DUSTE,

JIGAWA STATE,

NIGERIA.

The only problem with the information Zayn got was that Salma doesn't live in Abuja anymore. She got married and settled in Jigawa.

Despite her not being in Abuja anymore, he still wasn't planning on giving up. So, he booked the earlier flight he could get to Kano which left the next day. When he got there, he took a car to Duste. Thankfully, his father has a house in Kano and a driver, so it came in handy at the moment.

He arrived in Duste the next day sometime past 2pm. He didn't even bother to rest or eat as he asked the driver to drive straight to the Federal University. Based on the research he had done, courtesy of the information given to him by Aasim of course, Salma works both as doctor and a lecturer in the university—Federal UniveristyDuste, as a History and Sociology of Medicine lecturer.

He doesn't know whether she's at the school at the moment or not, but he planned on checking there either ways. So, as the driver drove through the main gate and headed to the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, beside the Senate building, he found himself tapping his foot on the floor repeatedly.

As if he was sitting on needles, he jumped off the seat the minute the driver parked the car, fixing his jacket in the process. He shivered slightly, pulling out his face mask to put it on in an attempt to block off the cold from getting to him.

He has heard of the intensity of the state's weather; he didn't expect it to be like that. And since it's cold season, he found himself donning a denim and plan top topped with a hoodie and a jacket. Old habit of his since he has been in the US all these years. A beanie covered his head from the arctic cold.

His eyes moved round the place as the students moved about, either leaving their lectures hall or heading towards it; each engrossed in conversations with their friends.

"I'm telling you, that Laws of Royalty is so good" Commented one amongst the group of girls approaching him.

The girl beside her shook her head, tutting. "Jannah, you see what you've caused, right? Instead of this girl to be reading Charaka and Susruta but she's here reading your novel" She pointed a finger at the third girl who laughed.

The girl, Jannah, moved her gaze to the first one, "Ummi you heard what Safeena said, right? Better read Baba Charaka oh! Lemme not hear excuse later" The three girls laughed.

Zayn released a sigh, moving his head to one of the buildings that has 'Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences' written on it, before making his way over. Once he was in, he took the steps and was surprised by the little amount of student there. Nonetheless, he pulled out his phone and dialed the man he had gotten information about Salma's job there.

He is an old friend, someone that Zayn kept little contact with but still, he was there when he needed help and he will forever be grateful for that.

The man answered the call, letting Zayn know that he will come out to meet him. And soon enough, Zayn saw him stepping out of his office. The man spotted him also, then made his way over to him.

The two shook hands and exchanged salaam. "How was the trip"

Zayn shrugged slightly, "Alhamdullilah" He offered the man a small smile that he mustered.

"Masha Allah" The man muttered, "Well, it's better to go straight to the point, right? Since I know you don't like beating in the bush"

"Yes please" Zayn nodded, "Can I meet her today?"

The man blinked, clasping his hands together. "Well, she has a lecture with the 100 level students but I think..." He glanced at the wrist watch strapped around his left hand, "...it's concluded now. She should be here any minute"

Zayn nodded again, relief filling his being. At least, he would see her. "How long do you think it would take her to get here?"

"Well..." The man parted his lips to speak, but stopped midway; his eyes moving behind Zayn, "...she's here already"

Zayn was quick to turn around, and sure enough, there she was. The root cause of his sister's problems and the one person he detests the most after Aasim. She didn't see him yet, and he waited patiently.

Until she did, just a couple of seconds later when she looked up. And then, she froze in her spot; eyes dilated.

Zayn heard movement from beside him as his friend left to give them privacy. Zayn didn't state why he flew all the way from Abuja to meet her and he did not ask. He had always been one to mind his business, that's one thing Zayn always liked about him.

She parted her lips to speak, then closed it. Eyes blinking rapidly, she tried to make sense of who she's seeing.

