Over and Over

Violets

KANO,
NIGERIA.
EL-BAAZ MANSOR.

NARRATOR'S POV

Hakeem approached Abdallah with a smile. "Hi, dude," he greeted, his eyes bright with unspoken excitement.

Before Abdallah could respond, Layla appeared, carrying a tray of freshly baked cookies. "Layla!" he called, waving her over.

She returned his smile, approaching them with a graceful step. "Hi, Abdallah," she said, standing beside his seat.

Abdallah rose, took two cookies from the tray, and popped them into his mouth, savouring the warm, buttery taste.

Layla, who was pleased by his enjoyment, set the tray on the table.

As she moved, she stumbled, and sent the tray flying, and the cookies landed all over Hakeem.

She gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.

"Where's your head at, lady?" Hakeem snapped, standing up and brushing crumbs from his shirt.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her eyes wide with embarrassment.

He glared at her before storming off, but she watched him go, and a secret smile played on her lips.

Abdallah chuckled at the scene.

Layla, who was still smiling, gathered the tray and left, but her mood inexplicably lightened by Hakeem's reaction.

Hakeem returned, now dressed in fresh clothes.

He sat down and checked his Patek Philippe wristwatch to see if it was time for quran recitation.

"So, what was so important that you had to come here this late?" he asked.

Abdallah took a deep breath. "Hakeem, there's something I need to tell you. It's about Layla."

Hakeem's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

"I mean, I like her. No, I think I've fallen for her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her," Abdallah confessed, his eyes fixed on the chandelier above, as if envisioning a future even brighter.

A surge of jealousy and anger surged through Hakeem.

"If you like her, why are you telling me this?" he said, trying to mask his emotions.

"I need your advice, Hakeem. I'm in love, wallahi," Abdallah pleaded, with desperation in his voice.

Hakeem clenched his jaw, feeling a fierce urge to lash out.

"It's not like I'm enjoying this talk. Abdallah, please leave me out of this. If you can't tell her, then don't drag me into it," he said, rubbing his forehead.

HAKEEM'S POV

"You're right. I should tell her," Abdallah said, with determination replacing his earlier uncertainty.

I hadn't meant it, but Abdallah took my words to heart.

"I'll tell her on her birthday, then," Abdallah decided, a smile spreading across his face.

"When is that?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"15th June, dude," Abdallah replied, playfully hitting my chest before leaving.

I watched him go, but my mind was racing. He stood up, his resolve hardening. I had to act swiftly if I was to claim my gem before it was too late.

I walked to the kitchen, my mind preoccupied with the tasks of the day, when suddenly i collided with Layla.