The man behind the screen

SE’AD

For a few seconds, nobody moved. The evening breeze carried the faint scent of turaren wuta from the house, but I barely noticed it. My entire attention was fixed on the man standing a few feet away. Nasib. Not Nass💵. Not a blurred silhouette.bNot a ten-second snap or a voice coming through the phone at midnight. Nasib Wali. In person. And somehow, he was even more striking than the little pieces she had seen through Snapchat.

The first thing I noticed was his height. He was tall. Not the exaggerated kind that made a person look awkward, but the kind that gave him an effortless presence. His shoulders were broad enough to make the cream shirt sit perfectly across his frame, while the dark trousers gave his already long legs an even more commanding appearance. His skin was deep and beautifully dark, with the evening light settling warmly against it. Then came the face. Ya Allah. The black-framed glasses I had seen so many times on screen looked completely different in person. They rested neatly across a strong nose, drawing attention to his eyes. Those eyes. Dark and Slender. Almost deceptively calm.

There was something about them that made it seem as though he could look at someone for a few seconds and notice far more than they had intended to reveal. His eyebrows were naturally thick and well-shaped, framing eyes that carried an unusual mixture of seriousness and mischief. And his lips— I quickly looked away. No. Those lips had no business looking that good. They were naturally pinkish, with a defined shape that became even more noticeable whenever he smiled. And that smile,I already knew it from his snaps. But seeing it happen in real life was unfair. A small smile could completely transform his face, taking away some of the seriousness and revealing the slightly mischievous man hiding underneath all that mystery. His hair was neatly trimmed, simple and well-kept. Nothing about him screamed look at me. That was probably what made people look. His outfit wasn’t extravagant either. A cream button-down shirt, sleeves folded neatly just below his elbows, dark trousers and a sophisticated wristwatch. Simple, Expensive and Effortless. Very Nasib. So this was the man she had spent months teasing. The man I had called my gentleman.

The same man who had sent a ten-second picture and then had the audacity to put it on a timer. The same man who had once pretended not to know what a timer was. A tiny smile threatened my lips. Then I remembered Abba. The smile disappeared. Because Abba knew him. And judging by his expression… he knew far more than I did.

Abba remained at the doorway. His gaze had not left Nasib. “You’re Usman Wali’s son?”

“Yes, sir.” There was respect in Nasib’s voice. Not nervousness.Respect. Abba stepped outside. “When did you arrive in Abuja?” “This afternoon.” “And you came straight here?”Abba asked  Nasib nodded.“Yes, sir.”

I stood completely in confusion. This afternoon? And why did he choose to come here that too tonight?

Abba’s expression remained unreadable “Your father knows you’re here?”

“Yes.”That answer seemed to change something. Abba looked toward the car. Then back at Nasib. “Come inside.” My heart skipped. Inside? Abba was actually inviting him inside?

Nasib nodded. “Thank you, sir.” As he passed by , his perfume reached se’ad.  Warm, Woody and Subtle,Not overpowering. The scent lingered for only a moment. Yet somehow it was enough to make her heart betray her again. Nasib stopped beside her. His voice dropped. “Are you okay?”

I looked up. Those dark eyes met mine. For one dangerous second, the entire world disappeared. I managed to mutter “I think so.” The corner of his lips lifted.l “Good.” And then he walked inside.

I remained where she was, Staring after him. Ya Allah. This is going to be a problem. A very beautiful problem, I smiled 

NASIB

He had imagined this moment more times than he cared to admit. Not the meeting itself. The first sight of her. The first time she would look at him without a screen separating them. But reality had been different. Because the moment she stepped outside, every carefully rehearsed thought disappeared.

Se’ad was beautiful. I had always known that. The snaps and occasional pictures.But  of them had prepared me for the real thing.

Her face was softer than I expected. Her complexion almost luminous beneath the evening light. Her black eyes were expressive enough to betray every emotion she tried to hide. And her lips— He stopped himself. Behave. The girl is standing in front of her father. The last thing I need is to lose my mind.Still, one thing amused me.  She had looked at him exactly the way he had expected. First his height. Then the glasses. Then his face.

