Layla

The past few days had been a whirlwind of stress and endless overthinking, and I should have thought that if there was any chance of the weight catching up to me. It would have been through my very terrible history of headaches. The headaches had returned with a vengeance as if punishing me for the emotional turmoil I had let myself fall into.

I woke up with a throbbing headache, one that I thought I had left behind years ago. It felt like my skull was being squeezed, a relentless pressure that pulsed in time with my heartbeat. I hadn't felt this kind of pain in a long time- years, in fact. It brought back memories I'd rather forget the details of. The pain was all too familiar, a grim reminder of the accident that stole my father from me when I was just a child. The doctors had called it post-traumatic headache syndrome. I hadn't had one since the beginning of my teenage, I had hoped and prayed that I had outgrown it but it seemed the pain had simply been lying in wait.

For two days straight, I couldn't even afford to go to school. The pain was too much, an unrelenting and constant force that kept me confined to my bed. Every movement and every sound felt like a hammer to my head. I kept the room dark, the curtains drawn very tight, as even the slightest bit of light seemed to worsen the throbbing behind my eyes. Ummi, Ya Malik, and Aunty Yamaniya were all worried, of course. Especially Ummi, she hovered over my side, her concern evident in every gesture but there was very little she could do. Ya Malik brought the family doctor immediately, and I was prescribed a steady supply of painkillers that did little to ease the ache. Aunty Yamaniya took turns with Ummi to feed me, sit, or sleep in the room with me for comfort.

But today, finally, the pain had receded enough for me to breathe again. The headache was dulled to a manageable level, almost gone completely. I decided it was time to get out of the house and do something to help me feel like myself again. And where better to relax than Aunty Yamaniya's new henna, spa, and body care parlor? I had been looking forward to visiting the newest shop since she opened.

The shop was nothing short of a luxurious sanctuary. The interior was a perfect blend of modern elegance and traditional charm with sleek, feminine, furnishings. There were different sections. The henna section walls were adorned with beautiful henna patterns, some simple and some elaborate, and a display case showcasing a variety of henna cones. Next was the spa area, the air was thick with the scent of lavender, eucalyptus, and other calming essential oils, and the walls were painted in soothing earth tones, with soft, flowing drapes that added a touch of elegance to the room. Then the body scare section was a feast for the senses. Shelves lined the walls, filled with a variety of luxurious products, exfoliating scrubs, nourishing body butter, and fragrant lotions, all made from natural, high-quality ingredients. It also featured a small but well-equipped salon area, where clients could receive everything from facials to body wraps.

"The man doesn't even give interviews. Just 6 since he took over his family business which is less than 1 a year figuratively." Rahilatu said from her massage bed, reading from her "research" on Asad from her phone.

My best friends thought it was a good idea to "research" on Asad, so I'd learn more about him. I wasn't interested in knowing that way, but I didn't have a choice at all. She put it away for the few days I didn't feel well and what perfect time to reveal all her discovery than at the massage room?

"And boy, he is like a ghost on social media, no personal photos, hardly any public appearances. How does a man like that stay so hidden?" Rahilatu's voice rose a pitch higher. "His brother's pictures mostly pop up, but they don't even look that much alike, to be honest." She finished as she flashed her phone screen.

The massage beds were lined up in a row, each one draped in crisp, white linens that felt cool and smooth against the skin. Plush pillows were placed beneath our heads, providing support and comfort. The beds themselves were heated, emitting a gentle warmth. We laid side by side while the masseuses moved in sync, their hands gliding over our bodies with precision.

"He is the real power behind Nyako Corps and Mu'allayidi Group," Rahilatu read out loud, her eyes wide with amazement. "But you will literally never find him in the spotlight. It is always someone else representing the company or even himself most times." She continued.

"Then how do people know about him?" Rahina asked with confusion laced in her voice as she laid on her stomach, her chin propped on her hands.

"Well, netizens used to think that he didn't even exist, that he was just a name on paper until he started making very few appearances. But he's rumored to have a hand in everything, from tech startups to government contracts." Rahilatu's voice trailed as she replied to her twin sister. "Oh my God! Some people think he has a double."

"Wait, I am so confused. Doesn't he attend events? Conferences?" Lulwa finally asked a sensible question that I might have silently wanted to ask myself.

