THE HEARTS REAWAKENING

49: ETHEREAL.

KANO STATE, NIGERIA.

"Why were you rushing in like you've been chased by the devil?" Nazir's dulcet voice rolled down the tip of his tongue and she almost lulled her head back and sigh but didn't, instead adjust herself on the leather seat.

She shrugged and gave an honest answer, vowing to be as honest as she could since she is almost whole lie. "Because we have these thugs in our area and I'm afraid they'd pay a visit to this flashy car."

Nazir nodded, tapping his finger on the steering wheel but didn't comment. What is he to say? That it is no problem he can fight them off? He is not a violent person neither is he a masochist so no, he had rather be quiet and just enjoy the silence of having her around. He's been working hard to get her to go out with him and finally, he got that chance on a blessed Saturday. He shot his shoot in the office earlier and got lucky.

"Any guess where we are going?" He yawed around to stare at her for a few minutes then stare back ahead through the windshield so as to not cause an accident.

"Nope, I have no idea. You didn't say anything earlier." She shrugged, taking her phone off her pocket to check the time. It is just eight fifteen in the evening and she is supposed to be home by nine or Afaf will have her head.

She said she don't want people talking about them when they are trying to keep a low profile. If she starts going out like this with Nazir, people will start pointing fingers at them and then their whole low key life will be blown. The ones that must've forgotten about their existence in the area will recall they live there and the failed marriage will sprout out all over again. She don't want that so she should get back home as soon as she can, when there are no people around.

She even went as far as saying if Nazir is really serious about her, they won't have to wait for long. She will tell him how poverty is eating their fingers and they cannot do anything meant for a bride to do and if he is still willing to marry her, then he should be her guest. They won't lie or get another debt because they want to impress people, they cannot have that on them. As it is, they are trying to parvenu off this ladder that does not move.

That night is meant only for the truth and even though there are things she don't want to tell him till she tells Imad, she has to pour them out. She's going to be garrulous that night but it doesn't matter, she has been ready to say everything since she started persuading Imad again. If only the recalcitrant man would stop for a good five minute and listen to her. She is sure it might change things, it is forty sixty percent.

The man has the most pinnacled ego and hatred she's ever seen. How can someone hate the person he's loved like Imad does? Or is he making it all a show so she will back off and he won't be hurt again? It all makes sense one way or the other which is why she is going to try one more time. If it doesn't work out, she is sure Allah has planned something better for her somewhere.

"Ice cream or dinner?" Nazir's question yanked her off her unicorn and she thought over that.

She pursed her lips then her stomach groaned in protest against the hollow emptiness, making her blush. She's hasn't eaten since morning when she pushed a few akaras in her mouth courtesy of Husna's grandmother, their tenant. Without those people in their lives, Amirah is sure they wouldn't have made it anywhere. They'd be in an abysmal long ago with no endorser or succor, for real.

Nazir's rich laugh placated her insides, he finds that funny while she is wallowing in embarrassment. Her stomach normally doesn't make those sounds just because she is hungry, she only feels it in her chest or back. She should've asked her doctor what was wrong with her and know all the symptoms she was supposed to face. It has happened with Imad once in their bureau and now Nazir on their first date? This is not done, so not done.