Oya oya I've updated.

SAADATU'S POV.

KANO, NIGERIA.

I won that bet, as expected, he did not show up. I won't lie, I was a bit uncertain given Faiza's confidence, but when the next day came, I awaited that particular information to come from Anty—that my will be husband will show up but I heard none of that. Even when I dressed up and told her I am leaving for the hospital, she only said, and I quote, "Allah ya kikaye hanya.".

I knew then that I won the bet, but it was too early to start celebrating so I did not reach out to Faiza...yet.

But, that left me with another thing to dampen my mood, Muazu who is supposed to take me to the hospital. I told him man already, he is very much aware that I leave for work at 8:30am but guess who decided to not be home then? Him.

Kayan haushi ma.

I asked, no, pleaded with Anty to borrow me her car keys so I can drive there myself, but the woman does not have a single faith in me. Apparently, she does not trust my driving skills, imagine. I have a driver's license, albeit I got it two weeks prior to my return to Kano, but still.

Yaya's husband enlisted me in a driving school back in Maiduguri when I expressed my interest, and I got my license before returning. Anty does not trust that apparently, so, she now said, "Sai dai a gidan mijin ki, if he trusts you enough to give you a car. Amma, ba nawa ba."

I am not a bad driver; I am not the best but baby steps. She won't believe me either ways, so I was left with the option of waiting for Muazu to return, and the wicked man refused to come back till about twenty minutes later, and to take me to the hospital alone took over ten minutes, which means he made me thirty minutes late.

By the time I arrived, I knew I was done for. The lab may be tolerant of a lot of things, but not tardiness. And I cannot skip because I cannot come tomorrow—given my wedding is the day after. I have to come today, making the total of my third day of the week.

I was considering just skipping and dealing with the responsibility of my absence altogether though, especially the moment I stepped into the lab and all eyes were on me. I hate being the center of attention.

Still, I masked my worry and stepped into the lab, fixing the lab coat I shrugged on my way down the corridors. Fixing the tote bag I brought along over my shoulders, I ignored the lingering eyes of my fellows and found an empty seat to settle on it—glad I could not spot any of the instructors there.

My happiness was short lived though, because the moment I was about to settle down, I heard my name being called.

"Saadatu Sulaiman." That unmistakable voice of the lab instructor came, grim, and with a promise of shege after shege.

I swallowed thickly, put on a serious expression and located the source of voice—the door leading to her adjoined office, from which she emerged. "Yes, Dr. Maimuna."

Dr. Maimuna, the one wicked instructor we have whom I do not like under any circumstance gave me a stern look, her eyes narrowed and lips tight. "What is the time now?"

"9:03AM, Ma'am."

"And what time are you supposed to be here?"

"8:30AM."

"Why are you thirty-three minutes late then?" She asked, with an arched brow. Before I could even answer, she added, crossing her arms over her torso. "Or you think all others here do not have other things to do that is why they are here on time?"

"No, Ma'am," I shook my head. "I am sorry. I won't be late again In shaa Allah." I do not want to upset this woman any further, she will make my life hell, believe me.

And apparently she is on that mission exactly. Closing the distance between us, she threw the folder that was in her hand on the table in front of me, "Take this survey, and share it with the doctors in Neurosurgery. Do not return here until they have all filled it."

"What?" I did not know when the word escaped past my lips, because I can only imagine how long it will take me to do that. Still, when I do realize it, I did not back down. Instead, I found myself expatiating. "How am I supposed to find all of them? Some could be in surgery for hours." And she said not to return till they sign it, what am I supposed to do then? Wait.

The look she gave me answered the question. "Do you want to handle Orthopedics as well?" She arched a brow, her question daring.

I shook my head, blowing out a small breath. "No." I forced a tight lipped smile. "I will handle this." I picked up the folder, then turned around and made my way out, already cursing Muazu's entire generation for making me do the one task that everyone hates.

It is one of the reasons why one always prefers to come early. Believe me you would rather be assigned any task than sharing surveys—a task I do not even know where it stems from. If you are not lucky enough, you might end up staying longer than you are supposed to, all while waiting for the doctors to appear.

Nonetheless, I summoned the little bit of enthusiasm I can, and go about my day. Thankfully, today I did not decide to have a fashion parade around here. I simply opted for a simple matching grey tops and pants, with a grey veil wrapped into a hijab. The long white coat as always accompanied the look, matched by the white sneakers I picked today.

And I may or may not have kept my phone and air pods in the pocket as well in case I will be tasked to wait somewhere so I won't be left with nothing to do in the spare time. Thankfully, the neurosurgery office is on the same floor as us, so I went straight there—just a corridor and a few doors down led to the spacious room consisting of about thirteen doctors of the same field.

