year's in her eyes. That statement made him jump out of his trance. He then noticed Layla starting at home and everyone else.

"Did I miss something?" He asked. They all smiled at him.

"You didn't hear us when we called out your name Bhai" Shuaib said. That made Layla and Munaiya giggle. Munaiya was in Giovanni's embrace all along. Layla winked at Giovanni, then winked at Munaiya. They got the message and slowly pulled away together. She was just teasing them.

"Well when a beautiful flower has taken all my attention, I can't focus you know?" Mikail  said referring to Layla. She blushed and looked away in shyness.

He gave her a peck, without even minding the fact that his father in law was there.

"Okay so, Layla called me this morning and wished for a nice car for her sweet husband on his birthday. She says you're a big fan of sports car, so she got you that Lamborghini Huracan. She asked us yo bring it here so that we could have the opportunity to meet you" Layla's father said. Mikail couldn't stop staring at Layla.

Not only did she give him the best gift in the world; A Quran, she gave him his favourite car too.

"I already told her my thanks. Now it's my turn to surprise her." Mikail announced. He turned to face Layla and held her hands gently.

"Her 18th birthday passed without anyone celebrating it. So I wanted to make this my and her day. I know how much you love helping people baby. So I did something small for you. But I know it will mean a lot to you" he said before kissing her on the hands. She blushed.

Mikail picked up his phone and dialled a number

"Yes? Send them in!" he ordered. The next thing they knew it, Salsabila and her mother Salima walked into the house all dressed up in beautiful outfits. They both looked very good and it seemed as though they had been we'll taken care of.

Layla's eyes were teary.

"Here comes the waterworks...." Mikail teased playfully. The tear dropped as Layla smiled. She rushed to Aunt Salima and Salsabila and hugged them very tight.

"I missed you so much Layla" Aunt Salima said as tears run down her eyes. Salsabila hugged her too and rushed to Mikail.

"I missed you Papa Jammy" she sung into his ears. Everyone looked very shocked. Since when had Mikail become fond of children?

"You never invited me to your wedding young woman!" Aunt Salima scolded her playfully. Layla put up a fake sad face.

"I'm sowee mwom." She said in a baby voice making everyone laugh.

"Dad, Shuaib, this is Aunt Salima and her daughter Salsabila. Me and them go way back" Layla announced.

"Nice to meet you Ma'am" her father greeted. After exchanging pleasantries, the topic changed to how they met.

Layla's face suddenly lost colour and everyone noticed it.

"What's wrong baby?" Mikail asked worried. She just smiled and shook her head.

"I just don't like remembering that day" she said sadly. Her father and brother looked confused but they knew better than talk about it.

The topic once again shifted away from that and moved onto normal things adults talk about. It was real nice to have the whole family around.

Layla noticed how quiet Ali and the other boys were. As for Manaf, he hadn't spoken to her in a long while.

But today was not the day to spoil her mood. She would ask them about it later. Right now she was happy that not only had she made Mikail happy, she had made the whole family happy.

Nothing is better than having the whole family together and at peace. But in you, I see my whole family

Hey y'all

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Love y'all 💖

Ig:@Elham Dhul Qanayn