Over and Over

Guel

KANO
NIGERIA.

LAYLA'S POV

As the door clicked shut, the silence settled over me like a heavy blanket.

I stared at the untouched cup of tea on the nightstand, its warmth fading along with the moment.

Hakeem's words echoed in my mind: "I see you. Even if you try to hide."

What did that even mean? How could he see me when I barely understood myself these days?

I shook my head, dismissing the thought as I slid into bed.

The room's unfamiliarity pressed in on me, the grandiose decor doing little to ease my nerves.

I pulled the comforter up to my chin, willing sleep to come, but my mind refused to quiet.

Across the hall, I could imagine him in the guest room, his casual confidence masking... what exactly? His persistence wasn't just playful banter.

The night stretched on, the ticking of an ornate clock filling the void.

Restlessness gnawed at me until I finally sat up, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.

I couldn't stay here.

Before I knew it, my feet carried me out of the room, down the dimly lit hallway, and to the kitchen.

The cool marble floor beneath me was a welcome distraction as I rummaged through the cupboards, searching for something to calm my nerves.

"You're not much of a sleeper, are you?"

I jumped, nearly dropping the glass in my hand.

I turned sharply, and I found Hakeem leaning casually against the doorway, his arms crossed, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"Do you always sneak up on people?" I snapped, my voice sharper than intended.

He raised an eyebrow, unbothered.

"Do you always wander around mansions in the middle of the night?"

I huffed, placing the glass down.

"I couldn't sleep. That's not a crime."

He stepped closer, his movements deliberate, though he kept his distance.

"Neither is making sure you're okay."

I narrowed my eyes at him, crossing my arms. "I'm fine."

"You keep saying that," he replied, his voice softer now, "but I'm not sure I believe you."

The sincerity in his tone caught me off guard.

For a moment, I didn't know how to respond. My defenses wavered, and the exhaustion of the day finally caught up with me.

"Why do you care so much, Hakeem?" I asked, my voice quieter, almost defeated.

He tilted his head, studying me as if deciding how much to reveal.

"Because I know what it's like to feel out of place. To be surrounded by people but still feel alone."

The honesty in his words struck a chord I wasn't ready to acknowledge.

I turned away, gripping the edge of the counter to steady myself.

"You're not alone, Layla," he continued, his voice steady but gentle. "Even if it feels that way."

I closed my eyes, his words seeping into the cracks of my resolve.

When I finally turned back, he was still there, his gaze unwavering.