"He does. It says here that he attends a lot of those now apparently but for the most part, pictures and videos aren't allowed for attendees. Word is, if Asad Nyako wants something done, it gets done. No questions, no delays, just results." Rahilatu replied to her, trying to sit up on the bed before deciding it was a bad idea. "There is a conspiracy theory." Her mouth was agape after she exclaimed. "It says that he is not just one man, but a network of people using the same name. It's the only explanation for how he's everywhere and nowhere at once. Which is funny to me because that just seems like he is a workaholic in very complex terms."

I smiled softly to myself, the description oddly fitting the man I had come to know, though I kept my thoughts to myself, listening to them quietly. My palms rested gently underneath my head, my posture attentive but relaxed. There was surely something intriguing about him, something that made me feel somewhat curious in a way I hadn't expected.

"Is it that he hides, or what? Or maybe he..." My voice trailed off with a subtle note of curiosity in it, leaving the question unfinished. But my friends understood what I was hinting at.

"I don't know exactly, but they call him 'the shadow in the boardroom.' Everyone knows he is there, but no one ever sees him. It's like he controls everything from the dark." Rahilatu replied, her eyes still glued to the phone.

"But how did he and Ya Malik become close? Because based on this, it kind of feels like they wouldn't even meet normally." My soft, questioning tone betrayed the curiosity I was trying to conceal.

"Oh, Layla. You really underestimate your brother." Lulwa said with pride about my brother, her voice tinged with admiration but failing to hide the subtle crush she has on him to which I secretly smiled. "If you ask me, he is the perfect person that could possibly be friends with him. They are, in some way, in the same field. Your brother is really impressive and always in the papers, I would also wanna be friends with him." She added with a smile, her eyes softening as I watched from beside her. "And think about it, he's probably just an introvert that doesn't like the public because truth be told, people can be intense sometimes. Like me, for example." Lulwa finished with a grin.

"Yeah, we didn't know that. Thanks for telling us," Rahina said sarcastically, knowing she smiled even though her face was placed flat on the pillow.

"Isn't it nice that he doesn't have any scandals though?" Rahilatu asked still scrolling through her phone.

"Not every famous person needs a scandal," Lulwa replied to her playfully dismissive.

"Someone that private, I wouldn't even consider him famous, to be honest. Maybe his name can be said to be famous, though." Rahina said, her face still pressed against the pillow.

"I heard from Adda Malika that he's got an uncanny ability to predict market trends, almost like he's pulling the strings behind the scenes," Lulwa added in an intrigued voice.

"So is he a businessman and an engineer?" Rahina asked, her voice laced with confusion.

Lulwa let out a mocking chuckle. "He is both, based on what I heard."

"Wait, I found something else," Rahilatu said suddenly, cutting their side conversation. "It says that someone tried to dig into his past, but the trail went cold fast. No one can figure him out. And he apparently didn't spend most of his time growing up here in Nigeria, some are saying he went to high school and university in Saudi Arabia while others are saying it was the United Kingdom." Rahilatu scrolled as she read through the write-ups. She burst into laughter before adding, "Someone is saying that he is a myth, a legend created by the Nyako family to keep everyone guessing. I'm calling this another conspiracy theory, to be honest." She shook her head while still laughing.

"He really seems mysterious, doesn't he?" Rahina asked, finally raising her head from the pillow and making eye contact with me. "Layla, did we scare you?" She asked, her voice evident with concern. "It's all Rahilatu's fault, why did you have to bring it up?" She scolded her twin, though her tone was light.

"No, why would I be scared?" I asked with a small laugh, wondering why I really should be fearing what was discovered.

"Well, for starters, you don't really know him or anything about him except now." Rahina pointed out thoughtfully.

I hesitated for a moment, my smile became serene as I considered my next words. "Uhm, we have been in contact these past few days actually." My smile lingered as I knew fully well how my friends were going to reply.

Gentle music played in the background, its calming melodies unnoticeably blending perfectly with the subtle sounds of water trickling from a nearby fountain. None of them said anything for a few seconds, only mouths and eyes wide open as they processed what I had said.

"Why didn't you tell us? Omg!" Lulwa quiet practically screamed in excitement.

