CONNECTED HEARTS

3: The Kaltoom KO, "Adyan's Ache"

Muhammad Adyan Salman

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Three days had passed, but the memory of that chaotic encounter still clung to Kaltoom like glitter you can't wash off. Her desire for revenge? Stronger than ever. Meanwhile, Adyan found himself haunted by flashes of the feisty girl's face,equal parts spoiled brat and firecracker. Against his better judgment, her sharp tongue and stubborn energy kept sneaking into his thoughts. He hated it. He hated her. He also lowkey couldn't stop thinking about her.

Adyan tried to shove those thoughts aside. He had bigger things to worry about. As the first son of Alhaji Salman, one of the most respected businessmen in the country, Adyan was born into privilege and pressure. Every move he made was weighed against his father's towering reputation. Still, he'd carved his own lane, built his own respect. He had his future mapped out, neat and clean. Until Kaltoom came barging into it like a storm.

Adyan was in his final year of civil engineering at a university in Shanghai. Back home in Kaduna, he had two younger sisters, Khairiya and Laila, who adored and annoyed him in equal measure. Their parents' love story was the kind people gossiped about a Hausa businessman meets a Nigerien beauty during a trip, whirlwind romance, happily-ever-after. They built a quiet but lavish life in Kaduna, away from the spotlight.

Alhaji Salman had deliberately shielded his family from fame's dangers, choosing peace over flashy headlines. Still, he was grooming Adyan to eventually take over the empire, slowly easing him into the business world. Hajiya Khadijah, their mother, was the backbone of the house gentle but firm, raising her children with faith, discipline, and warmth. Khairiya, level-headed. Laila, fiery. Adyan? Groomed to lead.

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Kaltoom, on the other hand, was on her own brand of chaos. She bounded down the stairs yelling,
"Aunt Sabreeenah!"

Her aunt or her mom's sister yelled back with equal drama, "My one and only niece!"

The two collided in a hug that nearly cracked bones. Kaltoom wasted no time sprawling across the couch while Aunt Sabreenah started braiding her thick dark hair. They scrolled through Kaltoom's Instagram feed, laughing at comments and spilling tea until Mrs. Kabir came storming in.

"Kaltoom! Class in less than an hour. Move!"

With exaggerated sighs and hurried goodbyes, she wolfed down a quick lunch, tossed on her black abaya, wrapped her scarf simply, and grabbed her gloss. Nude lips, slick shine. Cute but low-effort. Kaltoom never needed much to look good and she knew it.

But fate wasn't done playing games. Just as she was heading to her car, a sleek black one slid into the parking lot.

Adyan.

Her lips curved. "Perfect."

With a deliberate strut, she stepped right in front of his car, sipping her mocktail like she was on a runway. Adyan's grip on the steering wheel tightened.

Seriously? This girl again?

Horn. Nothing.

A polite request. Nothing.

Adyan tried to inch past. Then Kaltoom bolted, stumbled, and collapsed with a scream that could've earned her an Oscar.

Four random guys appeared, watching.
"He hit me on purpose!" Kaltoom wailed, clutching her knee. "I'm dying, ouchhhh!"

Adyan's jaw flexed. "No, I didn't. Stop lying!"

One of the guys frowned. "Mallam, ba kyau, you shouldn't yell at her."

Another added, "Take her to the hospital. Can't you see she's hurt?"

Adyan pinched the bridge of his nose. This girl was pulling an entire Nollywood skit in the parking lot. He wanted to walk away, but the crowd's murmurs were already painting him the villain.

Kaltoom smirked. Checkmate.

Fine. Hospital. But this wasn't concern,this was strategy. He'd prove she was faking, end of story.

Except Kaltoom refused the school clinic. "No. A real doctor."

Adyan rolled his eyes. Of course. Laila threw tantrums, but at least hers weren't this unhinged. He tossed a bundle of naira at her feet. "Take care of yourself. I'm done."

She shoved it back, eyes blazing. "Don't tell me what to do. Do as I say, or trust me you won't even have a reputation left."

The venom in her voice stopped him. Adyan's patience snapped. "Fine. Private hospital."

The drive was torture. Midway, Kaltoom perked up.
"Wait. Stop at Domino's."

Adyan's head whipped toward her. "You need a doctor, but suddenly you want pizza?"

She grinned. "Starving patients deserve pizza."

He muttered something under his breath, the whole time she strolled out took ten minutes , and came out laughing on they phone like nothing hurt. His frustration boiled.

When she demanded he go inside to place her order next time, he nearly lost it. "What am I? Your driver?"

By the time they got to the hospital and the doctor confirmed nothing serious, Adyan was done. Full stop.

He blocked her from re-entering his car. "This ends here. Find your own way."

Kaltoom froze, mouth open. Before she could react, he drove off.

Stuck with her car back at campus and no way she was stepping into public transport, she called her mom. Driver dispatched.

Sinking onto a bench, she muttered with a wicked smile, "An eye for an eye."

Her lips curled into full triumph. Adyan thought he'd escaped, but she'd already claimed victory. This was the Kaltoom Knockout™—a battle move she planned to brag about to Amani all night.

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