I am spoiling you guys too much really. I just love this blooming love thing ah ah.

Single people wear face mask o! Love is in the air.

SA'ADATU'S POV.

KANO, NIGERIA.

I will Kill Faiza Bayero with my own two hands—that I am certain. But, I will only be able to kill her once I survive the chaos that is my life at the moment—that is, if I do ever survive and walk out of this with my own two legs.

I am done for really.

They bought my fake faint, and believe me, I really gave into the act as I felt people rush to my sides. A mirage of chaotic voices and quick decisions later, some ladies, I think two gathered to pick me up to who knows where. In the process, my bag dropped, and I almost betrayed the act and spoke of it, but luckily, someone noticed and picked it up.

I remained silent and in that position as they took me to their destination—someone even called an ambulance and it took everything in me to not hide away in further embarrassment. Still, I made no move that would betray my act.

Eventually, I felt myself on a stroller and I was rushed to knows where. I still did not open my eyes, refusing to make a single move but deep down, I was scared. If we do make it to the hospital, they would obviously know I am faking so I thought of getting up once we reached there and just sprinting away. After all, the embarrassment I would face at the hospital is nothing compared to what I faced at the lectures hall earlier.

However, all thoughts I had regarding to that were thrown out the window when I heard the last voice I wanted to hear at that moment.

"Prof. AB, you are here..." Someone spoke, over me—my guess is a nurse, probably. "...I was just about to check her vitals and pupils."

"Don't bother, I will take it from here." His voice was oddly calm for someone whose student passed out in class. Believe me, it took everything in me to not hide away in that moment.

I almost pleaded with the nurse, or doctor, whichever it is to ask him to go away, that she can handle it. She is a lady after all, if it is just her, I can explain it to her and she might even help me. Ai ciwon ya mace ta ya mace ce ko? She should be able to relate.

But since I cannot speak out, I opted to pray fervently that she would turn him down. She should just tell him that she will handle this, that he can go and it will be no problem. Ya Allah, please...

Luck is not on my side, unfortunately. Because, her voice came almost immediately.

"Okay, if you say so." She resigned, and I was seconds away from crying. "I will leave your patient to you." The sound of her retreating footsteps came, and I fought against the urge to peep and see where I am and who else is there.

The sound of the door closing reached my ears, and silence ensued for a second before the sound of a chair being dragged reached my ears, coming to a halt once close enough. Still, I kept my eyes tightly sealed, and my expression the same.

One second passed, then another, and then another. This continued for almost a minute with no other sound heard, aside from the sound of the clock ticking, normally unheard now because unexpectedly loud in that silence.

I was so tempted to peep and see. Did he leave? Who else is in the room? Am I alone? If so, I can pick up my bag and quietly slip away and pray to never cross paths with the man again. In fact, forget the Masters, daman in banda fake life wetin carry my legs to do it in the first place? I should have just stayed with my degree and peacefully live my life, then none of this would have happened.

Yup, that should be it. I am dropping out of the masters—that is the best solution here. Who masters help after all?

My train of thoughts on how to escape this trailed off like that for a few minutes. And when no sound did in fact come again, I slowly peeled one eye open, peeping ahead through the slightly parted lids, and I was welcomed by the white painted room. I dropped my sight downwards, careful to not make any move but it was hard to just observe with my eyes—especially when the eyes are only half opened. I could not see a damn thing.

I held back a hiss.

Ever so slowly, I took the risk of tilting my head aside, almost naturally as I peeped, only for my eyes to close back almost instantly as my gaze fell on the figure seated on the chair beside me. Fuck no.

And his voice just happens to come at that very moment. "How long are you going to keep the act up?" His tone was slightly dismissive, as if he is not thinking much into this as I am. "I have patients to tend to, and your little act is taking up my consultation time."

Of course he won't be. After all, he is not the one facing the entire embarrassment.

And what did he just ask? No way am I facing this man at this moment. I would rather stay here for hours. He should leave for his consultation. Did I tie him down? Ah ah, see me see wahala please.

So, I kept my eyes firmly shut as I laid limp, unmoving.

His sigh came, and it was too low, I almost did not get it. "Here I thought you were in need of a better place and position to sleep but since you are not..." His voice was no longer the low murmur it was earlier, but about the average tone for one to speak. "...get up."

I ignored him, still feigning unconsciousness.

His voice came again, this time, firmer. "Sa'adah," His tone left no place for further stubbornness, but when have I ever listened? Why should I even listen? "Get up. I know you are awake."

Once again, I ignored him.

