Chest heaving she stared at his equally angry figure, chest and body vibrating with it. She turned her head to the side to spit blood out her mouth. She stroke her face at him again, agape lips quivering, eyes narrowed and nose flaring.

The most intriguing part, those 2 hollows on her cheeks were always present.

She hastily stood up, then bent to the side to cough out more blood. This time, it wasn't from her broken mouth.

His eyes widened at that, whatever he caught in his hand fell to the floor as he dashed for her. She dashed to the side as he stalled her. They carefully stalled in circles, with Sudais' arms out towards her in a 'calm your nerves down' motion as always. While Laila paused to cough violently and purge more blood on the tiles, the pillows and covers she had thrown around. How the hell would she calm down?

When she had managed to stall to the door and had him in the middle of the room where she wanted him, she dashed for the door. As fast as her purging ass could let her, in the foyer she yanked his key from the key hanger and clicked the unlock button. A white range rover made the unlocking sound and she dashed for it. The idea that she had not just a car, but two that she never drove didn't even cross her mind.

Meanwhile, Sudais was quick on her heels but realized he had no luck when the woman who couldn't drive was recklessly reversing out of the gate that the stupid gateman had opened for her.

Sudais dashed back into the living room to grab his wallet, shove it into his pocket, random shoe, and another car key from the key hanger.

The witch couldn't even drive and she was puking blood and now on a runaway mission with his car. Lord have mercy.

The engine had barely revved to live and Sudais was on a suicide mission as he reversed the hell out of their house. He caught sight of the white car taking a sharp corner and he hit his fist on the wheels.

Gotcha!

Maybe it was the adrenaline rush, but his instincts paid off when his first thought was school. She'd try to go into the female hostel which he couldn't get in.

Furiously, with his speed passing 120 km/h although in town with pedestrians all over, Sudais received numerous insults from people he had almost run over or crashed into their cars.

He chased her like a maniac and prayed for once in his life that Abuja traffic wouldn't disappoint. She had to pass by the biggest highways before getting to Bawa teaching hospital and that was when he'd overtake her.

Sudais smelt the sweet stench of success as he trailed her and she tried to zig-zag on the road but was heading towards the traffic. The lights turned red and Sudais hit his break harsh and hard to not crash into the car in front of him but Laila didn't stop as she took the sharp corner only to come head-on with a siren-wailing army truck.

Her car came to an abrupt stop but she pressed the gas to escape only for the army car's honk to come. She attempted again and a man slid through the windows and released a loud gunshot. People on foot and cars started to let out screams with a few cars now crashing unto each other.

"Sadiya is going to get us killed!" Sudais yelled as he dragged the hand gear up and switched off the engine. As hastily as he could, he ran out of his car, Forgetting to close the door and him being the only 1 approaching the scene when everyone was ducking down and bolting. He hoisted his hands in surrender to the man with the gun now aimed at him, or was it Laila or Laila's car?

Laila unlatched the door to the car, stepping down weakly only to bend and purge out cups of blood.

"Raise your hands in surrender!" He yelled at her a few feet away before slowing down as he walked past his car, the piercing Friday sun of Abuja melting him down.

He glanced to find Laila weakly lifting her palms as she continued to gasp and purge clogs of blood.

"I'm sorry, officer. That is my wife, she's having an attack." He yelled at the officer. "I'm Captain Sudais Idris Mamman of the Nigerian army. I have my ID, I mean no harm, can i show it to you?" Sudais' steps paused, knowing they could blow his brains out if he made another move without their approval and that would mean nothing.

He pushed, glancing back at Laila and resisting the urge to run to her, scoop her stupid, selfish ass in his arms and fly her to the nearest hospital. "My ID! I am a captain!" Those were the only thing to use to escape this, and to also mention she was a princess and so was he a prince, but that was slightly low on the save me mission so he'd go with the higher stakes.

"Bring it over, walk slowly," The man in khaki roared and Sudais nodded. His shaky fingers produced his wallet from his pocket and he slashed it open. He then proceeded to take careful steps to the car until he was by the man and handed him his ID. The man examined it and proceeded to hand it over to his colleague before raising his palms flat to his head and saluting. "Sir!"

