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SA'ADATU'S POV.

KANO, NIGERIA.

I do not know when a small, humorless chuckle escaped my lips and I found myself shaking my head. "You don't mean that..."

"I do." His reply came almost immediately, without an ounce of hesitation whatsoever, and I hated it. I hated how he can be this direct, this confident, of how easy it is for him to confess his feelings easily.

But the thing is, no matter how direct he is being...I could not bring myself to believe him. My heart is too weak, too feeble after everything it had to go through, to believe him no matter how much my mind wanted to.

The eighteen-year-old me would have been ecstatic, over the moon even. The twenty-four-year-old me however, cannot even bring myself to take him seriously, I dare not. Funny how life and perceptions changes over the span of a couple of years, huh?

I could not bring myself to hold his gaze. So, I looked away, releasing a breath I did not know I was holding. Silence ensued, and I did not like it in the slightest bit. However, despite it reigning over everything else, the chaos in my mind felt too loud, it sounded so in my head. A mirage of doubts, voices, and second thoughts all swirled in one place.

It felt like hell really.

Fiddling with my fingers became the only thing keeping me rooted in that position, otherwise I might have caved in to those thoughts. Somehow, I managed to find my voice at one point, and I hated how weak it sounded.

"I want to believe you..." I stated earnestly, my mind, the only rational part of me at this moment taking over. I then shook my head, releasing another, heavy breath. "...but I can't." I managed to look up, held his gaze, then offered him a slight, humorless smile. "The concept of being in love and relationships as a whole...I do not believe in it."

To be honest, I envied how he managed to remain calm even in situations like this. He is always calm, and that is a character I never understood how he manages to keep in check.

Because somehow, he managed to pick apart my words. Then, he asked, his voice soft. "You do not believe in love, or you do not trust me?"

I swallowed down a lump, "It is not love I do not believe in." I know I wanted to leave it in the past—but I do believe in love. As stupid as it may sound to you, I believe in it because of Khalil. Believe it or not, I truly felt his love in the year we were together so yes, I do believe in love. However, still because of him, my lack of trust took root as well. "It is men I do not trust."

He nodded his head in understanding, and my feeble self almost believed he had given up, and relief somehow filled me up at the thought. I should have known better though.

"Well," He sighed, his gaze never leaving mine. "I guess I have to change that, huh?" His lips, they tilted into a ghost smile—the slight action managing to make his expression lit up as a whole.

He effortlessly manages to look bright with such a simple act. How that is possible needs to be studied really. But, that aside, an ache throbs in my heart upon hearing his words.

My insecurities only grew a pile, and I guess it must have shown on my expression—that nothing at this moment will sway my resolve, even if it is Adnan Bayero—he, who shall be named after all, the charming man in glasses.

Before I could part my lips to say something that would cement my thoughts towards him, his voice suddenly came again, in a much lighter tone than earlier.

"It must have been a long day for you," He sighed, then offered me another one of his famous charming smiles, and I could swear my resolve nearly cracked, but it did not. "I will take you home now before Anty starts to worry."

I parted my lips to speak, but he cut me before I could.

"—Do not be quick to reject me," He said, then gave me a playful, pointed look. "I do not ever remember turning you down outright as well, so do me that favor at the very least. For old time sakes."

I stared at him in disbelief, surprised he still remembers what happened. Ashe yasan me yakeyi. He is right. He never verbally turned me down—not even when I disturbed Faiza back then, and she had no choice but to keep calling him repeatedly simply because I wanted to talk to him.

He does not respond much, his usual clipped responses something he has been with since day one, but he never rejected it. Now that I think about it, he never turned down the calls, no matter how ridiculous.

My resolve however, did not crack until his next words came.

"Besides," He continued, "Were you not the one that said I should change my ways so I will not be single anymore?" He teased, using my earlier words against me.

That did it. A small smile broke on my face, and I found myself smiling without realizing it, instant amusement filling me up as I am reminded of the exchange from earlier. However, I did not shy away from the conversation this time around.

"Ai gaskiya na fadi," I said, feigning seriousness. "You should change your ways and stop trying to make us poor students suffer."

He hummed, then started the car once again. "That reminds me," He started driving again, "We have a class tomorrow by 8, so be sure to be there."

"WHAT?!" The awkwardness from earlier disappeared, and instead was replaced by the student in me that does not understand what this man is trying to say. Classes for where? For what? With who?

His expression remains serious though, no trace of lark in sight. "And do not even think of skipping," He warned, his tone matching his expression. "Nasan halin ki."

"Wai which classes me tukunna?" I found myself turning around to face him, seeking answers to my question. "You and who? The lizards in the school ko wa?"

He did not respond, but he did turn around for a split second and threw me a pointed look, one that showed he was not willing to be swayed.

"Haba," I did not give up. "Tomorrow is the 25th of Ramadan fa. There is Tahajjud as well, ba kada addua ne? How can you even think of having 8 am class tomorrow?"

"Ni kuwa nakeda addua," He said, deciding to answer only part of my statement. "I need to pray for you to agree and be my wife. Ai kuwa kinga bacci bai kama ni ba." It was how seriously he said it for me—wallahi there was no trace of lark in his tone and I would be lying if I said the sincerity did not take me aback.

