CONNECTED HEARTS

30: Shifting Gears!

Kaltoom's POV

It had been three months since that life-changing phone call with Adyan. Three whole months, yet I still replayed his words like a favorite song on repeat.

At first, I'd been disappointed by his silence, convinced maybe he'd been all talk. But then boom. Out of nowhere, two weeks later, I got the news: his parents were coming for the Gaisuwa. I nearly fainted. Things were moving faster than I had ever imagined. Surreal didn't even begin to cover it.

In those three months, a lot had changed. Not just for me and Adyan, but for our entire little circle.

Take Jalal, for example. The boy who'd been orbiting Laila with his secret crush since forever? Yeah, he finally grew the guts to confess. I swear, it felt like we were in some cheesy high school rom-com. At first, Laila pulled her usual diva move, playing hard to get. But slowly Jalal's charm chipped away at her defenses. And honestly? I was rooting for them.

Then there was Farouk and Amani. Ugh. That was a whole puzzle on its own. One minute they were acting like maybe, just maybe, there was something between them. The next, they were back to "we're just friends." The hot-and-cold vibe gave me headaches, so I decided not to stress about it. The truth would surface eventually.

As for Khalid, he'd returned a couple of weeks ago without Maimoona. But she'd promised to come before my wedding (which, by the way, still didn't have an actual date).

And then there was Adyan and me. What could I say? We had gotten so close. Ridiculously close. Like can't-go-three-hours-without-hearing-from-him close. Amani and Laila teased me nonstop, calling it pathetic, but I didn't care. I was happy.

He was funny, thoughtful, and way more interesting than I'd given him credit for. Sure, his looks had already won me over the very first day, but these days... I found myself falling for his mind too. Every day, a little more. Did I tell him that? Absolutely not. Did he have any problem saying "I love you" every five seconds? Absolutely not.

My daydream was rudely interrupted by an icy shock on my chin.

"What the heck, Laila?!" I squealed, jerking back as she pressed her freezing soda bottle against my face.

Amani laughed, eyes twinkling. "Tell us, Kaltoom. What were you thinking about that made you smile like a sheep in spring?"

I tried to look offended, hiding my burning cheeks. "Oh, I dunno. Maybe about your grades?"

"Please," Laila cut in with an exaggerated eye roll. "Of course, it's about my brother. That's all she does these days daydream about Adyan like some Wattpad heroine."

I gasped. "Oh, and you're one to talk? Miss I can't go five seconds without Jalal texting me?"

Amani threw her hands up dramatically. "And here I am. Lonely. Single. Waiting for Allah to send down my miracle husband."

"Spare us the drama, Nollywood," Laila scoffed. Then her eyes sparkled mischievously. "And don't act like I don't know what's going on between you and Farouk.."

"Wait, WHAT?" I cut her off, staring at Amani.

The guilty look on her face said everything. "Ya Allah, Amani!" I shrieked, clutching my chest in fake betrayal.

Laila looked smug, enjoying this far too much. "Oh, so now you want to talk?"

I was still grilling Amani when Jalal himself appeared, walking towards our table with that goofy grin plastered on his face. Laila froze mid-breath, cheeks turning the brightest shade of pink I'd ever seen. Good. Serves her right.

"May I steal her for a minute?" Jalal asked politely after greeting us.

"Of course," Amani teased, shooing them off like she'd been waiting for this moment. "We know it's all planned."

We all laughed, and just like that, Laila disappeared with him, leaving me to turn back to Amani, arms crossed. "Start talking. Now."

The look on her face was priceless like a deer caught in headlights. Cute, anxious, and so obviously in love.

Bit by bit, she spilled everything. How Farouk had dropped her off that day she visited me. How he'd gotten her number. How he now picked her up sometimes. I stared at her, wide-eyed, while sipping my drink.

"So... basically, my poor brother is your Uber?" I deadpanned.

She smacked my arm, embarrassed. "No! That's how it started, but now... it's different."

Different. Uh-huh. I made a mental note to blackmail Farouk with this later.

We were halfway through burritos when Laila and Jalal reappeared, looking disgustingly cute together. Jalal's grin was ear-to-ear, and Laila was glowing. I tried not to be jealous it wasn't working.

"Thee, Kaltoom," Jalal said, his grin matching Laila's. She was smitten, and it showed all over her face.

I wanted to tell Adyan, but Laila had made me swear to keep it a secret. And honestly? I kind of understood why. Maybe she was worried about Adyan not approving. Still, the secrecy added a thrill.

When Jalal teased Amani about her manners, I was halfway through stuffing my face and mumbled something with my mouth full. She shot me a glare that could kill, but I just grinned.

Eventually, it was time to head home. I tried calling our driver, but his phone went straight to voicemail. Should've forced him to wait, but no the girls convinced me he could go. Now here we were. Stranded.

"No problem," Jalal said with a shrug. "I'll give you a ride. Don't worry, my car isn't that small."

We laughed as he led us out to his black GLK. Shiny, new, and sleek yeah, I was impressed. Until I realized he was driving.

Halfway to my house, his phone rang. Urgent call from his brother. Jalal frowned, clearly torn, before glancing at us. "Look, it's really important. Just a quick stop, I promise. Then I'll drop you girls home."

We argued, of course. None of us liked the sudden change of plans. But Jalal wouldn't take no for an answer. In the end, his insistence (and maybe a little charm) won out, and we reluctantly agreed.

I didn't know it then, but that detour was about to change everything.

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