Page 97 of The Life Experiment
‘If she’s in charge of a biological study, why are her qualifications in psychology?’
Layla’s hands trembled as she took her phone back. Saira’s list of accomplishments flashed before her. A degree, a masters, a doctorate. So intelligent, so educated. ‘Saira does the counselling,’ she explained. ‘She’s here to support us through the aftermath of our result and analyse our reaction to it.’
‘But why would a psychologist lead this experiment, not a biologist?’ When Layla failed to find a response, Maya reached across the bed and took her sister’s hands in her own. ‘Listen to me, okay? This is bullshit. No one can tell you when you’re going to die, not even people in lab coats.’
‘But they—’
‘No, Layla,’ Maya interjected, holding Layla’s hands tighter. ‘You went into an experiment unhappy and unfulfilled. You’d have believed anything they told you because you needed a wake-up call. Fuck OP-Whatever-They’re-Called. How can they tell you that you’ll die of stress in two years when, right now, you’re not stressed at all?’
Tears spiked Layla’s eyelashes. ‘You think I’ve changed my results?’
‘I think your results were like your life – yours to determine,’ Maya replied. ‘I mean, look at us. I wanted to be a hairdresser, so I became a hairdresser; you wanted to be a lawyer, so you became a lawyer. We worked hard and we made our dreams happen.’
‘But my job is killing me. It said so, in my results.’
‘Layla, you’re not listening. There’s no way this study can actually predict when exactly you’ll die. What if you decided to only eat junk food from now on? What if you threw yourself into training for a marathon? There are lifestyle patterns that can influence your health, sure, but nothing as definitive as this.’
‘You really think so?’ Layla asked, her voice lifted by hope.
‘I know so! Don’t live your life on a countdown, Layls. You are no more on a clock than the rest of us. Enjoy yourself. Keep working hard and being a good aunt to Jayden. Date Angus and see where it takes you.’
At the mention of Angus, Layla’s head bowed. ‘What if it’s true, though? What if I do die in two years? How can we be together if I know the end is coming?’
‘Layla, there’s no relationship on earth that doesn’t have an expiry date. Whether it’s a break-up or a death, an end is inevitable, but that’s not what matters. What matters is the bit in between. Who cares ifwhat you have with Angus goes on for two months or two decades? Just enjoy yourself.’
Layla raised her head. ‘I’m scared.’
‘Well, that’s okay. Life is scary, but the Layla I know doesn’t believe in letting fear rule her. Not enough to stop her going for what she wants, anyway.’ Leaning closer, Maya wiped a tear from Layla’s cheek. ‘Call Saira. Ask her if it’s real.’
Layla blinked. ‘I can’t do that.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because. What if she says it is, that I really do have two years left to live? Then what?’
Shaking her head, Maya pushed the phone into Layla’s hand. ‘Call her.’
With Maya’s encouragement, Layla braved calling Saira.
She picked up after three rings. ‘Layla, is everything okay?’
Even through her professional tone, Layla could hear Saira’s concern. She had every right to worry about an unscheduled call.Especially from someone she gave two years to live, Layla thought bitterly.
‘Is it real?’ she asked. ‘The experiment, is it real?’
‘Layla, has something happened?’ Saira asked.
‘The experiment,’ Layla repeated through gritted teeth. ‘Is it real?’
The pause on the other end of the line told Layla everything she needed to know. As the air was knocked from her lungs, Layla folded at the waist. Maya’s hand rested on her back in a gesture of comfort, but Layla was in so much shock, she barely felt it.
‘How could you?’ she whispered. ‘How could you let me think I was going to die?’
‘Layla, that was never our intention, but—’
‘Never your intention?! You told me I had two years left to live!’
‘Layla, it’s okay,’ Maya soothed, but Layla didn’t want her sister’s platitudes. She wanted Saira’s answers.
