Chapter Thirteen – Unknown voice
“So where are you from?” Laana asked as the taxi drove away.
“I’m from Egypt but my family lives in New York.” Alaya said.
“Uh huh? What brings you to Boston?” asked Laana ever so curiously.
“Um….its just…I graduated from high school just a few weeks ago and I’d like apply to a university away from home.” Alaya said, quickly making up a story.
“Oh….so you are an undergraduate?” Laana said, somewhat disappointed.
“Yeah but I….I don’t have a job as of yet but I’ve already applied for one somewhere in….Boston.”
“Oh….nice! So you are staying in Boston only IF it works out?”
“No….it will work out. I mean I have a pretty good resume.”
“Oh…ok.” Laana said, as she crossed her legs arrogantly as she looked away purposely and started searching something from her handbag. Alaya immediately realized that Laana’s sense of pride heightened after knowing how ‘low’ she was. And that Laana was clearly trying to show off by checking her gold wrist watch and the conversation that she carried further.
“I will actually need to ask my husband about whether to keep you or not. We don’t usually accept people who are unemployed but let’s see what he says. He has gone for a business meeting to Malay and won’t be back for weeks….” Laana said, with her cheeks literally swelled with pride. Alaya wanted to get off that car then and there though it was moving. She wanted to be anywhere but away from that woman. She was already so done with Layaan’s show off. She can’t take anyone talking about their luxury. Especially not with the intention of putting her down.
But then again she has very little choice at the moment. She barely knows how to handle herself away from her family. She doesn’t know a thing of this world. And this is the reason why she thought herself to be lucky the minute she met Laana….So no. Letting go off Laana was not a choice. She had to keep up with her, until she can find another place to live. Until she has a job and enough money for herself. Until she is fully independent and can deal with any situation that arises just like she has always dreamed.
“I will try my best to find a job and pay you an amount that won’t disappoint you.” Alaya said with confidence.
“That’s what we’d like to hear.” Laana said with a firm nod. A cuss word came to Alaya’s mind but she brushed it off with a smile.
***
After a quiet 1 hour ride, their taxi arrived at a beautiful neighborhood. As Alaya got out of the taxi along with Laana, she saw huge houses with perfectly mowed lawns and colourful gardens. The house that Laana showed to be her husband’s was much bigger than the rest and was close to being a two storey mansion with its huge white walls and large portico. As Alaya got in, she saw that the roof of the house was higher than she’d expected. A big chandelier hung from the middle of the ceiling of the living room that was decorated with black and white furniture. Laana led Alaya upstairs to her room. The room’s size reminded Alaya of her trip to a 5 star resort with her family and the room that she saw there.
“This is the finest room that we have for guests. We do expect a high price for this one. But as I said before, we can only negotiate after I have a talk with my husband. For now why don’t you go in, freshen up and get ready for lunch?” Laana said.
“That’ll be fine. Thank you Laana. Tell me the price as soon as possible.” Alaya said, entering her new room.
“Will do.” Laana said with a smile and left Alaya to her room. Alaya closed the door and took a good look around the room. The queen size bed, the red sponge sofas and the branded air conditioners all seemed like from her dreams. She wouldn’t be surprised if there was a drawer under her bed that was full of chocolates and candy. Alaya squeaked with happiness and excitement. She ran to the bed and jumped right onto it. It felt softer and bumpier than she thought. All she could do was smile as she lay on bed and looked at the spotless ceiling. She felt as if she was the luckiest girl in the whole world. She didn’t realize that it was all by the blessings of Allah. And that Allah gives blessings as a test. To see if she does her best to do good using those blessings.
A while later she heard a voice from outside. As she got up and listened carefully, she realized that it was Laana’s voice. It didn’t take long for her to realize that Laana was talking on her phone and the speaker was on. With curiosity getting the best of her, Alaya dared to listen even more closely. She went near the door of her new room and opened it just slightly. To her luck, she saw that Laana was standing right in front of her door holding onto the railing of the staircase speaking on the phone.
“I can’t believe you are saying this!! Why in the world should we keep her? At a price that she wants?! I was thinking of throwing her away even while in the car when I got to know that the **** doesn’t have a job.” Laana shouted, turning into a completely different woman from what Alaya knew. As a rage started building up in Alaya’s heart, she heard a man’s voice from the speaker of Laana’s phone.
“Chill out Laana. There is no harm in helping anyone. From what you have said, I’m sure she is in need of help. So we should, when we can. Allah will only help us when we help others.” the man said. His voice made goose bumps on Alaya’s skin. The voice should have been a complete strange voice to her but for some reason, she felt that she had known that voice forever.
“Pffftt…..whatever! Bye!” Laana was about to click the phone. But then again the man spoke.
“Wait….where is the girl from? What’s her name?” the man asked.
“I believe she said she was from Egypt but her family lives in New York. Her name is Alaya.” Laana said and a silence dropped between them all of a sudden. Alaya waited for a response from that man. And so did Laana. After a few seconds, Laana said ‘hello’ and the phone clicked. Alaya’s forehead wrinkled as she heard the click. What just happened? Did the man on phone know her? Even if he did, why did he have to click the phone in a rush? What brought the sudden change in that unknown voice?
