4

Hamdah's pov

I had always wondered if Shuraim had a girlfriend. Was he single... or not? I had no idea. My mind argued with itself, if he wasn't single, would he have walked me home that night? But then another voice in my head laughed at me. Don't be foolish, Hamdah. Men will always be men. Maybe he was just being polite, a gentleman, making sure I didn't walk alone in the dark.

Still, I couldn't shake the memory of his steps behind mine, his voice calling me "Hamdah baby."

A few days ago, I asked Umar for Shuraim's number. One thing I liked about Umar was how he never asked too many questions. He just gave me the number, no side comments, no teasing. I was glad. If it had been someone else, they would have grilled me, What do you want it for? Why are you asking? But Umar minded his business, just like me. He was a good friend of mine. 

Today, I didn't go to work. I spent the whole day curled up in bed, reading. My novel lay across my lap, but my mind kept drifting. Should I text him? If I did, what would I even say? Assalam? He'd ask where I got his number, and then what would I say?

I was still lost in thought when Hussaini barged into my room without knocking.

"You no sabi knock?" I snapped, hugging my book tighter.

He grinned, leaning on my doorframe. "See this small girl. Abeg, come escort me go Zumber." His voice was playful, his pidgin always exaggerated to make me laugh.

"What do you want to do in Zumber?" I asked, trying to sound uninterested, though I didn't mind going.

I liked hanging out with Hussaini. He was fun, and he never failed to tease me. Always calling me small girl, even though I was older. He loved introducing me to his friends too, showing off as if having me around added to his bragging rights.

I remembered one time one of his friends told him he liked me, that he wanted me to be his girlfriend. 

He thought I was Hussaini's little sister. Since then, Hussaini and Hassan hadn't stopped teasing me at home, calling me a small girl.

"I want to buy something," Hussaini said now. He jingled Mama's car keys in his hand and lowered his voice. "Wear your hijab, let's go. Before Mama catch me. I'll buy you chocolate."

I rolled my eyes but got up quickly, throwing on my hijab. Chocolate was never a bad bribe.

We drove off and soon reached Zumber. At Mallam Shehu's shop, we bought what Hussaini needed. He joked with the shopkeeper while I wandered by the shelves, recording a few clips for my mini-vlogs. 

Hussaini kept nudging me, making me laugh as I tried to hold the camera steady.

"Choose your chocolate," he said at the end, pushing a row toward me. I picked my favorite, and we headed back home, still laughing.

Back in my room, the laughter faded into silence. I was bored. I had finished all the books I bought, and though I still had some on my phone, I wasn't in the mood to stare at a screen.

I picked up my phone instead and opened WhatsApp. My thumb hovered over Shuraim's contact. I had saved his number as 'Shuraim 🤭'. I typed slowly: Assalam... then hesitated. My heart beat so fast it felt like it was in my throat. Finally, I hit send.

It was as if he had been waiting. He replied immediately.

"Wa alaikum salam."

I exhaled sharply, my lips curving. I typed back: 'Good afternoon, it's Hamdah.'

The typing dots appeared instantly. My chest tightened.

'Oh Hamdah, how are you?'

I smiled at the screen. 'I'm fine, and you?'

'Fine. I just finished watching your videos on TikTok, your mini vlogs, get ready with me, book reviews, and that "spend a day with me." I talk am say you be ajebo, rich kid.' he replied. 

I froze. My hand flew to my chest. My TikTok? Heat rushed to my cheeks. 'Oh really? What's your username on TikTok?' I typed quickly.

'I'm not on TikTok. I saw my friend watching your video, then I joined him.'

I covered my face with one hand. 'Oh, now I'm very shy.' I replied. 

'No, don't be. Me I know you're a rich girl. See your billion-dollar videos, very clear'. He added a cute emoji.

I laughed softly, shaking my head. 'Which rich? You that I saw your video in a private jet.'

He sent a laughing emoji back. Before I could type, my phone rang. It was a WhatsApp call.

I didn't even think before answering.

"Me, I know you're rich," his voice came through, teasing, gentle.

"You that I saw riding billion-dollar cars," I shot back, laughing.

"Hey God, this girl dey whine me. Poor boy like me."

I laughed harder. My voice surprised me, it had been so long since I laughed like this with a guy.

"Nothing like poor boy," I said softly, almost to myself.

He chuckled. "Better believe me o. Me, I don't know how to lie."

"I hear you," I teased, raising my brows even though he couldn't see me.

"But you don't believe, abi?" he laughed.

His laughter was warm, pulling me in. I laughed too. And that was how it went, we talked and laughed for two whole hours.

When the call finally ended, I sat staring at my phone in silence. My chest was full, too full. I didn't know him that much, not yet. But talking to him had made me fall even deeper, and that scared me.

He hadn't even asked where I got his number. He was just... easy. Free. Like he had nothing to hide.

I got up, went to the bathroom, and performed ablution. My heart was too full for words. When I finished, I spread my mat and prayed, whispering thanks and asking Allah to guide my heart.