Given the early hour, you would expect to find the office full, right?

Well, jokes on me. Because the moment I opened it, I was met with the sight of just one doctor—one that I am not particularly keen of and certainly did not think of seeing first thing in the morning.

Still, I pushed away the baseless dislike, then forced a small smile on my face. "Assalamu alaikum,"

The female doctor, whom had her gaze fixated on whatever chart was in her hand looked up, seeming exhausted from God knows what work exactly, and fixed her gaze now on me. "Wa alaikumussalam," She answered with less enthusiasm, or perhaps that was the exhaustion speaking. "How can I help you?" Dr. Amal arched a brow, not seeming to remember my stare off with her just a couple of days ago.

Or she just pretended not to know. Whichever.

I ignored the thoughts, then made my way further into the room to stand beside her. "I am from the lab," I did not bother with my name, because I doubt she cares. "I have a survey for you to fill," I picked up a single one from the pile, then handed it out to her.

She retrieved it, her brows drawn in, and her lips slanted into a deep frown. "Another one of these," She rolled her eyes, then huffing out a breath before dropping it on the table in front of her carelessly. "I will when I get time." She picked up her earlier chart.

I blinked, my own brows drawing in. "If you can just spare two minutes and answer it," I spoke again. "That will really be helpful. I need to retrieve it all before the end of the day."

She did not look up from the chart in hand when she answered, her tone low, and disinterested. "Then come back before the day ends," She threw a quick glance at the watch strapped around her wrist. "I have something to do now." She turned around, and walked out of the room, leaving me alone, with the survey form on the table.

I could only stare at the door she walked out of with drawn in brows, trying to not have any bad thoughts regarding her. The only reason I am trying to excuse the act is because of the scrubs she has on and the tired look masking her features, else I would have taken it for something else.

Still, would it kill her to answer the survey? It will not take more than two minutes to do so.

Sighing, I threw a quick look at the survey on her desk again, then at the empty room before I made my way out of it, in search for where I would find the other twelve doctors—one I am aware of at the back of my mind but do not even want to think of.

An hour into the task, and I am reminded once again of why everyone hates it exactly. How is it that I could not find a single moment to speak to one doctor in an hour. And it is not like I did not see any—I saw about three—but one was overseeing rounds with students, one was seeing a patient, and one was discussing something about surgery with doctors from other departments so I could not cut in.

By the third hour, I was cursing Muazu all over again for putting me in this situation. At the same time, I was exhausted from walking in between the floors in search for the said doctors, so, I decided to take a break. Finding the nearest resting chairs, which just happens to be outside one of the many surgery rooms, I settled on the last seat there, behind some of the patients' relatives, whom judging by the looks on their faces must have relatives undergoing surgery.

Taking a glance at the screen situated upwards, I noticed there are three ongoing surgeries, all with different hour ranges, none less than 5 hours. Meaning, the doctors must have been in there for more than those 5 hours.

Another sigh escaped my lips, unable to fathom just how exhausted they must be as well. Throwing my head back, I flicked my eyes close, keeping the folder on my thighs as I took a few minutes to myself.

At one point, I was aware of a presence beside me, but I did not open my eyes, at least, until a familiar voice came. "Here," That oddly familiar voice I certainly do not expect to hear then vocalized. And when I opened my eyes almost immediately, the suspected face came in sight, "Looks like you are in need of it."

My gaze moved from the owner of the voice, to the bottle of water in his outstretched hand, then back at his face again. I could not even turn it down, because the cold water is just what I need at the moment. So, I retrieved it from him with a small smile, "Thank you, Khalil."

Muhammad Khalil Wambai offered me a smile back as well, then gestured to the space beside me. "Can I?"

I nodded, unbothered. "Sure, free world," I said in a small voice, too much occupied by the thought of the water. I popped the cap open as he took the space beside me, though keeping a reasonable distance between us while I took the water, a relieved sigh escaping my lips, and I saw his smile widen due to the action, but he did not say a thing. After I am done, I met his gaze again, my smile this time wider than the last. "Thank you again," I said, "I really needed this."

He waved it off, "Don't mention it." His smile never wavered, but there was nothing unsettling about it. "You seemed to have exhausted yourself."

"Don't remind me," I rolled my eyes. "I did not know one could get exhausted from walking all around. It feels like university all over again."

He hummed.

"Speaking of which," I turned around to look at him, giving him a quick once over. No white coat in sight, no charts, just a suit like the last time—though this time, the blazer was missing safe for the white crisp button up and the dark blue suit pants. "What are you here exactly? You were here the other day too."