"Ba zaki tashi ba?" Yet again, I ignored him. "You know the longer you feign your act, the more you are confirming Fa'iza's words. How are you going to lock me down if you do not get up?"

That did it. This time around, I could not help it. My eyes flicked open, and I found myself staring directly at him. I could feel blood rushing to my cheeks, but I pushed past it and pushed myself to a sitting position. "She was not talking about you," He gave me a look that silently asked if I said that—we both know it is a lie. Sighing, I huffed out a small breath, looking away for a split second before I fixed my words. "Okay fine, she is. But, she does not know what she is saying."

He nodded slowly, though the look on his face showed he does not believe me. "If that is the case, then why do you have to pretend to faint?" He arched a brow slightly.

I swallowed thickly, the lie escaping my lips so easily. "I was not faking anything. I felt dizzy, and I am hypoglycemic."

"You are fasting," He pointed out casually, "Qarya ba kyau."

Fuck, he is right.

I looked away, my hands fisted by my side. The sound of his slight chuckle came, and I almost thought my ears were deceiving me. Adnan Bayero chuckling? The man is incapable of the simple act of smiling, how can he chuckle?

Wanting to check if I actually heard it right or my ears were indeed playing tricks on me, I found myself looking at him again. He was settled on the chair he had pulled by the bed, and was seated comfortably on it. Legs crossed, he held a tablet in his hand, his gaze and attention on it. The light from the device reflected on his face, especially on those bifocals.

Did he change his frames?

Now looking at him up close, he does not look much different from what he does the last time I saw him—and it has been over two years now. The only visible difference I can spot if the beard he seemed to have grown, neatly trimmed, giving him a manlier look. Over all, and aside from that, he pretty much looks the same as he does before.

"You know you are not exactly helping your earlier statement," His voice came once again, snapping me out of the moment. He then looked up, his gaze set on mine, "If you keep looking at me, I would think you actually like me."

I could not help it, a scoff escaped my lips. "Dream on," I muttered. Getting over my initial embarrassment from earlier, I found myself holding his gaze. "Have you always been this arrogant?"

He nodded simply, unbothered.

I nearly scoffed again, then found myself mumbling. "Why did I not see it before?"

His voice came, dismissive as ever. "Maybe because you were too busy crushing on me?" It is official, I hate Adnan Bayero. This man cannot get any more arrogant or annoying wallahi. Dropping the tablet on his thighs, he turned off the screen, then continued. "Or maybe it is because you were too busy sleeping in my class."

"I was not sleeping in your class!" I was. It is way too obvious.

"Once again, qarya ba kyau," He stated casually, "And really? You were sleeping half the class away. I saw you."

Wait, he did? I was seated at the very last row. He could not have seen me, right? No way. He is blind. The man wears glasses, how can he see that far? Except...he walked up there.

The realization had my eyes dilating slightly, before I narrowed them at him. "You did not walk around the hall, did you?" From my tone, I am sure he can tell I want him to say otherwise. The embarrassment will be too much if he saw me sleeping in his class. Just how much more do I need to embarrass myself in front of this man please?

Instead of him to lie and help me save face small, he confirmed it. "I did."

"Why?" I asked in a resigned tone.

"Why not?" He threw back. "You seemed way too comfortable sleeping away, I thought you wanted a better sleeping spot by feigning fainting. Speaking of which," He leaned forward slightly. "Have you always been such a dramatic person?"

"I refuse to answer."

"You should though. I want to know."

"Who are you asking as? My Professor? A doctor? Or my best friend's brother?"

"All of the above." He picked. "Now, answer my question. Have you always been this dramatic?"

Not knowing why he is asking, I found myself narrowing my eyes at him even more if possible in suspicion. Regardless, I found myself answering. "Yes." There is no point lying—he would take the liberty to remind me for the third time today that lying is wrong, I just know he would.

My response had him nodding slowly though. "Good to know." His lips slanted into the smallest of smiles.

It did not sit right with me. So, I found myself asking as well. "Why are you asking?"

"So I would know what I am dealing with of course," He leaned back on his seat again comfortably. "I think I should know the lady who wants to lock me down more."

"You will never let me hear the end of that, will you?" I asked in a dry tone, annoyance lacing my tone. "Have you always been this self-centered?"

He arched a brow casually, "What do you think?"

I huffed out another breath. Did I mention disliking him earlier? I think I dislike him even more now. Why did I ever have a crush on him in the first place? I must have been blind. In fact, I should get myself a pair of bifocals as well so I will not keep choosing the wrong men.

