Over and Over

The Glance 👀

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ABUJA,
NIGERIA.

LAYLA'S POV

"Layla!" My mother's voice rang out from the living room, impatient and sharp, cutting through the golden glow of the early evening.

"Coming, Dada!" I called back, hastily setting aside my pen and notebook.

She was rummaging through her handbag with the fervor of someone searching for something long lost.

When I reached her, she handed me a few crumpled notes, her gaze weary but affectionate. "Go to the shop outside and get me some chewing gum, please," she instructed, stretching her legs across the couch.

Adjusting my blue hijab, I tucked the money into my pocket and stepped out into the cool embrace of the 5 p.m. breeze.

The sun hung low, painting the sky with hues of amber and pink. It was one of those Abuja evenings that made you feel like something magical could happen.

The small corner shop wasn't far, and the shopkeeper greeted me with a familiar nod as I approached. "Good evening, Layla. How are you?"

"I'm well, thank you," I replied politely, exchanging pleasantries as I handed him the money.

While he busied himself collecting my items, a distant roar of an engine caught my attention.

A sleek black GLC emerged from the horizon like a predator stalking its prey.

The car came to an abrupt halt in front of the shop, stirring a cloud of dust in its wake. My heart skipped a beat, more from curiosity than fear.

The tinted window lowered, revealing a man whose presence demanded attention.

His caramel-toned skin gleamed under the fading sunlight, and his eyes—light and piercing—were unlike anything I'd ever seen.

"Good evening," he said, his voice rich and deep, directed at the shopkeeper. "I need directions to Posh Road."

The shopkeeper hesitated, clearly unfamiliar with the name, and then turned to me. "Layla, do you know it?"

I nodded, my voice steady despite the sudden flutter in my chest. "Yes, I do. It's not far from here."

The man's gaze shifted to me, his desperation masked by an air of quiet dignity. "Could you guide me, please?" he asked, his tone direct but not unkind.

I shook my head firmly. "I can't accompany you, but I'll explain the directions."

His brow furrowed slightly as I spoke, his confusion evident. After a second round of explanation, his lips pressed into a thin line. "Could you repeat that?" he asked, his tone tinged with frustration.

I sighed, my patience wearing thin. "Just drive straight, take the first right, and you'll see a signboard. It's simple."

Though he still looked skeptical, he nodded. "Thank you," he said curtly, before pulling away with the same dramatic speed he'd arrived.

Back home, my mother raised an eyebrow as I handed her the chewing gum. "What took you so long?"

"There was a man looking for directions," I explained, shrugging. "He seemed lost."

She laughed, popping a piece of gum into her mouth. "Ah, my little human GPS."

I chuckled, retreating upstairs to my room. As I sat cross-legged on my bed, the stranger's face lingered in my mind. Those eyes... they weren't easy to forget.

The next morning, I woke before dawn, the house still cloaked in silence. After a quick shower, I slipped into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. The sizzle of the frying egg filled the air when a familiar voice startled me.