HUSNA

Chapter15

Students began trooping out of the lecture hall like a flood escaping a broken dam. Husna slung her bag across her shoulder, walking briskly toward the door.

"Ah-ah, hussy!" Faiza called, trying to catch up. "You're walking like someone's chasing you. Where exactly are you going?"

"Market," she replied without slowing down. "I need to buy a few things. And honestly, I just want to clear my head today."

Faiza smiled and grabbed her arm. "Then I'm coming with you. Two heads are better than one, especially when it comes to market wahala."

They walked together toward the parking lot. The sun was mellow, and the scent of roasted corn floated in the air. Then Husna froze.

Leaning casually against a black car was a tall man dressed in a sky-blue kaftan, sleeves rolled neatly to his elbows. His wristwatch gleamed in the sunlight, and that same killer smile that Faiza had warned her about rested lazily on his face.

She frowned. "Faiza... what are we doing here?"

Faiza flashed a grin. "Relax. He'll just drop us at the market. And besides, I forgot to introduce you two yesterday."

Before Husna could protest, Faiza waved at him.
"Yaya Hameed! Come oh!"

He looked up, eyes locking with Husna's for a long, unsettling second. Her heart skipped, and she quickly looked away, pretending to check her phone.

"Yaya Hameed," Faiza began proudly, "this is Husna
my one and only best friend. And Husna, meet my brother, yaya Hameed."

Hameed's deep, velvety voice carried easily. "Good afternoon, Asma'u."

Husna's brow twitched. "Sorry?" she said, covering her face shyly. "My name is Husna, not Asma'u."

He chuckled softly. "Oh, my mistake. Husna, then. Beautiful name."

The way his gaze lingered made her stomach twist. She adjusted her hijab, feeling the heat of his stare.
And then he said it.

"I've already found a beautiful wife, masha Allah."

Faiza burst into laughter immediately. "Yaya, stop jare! You'll scare her away."

Husna shot him a sharp glare. "NO!" she hissed, clenching her teeth. "You must be joking."

He raised his hands in Wallahi, I'm not joking. You're too fine to ignore."

That earned him a withering look. She turned on her heel, storming off while muttering under her breath, "Psycho."

Her footsteps echoed through the lot as Faiza and Hameed's laughter followed behind.

By the time Faiza caught up, she had already covered half the distance to the car park gate.

"Hussy, calm down now! You know he's just playful," Faiza said between laughs.

"Playful? That's not play that's harassment!" She snapped, though the corner of her lips twitched.

"Come on, don't tell me you're angry for real."

"Of course, I am! He stares too much

Faiza stifled another giggle. "Well, you can't blame him. Maybe he's trying to be... friendly."

"Friendly my foot," Husna muttered.

Hameed honked. "Ladies, shall we?"

Husna hesitated but Faiza nudged her. "Please, don't embarrass me. Let's just go."

She reluctantly got into the back seat, pulling her veil slightly over her face so only her eyes were visible.

The car ride was painfully quiet. Hameed's cologne filled the space.. rich, spicy, and annoyingly distracting. Every now and then, she caught him glancing at her through the rearview mirror.
She scowled in return.