MARYAM'S POV
Friday THE 20th June.
"Oh I see, well I'm not bast with the outside world but I would ask my mom she knows a lot of things, maybe she can allow you stay with us" i said softly to Layla.
Yes I would love to have someone around that can help me arrange and do things about, I would love that, besides she would be more like a friend than a help of any sort.
"Oh, well maybe you should get back to me when you make your decision" Layla said skeptically.
"Hey girls, am I interrupting something?" Mom said as she entered the hall again with the strange man, Mr Joseph.
"Not at all" Layla said with a smile.
"Then why don't I show you around the orphanage, I am sure anything you are talking about can wait" Mr Joseph said as he moves his hands weirdly.
Something was off, there was a bit of tension between him and Layla, what happened? Is there something kind of back story to all this that I am missing?I don't know I feel like something is not adding up in her story, how can you find a second ID card after 6 weeks of the incident? Isn't that weird? Who would be moving around with two ID cards in the first place?
"Maryam, you need any help?" Mom asked as I began to wheel my chair to get started.
"No thank you mom, I am good" I said.
"Good" mom said as she followed Mr Joseph as the walked ahead of us.
"Ptts" I made a hissing sound to get Layla attention, it was in a low tone for no one else to hear but her.
"What?" She responded in a snarky tone, it was as if she was shutting me up.
"Are you done? You can text me the rest" I said as I pointed at my phone that was on my legs.
"Aren't you controlling your chair with your hand?" She asked whispering back.
"I can reply with only one hand" I said as I picked up my phone with my left hand to demonstrate my skills.
"Lol" she said as she faced her front and continued walking.
"So you are saying this is where all the children eat?" Mom said as we stoped at a place which I would like to believe it's their dinning hall, but why does it smell so bad? And the chairs and table looks filthy like they don't get cleaned.
"Well I won't call them children but yeah this is where all the meals of the day is served" Mr Joseph said in his poor attempt to cover his embarrassment.
"Okay then, let's continue I have seen enough of this place" mom said.
"Trust me ma, it's not as bad as it seems let's go in" Mr Joseph offered.
"That won't be needed" mom said as she began to walk away.
"Pss" Layla called me attention with the same hissing sound I made earlier.
"I'm listening" I answered.
"Why is she bossing Mr Joseph around like that?" She asked completely shocked.
Oh she doesn't know? Should I tell her?
"Mom owns the orphanage" I whispered back at her "let's try and catch up with them" I said as mom and Mr joseph were getting out of sight.
"Really?" She said in excitement "wow that explains why he is so nice to you" Layla said.
"Yes" I confirmed my pervious statement again to her.
"Why is it so disorganised?" mom was at the front yelling at Mr Joseph, what did he do now?
"Ma, we are working on it" he said as they continued to move.
"Oh I can see she really does own this place" Layla said "maybe you can ask her to make me stay longer" she asked, she looked really happy with her request.
"Well is that what you want?" I asked, honestly staying here especially with the condition of their lives is not a good idea besides how much longer does she want to stay before she is ready to move out?
"What do you mean by that?" She asked.
"Well, you still have to leave someday why don't you just do it now" I responded to her question.
"You mean they bathe here?" We walked in again of mom complaining about another facility of the orphanage.
"Yes, ma" Mr Joseph said as he tilted his head down in shame.
"Well it doesn't smell as bad as the kitchen that's for sure, get in the cleaners I want the whole place cleaned before I leave" mom requested.
"Yes ma" Mr joseph said again, he looked defeated.
"You know what, I want this place renovated, the whole orphanage" mom said angrily.
"Maryam are you done with your friend? We would be late for your and Dana session and I don't want that" it seems mom has already made up her mind to leave the orphanage.
"Coming" I said as I looked at Layla "I would talk to my mom and get back to you latest tomorrow morning, take care" I said as I followed mom.
"You too, bye" Layla waved at me as she began to go back to her room.
I feel really bad for her, but staying here is not the solution to her problems it's just completely avoiding it entirely.
"Mom" I shouted as I got to the garage and no one was there, our car was locked and the driver wasn't visible.
"Get in Maryam" mom said from inside the car, she sounds upset.
"Okay" I said quietly as I wheeled my chair to the other end of the car, that's all I can do I still need support to be able to walk inside the car.
"Go help her" mom said to the driver, wonder what he was thinking sitting there doing nothing in the first place.
"Yes ma" he said as he came out of the car to do just that.
The drive home was pretty awkward mom wasn't speaking to me and I was afraid of saying something that would get her upset, it was quite and lonely. I doubt I would ask about Layla's condition today if her mood doesn't get better.
(Mom phone rings)
"Hello" mom picked up her phone answering the call.
"I don't know, run the statement and the finances of the orphanage and give everything to me. I cannot believe it is in a state of complete mess even after how much I give them to maintain the place, not to talk about donations from others" mom said on the phone as she walked out of the car, I wonder who she is speaking to.
"Help me out please" I asked the driver as he was getting ready to also leave me, mom was gone and I couldn't ease drop on her conversation I wonder who she is speaking to.