Sudais let out a loud breath at that, thanking the lord for not having him forget his wallet. The driver of the truck gave Sudais the same salutation and quickly handed his ID back.

"Thank you, officers! I am grateful. What's your headquarters?" He yelled as he stormed toward Laila.

"Mogadishu Barracks sir!" One of the officers yelled and Sudais glanced to salute them.

"I'll see you there. Thank you!"

He ignored Laila that was bent forward as she gasped and purged out more blood. He planted himself on the driver's seat she occupied minutes ago and without closing the door, he pushed the hand break down and recklessly drove the car to the next corner. He parked it, switched it off, and jumped off. He was at least 10 feet away before he clicked the lock and ran to Laila.

He turned to the army truck with its sirens and saluted the men of the year once again before grabbing Laila's upper arm and dragging her towards the traffic. He opened the front seat of his car and pushed her in, then slammed the door close and ran to his side, fueled by the numerous honks of people and the siren car that whipped past his side.

He hadn't closed the door and was already making a sharp U-turn as he headed for the hospital, glancing at her weak figure that was slumped into the seat.

He couldn't hold it back, he roared, maneuvering the car so he wouldn't crash but still recklessly overtaking any car on his route. "So you drive? You can really drive? And you didn't think to tell me? Bakida hankali, Laila. A nani yam?(Do you hear me?) Bakida hankali! Koi yanu ma?(what is wrong with you?)" his fist hit the wheel in anger but remained there as he unceasingly honked at cars until he was successful in confusing them and making them go every which way to allow him to pass.

His breathing heavy, he felt his heart skip a beat or 2 every few seconds. "A bagama. Yan bagi. (You're married! We're married!) That should be enough. But, no! Kinfin son wasan banza. All you do is bring chaos everywhere you go," His hand smacked the button to pull down his window. He stretched a spread-out palm at the opposite car. "Durun uwarka!" Then hit the button again and the glass came sliding up.

He glanced at her figure that was holding unto dear life, then placed an agitated palm on her forehead, "A don jam? (Are you alright?)" he hissed, taking his hand off her and making a sharp corner that almost had him crashing into a car ahead, "Stupid! That's a stupid question. Of course, you're not alright. Kina so ki kashe kanki ki kashe ni!" He yelled as he whipped past the hospital gate without a car tag and headed for the A&E, he'd deal with security later.

He parked and stepped out of the car to Laila's side. He unlocked the door and wasted no time in scooping her barely conscious form to drop her on her feet.

Tears-both of anger and frustration-he had no idea he was capable of producing packed at the edge of his eyes and slightly blurred his vision as he yelled at her. "If you pass out, I am not going to catch you."

Guess what the chaotic woman did? Yes, pass out.

His foot tapped agitatedly against the floors as he waited for these people to hopefully resuscitate the woman.

Half an hour into it, after he had settled with the guards at the gate and just when he had stopped pacing, he was called into good news. As good as it could get.

Laila's attack was normal during emotionally stressful moments. She was fine and could go home if she would take her meds properly.

He took the prescription and got them from the dispensary before marching back to the disinfectant-smelling A&E treatment room where he was led to Laila.

His expression softened but he was quick to replace it with a stern one, his steps faltering.

At the sounds of footsteps, Laila rose her tired eyes to him and they examined each other. Sudais in his T-shirt and sweatpants was sweating on his forehead, his eyebrows more bushy than usual stood above his visibly tired eyes, his lips dry and mirroring hers.

Laila on the other hand was still clad in her boubou lace with only the scarf shielding her hair, eyes pink and weak, dry lips pursed at the sight of the bottled water and pill bag he carried along. She hated any pill other than sleeping aids and painkillers.

"I'm not taking that." She declared before he even started.

He shrugged, dropping the bag on the bed and squeezing the bottle cap open. He lifted it to her face and surprisingly, she did not object. Head lifted and mouth agape, Sudais poured half the content of the water down her throat. He kept it aside and proceeded to ignore her glares when he fished out her description and tore the boxes of pills.

He twisted to her, nodding while she shook her head. "Open up."

"I told you, I'm not taking those."

"Open up or i'll pry your mouth open and shove these pills down your throat. Game on if you think I'm joking."

