Over and Over

Emerald

ABUJA,
NIGERIA.

LAYLA'S POV

As I stepped out of the room, my thoughts still tangled from the earlier conversation, Yasmin appeared seemingly out of nowhere, her face with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"What did Imam say to you?" she asked, her voice low but insistent.

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "He... expressed his feelings for me," I admitted softly, my cheeks warming.

Yasmin's eyes widened slightly. "And? What did you say?"

"I declined," I answered simply, my tone firm but guarded.

"What?" she exclaimed, her shock evident.

"Come with me," she urged, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward a quiet bench nearby. Her urgency made me uneasy.

We sat, and Yasmin turned to me, her gaze piercing. "Layla, you need to understand something." Her voice was steady, almost pleading.

"Imam genuinely cares about you. Do you realize how rare that is for him? He's never been interested in any girl for more than a week.

But with you, it's different. For three years, Layla. Three years he's been holding onto these feelings."

I stared at her, stunned. Three years? How had I not noticed?

"You're surprised," Yasmin said, reading my expression. "He was too afraid of rejection to ever tell you, and now..." She trailed off, shaking her head. "Now you've rejected him. Do you even know what that must feel like for him?"

Her words gnawed at me, but I stayed silent, unsure how to respond.

"Just think about what I've told you, Layla," she said finally, her tone softer. "Please, at least consider it."

Without a word, I rose slowly and walked away, Yasmin's words looping in my mind like a haunting melody I couldn't escape.

When I returned home, Zee greeted me with her usual humor. "Hey, you're back! I thought you'd never leave!"

I shot her a sharp look. "Dada's not back yet?"

"Nope," she replied.

"Fine, I'm heading upstairs," I said, trying to mask the whirlwind of emotions inside me. Zee and Asmi followed close behind, as they always did.

Later, sprawled across my bed with a bag of potato chips between us, I finally let it slip.

"Imam's been in love with me since SS1," I blurted out.

Their reactions were immediate and loud. "What?"

"Asmi, Zee—calm down," I said, though my own heart raced at the confession.

"Honestly, I think you should give him a chance," Asmi said thoughtfully.

"I agree," Zee chimed in.

"What? Why?" I asked, bewildered by their quick support.

Asmi leaned forward. "Layla, the guy is handsome, devoted, and clearly adores you. Despite his illness, he was ecstatic to see you. You should think about it."

Zee nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! Give him a chance, Layla."

I shook my head, trying to divert the conversation. "Let's stop talking about Imam. Who wants to watch reels?"

Zee eagerly grabbed her phone, and soon we were laughing at silly videos, the earlier topic pushed aside—until a wedding clip popped up.

"Hey, that's Maymun's wedding!" I exclaimed, grinning.