Mr captain

Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Crossing Paths Again

The sun rose over Bida with a slow intensity, casting warm golden light over the town's red rooftops and the surrounding greenery. Faisal stepped out of the family compound, dressed in a casual polo shirt and dark jeans. He had always loved mornings here—the fresh air, the distant crowing of roosters, and the peaceful hum of a town waking up.

But this morning, his thoughts were anything but peaceful.

He couldn't stop thinking about the woman from the night before. Sumayah. Her calm demeanor, her sharp wit, and the way her smile had lingered in his mind long after she had disappeared into the hospital. He had spent the better part of the night wondering why she felt so familiar and why he couldn't shake the feeling that their meeting wasn't just a coincidence.

Faisal wasn't the type to believe in fate, but something about her seemed to tug at the edges of his practicality.

"Ya Faisal! Where are you off to so early?"

He turned to see Salamatu, his 16-year-old sister, standing at the compound gate, holding a tray of steaming masa. She wore a brightly colored ankara dress, her hair braided neatly underneath her scarf.

"Just stepping out," Faisal replied, smiling at her.

Salamatu raised an eyebrow. "Stepping out to where? You never step out this early unless Abba sends you to the market or you're going to mama iyabo."

Faisal chuckled. "Do I need to report my every move to you now?"

"Yes," she said cheekily, popping a piece of masa into her mouth. "It's my job to keep an eye on you, Mr. Captain."

Shaking his head, Faisal waved her off and walked toward the main road. The truth was, he didn't have a specific destination in mind. He just needed a distraction, something to occupy his thoughts before they inevitably wandered back to Sumayah.

Meanwhile, at the Federal Medical Center, Sumayah sat in the break room, cradling a cup of tea. The night shift had been grueling, as always—an endless stream of patients ranging from minor injuries to severe emergencies. She was used to it, but this morning, she felt unusually restless.

Her colleagues chattered around her, their voices a mix of exhaustion and relief as they prepared to head home.

"Sumayah, are you coming?" one of them called out.

She looked up, startled. "Oh, yes. I'll be right there."

Gathering her things, Sumayah stepped out of the hospital into the bright morning light. The rain from the night before had left the streets glistening, the air cool and fresh. She glanced at the small bus stop a few meters away, where a handful of people were already waiting.

As she approached, a familiar voice called out.

"Nurse Sumayah!"

She turned, her eyes widening slightly as she recognized Faisal walking toward her, his easy stride and confident demeanor unmistakable. He was carrying a small plastic bag that seemed out of place against his otherwise polished appearance.

"Faisal," she said, her tone surprised but warm. "What are you doing here?"

"Just passing by," he replied, though his grin suggested otherwise. "Thought I'd check on you. Long night?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Are you always this persistent?"

"Only when I have a good reason," Faisal said smoothly, holding up the plastic bag. "I brought breakfast."

Sumayah blinked, caught off guard. "You brought me breakfast?"

"Well, not just you," he clarified, glancing at the bus stop. "But since we're here..."

She couldn't help but laugh, the sound light and genuine. "You're impossible."

"Maybe," Faisal said, handing her the bag. "But I figured you might need it after a long shift."

Sumayah hesitated for a moment before accepting the bag. Inside, she found a neatly packed container of akara and a small bottle of zobo.

"Thank you," she said, her voice softer now. "That's... thoughtful of you."

"It's nothing," Faisal replied, leaning casually against the lamppost. "Consider it a thank-you for letting me play chauffeur last night."

Sumayah shook her head, smiling despite herself. "You're strange, Faisal."

"I get that a lot," he said, his grin widening. "So, what's your plan for the day?"

"Sleep," she replied immediately. "Then more work."

"No room for fun?" Faisal teased.

"Not in my line of work," Sumayah said, though there was a playful glint in her eyes now.

"Well, if you ever decide to take a break, let me know," Faisal said, his tone light but sincere. "I could use a tour guide around town. It's been a while since I've really explored Bida."

Sumayah tilted her head, studying him. "You're not like most people I meet."

"Is that a compliment?" Faisal asked, feigning surprise.

"Don't push your luck," she said, chuckling.

The sound of an approaching bus interrupted their conversation. Sumayah glanced at the vehicle, then back at Faisal.

"Thanks again for this," she said, holding up the bag. "I'll see you around, Mr. Captain."

"I'll hold you to that," Faisal replied, watching as she boarded the bus and disappeared into the crowd.

Later that evening after Maghreb , Faisal sat with his father and uncles under the family compound's mango tree, listening to their stories of life in Bida during the old days. The sky had turned a deep shade of orange, and the scent of roasted corn wafted through the air.

"You're awfully quiet today," his father remarked, his sharp eyes studying Faisal.

"Just tired," Faisal lied, though he knew his father wouldn't believe him.

"You've been back barely two days, and you're already distracted," his father continued. "What's on your mind?"

Faisal hesitated, then shook his head. "Nothing important, Abba."

But as the evening wore on, Faisal found himself replaying his encounter with Sumayah yet again. There was something about her—something he couldn't quite put into words.

And for the first time in a long while, Faisal felt a sense of anticipation for what the next day might bring.