Over and Over

Pendulum

ABUJA,
NIGERIA.

LAYLA'S POV

I woke up slowly, my body still heavy with the remnants of an unshakable slumber.

As my eyes fluttered open, the absence of a familiar presence struck me immediately—her tiny, warm body was missing.

The baby.

My heart skipped a beat before the realization settled in: Maymun must have taken her.

Yawning, I stretched and rubbed the sleep from my eyes, but the moment of calm was short-lived.

Something glinted on my wrist, catching the light like a beacon.

I stared at it in astonishment—a bracelet, rich red stones gleaming like embers.

It was beautiful, captivating even, but completely unfamiliar.

How had it gotten there?

Still groggy, I swung my legs off the bed and stumbled toward the lavatory.

Splashing cold water on my face, I felt a pang of frustration. The bracelet wouldn't come off.

The clasp was stubborn, as though it had been fused shut. My fingers fumbled with it for a while longer before I gave up, sighing heavily.

I went to find Maymun, hoping she might have some answers. Instead, I found her laughing softly with her husband in the garden.

Their intimacy was undeniable, their world impenetrable.

I turned away, my heart sinking, and sought refuge in the living room where Rayhana was engrossed in a cooking show.

"Where's Seema?" I asked, trying to mask my unease.

"She went to Kano with Hakeem," Rayhana replied nonchalantly, her eyes fixed on the screen.

I froze.

Hakeem was here? My thoughts spiraled as we continued watching, though I barely registered the cheerful commentary of the TV host.

Later, back in my room, I picked up a book—a rare indulgence these days.

The next morning, my phone buzzed early, shattering the fragile peace. It was Hamida, her voice brisk and urgent.

"There's an important test at noon. Don't be late," she said.

Panic rose in my chest. I relayed the news to Maymun, threw on my abaya, and hurried to find Baba.

Thankfully, he was home and arranged a ticket to Kano without hesitation.

The journey was a blur of worry. Unable to suppress my anxiety, I dialed Hamida repeatedly, but the call wouldn't connect.

On the fifth attempt, her voice finally crackled through.

"Have you started the test?" I asked, my nerves frayed.

"What test, Layla?" she replied, her tone laced with confusion.

"I was just joking. I hope you didn't take it seriously," she added with a laugh.

Her words hit me like a slap.

My fingers trembled as I ended the call, the betrayal cutting deeper than I could have anticipated.

"Take me to Railway Estate," I told the driver, my voice low but firm.

The gates were ajar when I arrived, an unsettling welcome.

From a distance, I spotted Hakeem walking toward the car park, Seema trailing behind him, her every move calculated and deliberate.