Then she looked away when she reached his lips. He nearly smiled. So she noticed.

Of course she noticed. The same girl who had once demanded a second photograph because ten seconds wasn’t enough had finally been given the full version. And judging by the silence that followed… she wasn’t disappointed. But there was something else. Her eyes had changed when her father appeared. The excitement disappeared and Fear replaced it. Not fear of him. Fear of what this meeting meant.

He understood. There were things Se’ad didn’t know. Things his father had never allowed him to discuss casually. Things involving families, history and decisions made long before either of them had understood what those decisions meant.

And now he was standing inside her home. In front of her father. Exactly where he had promised himself he wouldn’t stand until he was certain. But he had come anyway. Because there was something he needed to know. And perhaps something Se’ad deserved to know too.

SE’AD

Dinner was unbearable. Not because the food wasn’t good. Mama had prepared enough food to feed an army. But because Nasib was sitting across the room with Abba. And somehow, the man who could talk endlessly with her through a phone screen had suddenly become incredibly quiet.

Mama walked in carrying a tray.

“Nasib, yi hakuri. Your father should have called before sending you here.” Nasib smiled politely. “It’s fine, Mama.” Se’ad froze. He called her Mama already? Mama smiled. “Look at you. You’ve grown. Se’ad’s eyes moved between them. So they really knew each other. Mama looked toward her. “Se’ad, why are you standing there like someone has stolen your voice?”

Hauwa suddenly appeared from behind “Maybe because her gentleman is here. Se’ad nearly choked. “Hauwa!”Nasib lowered his head.His shoulders shook. He was laughing. Mama looked confused “Gentleman?” “Nothing, Mama.”Hauwa grinned. “Nothing at all.” Abba gave Hauwa a warning look. “Hauwa. “.        “Yes, Abba?” “Go and help your mother.”“But—” “Now.” She disappeared, laughing.

Se’ad wanted the ground to open and swallow her. Nasib looked at her. Their eyes met. His lips curved. “Gentleman?” She glared. “Don’t.” he laughed “I’m not saying anything.” se’ad said “You’re smiling.” and he replied “Can’t I smile?”

“Not at me.” His smile widened. “Okay.” He turned away. But she could still see it. That smile. And suddenly, the man who had seemed mysterious and intimidating moments ago looked almost boyish. Almost harmless.

Later that night, Se’ad stood alone in her bedroom. Her phone rested on the bed.

Snapchat was open. The old snaps were still there in her memories.The blurred face, gold chain, dark glasses. All those fragments. She had spent months wondering who Nassib Wali really was. Now she had finally met him. And somehow… she had more questions than before. Why did Abba know his father?

Why had Nasib come directly to their house? Why had Abba looked so serious? And why did Nasib seem as though he had expected all of this? Her phone vibrated. A message. Nass💵: You’re quiet.She typed: 

Se’ad: I’m thinking.

Nass💵: Dangerous. She laughed.     Se’ad: You have a lot of explaining to do. Three dots appeared then disappeared. A minute later:

Nasib: I know. Her smile faded slightly.

Se’ad : Are you going to explain? This time, the response took longer.

Nasib: Not tonight. She stared at the screen.

Se’ad: Why? His answer came.         Nasib: Because if I tell you everything tonight, you’ll look at me differently tomorrow. Se’ad’s heart tightened. 

Se’ad : Maybe I won’t. A pause.

Nasib : That’s what I’m afraid of. The message remained on her screen. And for the first time since meeting him, Se’ad wasn’t wondering whether Nasib liked her. She was wondering what, exactly, he was afraid she would discover. Because whatever secret he was carrying…it was big enough to frighten a man who otherwise seemed afraid of almost nothing.

And somewhere downstairs, behind a closed door, Abba and Nasib were having a conversation Se’ad wasn’t supposed to hear. A conversation about the pastor about their families.

And possibly— about her.