Shattered illusions

23: Familiar strangers

Abuja, Nigeria.

Hanan lay in bed, staring at the ceiling replaying yesterday's conversation with hooriya. Her best friend's words echoed in her mind — "Don't overthink it, hanan. You don't owe anyone answers yet."

Still, the unease refused to fade. Between her bar exams preparations, her father's expectations, and the weight of her secret relationship with Aamir, her thoughts felt tangled — like threads she couldn't quite unravel.

Her phone buzzed beside her. She lazily grabbed it, expecting another study reminder from her class group — but confusion clouded her expression as she read the text, her brows drawing together.

She quickly brushed it aside. Don't overthink this, Hanan, she told herself, locking her phone and sitting up in bed.

But her mind had already drifted. She remembered Manchester — the few times she would mention him the stories that made him sound distant yet so protective. She'd always admired that quiet strength about him, even before realizing how deeply it ran.

Shaking her head, Hanan got up, wrapped her scarf as she headed toward her desk. Her open bar exam notes waited patiently — untouched since yesterday.

She sank into the chair, flipping through the pages, but the words blurred before her eyes. Between Aamir's silence, her father's expectations and now someone's unexpected concern.... Her heart felt heavier than ever.

With a tired sigh, she whispered under her breath,
"Ya Allah, make this easy for me."

Her phone buzzed again.

Her heart skipped when she saw the name —
"Hey love, sorry I've been quiet. Things have been a bit hectic. Can we see later today?

Hanan stared at the screen, her emotions caught between relief and frustration. She wanted to see him — to talk, to understand why he'd been so distant — but part of her wondered if it would just leave her with more questions.

But she was happy, she would finally get to see him — it's been long.

She typed slowly, her fingers hesitating above the keyboard.

Okay. Let's meet. Just text me the time.

As she hit send, she leaned back in her chair, staring at the window where the sunlight poured in. Somewhere deep down, she had a feeling — something was shifting. And she wasn't sure she was ready for what was coming next.

Later that evening —
The gentle hum of traffic filled the air as Hanan stood outside the cafe beside her car, her heart thrumming beneath her open abaya. The last time she saw Aamir was in Manchester, and though their phone calls kept them connected, something about seeing him in person again made her nervous.

A few minutes later, a black Mercedes- Maybach S 680 pulled into the parking lot. The driver's door opened, and there he was — Aamir Abdulkadir Barkindo, dressed in a crisp blue shirt and jeans, his usual boyish charm softened by the hint of exhaustion on his face.

He smiled when he saw her. "Hey, beautiful."

Hanan smiled faintly, her heart easing a little.
"Heyy. You look... tired."

He chuckled, running a hand through his hair as they walked into the cafe, I guess I am. It's been a hectic week."

They settled in a quiet corner booth, close to the glass windows where you can see the prefect city view and also a view of cars passing outside, hanan chose the spot due to Aamir's fame, aiming to avoid unnecessary attention.