"I wish I could say nice to meet you, but that would be a lie" Zayn spoke, cutting the silence. His facial expression remained stoic; and his voice, monotonous. "I'm sure you feel the same way"

She took a step closer to him, head tilted to the side slightly and brows drawn in. "Ahmed?"

"Zayn" He corrected. He doesn't like people calling that first name. Especially not someone like her. He then offered her a once over. "Long time" He muttered, but she heard him. "I see you're doing well"

She gulped, finally getting a hang of herself. "How did you find me here?"

He chuckled. But there was nothing humorous about it. "Why are you asking? Did you do something wrong or something like that?" He rose a brow, snickering when she sent him a glare. "Well," He let out a long, exaggerated breath, "I'm here because I missed you. You know, a reunion and such?"

Salma scoffed, eyes narrowed at him in slits. "Do you think this is a situation to laugh about?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, it's called a joke for a reason"

"What?!..." She took in a breath to calm herself before she continued. "...do you want?" She asked through gritted teeth.

"Since you're so desperate to know, I want you to tell me why you have been sending Kulsum those messages"

He almost missed the slight dilation of her eyes. She quickly shook her head. "I don't know what you're talking about"

"I think you do"

"I don't know anything" She repeated each word slowly, through gritted teeth. "It will be better for you if you leave now"

"I'm not going anywhere without answers"

She took a step away from him, then shrugged. "Suit yourself" She threw him a glare, before she side stepped him and walked away.

If there's anything Zayn knew well is that when women walk away like that, it means they are done with the conversation going on.

But he wasn't going to give up. He won't disturb her then but he doesn't plan on going anywhere without getting answers.

If he has to go to her house or follow her to work and pester her everyday, then so be it.

~*~

The next couple of days were spent like that, Zayn would go to the school on days she has lectures and go to her house on days she doesn't. Of course, he couldn't go inside the house since the gateman won't let him. So, he always spends the entire day outside the gate, waiting.

Because of that, he was barely able to take care of himself—not that he was doing that before but still, he wasn't getting any better.

That day was the same as every other day. He was waiting outside her home, leaning on the car that he came to Duste with. He didn't bother the driver by making him drive him around, instead he drove himself while the man does whatever he wants.

Perhaps, staying outside her house wasn't the best idea but he knew it's slowly getting on her nerves. He could tell from the frequent amount of times she would open the window just to check if he's there, and once she sees that he is, she scoffs and angrily shut it before storming away.

Zayn would give her a few more days, knowing she'll soon crack.

The gateman, who had grown a dislike towards Zayn brought out his plastic chair as usual, situating it in front of the house. He fixed his shirt, riding it up slightly before he sat down on the chair, holding a wood in the other hand.

Zayn nearly scoffed the first time the man brought the wood, claiming that he'll hit him with it if he doesn't leave. Of course, Zayn didn't leave. But he did stay a couple of feet away from the man.

And that irked the aged man more. Every day he sat there, he threw insults at Zayn to which the man would simply ignore. He had more things to worry about that to give an ounce of care to the old man's words.

Besides, that particular day, Zayn wasn't feeling well. Nonetheless, he kept the feeling aside and focused on his task at hand.

Salma's husband, who had been ignoring Zayn's presence since she told him God knows what, had left the house earlier, as usual.

Amidst his thoughts, Zayn didn't notice the gates being pulled open by the old man until Salma's car drove out. He tried to catch up with her before she could get far but she had already sped off, nearly hitting him in the process. It was a good thing that he was able to move away just in time.

Sighing deeply, he massaged his temples and slowly made his way over to his car, but his eyes blurred at the moment making him stagger. He stopped, closing his eyes briefly, and then blinking to regain his sight. When he did, he made a move to walk away but his legs gave out on him.

And before everything blacked out, he heard a voice screaming for help. The very last thing he saw was the familiar face of someone he thought he would never see again.

Not that he expected to anyway.

And then, he passed out cold.