"Is he nice? Is he kind? Do you like him so far? Is he really mysterious?" Rahilatu bombarded me with questions, her voice rising with each one.

"I don't know, don't ask me." I smiled demurely, lowering my gaze momentarily as I considered their questions.  "We have only spoken a few times," I replied softly with a small, very secretive smile dancing on my lips.

"A few times?" Lulwa's voice rose another pitch, clearly not able to contain her excitement. "Girl, give us details. What happened? Why are we just finding this out?"

My friends were a handful a lot of the time and I anticipated the reaction before telling them because I knew them very well.

"Spoke on the phone, texted a few times and he came to visit recently," I said softly.

"He visited?" Lulwa screamed a question again with curiosity and surprise in her voice.

"You met?" Rahilatu asked at the same time with her eyes widening.

"Yes, and yes. But it was really brief and a bit awkward." My thoughts glanced back to the day he visited.

I felt a jolt of surprise and nervous that day. My heart had somehow fluttered in my chest. He was tall and composed, with an air of quiet confidence that made the living room feel smaller. He was the kind of man who didn't need to speak to make an impression. I was sitting on the couch trying to seem casual, but my heart was racing. I wasn't usually nervous but something about him threw me off balance.

As we exchanged pleasantries, I realized how much I was overthinking every word I said. I was suddenly aware of my hands, my posture, even the way I was breathing. It was ridiculous, but I couldn't help it. The conversation started slow, almost awkward, but there was an underlying current. He apologized for the abrupt proposal, his voice calm but sincere, for a moment, I didn't know what to say.

When he asked how I felt about the proposal, I hesitated, not because I didn't know what to say but more that I didn't know how to say it. I looked up at him then, and I saw a small crack of uncertainty in his eyes, and it made him seem more human, more real. I didn't feel like I was being evaluated, I felt like we were just two people trying to figure out what that strange situation was for us. When I answered him, I noticed he was listening to every word, not just hearing, but truly listening. At the end of the conversation, even though there was so much left unsaid, it somehow felt okay.

I omitted most of my thoughts as I spoke, my friends intently listening, and their eyes fixed on me.

"And how many times did you guys meet?" Rahina finally asked out of curiosity.

"Once, and he is coming over tonight," I replied, my voice almost a whisper as if saying it too loudly would make it less real,

"No way." Lulwa was too fast at getting up from the bed, forgetting she was only in a towel. "Oops." She said with a playful smile as she laid back. "Layla! Did you plan to tell us at all if we hadn't asked?"

I laughed softly and nodded. "Of course, you're my best friends." Then I laid my head back on the pillow as I pondered the situation. "He is mysterious, as they say, though."

My mind reflected on my interactions with Asad, I couldn't ignore the slight emotions and giddiness that stirred within me during their brief encounters. The first time I met him, I was struck by the intensity in his eyes, even though I still couldn't fully understand it. Something about him lingered in my mind, a quiet strength that both intrigued and unsettled me. The second time, I had noticed more. His voice, steady and composed, had a way of resonating with me, even in the most casual conversations. There was a seriousness in him that contrasted sharply with the more carefree nature of the people around me, and I found myself drawn to that stability a little, even if it made me nervous. By the third encounter, I couldn't deny the growing curiosity I felt toward Asad. There was a sense of safety that threatened to come with him, something that whispered to me that he was someone I might trust, someone who could protect me if need be.

When the proposal came, I didn't see it coming, but the reality of it weighed heavily on me. I had spent days turning it over in my mind, wondering if I was ready to take such a significant step with someone I barely knew. And yet, with each passing day, the hesitation became less about uncertainty and more about fear of the unknown. Accepting his proposal felt less like a decision and more like an acceptance of something that had already been set in motion. Asad's quiet presence had woven itself into my thoughts, and despite my fears, I knew that my answer was never really in doubt. The hesitation was just my way of searching for reassurance, a justification for a choice my heart had already made. I was going to give it a chance.

"The guy is going straight into business, I like that. He isn't wasting any time." Rahina chuckled.

"I mean, I don't blame him. He saw a pretty girl and is dying to make her his." Rahilatu added.

"I would marry you too, Layla, if I was a man. You are lucky I'm not, but you know... if you had a twin" Lulwa said with a smile while wiggling her eyebrows playfully at me.

