Before you go

Chapter Seven

Bello Kabir

By the time I park under the canopy in Senator Ibrahim Tahir's house, I am having mixed feelings about Ruqayya.

Throughout the date, I was expecting her to show possessiveness, or rather, excessive love for me, because she has made her intentions clear, that she likes me and is willing to marry me. But there's an if, and that if is what I haven't been able to find out just yet.

Halfway through our date, some girl with multiple nose piercings came up to us—me —, and asked for for my number. Ruqayya didn't even bat an eyelash at the girl.

"I had fun today, Bello. Thank you." Ruqayya gives me a small polite small and reaches for the door handle, but I stop her by calling her name. She turns to me, her expression blank. Honestly, I don't know what to say or do at this point.

I have gone on a lot of dates. But Ruqayya is different. She's so laid back and chill and everything about her is just so relaxed and perfect. I don't know how to explain it. But it's like she has me charmed or something.

"Goodnight," I eventually say and Ruqayya smiles at me.

"Goodnight, Bello." She steps out of the car and walks to the entrance. All the while, I can't take my eyes off her.

I have met a lot of beautiful girls, I have met a lot of well-mannered girls. In fact I've met all types of girls, with Ummu always playing matchmaker.

But Ruqayya is different. There's just something about her that draws me in and at the same time pushes me away. I don't even know what I feel for or about her. I am really in a bind.

At first, I was sure that I was only attracted to her. She's beautiful, with a slim yet curvy figure. And she has a flawless skin, I've seen her without any makeup that I was able to tell she had makeup on today. Bottom line; Ruqayya is beautiful. Any guy would be attracted to her. But it's not that kind of attraction I have for her.

I am attracted to her in such a way that I can't help but sit across from only her every morning and night for dinner and breakfast. And I can't help having at least three seconds eye contact with her. Also, I only realized today, that I have started noticing some things about her. Like that she doesn't have pancakes with anything but honey and some grapes. And that she has a slight cold every morning she wakes up which results in her having a pink nose and cheeks. So she sneezes constantly until the sun is slightly up.

I sigh and kill the engine of the car before stepping out. By next tomorrow, I will be hours away from her. Maybe it's the proximity that is getting to me, but I won't know until I leave. So for now, I'll just bask in her presence.

It has been two day since I left Abuja and it is quite unfortunate for me, but I have become a stalker. Only for one lady though, but a stalker nonetheless.

I don't know what has gotten into me. But when I came back on Sunday, I suddenly missed Ruqayya. So I sent her a quick text, a harmless one that didn't give anything away.

I arrived home safely, Alhamdulillah. Tell Ummi and Abba too.

I waited by my phone all through the evening for a reply, and I didn't get one until around 9pm. And it wasn't even a reply. She simply replied with a thumbs up emoji. Just a thumbs up.

I thought we were way past that. And I couldn't think of anything else to say after that. Because Ruqayya had actively ended the conversation even before it started.

I waited until the next morning, yesterday that is, and I sent her a morning message. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Good morning, Ru. I hope you had a good night's rest.