Imran's POV....
I flipped through the file that sat in front of me, when I caught a glimpse of Layan's broken phone. I thought back to that day, she was crying. What could have happened that'd cause her to rush out like that.
I picked up the phone and tried turning it on. It took a bit of time, but it eventually flashed on, revealing her home screen. I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I placed the phone back on the table. Now I'd just return it back to her and apologise for how awkward our last meeting was and maybe find out what made her so sad. Finally, a boring day such as today has something interesting to look out for.
I slouched in my seat, a wide grin spread across my face as I threw my head back. In just a matter of a day, I'm already craving her presence.
...
As soon as the clock struck five, I jumped up from my swivel chair and quickly began packing up the files and arranging my desk before rushing out of the office with the phone in hand.
I hadn't seen her since the day before and that wasn't the best way to end a meeting so today would be the day I find out what made her cry.
I knew it would be awkward to just walk in if everyone else is still in there so I decided to just roam around the building for a while. I watched as everyone from the data management team began leaving one by one. I knew Layan never left early so I waited some more, until I heard the light switch being flicked off from their office. I waited for the person to walk out, only to be met with Olivia, someone I'd regularly seen with Layan at lunch hours.
"Didn't Layan come to work today?" I asked .
"No. She said something about not feeling too well". She said, her voice sounding exhausted and worn out.
I thought about asking Olivia to help me give the phone to her and wish her a quick recovery but thought otherwise. I wanted to give it to her myself and find out what could have happened.
"Do you perhaps know where she lives?" I asked. I'm pretty sure she thought something was off but I couldn't care less.
Her expression changed for a split second before relaxing. "She lives on Randell Street, house no. 6 ". She said, clutching her folder tightly.
"Oh, okay. Thank you". I said with a warm smile as she flashed one of her own.
"You're welcome". She said softly before making her way out of the office.
...
I stood in front of her doorstep, unsure of how to approach her. I stared blankly at the door for a while before finally deciding to knock on it. I waited for some time but there was no reply. I was about to knock again when the door slowly creaked open, revealing the one person I'd been waiting to see for so long. She stood just a few feet away from me, her eyes on the floor, her hair was disheveled, she wore an oversized sweater and sweatpants .
I watched as she looked up to meet my gaze, her eyes were puffy, like as though she'd been crying a lot. I knew something was wrong, horribly wrong.
"Can I come in?" I asked softly.
"Yeah". She said in a low voice as I walked in, before she shut the door behind me. I walked into the living room. I noticed how dimly lit the room was and all the pictures that hung on the wall.
"I noticed your absence at work today. Is everything okay?" I asked once we were seated. She sat with her arms resting on her lap, staring blankly at the black TV screen.
"I came to return your-"
"She's dead",she said suddenly, her eyes still focused on the screen. "My grandma, she's dead". She said glancing at me. I could feel the atmosphere suddenly become heavy.
I didn't know her grandma, in fact, I'd never met her. But I could still feel a weight on my chest. I could still feel my heart rate rise and a weight in my throat.
I didn't know how to react, I turned to look at her and noticed a tear drop slowly roll down her cheek. I wanted to comfort her and wipe the tears off her face, but I didn't know how.
I placed the phone on the table before rubbing her back softly." Are you okay?" I asked . I knew she was on the verge of breaking down.
"I don't know", she said, her voice cracking. "I moved back here to take care of her, but now I'm all alone". She said, the tears she'd been holding back were finally released.
"This is all my fault. If only I came back home earlier that day, then maybe, just maybe, she'd still be here". She said before burying her face in her hands.
"None of this is your fault -"
"It is", she said cutting me off in the process. " I should have sensed something was wrong, but I didn't, now look what has happened ".
I grabbed both her shoulders and forced her to look at me. "Look at me! Stop blaming yourself for what happened, none of this is your fault. She would've died regardless ". I paused to search her face,her tear stained cheeks and puffy eyes, her gaze focusing on anywhere else but my face. " Now stop crying". I said as I used my thumb to wipe the tears off her face before pulling her in for a hug and resting my chin on her head. I could still hear her whimpering so I rubbed her back slightly.
If only I knew about this earlier, maybe I wouldn't have had to wait till now to wipe her tears...