We left from the restaurant to make some shopping.We needed shopping so bad. Well, I needed it. I never went a week without shopping.We stopped at the shop and then I got some food stuffs, cosmetics, dresses,shoes, all I needed. Thankfully, AJ was generous enough.*grin*
"Are you done?". AJ asked irritated.
"Yes let's go".
He held my hand as if I was a kid who would slip off. I took one last look at the shop and caught sight of something intriguing.
I slipped my hands off AJ's.
"where are you going?".AJ shouted.
"Coming"!!!
I went inside the shop and looked for what I saw.I saw her. I'd recognize her anywhere. She hadn't changed a bit. Around her neck was the pendant we exchanged with each other when we were kids. It was her.
"Laila"!!! I called out.
"huh?".She turned.
"Laila"!!! I ran to hug her.
" Arden"!!
We hugged each other so hard! I missed her. This smell, the feel of her hair. She was my only true friend but her parents had a divorce and moved away.
We were separated for 20 years now. She moved to Spain with her dad. She had a loving family it was so sad they separated due to trust issues.
"I missed you so much". I cried.
"Girl, stop those tears. You missed me just so much? Well, I missed you too much. I was developing a fever. Only God knows how I survived without seeing you these 20 years. I had no true friend when we got separated. Looks like we were made for each other ". She said wiping away her tears.
Laila was a strong girl. She never liked to show her weakness. She kept it all inside her.We never face timed each other because we had no phones at the time since we got separated at a very tender age where I was 4 and she was 5.
Just then AJ appeared. I saw the questioning look on Laila and AJ'S face.
" Laila, this is AJ, AJ Laila. Laila was my child bestfriend AJ". I introduced.
"Ouch was? Found another one?". Laila held her chest .
"No, silly you know what I mean we are about to start a new frienship. And Laila AJ is my...my...".
"I'm her guardian". he introduced himself.
Guardian? Since when? I was old enough to take care of myself. I never appointed him guardian.
"ooooh, guardian? I like that". Laila giggled.
I rolled my eyes.
"Uhmm.. don't you think you should come see Arden?" AJ asked."we've been standing here for too long".
" oh no I am sorry. But I am on an errand for my mom. I came to visit my mom".she explained.
" Aunt Lucy's here?".I asked Laila.
"Yes mom came to live here a month ago. She called me to come since she heard the unfortunate incident that occured to you on your birthday. I am sorry girl".she said.
" No it's nothing let's exchange numbers and then I will see if we can meet up". I said.
"okay,..... done. See you later Ardie". she waved.
"Later".I waved back. oh she still remembered our little nicknames.
"Shall we?"AJ said.
"Sure".
**********
At home.
We got back home and I arranged the foodstuffs in the fridge with the help of AJ of course.
Ugh.. please I am still learning don't give me that look.
After which I went for a bath and changed Into something comfortable.I came into the hall and AJ was playing games again.
I sat by him and watched him play. I got bored. Then this question popped up in my head.
"uhmm... AJ?"
"mm?". He said as he swirled the controller right pushing me slightly. I found it cute. I let out a laugh.
"What's funny?". he asked.
" Nothing. You are so adorable when you play like that".I said.
He went a little red on the neck. But I decided to let that slide .
"AJ, why did you introduce yourself to Laila as my guardian?".
" cause I am?"
" How?"
"Too busy google it up".he said.
"oh, I should ask Google why AJ called Arden her guardian?"
He turned to look at me and then he lost.
"Ugh"! he groaned .
"Okay, I introduced myself as your guardian because I am".
"ugh 😣.. you know what it's okay". I said. Just then I heard a notification sound on my phone.
It was Laila.
****
Text.
Laila: Hey baby.
Me: Hi love.
Laila: You busy?
Me: No
Laila:Shall we meet up at the coffee shop down the road tomorrow?
Me: uh.. I don't think tomorrow would be a good time.
Laila:Got somewhere to be?
Me: I got a job to find.
Laila: oh boy.
Me:😞
Laila: How about finding a new job in your own company?