Over and Over

refraction

KANO,
NIGERIA.

LAYLA'S POV

I stepped out of the car, my expression devoid of emotion after his declaration. He swiftly exited the car and hurried after me.

"Layla," he called, rushing towards me. "Please wait," he pleaded, his tone conveying a sense of remorse. I stood still, refusing to look at him.

"Layla, please, look at me," he implored, but i remained unmoved.

"Okay, I agree to be just your friend, but please, don't be harsh on me," he said, his voice trembling slightly.

After hearing his words, I finally turned to face him. Tears began to cascade down his cheeks uncontrollably, unnoticed by him.

I moved my delicate hands on his cheeks, attempting to wipe away his tears. "Stop!" he exclaimed, grabbing my hand.

"If you continue like this, I might find myself falling in love with you all over again," he confessed.

I stood there silently as he turned away, leaving me standing alone.

He didn't want to break down in front of me, i guess.

Upon returning home after the event, I developed a fever due to exposure to the rain, causing my body temperature to rise.

Dada and Ammi were insistent on me taking my medication, despite knowing my aversion to it.

🐬🐬🐬🐬

As Hakeem walked through the hallway, he noticed a gathering of servants near the door.

"Zubair," he called in his usual hoarse voice, "What's happening over there?" he inquired. "Your Highness, I honestly don't know," Zubair replied.

Taking the lead, Hakeem approached the door, with Zubair following closely behind.

As they neared, Zubair cleared his throat loudly, prompting the servants to disperse.

Entering the room, Hakeem found Layla's mom pressing her onto the bed while Ammi held her hands. "What's going on here?" he asked.

Turning to him, Ammi explained, "Van, please talk to Layla. She's refusing to take her medicine," offering him the medication.

Initially hesitant, Hakeem recalled Layla's previous assistance and relented. "Layla, take your medicine," he said before stepping out of the room.

"Come here," Ammi instructed sternly. "Is this how you persuade someone?" she added.

Reluctantly, Hakeem returned, silently conceding.

Taking the medication from Ammi, he dismissed the others.

"Nobody is leaving," Layla interjected, rising from the bed. Ignoring her, they exited as instructed by Hakeem.

Seated on a chair, Hakeem remained on the bed chair. Layla felt embarrassed by her dishevelled appearance.

LAYLA'S POV

"Layla," he called in a deep, intense voice, adjusting his posture. "Either you take your medicine, or I'll inform your mom downstairs that you have a boyfriend."

Unfazed, I replied, "The door is right there." Undeterred, Hakeem insisted, "I'm serious." I laughed, dismissing his threat.

"I don't have a boyfriend, so what will you tell her?" I retorted confidently. "Are you sure about that?" Hakeem questioned, showing me a picture on his phone.

Shocked, i recognized myself and Imam in the image.

"What the hell!" I exclaimed. Hakeem smirked, "I thought you were sure."

Attempting to explain, i stammered, "He's not my boyfriend."

Hakeem sighed, "Look, Layla, I honestly don't care whether or not he's your boyfriend."

Curious, I inquired, "And how did you get this picture?" Hakeem explained, "My friend mistook you for Khadija and sent it to me."

Puzzled, I asked, "And who is Khadija?"

"She is my girlfriend," he said without hesitation, "Innalilahi, you of all people have a girlfriend."

"What do you mean?" he asked, "I mean, how can anybody possibly like you, i mean, you don't smile.

You don't talk. You are literally a stone in human form."

🕊🕊🕊🕊

He checked his wristwatch one last time, and it was time for his meeting with the Malik, so he handed her the medicine and he walked away, he was about to open the door then he turned and said.

"Hey, petite, make sure you take your medicine ok".

He said before closing the door. She felt like throwing her pillow at him before he left.

The next morning was the wushe wushe, maymun's husband is kanuri so they also have to follow their tradition.

During the day, the grooms family came to maymun's house to perform their kanuri ritual.

Maymun was dressed in their traditional attire.

They finished by noon, and the wushe wushe was by 3pm.

Layla was in her room feeling very comfortable , and suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," she said without moving a muscle. A young lady wearing a uniform approached her with a bag in her hand.

"Malika ce ta ce in kawo miki(the queen said i should bring this to you)," she said, dropping it on the table.

She didn't get the chance to ask her what it was.
After the maid left, Layla walked to where the bag was kept, and she started searching through it.

Inside the bag was a beautiful Asparagus green lafaya, suddenly the phone rang as she attempted to bring it out.

"Who's speaking" she asked "layla Ammi ce, kinga kayan(layla it's Ammi, have you seen the clothes)," she asked.

Layla replied to her with a yes, and then Ammi asked if she knew how to tie lafaya, and she replied with a no.

She told her that the lafaya was meant to be worn by the brides friends later in the evening during the wushe wushe.

It was almost time and still there was no sign of anyone who was coming to help her, so she got ready but she had no idea how to tie the lafaya, she had to call Ammi once again as Dada also had no idea how to do it.

She came to her room all dressed up, and she helped her with the lafaya and make-up .

"Mashallah," she said, handing layla her hand bag after the make-up was done.

She held her hand, and they walked towards the brides room, " maymun is that you," asked Ammi.
Because She looked beautiful.

On their way, they got stuck. The road was extremely crowdy, they got stuck in a traffic jam, fortunately for them the driver new some shortcuts