I blushed at Lulwa's playful comment as I tried to suppress a smile. They always had a way of lightening the mood because I could feel anxiousness boiling and threatening to be let out from inside.

"This girl needs help." I playfully rolled my eyes at Lulwa. "But someone might have a slight edge over you." I teased.

The girls laughed, their voices completely overwhelming the room. Beneath their laughter, I felt a slight tightening in my chest, a reminder of something I hadn't allowed myself to think of since last night when I permitted Asad to come to visit me again.

"Hmm, only a slight edge?" Lulwa teased back pretending to be offended as she pouted dramatically. "You wound me, Layla. I thought we had something special."

"We did," I laughed softly. "But a certain someone just seems to have a way of being persuasive, even without saying much." I playfully wiggled my eyebrows.

"Persuasive, huh? Is that what we are calling it now?" Rahina raised an eyebrow with a small smile.

"Maybe." I shrugged, a playful glint in my eyes. "There's just something about him and I can't quite put my finger on it."

"Owh, girl. Is this you admitting you're actually interested?" Rahilatu placed her hand forward while wiggling her ring fingers with eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Who knows?" I replied, trying really hard to hide the smile that threatened to appear. "But I said yes already and as you know, this is my yes era. I'm trying out different things to have more fun. Besides, this doesn't mean I'm getting married tomorrow or next month. I'm just saying yes to getting to know each other." I slightly rolled my eyes. "I mean, what is the harm in that."

"Exactly," The ever-sensible Rahina chimed in. "You deserve to explore what this could be. I mean, even for him, it's not every day he will come across a girl like you. Drop dead gorgeous, A-Student through and through, a princess..."

"Zip it." Lulwa cut her off and gestured for the act of zipping. "That is my wife you are talking about."

"Ew." Rahilatu and I said that at the same time. "I'm not your wife," I added, pretending to be grossed out.

"Yeah, I guess we all know whose wife you are." Rahina teased. I dunked my head back into the people as I was done dealing with them.

"And let's be honest," Lulwa added. "You've been hiding from love for long enough."

I sighed, my smile faltering a bit. "Ya Malik would have killed me if I entertained any more boys then and now... I guess I was just waiting for the right time." Knowing exactly what Lulwa meant, I decided to address it after hesitating for a few seconds. "I wasn't hiding too... not exactly. I just wasn't ready after everything that happened with..." I cut myself off, not wanting to dredge up old memories from high school.

"With that son of a bitch." Rahilatu said, her voice all riled up. "Ugh, I hate him."

I swallowed the small lump that threatened to swell up in my throat. It took a lot out of me, and I wasn't sure I wanted to go through anything like that again. Even though it took place many years ago, I have buried it deep in the back of my mind. It might have popped into my mind the last few days cooking up a large chunk of doubt, but I pushed it back as I had been doing since it happened. Talking about it made me recall the painful memories and I never wanted to do that. I realized I was good at burying my emotions and somehow forgetting them as long as I didn't talk about it because of him. if I had a superpower, that might be it.

I dunked my head back into the pillow.

"Lulwa, shh..." I heard Rahina and I could have sworn she didn't look nice while saying that.

"Guys, I was talking about Professor Fahad." Lulwa defended herself. "I'm talking about the most recent love interests." She added and I humourlessly chuckled.

Professor Fahad had been hinting interest in me at university persistently, but I mostly found it funny because of the dynamic. I had been flattered, like with most of the others that try, but something about his attention felt unwanted to me. The attention was very different in comparison with Asad's who even though I only knew for a short time, threatened to draw me in. Maybe it was the mystery that surrounded him or the quiet confidence that he carried. Whatever it was, it was enough to have made me want to try clearly.

The girls switched to a different topic because they understood what that meant to me, how much it had taken for me to have gotten there, and how strong not to have sworn love. As they continued to talk, the heaviness that had settled in my heart began to lift, replaced by the sense of hope I had been becoming too familiar with lately. Maybe, just maybe, that was the start of something new, something beautiful. I fully embraced the idea of finding out what that could be.

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Hello readers,

How was the chapter? How is your friendship group compared to Layla's? Is it chaotic as well?😁

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