Despite cheating death just a few moments ago, she placed her hands on her waist to challenge him.

He nodded, "Okay then." He gripped her cheeks and pressured them to painfully pry her mouth open.

"Ok, Ok." Her hands came up to cease him, deciding this could go a tad less painful. She didn't need more pain than the throb on the left side of her chest.

Peacefully, which wasn't one of her characteristics, she flushed the pills down her throat with the water.

"Great." A sick smile spread across his lips as she threw the empty bottle to the floor. His eyes followed the bottle until it rolled to a stop before turning to her, his smile dropping. "A wawai jaba?(Can you walk?)"

To test his query, she dropped to her feet and took a step forward. She seemed good. On the next few strides, light headedness hit her as she felt her eyes roll to the back of her head and her arms flew to catch something, someone. Luckily, he was right behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist and shoulder.

No one asked, but she assured. "I'm alright."

"Lean on me." He charged, turning to grab the leather bag.

Her eyes rose to his, "For support?"

His cheeks wrinkled in comicalness, his eyes narrowing and his lips lifting up but in a frown. "Yeah. Why else?"

The rest of their journey went silent, each feeding their egotistical ass to the brim.

At home, despite the lightheadedness, Laila sorted out stuff she needed from their room, the kitchen, the bathroom, and the study into the guest bedroom.

She didn't want to think about what had happened, nor talk about it-not that she had anyone to do that with right then anyway.

Chugging down a night-aid pill and three painkillers down her throat, Laila changed into a flimsy cotton shirt and crashed.

Knock.

Knock.

Whatever the hell they wanted, they'd go away if she ignored them. Drifting into another short-lived sleep, the recessing knocks continued.

Laila thrashed her legs and groaned.

Damn whoever that was.

Her sleepy eyes stared at the white ceilings in a pure frenzy. Damn, that was the best sleep she had had in a while. The one where she was staring at the dark ceiling trying to comprehend who she was, what planet was she on, was she dead, was this heaven?

It definitely wasn't heaven because then there wouldn't be a knock on her door again. She took a deep breath and jumped off the bed, throwing on a hijab before heading for the door.

She unlocked it.

"Sorry, I want-"

Laila shook her head, "I no get!" Then slammed the door closed. She had nothing she could give him.

The door banged harder this time, Sudais' faint and frustrated voice coming again. "I wan just tell you say your nieces and nephews are here to greet you, you dey slam door!"

She unlatched the door, stepping out, "Oh, sorry, no vex. Thank you." Her words jumbled up, and she braced herself on how exactly she was going to send her little monkeys away.

After entertaining them for a good hour, Laila branched by the diner to pick up the loaves of bread to drop in the room. She ventured to the store, picking up a carton of caprisun and a few packs of biscuits before returning to the room and fastening the lock.

***

Monday, 4th march, 2019.

48 hours plus.

That was how long the couple hadn't set eyes on each other.

Laila had taken everything to heart. By everything, meaning her failed test. She had swept whatever had happened under the rug. She'd never admit it but it was kinda her fault.

So, she focused on getting that degree.

Laila was standing on less than 8 hours of sleep from the last 48 hours. She made no contact with the outside world, and only reassured Sudais that she was alive by yelling at him to go away. Textbooks, notes, youtube videos, lectures and ward round recordings, she had soaked and drank.

In the most famous way; ta shanye su dukka.

Unlike Friday, with her doubts keeping her on edge and the sweet stench of failure coming afterward, Laila dabbed the concealer under her eye to conceal her dark circles from dehydration and lack of sleep, confidence oozing off of her.

To top everything up, she pushed 2 painkiller pills down her throat and stretched her arms behind her. Rolling her shoulders back and forth, she wiggled her neck in sync to release any numb muscle. She wouldn't risk shit.

She creaked the door open and dipped her head out to look.

Site, clear.

Laila took a swig from the straw stuck into her multi-vitamin Capri-Sun drink as she slung her slipping backpack up her arm and her eyes didn't falter from her medicine-to-go journal, revision at it's peak.

Sudais who watched her from the diner as she walked without looking, smiled at the sight. "Sadiya."

