Nyara Pov
The incessant ringing of the phone had become a relentless assault on my peace. My family's constant calls, their persistent worry, had pushed me to my limit. I silenced the ringer, a wave of exhaustion washing over me. I needed a break, a moment of normalcy.
Thankfully, Iyla was finally healed. No more dark glasses, no more restrictions. Today, we were going to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. We were baking cookies and watching a silly cartoon, Iyla's laughter filling the apartment with a warmth I hadn't known I was missing.
"Cookies! Cookies!" Iyla chanted, jumping up and down, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
As the movie played, I glanced down and saw Iyla nestled beside me, her teddy bear clutched in her arms, fast asleep. A soft smile tugged at my lips. I gently scooped her up, her small body limp and warm, and carried her to my room.
I laid her down on the bed, tucking her teddy bear beside her and pulling the blanket over her. A sense of peace settled over me as I watched her sleep, her breathing soft and even.
Back in the living room, I began to clean up, putting away Iyla's art supplies and the leftover cookies. Just as I was about to sit down, a knock echoed through the apartment. I froze, my heart pounding. I walked towards the door, my footsteps hesitant.
"Nyara, it's us!" Halle's voice called out, followed by Sarai's.
I opened the door, a mixture of surprise and dread washing over me. "Hey guys, what are you doing here?"
Halle exchanged a look with Sarai. "Nyara, don't tell me you forgot about our sleepover, girls' night at your place?" They walked in, dropping their bags on the floor.
My heart sank. I had completely forgotten. My eyes darted around the apartment, searching for any sign of Iyla. All her things were put away, but the lingering scent of cookies and the faint sound of the cartoon were telltale signs.
"Did you miss us so much you're shocked, or did you just forget and have nothing prepared?" Sarai teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Oh, you even baked cookies," Halle said, heading towards the kitchen and grabbing a plate.
"Hey, don't eat all of them!" I protested, swatting her playfully. I quickly grabbed a ziplock bag and packed six cookies for Iyla, hiding them in her snack drawer.
"Guys, can you get the ingredients out of the fridge and start preparing? I'll be right back," I said, speed-walking towards Iyla's room.
Iyla was still sound asleep, curled up under the blanket. I sat beside her, a wave of panic washing over me. How could I have forgotten? I couldn't kick my friends out; they had flown all the way to S City for this. But how could I hide Iyla? Could I trust them with my secret?
My mind raced, filled with questions and anxieties. I stood up, giving Iyla one last look before leaving the room and closing the door behind me.
Back in the kitchen, Halle and Sarai were already pulling out ingredients. "We're making nachos and wings," Sarai announced, a wide smile on her face.
"And I'm making tenders and fries," I added, trying to sound casual.
As we cooked, we talked about everything and nothing – old memories, new gossip, shared dreams. The kitchen filled with the aroma of spices and laughter, a temporary distraction from my worries.
While Halle and Sarai fixed their plates, I slipped back into my room. She was still asleep, nestled among the pillows. I adjusted her blanket, ensuring she was comfortable.
Returning to the living room, I found my friends settled on the couch, a movie playing on the screen. "Come on, Nyara, we're about to start," Halle said.
"Okay, I'm coming. And you better have left some tenders and fries," I joked. I grabbed Iyla's bento box, filled with chicken tenders and fries, and heated it in the microwave. Then I fixed my own plate.
"What are we watching?" I asked, settling on the couch.
"A scary movie," Sarai replied, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. Halle turned off the lights, and the room was plunged into darkness, the only light emanating from the screen.