But I did not let it get to me. Instead, I focused on salvaging my morning sleep tomorrow—his influences will not work on me. He can keep his charming words to the likes of his AB square who I am sure will make it to that 8 am class, if he does hold it.

"Malam Adnanu..." I called out, he ignored me. I decided to try a different name. "Haba Lulu," I thought perhaps, using Amani's signature name might help—besides, it is not a bad idea to tease him after all. I need to start getting back at this man, and as such, I need to figure out how I can get through to him.

"Don't even start," He shook his head, "Only my baby calls me that. Are you my baby?" He turned his head around to meet my then arched a brow. When I did not respond—not knowing how to because my plan backfired on me, he smiled, then added. "Exactly. So, you can come up with your own name, and then try this trick when you become mine."

Where is the old Adnan that does not speak please? Where has he disappeared to?

Honestly, at this point, I believe that saying that you should fear the quiet ones, you just cannot know what is going through in that mind of theirs.

Luckily, I did not have to reply because he managed to reach our house, then he parked outside the gates, not making an attempt to go in, and I appreciated it because despite Anty knowing him, I cannot risk her getting any thoughts.

A relieved breath escaped my lips when the sound of the locks came. I picked up my bag, slinging it over my shoulder as I held my phone in my hands. The other held the box of snacks Ya Mama had packed up for Anty as bribe for not inviting her. "Thank you for the ride," I said, my hand moving to the door handle.

His smile returned. "You are welcome." I offered him a small smile back, then made a move to step out, but his voice suddenly came again. "Sa'adah?" He called out.

I hummed, turning around. "Yes?"

His face yawed serious once again, "Think about my earlier words though," He stated, "And just so you know, I have no plans of giving up."

I held his gaze, not knowing how to reply, not in serious situations like this. Jokes aside, I do not know how to take this conversation, I do not even want to consider it. So, I opted for the easiest way out. "Good night, Ya Adnan." I said instead.

He seemed slightly disappointed by my avoidance of the topic, but he did not comment on it. Instead, his earlier smile took place. "Good night, Sa'adah."

With one last glance, I pushed the door open then stepped out, closing it behind me. Just a couple of steps away though, I stopped, a nagging thought that has been at the back of my mind returning, and I found myself turning around. The car remained in the exact position, so I made my way towards it again.

Leaning down, I knocked on the window. His brows visibly drew in, confusion and surprise masking his expression as to why I would return, but he brought down the window regardless.

"I just have one question," He nodded, a silent gesture for me to go ahead. My lips slanted upwards into a sheepish smile, then I found myself asking. "Keep everything aside, I really love your car. Can you give it to me?" My smile widened into a cheeky grin, especially when he gave me a pointed look, as if to ask if I had truly asked him that. In simple words, 'you are not serious'.

But, is it my fault? He owns a freaking BMW. Haba mana, Magana ake ta car not motor alaji. Besides, I have been eying the car since. I might as well ask.

"Just go away," He waved off. "Tafi gida. Sai da safe."

"Haba Malam Adnanu--"

"Good night." He lifted the window, ignoring me trying to talk him into it, till I gave up and he closed his window, looking away. But, I still noticed the slight smile on his face which he tried to hide.

I sighed, then caved in. "Good night!" I called out, knowing he can still hear me regardless. He did not turn around, but I did not bother. Turning around, I made my way inside the house this time, and only after then did I hear the sound of the car leaving outside.

Upon stepping into the house, I made a beeline to Anty's room first, informing her of my return and handing out Ya Mama's package for her. She inquired how I came back home, saying something about Muazu going home—as if I expected something better from that man—and I had to resolve to informing her it was in fact, the man in glasses that brought me back.

Guess what she said?

"Allah sarki, Adnan kenan dan albarka. Yaron kirki." It appears Anty is on team Adnan as well, because it is evident in the way that she speaks of him that she holds him in a high regard. So, I could only hope the news of his intentions do not reach her ears because then it would truly be a difficult feat to reject.

But if I was not sure of turning him down before, then I genuinely was the next day. Guess what the man did to me?

I fought against my very precious sleep, surviving off two hours sleep and drove myself to school like that the next day, arriving around seven thirty only to meet an empty hall. When I called the class rep to make inquiries, he said Professor Adnan already informed him that we will not he having any classes till after Ramadan—apparently even the one we had the other day was arranged by him, the class representative that nobody assigned.

So, in simple words, the man made me come out that early knowing there is no classes. I had to hold myself back from screaming out in frustration truly, and I made up my mind then.

I hate Adnan Bayero—but I hate him as a Professor even more.

***

Wato Saadatu is so unserious Wallahi 😂😂😂 she needs to change her ways

But then Adnan Kai ma true true Una no try, why now 😂 wannan ai mugunta ne. Gaskiya dole mu Rama. We must find something to leverage it against you.

The way this two be flirting ah ah , shin be doya ce ko dankalin Hausa? Real love cannot oppress me but this book love ah ah🥹 okay okay okayyyyy

It's a short one but manage, I sacrificed my cdrama time to write this 😭 now I need to go back and continue watching.

Let me know your thoughts in the comment section.

Love, Jannah Mia💕