Over and Over

Hiult

KANO,
NIGERIA.

NARRATORS POV

Hakeem sat in the back of the car, staring out the window as the city of Kano faded behind him.

Zubair, his secretary, sat beside him, glancing at his phone from time to time.

But Hakeem's mind was elsewhere back home, with Layla.

He had tried so hard. Every gesture, every word, every little thing he did was meant to show her how much he cared.

But it felt like nothing was enough.

She kept pushing him away, and no matter how many times he tried, he couldn't seem to break through that wall she had built around her heart.

"I don't get it, Zubair," Hakeem muttered, frustration evident in his voice. "I've done everything I could, romantic dinners, surprises, even gifts.

And still, nothing. She won't open up."

Zubair, ever the pragmatic one, glanced at his boss before speaking.

"Hakeem, you're making a mistake," he said, his tone calm but firm.

"When you throw yourself at a lady all the time, show her how much you care, she starts to take it for granted.

She doesn't appreciate it because it's always there.

But when you're not always available, when you show her that you've got a life of your own, she'll start to see your value.

She'll come after you like a tail."

Hakeem frowned, the thought making sense but also stirring something within him.

He didn't want to play games, but maybe Zubair was right. Maybe he needed to pull back, give Layla some space.

"I'll try it," he said, though his voice was tinged with doubt. "But I'm not going to stop caring for her. Not ever."

Back at the house, the night was quiet.

LAYLA'S POV

I sat on the couch, my mind racing.

I had replayed everything over and over in my head.

Hakeem's surprise, the romantic gestures, the way he tried to show me he cared.

And then, the way i had reacted.

My anger had been unfair, and now i regretted it deeply.

Why did I push him away?

I had been too afraid of letting myself feel something for him.

But now, the walls i had built around my heart were crumbling, and all i wanted was to make things right.

My phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. It was a call from Ammi.

"Layla, darling," Ummu's voice came through the line, warm and inviting.

"Come to the EL-BAAZ mansion. I'd like to see you. I have something to discuss with you."

I hesitated for a moment, unsure, but my heart was pulling me in a different direction.

I knew i had to apologize to Hakeem, had to make things right.

And perhaps, speaking to his grandmother might help me figure out what to do next.

I stood, grabbed my abaya, and asked the driver to take me to the mansion.

When i arrived, i was greeted by the warmth of the mansion, the scent of fresh flowers in the air, and the familiar presence of Hakeem's family.