Over and Over

Deal

KANO,
NIGERIA.

NARRATORS POV

The hum of celebration lingered in the air even after the grand Hawan Sallah procession had ended.

The men had returned, still draped in their regal garments, their voices filled with laughter as they relived the highlights of the ride.

The women, too, had retreated indoors, their delicate perfumes mingling with the lingering aroma of Eid delicacies.

Layla sat on the veranda with Rayhana and Sameera, their legs tucked beneath them as they watched the last of the guests depart.

The house was still alive with murmurs and the clinking of teacups, but the energy had shifted—softer now, more intimate.

Across the courtyard, Hakeem stood with Abdallah, his turban loosened, his babban riga unbuttoned at the top.

He looked every bit the effortless prince he was, but there was a sharpness in his gaze as he glanced in Layla's direction.

She hadn't looked at him once since the photos. Not even a passing acknowledgment.

She should have.

Instead, she was laughing—again—with Abdallah.

He rolled his shoulders, trying to shake the strange irritation creeping up his spine.

"You're staring," Abdallah murmured, barely hiding his smirk.

Hakeem scoffed. "At what?"

Abdallah tilted his head toward Layla. "You tell me."

Hakeem didn't reply.

Layla, oblivious to their exchange, took a sip of her drink before narrowing her eyes at Abdallah.

"By the way, your proposal speech earlier was absurd. Do you always flirt with such theatrics, or was that for show?"

Abdallah grinned. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Layla clicked her tongue, shaking her head. "You really enjoy embarrassing me, don't you?"

"On the contrary," Abdallah mused. "I think it suits you."

Rayhana shot Layla a knowing look, and Layla rolled her eyes. "You're both ridiculous."

The moment was playful, easy—until Hakeem's voice cut through.

"You shouldn't entertain things you don't want," he said coolly, stepping closer.

Layla looked up, startled by the sudden intrusion. "Excuse me?"

Hakeem's expression was unreadable, but there was something sharp beneath the surface. "The way you let him talk to you," he nodded toward Abdallah. "It gives the wrong impression."

Layla blinked, stunned by his audacity. "And what impression would that be?"

Hakeem crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering. "That you enjoy it."

A slow, incredulous smile spread across Layla's lips. "Maybe I do."

The air shifted, the teasing lilt in her voice doing nothing to ease the tension between them. Hakeem's jaw tensed, but before he could reply, Abdallah chuckled, slinging an arm over Layla's shoulders.

"Relax, Hakeem. It's all in good fun."

Layla stiffened at the contact, but she refused to let it show.

Hakeem, however, wasn't as composed. His lips curled into a smirk that didn't reach his eyes. "If you say so."

And with that, he walked away.