Over and Over

Arsenic

ABUJA,
NIGERIA.

LAYLA'S POV

Dada woke me up around 8 a.m., her voice soft but insistent. "Dada, why?" I moaned, rubbing my eyes as I climbed out of bed.

"We're expecting guests today, and we haven't prepared anything yet," Dada replied, pulling me towards the bathroom.

I splashed my face with cold water, brushing away the remnants of sleep, before heading to the kitchen to find my mother.

"Who are we expecting, Dada?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

"Your in-laws are bringing your lefe today," Dada answered, passing me a plate of carrots and a knife.

"What?" My heart sank. "Dada, please, I told you I don't like Hakeem," I said, tears welling up in my eyes.

Dada gently guided me to the island table, sitting me down before taking a seat opposite.

"Layla, the world is cruel, you know that. There's no need for me to remind you after what happened years ago," she said, attempting to hold my hand.

"After Hakeem came to this house with his father and expressed his feelings for you, your father thought he was very responsible.

Only a person with good upbringing would do that in this era," she continued. I wiped my tears, trying to absorb my mother's words.

"Baby, give him time and understand him. He might be cold-hearted and rude, but he is a good person.

Just like you, he also has a past, and it is that past that made him what you despise.

Who knows, maybe you will be the reason he transforms," Dada added, her words melting my soft heart.

After a moment of silence, I made up my mind.

"Dada, just know that I'm going to accept this marriage not because I love him, but because of you two," i said.

Dada embraced me in a big, warm hug, and i burst into tears.

---

KANO,
EL-BAAZ MANSOR,
NIGERIA.

NARRATOR'S POV

"Gamilla, there is no way you are going there," Ummu declared, crossing her legs.

"Ummu, I promise not to create any scene. I'm a changed person," Tata Gamilla insisted.

Tata Hadiza, adding fuel to the fire, nodded approvingly.

Everyone knew Tata Gamilla just wanted to go there to ruin things.

"I will give you one chance to prove yourself," Ummu said, leaving for her room.

---

ABUJA,
NIGERIA

In no time, Layla's house filled with aunties, cousins, and neighbors.

She sat in her room, feeling down. She wanted to cry but had to pretend she was happy with the relationship.

"Ke, get up. Let me get you dressed," said Goggo Nana, her favorite aunt.

Layla signaled she wasn't ready, but Goggo Nana dragged her to the restroom for a fresh bath.

Layla sat in front of the mirror, wondering if the reflection was truly her. "Ouch!" she exclaimed as Goggo Nana accidentally burnt her scalp with the straightener.

"Layla, I guess I will have to use scissors. This hair is too much for me to handle," Goggo Nana said, moving to the other side of her hair.

"You want Hakeem to cease you, right Aunty Nana?" said Zee, standing by the door.

Layla shot her a deadly look, and Zee laughed, disappearing into the room.

"Goggo Nana, Dija sent me to ask which color of lafaya she should get for Layla," Zee added, spraying Layla's favorite perfume.

"Let me see which color will suit an olive-skinned lady," Goggo Nana said, staining Layla's plump cupid's bow-shaped lips with various lipsticks.

"Tell her to get burgundy. First impressions matter," Goggo Nana decided, trying the same color on her own lips.

"I think Hakeem fell in love with you after seeing those eyes of yours," she said, tying Layla's hair with much effort.

---

KANO,
AMINU KANO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,
NIGERIA.

"Am I allowed to come along?" Hakeem asked, desperate to see his bride.

"I didn't know you were this shameless," Tata Zarah remarked, taking the box Hakeem was holding.

"Except if you want to be the pilot," Tata Faiza teased as she climbed the jet's stairs.

"Bye!" Rayhana said teasingly. Just then, Hakeem remembered what Zubair told him.

"Oga bros, we don ready to get your wife," Abdallah said, holding his mother's handbag. He waved at Hakeem as the doors closed.

---

ABUJA,
NIGERIA.

"Layla, this is the tenth time this so-called 'V' is calling. Please... pick up," Asmi groaned, dropping the phone onto the table in front of me.

I hesitated, fingers hovering over the screen before I finally muttered, "Hello..." My voice was low, reluctant.

"Had you not picked up, I would have booked a ticket and come to take you away myself," Hakeem's voice rumbled through the line, a dangerous mix of frustration and desire.

"So... I heard you accepted this marriage. Is that true?" His words were smooth, probing, yet soft.

I let out a sharp exhale, annoyed. "You heard it from Ammi, so why are you asking me?"

"I want to hear it from you," he countered, the softness in his voice making my chest tighten.

"You... you know I don't like you. The only person my heart is willing to accept is Imam, not you," I shot back immediately, my words cutting like knives.

There was a pause, then a long, heavy sigh. "Layla... every day I wake up and die a little thinking you have someone else in your heart." His voice was unguarded now, raw.

"I don't care," I said, cutting him off and ending the call. I set the phone down, trying to steady my pulse, pretending everything was normal while my heart raced in defiance.

⸻

KANO, NIGERIA

"Dude... that was scary," Hashim said, flopping onto the couch. "What's so special about her anyway?"

Hakeem ran a hand over his hair, pacing the room like a predator contained. "I can't... I can't pick which parts of her to choose or love. Everything about her drives me crazy."

"You're... in love, aren't you?" Hashim teased, grinning.

Hakeem's smirk was slow, almost sinister. "I only realized I was in love when reality started feeling better than my dreams... and I can't sleep because she's in my head all the time."

Hashim laughed, shaking his head. "Bro... are you really the cold-hearted, silent, arrogant Hakeem I know?"

Hakeem paused, letting the smirk linger on his lips as he flicked the TV channel. "Yes. Here I am. Check for yourself." His eyes glinted with a dangerous mix of obsession and amusement, a warning that this was far from over.