Bewitched

3

MUNTASSIR

Stepping into the restaurant, I was immediately struck by the stark contrast to my usual haunts. It was loud, trendy, and crowded—a far cry from the more private settings where I preferred to conduct my gatherings. My friends had insisted on meeting here, and though I wasn't thrilled about the location, I'd reluctantly agreed. Abuja's small size meant that running into someone I'd rather avoid was almost a given in a place like this, especially one brimming with the city's young professionals.

I adjusted my suit jacket and tried to keep my expression impassive as I navigated through the bustling space. The noise from the music, combined with the acrid smoke curling up from shisha pots around the room, made it almost unbearable. But I had to endure. I had promised myself I'd focus on my friends and let nothing else bother me.

"Over here!" Abdulmalik's voice cut through the din, and I made my way towards him. He was seated with Ridwan and Suhail at a table near the back. The seating arrangement was cozy, almost too close for comfort, but it was better than nothing.

I greeted them with a nod and a quick handshake, taking my seat as I settled in. "Good to see you all."

Abdulmalik clapped me on the back. "Muntassir, good to have you back. How was the trip?"

"It was surprisingly pleasant," I replied, keeping my tone casual. "Though I was there under duress, representing my father. Meeting someone made the trip memorable."

"Someone?" Ridwan raised an eyebrow, clearly interested.

I shrugged, choosing not to elaborate further. "Just someone who made an impression. Anyway, what's new with you guys?"

The conversation shifted away from my trip as we placed our orders. I tried to focus on the chatter, but the loud music and persistent smoke from the shisha started to give me a headache. I could barely hear the conversation, my irritation growing with each passing minute.

Ridwan's phone buzzed, interrupting our conversation. He pulled it out and held it to his ear. "Hello? Okay, princess. I'll send you my location. Meet me here and I'll take a look."

Suhail raised an eyebrow. "Princess? Who's that?"

Abdulmalik grinned. "Who else would Ridwan call princess other than the only princess in his life?"

Ridwan nodded. "Yeah, that's my sister. Her car's making a noise she doesn't like, so she wants me to check it out."

I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the pressure in my head. The smoke was getting unbearable. "Excuse me for a moment. I need some fresh air."

I stepped outside into the cool air, hoping it would alleviate my growing discomfort. I paced around the car park, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of the woman I had met in Paris. Just as I was about to head back inside, a car sped past me, barely missing me. My pulse quickened with anger as I watched the car screech into a parking spot.

The driver's side door swung open, and as the figure stepped out, the dim light revealed an all-too-familiar silhouette. It was her—the woman from Paris. My mind raced as I walked towards her.

"Trying to run me over with your car now, are we?" I called out, my voice laced with irritation.

She looked up, and her eyes blazed with recognition and rage. "What are you doing here?"

I couldn't help but smile at her clear disdain. "I'm just here for lunch. But you didn't answer my question. Was that your way of getting revenge for the coffee incident?"