Laila froze in her spot, then muttered all sorts of insults at the stupid tingling effect in her stomach which was starting to occur too much in his presence. She sorted herself out and forcefully pushed her lips down in a frown before turning to him. She gasped, stepping back from his jallabiya figure as he held a black and translucent plastic box in his hand.

When did he walk so fast to her?

Nonetheless, she waved the thought, moving back. "Ina kwana."

He stretched a palm, and she hesitated before sliding her journal into her material jumpsuit pocket and taking and shaking it. "Lafiya. How are you feeling today? Did you take your pills?"

"Yeah, and Like I'm going to crush everything." Despite being disappointed by her test score on some occasions, Laila didn't let her confidence falter.

She was going to pass this. She had to. It was either pass this or pass away. And, she liked the headmost more.

He hummed as he swayed their hands up and down. "I don't know what you survived on for 48 hours in that room. But, i know they're not healthy. Have this." He set out the intriguing box at her chest and nodded at her hesitating ass to take it.

He was being nice and sincere, doubting him was not part of the things he expected. He wasn't her, and would never poison her.... Maybe after he got what he wanted though.

She shoved her Capri-Sun to his chest and used one hand to hold the box, while the other opened it. She pulled the cover to meet the box slashed into 4 cavities. An apple, a banana, 2 sandwiches, and a bottle of water with chunks that jiggled up and down. "You got me a lunch box?"

"It was somewhere in the cabinets."

She hummed, hoisting the medium transparent flask of water to examine it in awe.

"Cucumber water." He added, gesturing at her body. "For hydration. Your mum says you take them a lot."

Laila's eyes widened, she rose an accusing finger at his chest. "Have you been talking to my mum?"

He stumbled on his words before finally shrugging. "Ish..."

She tilted her head to the side, returning the bottle to unpeel the Banana. "What do you mean by ishhhh?"

"I mean yeah, i may or may not have been talking to your mum. She's a nice woman. Unlike her daughter—"

Laila playfully lunged at him and he let out a welp and laughter, mixed into a fascinating sound that imprinted itself into her head.

When it died, he squinted his eyes, almost dreading the response to his next query. "Do you want me to drop you off at school?"

Without an intention to hurt or disrespect him, Laila took the final bite off her banana and shook her head. "Thank you, but no, you don't have to," She lifted the box, "Thank you so much for this though. Wish me luck, I'm rewriting my test."

"Allah ya bada sa'a Boddo na." He prayed while she reached for her Caprisun and hooked her lunch box close.

"Amin ya rabbi. Bye."

"Jippu jam! (Good bye)"

When she was at the last stair before the slide doors, she halted and rose a finger as she turned to him.

"Did you make the sandwich?" She was asking so she could check for poison at the lab. Just kidding.

He threw his fingers to the side that lead to the diner and kitchen. "The maid did."

She rose the box, "Did you chop the cucumbers?"

He pursed his lips-almost in a pout before shaking his head and holding his hands behind his back, a boyish smile spreading across his lips. "Technically, no. But i put everything in the box myself."

Laila shook her head in amusement, her lips slanting up in a smirk that explained just how little she trusted his words. "Okay."

Just when she thought their conversation was over, he called out. "Hey."

"Huh?"

His fingers found a home behind his ear as he started to scratch. "I...i didn't mean to um...hit you that day. It-it was reflexes. It was stupid. I....i am s-"

She waved a nonchalant hand in the air, knowing how hard it was for him to apologize. "I attacked first. Everyone would've done that. Compensate me with cartons of Cannabis oreo cereals and Caprisun though. The orange or multi-vitamin flavor."

And then she was out.

The woman has got to be the most bipolar person that had ever walked the planet.

She wants to fight this second, and then she's smiling the next.

He shook his head with a stupid smile as he ventured on with his day.

After 5 Pm, balls still blue as the sky, with Tahir in town, they found themselves in his living room, Tahir sitting cross-legged and slumped back on the couch with his phone up to his face, Sudais also slumped back with attention on his laptop and his legs crossed at the ankles on an ottoman as an NBA match aired on the television.

Half an hour to the Adhaan of magreb, the faint sound of the driver pulling into the driveway had Sudais focusing his scrutiny on the door as he waited for a particular person to come through.

