February 28

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AUGUST 2020, ABUJA, NIGERIA.

"Ya Jay, let's pick the Paw Patrol, pretty please?" Jalil pleaded, giving her his best puppy eyes.

"No, Jalil, you already have plenty of toys scattered around your room. And you might even have this exact Paw Patrol at home," Jaiyana protested.

"Please, Ya Jay, please?" Jalil persisted, stomping his feet in frustration.

Just then, a familiar voice chimed in from behind, "I think he deserves to have one, Ya Jay."

Jaiyana's heart skipped a beat. She sure as hell knows that voice! She sharply turned to the intruder and lo and behold it was him! Mr Unknown!

Her breath almost seized, it's been months since their last encounter and since then she had been dying to see him again! Matter of fact, she dreams of him every single day!

"You?!" she exclaimed, her breath catching in her throat.

"Yes, Miss Fiesty, me," he replied with a charming smirk.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, trying to hide her excitement.

"This is a mall, Miss Fiesty. Obviously, I'm here for some shopping," he said, his smirk growing wider. He noticed how her cheeks turned to a shade of red due to blushing. Perfect. He mused.

He flashed Jalil a smile before returning his gaze back to her flushed frame.

"Oh right." She finally muttered.

Jalil seized the opportunity, "Please, Ya Jay, let's get the Paw Patrol!"

"You can take the Paw Patrol, young man. Ya Jay won't mind."

"But Ya Jay said I shouldn't, and why are you calling her Ya Jay? She's my elder sister, not yours," Jalil said with a pout that had Aabaan chuckling while Jaiyana face palmed her face.

"I see the fiestiness runs in the blood," Aabaan remarked with an amused expression.

"Okay, I'm sorry. But can I share her with you? I promise to obey her every command," Aabaan said, holding his ears like a repentant child, earning a giggle from Jalil and a soft smile from Jaiyana.

"Okay! But don't break your promise, or I'll let Ya Jay unleash one of her legendary slaps, and I might even demonstrate my taekwondo skills," Jalil said, evoking laughter from both adults.

"Believe me, I wouldn't mind feeling her wrath, especially if it's from her," he said with a sly grin, causing Jaiyana's heart to skip a beat. What does he mean? Oh, Allah!

"Jalil, we must depart; we're already  late," Jaiyana said, despite not wanting to leave his sight, she had to go. They were moving back to General El-Kabir aka their mother's husband's house that same day.

"Oh yes! I can't wait to see Mummy," the boy squealed, earning an approving smile from Aabaan.

"Jalil, I think you should persuade your sister to arrange a rendezvous for us to practice taekwondo together."

"Are you also versed in the art of taekwondo?" Jalil asked with childlike enthusiasm.

"Yes," he chuckled.

"Wow! I want to be tall and muscled like you when i grow up. Then, our training sessions will be even more intense," Jalil giggled.

"You'll surpass me, In Sha Allah. So, Miss Fierce? Your brother seems quite taken with me already. I propose we convene regularly, in his company, of course," he flashed her a beguiling smile that sent shivers down her spine. She's already captivated.