Over and Over

Roses

KANO,
NIGERIA,

LAYLAS POV

I sat in the dimly lit room, my fingers gripping the edge of the couch as i tried to process everything.

I stole a glance at him where he stood by the window, his arms crossed over his chest, his jaw clenched in an unreadable expression.

His mind was somewhere else—likely with Zubair, strategizing their next move against Ali.

I inhaled deeply, pressing a hand to my stomach.

A strange, unfamiliar nausea had been creeping up on me all day, but i hadn't thought much of it, assuming it was stress.

But now, as i sat there, a quiet suspicion formed in the back of my mind.

No.

It couldn't be.

My heart pounded in my chest. I had been feeling fatigued, irritable, and... late.

I swallowed hard, rising to my feet. I  needed air. I needed to be sure.

Silently, i walked past Hakeem, heading toward their en-suite bathroom. He didn't even notice, too lost in his storm of thoughts.

Once inside, i locked the door and pulled open the cabinet, my hands shaking slightly as i retrieved a pregnancy test.

I stared at it for a long moment.

Then, with a deep breath, i took the test and waited.

Minutes passed, each second stretching like an eternity.

And then—

Two lines.

My  breath hitched.

Pregnant.

My fingers trembled as i lifted the test, staring at the undeniable result.

I was pregnant.

A knock at the door startled me.

"Layla?" Hakeem's voice was quieter now, softer. "Are you okay?"

I hesitated, my mind racing.

How could i tell him now—when everything between us was already on edge?

"Layla," he called again, firmer this time.

I closed my eyes and exhaled before finally unlocking the door.

Hakeem's brows furrowed as he took in my expression. "What's wrong?"

I hesitated, then wordlessly held up the test.

His eyes dropped to it.

He didn't move for a moment. Didn't blink.

Then, slowly, he reached out, taking the test from my fingers as if to confirm what he was seeing.

His throat bobbed. "You're..."

I nodded, my own emotions a tangled mess.

A storm flickered across his face—shock, disbelief, something raw and vulnerable. He exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face before looking back at her.

"Layla... we're having a baby?"

I swallowed hard. "I think so."

A heavy silence stretched between us.

Then, suddenly, Hakeem reached for me, pulling me into his arms.

I stiffened at first, still uncertain, still raw from our earlier confrontation.