She did, her happy voice echoing. "Salam'aleykum!" He could swear that was the first time he had heard her so excited since she had reunited with Maijidda in Adamawa.

"Wa'alaykumus salam." The duo answered, Sudais' voice being the most enthusiastic.

Laila's arms that were stretched out, ready to announce who was in the building came down at the sight of Tahir.

Sudais twisted with his palm up and ready, waiting for a high five before his question as she walked in. "How far? What'd you score?"

Laila's smile fell, and so did Sudais'. Now, don't get it wrong, he might've wanted something she wouldn't exactly give him-which was torturing him-but, it didn't mean he wanted to see her go down. Especially academically. He had a thing for ambitious people. And damn, she was one hell of an ambitious woman.

"Got you!" She shrieked, forgetting the presence of his friend as she mount her palm. "25 out of 30!"

"Ayyy!" Their palms clashed in a high-five. "I knew you could do it. I am so proud of you."

Laila did a little happy dance, wishing she heard those words more often before bowing and proceeded to plant herself on the sofa armrest. "Ina yini bappah Tahir."

"Ah, Goggo Laila, nadauka baki ganni ba ai. Abokina ya kwashe shi, se wani kyau dukkanku kukeyi."

Sudais' nose wrinkled. "What do you mean? Daman muba kyawawa bane?"

Laila nodded at Sudais, then threw a questioning look at Tahir as she placed her elbow on her lap and used her palm to support her face. "Bappah Tahir muna jinka. Me kake nufi?"

Tahir drew his arms up, his mouth agape at the gang that just formed against him. "Ni Attahiru kunun bayan ludayi ai ban isa ba."

Sudais nodded, stretching his hand out to Laila, and for once, she kept her spite for physical touch and didn't hesitate to interlace their fingers. "Toh ya fi maka, ko yanzunnan insa ka bar Abuja ba takalmi." Laila and Tahir threw their heads back and laughed at the serious expression Sudais managed to pull after saying that.

When it died, Laila stood up, attempting to wiggle her fingers out of her husband's grip who glared at her before smiling.

The man could be so confusing.

Realizing he had no intention of letting her hand go, she placed her other hand on her waist as she inquired. "What would you guys like to eat?" Now that was a question she had never asked Sudais. Which was why she couldn't help the wicked smile that quirked the sides of her lips up and effortlessly drew her dimples out at how fast Sudais' wide eyes flew to her. He should thank Allah for making her pass her test. She was ready for round 2 of her baseless accusations if she had failed again.

"Anything matarmu."

"Tea and bread." Sudais blurted the first thing on his mind.

Tahir let out a frustrated sigh as he threw his arms every which way. "Kaikam, don't you get tired of tea and bread?"

Laila signaled her brows at Tahir, her pursed lips motioning to Sudais without looking at him. "Sesa nake ce masa Biggi. Baka gansa bane, ga tsayi ga faadi kamar buhun masara."

"Ah," Sudais' peer flew to his wife who avoiding him, then to Tahir who rose a surrendering palm and gestured at Laila. "Kinsan yadda mata sukesona kuwa a buhun masaran nawan?" He turned to Tahir, confidently motioning at Laila. "Tell her, Tahir."

Tahir's arm flew in mock, his body vibrating with laughter. "Ka tashi anan. Goggo you did him a favor by marrying him. Ba wanda take sonsa."

Laila shook her head, glancing at Sudais who looked between her and Tahir in mock disbelief. "Toh ya zanyi Bappah Tahir, yace in ba ni ba se rigiya."

Sudais shook his head, adding, "A'a, se atlantic ocean de ko?"

Asif it was a comedy house, the laughter continued to erupt.

So, today i have a few questions that I'd love to hear your opinion on. Yes you, hanty, you that din use to vote and comment, na you i dey follow talk🙂

Ehen, catch your ear as i dey ask these questions and abeg make sure you answer them;

Are you liking the book so far?

Do you like the writing? The wordings?

Do you support Sudais and Laila's story?

Do you like Nurain? What do you think he did to Laila?

Who is your favorite character?

What do you want to say about the book?

What can i improve about this book?

Rate it out of 10.

Oya, don't forget to;