"Oh," Realization seemed to flicker across his face. "I did not introduce myself much last time, huh?" His expression was sheepish.

"Is there need for one?" My tone was laced with amusement. "Just like a life update or something."

"I work here," He said.

"As a doctor?" My brows drew in.

He shook his head. "Legal consultant." He corrected, then expatiated further. "There is an ongoing legal case here, and I am here as their consultant. Plus, I am one of the legal representatives of the hospital as well."

"Wow." I did not know when I said that, but I do not regret it. "I did not know you were interested in law." I said earnestly.

He gave me a slightly pointed look, though laced with amusement. "You were not interested in me at all if I recall it well." It sounded like a tease, but it did not at the same time.

So, I felt the need to explain. "That is not true," I shook my head. "We were kids, and I was not exactly the type to like everyone, but I thought we were cool."

"Cool, huh?"

"Cool." I grinned, making him grin as well before shaking his head.

"If you say so," He sighed, with a grin. Then, he asked, his gaze on me. "What about you? Pursued your dream of becoming a medical doctor? Say, a resident now?"

"No," I shook my head almost immediately. "Jamb showed me shege, and ended up throwing me into biochemistry."

His eyes dilated slightly, surprise masking his expression. "Really? Is that not like a hard course?"

"It is." I stated genuinely. "I am seeing shege after shege. Kai harda shegu ma."

He chuckled. I chuckled along, the air light, and my exhaustion wearing off.

"No but really," His chuckle died down first, but that soft, warm and welcoming smile remained. "I am sure you are doing well regardless."

"I am." I shrugged. "Here for my SIWES even."

"That is good," He commended. "So, how do you like it so far? Do you regret coming here, or are you loving it?"

"Regrets, certainly." I gestured to the file which I picked up. "Speaking of which, I need to head back to work." I got on my feet, and he did as well.

"Do you need any help?" He offered, "I am break. I can help if you want."

The thought of getting help in sharing the surveys is not so bad, and I admit, it sounds appealing because God knows when I will be done at this rate. However, just so I could give him an answer, something caught my attention—a familiar doctor approaching.

My gaze followed Dr. Amal as she walked into the space, oblivious of my gaze on her as she strolled towards the operation room, the earlier chart no longer in sight and her earlier frown, now a full blown smile.

I understood the reason why when she reached her destination, the man standing a few feet away from the operation room, now in my line of sight, and his gaze, already on me. I will not lie, my breath got caught in my throat when my gaze met his, and as the lady approached him.

She was talking to him, but he was not responding, his gaze still on me, before it moved to the man beside me, and I found the will to breathe again. Everything moved in motion again, the voices in the background returning, and so does Muhammad Khalil's.

"Sa'adatu?" He called again, making me snap my gaze to his. "Is everything okay?"

I plastered a small smile. "Yeah, it is," I waved it off. Before he could speak further though, I spoke up again. "If you will excuse me, I just need to handle something. Nice seeing you around, and uhm," I raised the now half bottle of cold water, "Thank you for this."  

He seemed to have other questions, but he did not vocalize it. Instead, he opted for a simple, "You are welcome."

I offered him a small wave, then turned around, my gaze returning to Adnan Bayero whom remained in the same spot as earlier, along with the said Dr. Amal, though they were now engrossed in a conversation, it almost did not seem like he was even staring at me earlier.

Believe me, I did not want to go anywhere near them, but I have work to do, and if I miss this moment, when will I see him again. So, I sucked it all up, and forced myself to walk in their direction.

And once I was close enough, I came to a stop, then called out.

"Dr. Adnan..."

***

Tohhh I lowkey enjoyed writing this chapter, or maybe it is Muhammad Khalil's part I love writing the most. Who knows?

Anywayss, what are your take on the man? You love him so far?

What about Dr. Amal? Do you think she has a motive behind her actions? Abi it is just nothing and we are overthinking?

Toh, what will now happen with Dr. Adnanu namu na gargajiya? Why was he staring at us? Sorry...her. I don forget for a second he was not looking at me, but Saadatu. Kai, he is staring at us, ni na san da ni yakeyi ma.

Wait wait, ashe i am team Khalil. Na manta.

Team Adnanu, what will happen in the next chapter? Stay tuned while I disappear because it is nearing exam season in my university. I hope you all stay safe nonetheless. Sending lots of love from this side.

Also, I met a couple of readers at school over the past few weeks. If you are reading this, it was nice meeting you Aisha, Amina and Hibba. You are all the sweetest! My heart is full.

I hope to meet more people in the future in shaa Allah.

Oh, and say a prayer for the deceased muslim ummah. Allah ya sa muma mu cika da imani.

Love, Jannah Mia.