This was the popular whisper amongst the people of Kaika community.
Layla had become a subject of ridicule in the community. Never had she thought that a day would come when she would be disrespected, hated, and ridiculed. And it was all because of the shameful break up she went through.
In the Kaika community, it was a common and known fact that any lady who hasn't been wedded by the age of 28 will be ousted by her friends and families. In the case of Layla, it was even worse because she was already engaged, and ready to be married before the break up happened.
At the age of 26, Layla was engaged to the son of the wealthiest man in the community. People applauded her. Her friends envied her, and they praised her good behavior. The old women advised their children to emulate Layla's character, so they could also be worthy to marry into a good home.
Two years later, Layla's soon to be husband suddenly broke off the engagement, saying he no longer loved her, and he didn't think they were a good match.
After that heartbreak, things took a drastic turn in Layla's life. Those who spoke good about her, now taunted her, and spoke ill of her. Parents no longer advised their children to be like her. She became the topic of evening gossips in every household. They all blamed her for the break up, saying it happened because of her evil character. Layla had a tough time.
She thought she could endure the noise, and hoped that maybe with time, they'd die down, but one day, she almost committed suicide. On this day, she overheard two kids discussing her, and it broke her heart.
Child 1: " Aunt Layla is a nice lady. What happened to her shouldn't have happened."
Child 2: "You better not pity her. My mom said that she was paying for her crimes. If you pity her, or take her side, it'll bring bad luck to you, and your family. You might even go through worse than she's going through."
Child 1: " That'll be very bad. She must've been very evil for such a shameful thing to happen to her. And she's still acting strong, like nothing happened."
Child 2: " That's the more reason why you should hate her. She doesn't care about anything. My mom said that she's bad luck. Even speaking of her for a long time can cause disaster."
After hearing all the kids had said, Layla decided to end it. She felt like her world had ended, and she couldn't bear it anymore.
On her way home, she got some poisonous substance for killing rats, and she drank it. Halfway into the underworld, one of her friends broke into the house, and raised an alarm. Layla was rushed to the hospital, where she was revived. When she woke up, she began to cry, and yell at the doctor.
"Why did you treat me?! I want to leave this world! I've had enough!"
"No one should be allowed to say such things. I saved your life because it mattered, and even if you try to commit suicide again, I'll save you all over again. You're too beautiful to end your life, for whatever condition, or predicament you might've found yourself in."
The doctor left her crying all by herself.
Soon she was discharged from the hospital, and she became close to the doctor who had become fond of her.
As days turned to weeks, the two became lovers, and soon, the doctor proposed to marry her. Layla became restless. The fear of the past repeating itself, paralyzed her. The doctor noticed, and took her hand in his.
"Layla, I know you're scared, but I can promise you that I'm different from the guy that hurt you. I will never do anything to hurt you."
"Isn't it too early? What will people say?" Layla asked, still scared.
"Who cares what a bunch of hypocrites would say? What happened is in the past. Let's go into the future together."
After much promises and persuasion, Layla accepted the proposal. When the news of her new engagement spread around the community, people began to whisper again.
"Whoa! She found another man almost immediately."
"She is so lucky, indeed."
People came to congratulate her. Layla was grateful to the good doctor for saving her life, and restoring her good name. She was no longer the girl who was abandoned by the wealthiest family a few months to their marriage. She was no longer the girl whose ill luck had ended her life story.
The new turn in her life was proof that her story hasn't ended. Layla was happy, and ready to move on to the next chapter of her life, with the good handsome doctor who had saved her, and made her whole again.
This image was generated using chatgpt