His words piling up slowly pushed away my earlier embarrassment, and leaving more of annoyance in its awake. So, I found myself turning around to face him, my expression stern as I parted my lips to speak. "With the way you are acting, I need to make things clear it appears. One, it is true, I did have a crush on you, but that was before—years ago. I was young, and ignorant then--"

"Sa'adah--"

"Let me speak," I stopped him, before he could say anything that will mess up my speech. It takes a lot for me to muster and speak to him right now. Even I do not know where the seriousness is coming from, but I feel as though it is very much needed.

"I need to say this once and for all, for my sake. I apologize if my words and actions have given you any false signs, and ignore whatever Faiza says. You know your sister, she can be delusional but I assure you, I am no longer the same girl you knew back then. And I can assure in this very moment, I will not be chasing you for any reason—except maybe so I can pass your course but still, that is beside the point." I could not help but add that last part—my masters depend on this man too it appears; I cannot offend him in that aspect more than I already have.

He did not say anything, he simply sat there, calmly staring. There was nothing akin to anger nor annoyance masking his expression, and the calmness almost had me faltering—wondering if I am sprouting empty words for no reason but I pushed myself to complete it.

"The point is," I continued, my tone determined, "I am done chasing you, and I will not be doing any of that in the future, so you can forget anything has ever happened before as well." He was still silent, and I will not lie, the silence and the simple made me feel as though I am making a fool of myself. And I did not lie it. So, I picked up my bag and pushed myself to a standing position. "That is all I have to say. Thank you for today, and I am sorry for taking up your time. Asha ruwa lafiya." Turning around, I made my way towards the door.

However, his voice came as I reached out to hold the handle.

"Sa'adah?" He called out, his tone calm.

I stopped, then found myself swallowing down a lump. Pushing past it, I looked over my shoulder, "Yes?"

He turned his head around, holding my gaze. "Can I speak now that you are done?"

My hold on the doorknob tightened, fearing he would once again make me look like fool for saying all those words. Still, I nodded. "Go ahead."

He stood up, dropping the tablet on the bed before he made his way over to me, closing the distance between us. He stopped within arm's length, keeping a reasonable distance between us. Now standing, he stood taller than me—kicking away my earlier belief of I being tall.

His expression was same as earlier—soft, calm, and composed. It annoyed me further really that he is so calm while he managed to get under my skin.

He extended his hand out, "You forgot your phone."

My gaze fell on the device in his hand, and I found myself holding back another annoyed scoff. So, this is why he called me back?

I tamped down my annoyance, then took the phone from him, but he did not let go, making me arch a brow in response.

"What I wanted to say earlier is," He started, his gaze never leaving mine. "I agree with you. You should not chase me anymore." He let go of the device, and I found myself staring at him in disbelief.

I forced a fake smile on my face, "Thank you for the confirmation then, Prof." I gritted the title out, expressing my annoyance.

He smiled, he fucking smiled. "You have quite the temper," He noted, "But you should hear me out completely first."

I sighed, giving him a pointed look. "What else is there that you have not said? I honestly do not need you to draw any further lines. I understand, and I have already told you, I am never chasing you again--"

"Exactly," He nodded in agreement, and I almost found myself screaming that he just keeps cutting me midway. His next words though had my annoyed statements dying before they could make it out. "I should be the one doing the chasing this time around."

Excuse me, he said what?

****

Ah ah, it's like the tables have turned o😂😂😂 Adnanu me kace???

It's like bros came prepared this time around, yayi hankali kenan. Toh sannu prof namu 😂🫢

If you see the way I was giggling while writing this ba🫢🥹 Oya I'm starting to love Adnan small. Su Saadatu Harda taking stand irin I'm no longer doing you innan!

My sister got drag class too aradu, tab after everything ! Ai we cannot cave in easily 😂

Adnan is just there singing na Fada a rijiyar qaunar saadah😂😂 ki kamo ni da kugiyaaa😂😂

Jamaa a tafawa lobayya abeg😂give us ship names sharp sharp.

Toh my readers fam I deserve comments o. Fr you should thank my close friends reading this, I do not want to keep them hanging🥹 and you people as well.

Single people, go and hug your pillows, you will not meet Adnan in real life stop dreaming. I say make I remind you🙂

It's a crime to be single here just fyi the oppression will just finish Una dry heart 😂🫶🏽 go and love abeg no come disturb us here with God when🫢🤦 yes I'm choosing violence tonight.

Guznit my fellow single people😂

Relationship people go whine us, Saanan or whatever ship name you guys come up with go whine us but no panic. Maintain our steeze and composure😎

Toh I'm done.

Love, No Man's Peace, Jannah Mia😂❤️