무보정이라..🤷
mubojeong-ila..

그래도 즐겨❤️
geulaedo jeulgyeo

"JAY, BABY...please pick up my calls. I screwed up, I know but I swear I'll change, for you. Just...answer my calls please. I miss you, so much. And, I know you do too so please, let's not allow something as petty as this ruin us"

Jannah resisted the urge to scoff as she listened to one of the numerous voicemails Sadiq left. For the first few days after the breakup, he didn't call her nor did he try to reach out to her. Maybe, he did. And maybe, the reason she didn't know was because she had blocked everything that reminds her of him...except the constant memories that are always there.

But, she should've known that Sadiq would find another way to reach out to her. He knows all her lines...he knows all her tactics and if she dares to say, he knows her more than anyone; more than her father, and even Aisha.

It had always been him. He was her confidant, her best friend, and partner.

"Baby, I miss you. Dan Allah ki daqa waya na. I'm miserable here without you. You know how much I love you right? I don't want to lose you"

She found herself playing another one, simply allowing the voice to fill her ears. She had on an earpiece, so she had completely tuned out everything apart from that. For days, she had chosen to not pay any heed to the mails, deciding to ignore them instead. Because, she knows Sadiq, he wouldn't give up that easily.

But perhaps, even that was all lies.

It turned out she didn't know that much, or at all.

"We can fix this; you know that right? It's you and I, we only have each other. I still want to be there for you, Jay. Even if you push me away, I'll still be there for you, always know that. Forever"

Jannah didn't know whether to cry out or laugh sarcastically at what he said. Did he just say forever? Forever turned out to be five years of lies, and nothing more. She used to fall for that forever thing of his, now though, she knows it wouldn't work on her.

She slipped the hand that held the phone into the pocket of her white coat, stretching the fingers of the other hand. She then turned her head to the sides, to get rid of the soreness there. She could still feel people's eyes on her, and the occasional snorts that came from seeing her condition.

Did she care though?

Nope.

She barely paid any heed to them. Her seniors of course threw tantrums, but it fell on deaf ears since she refused to take off the shoes.

She was going through something much more difficult. How could she care that people find her shoe situation amusing?

She knew she looked ridiculous wearing it, she wouldn't deny that. However, that doesn't change anything for her. She stands by what she said about not taking it off. She wouldn't waste her money like that.

It was a little after Magrib time, and she was about to head home. Her shift ends at six, and as such, she decided to just pray there before heading home. To say she was exhausted will be an understatement. She had taken both hers and Aisha's shift, even though she really didn't have much but still.

All she wanted to do at the moment was to go back home and sleep away the stress. But then she found herself playing the voicemails she had chosen to ignore. Don't even ask why?

She made her way to the elevator that would take her to the first floor, and much to her dismay, there were other people there so she chose to stay in the corner to avoid any conversations. It worked too because one glance at her and everyone knew she wasn't in the mood.

She's pretty sure she looked dead...or maybe just cold, and exhausted.

Listening to Sadiq's messages weren't doing anything to help her situation, that much she knows. Because she still found herself tethering between so many emotions with every second that passes by.

She wasn't over him. Heck she knows it would take a while for that to actually happen.

Despite not having the phone in sight, she was still able to play yet another ridiculous message that only infuriated her more. At that point, she knew the best thing for her to do was to stop, and delete them all. She knew to block him again, and again.

But she still couldn't find it in her to do so.

Call her stupid, but a small part of her, a very small, yet significant part still hoped he had an explanation for everything. But her rational part knew otherwise.

There could be no explanation that would justify that.

When she found out, she hated him. No. Hate is such a small word to explain her emotion at that time. She was infuriated, maddened, enraged!

But as time passes, albeit not much, but time still, her anger is slowly turning into pain, and denial.

Her eyes welled up. "I'm so stupid" She muttered under her breath, low enough that no one heard her. That's one of the things she hated about herself. She hated how she always found herself

The elevator opened again, signifying that they've arrived at their destination. Like that, they are piled out and as she was the last to leave. Nonetheless, she managed to drag herself out of the hospital as the voicemail stopped.

She blinked back the tears, refusing to allow herself to wallow in it again. When she managed to hold back, although she could still feel the lump in her throat, she brought her head down-her eyes falling across the street. The lump slowly disappeared, as her eyes widened slightly; a brow quirked but failing woefully.

He rose a hand up, flashing her a small wave from where he stood, leaning on his sleek car of whatever brand Jannah is unaware of. Since it wasn't that far, she could still see his facial expression. He wasn't exactly smiling, but he wasn't frowning either.

Typical Abdallah.

From the way he leaned on his car, he seemed to be in ataraxis-a total opposite of her in the situation.

Nonetheless, like she had been doing since the day before, she masked her features with a smile as she walked towards him. Extending her hand up, she took off the earpiece when she reached where he was, eyes narrowing slightly. "What are you doing here?"

Abdallah tilted his head to the side slightly. "Am I not allowed here anymore?"

She shook her head, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. For as long as she had known Abdallah, he wouldn't answer her directly till he wants to. "If you're here for Aisha, then I suggest you go back. She's still with her patient" She found herself tucking both hands in the pocket of her white coat because it was chilly.

He shrugged slightly. "Well, it's a good thing I'm not here for her then"

She hummed, "And why are you here?" She truly meant it when she said unless food is involved, she and Abdallah weren't exactly the best of friends...they are barely any to begin with. But it wasn't just that, her mood is still dampened because of what she was just going through before he showed up. It wasn't right for her to project her frustration to him, she knew that well, which is why she was trying to keep it to the bare minimum and pretend like it doesn't exist at all.

"For you"

That sparked her interest, and he could tell from the way her facial expression softened. The corner of her lips tilted up slightly, "Why? Did you bring food? Because it will be really good if you brought food. Wallahi yunwa nakeji. I don't think I can make it home on an empty stomach"

He gave her a blank look.

Her short lived expression of glee disappeared, and instead was replaced by her earlier irritated look. "What? If that's not why you're here, what is it?" Truth be told, she wasn't that interested in whatever his reason is.

As long as food is not involved, Abdallah is useless to her.

He let out a small sigh that she barely caught, as she stood up straight, towering her figure. She wasn't exactly a short person, she was taller than Aisha, but Abdallah was still a bit taller.

Maybe, if she didn't rest all her energy on one leg, and actually stood up straight, he wouldn't be that tall to her.

"If you're off work, let's go somewhere"

If possible, her eyes narrowed even more. "You want me to go somewhere with you?"

He gave her the do-you-really-want-me-to-answer-again look. It only annoyed her.

That right there, is one of the reasons she doesn't get along with him. Sometimes, he really needed to loosen up. Actually no, he needs to do that all the time.

"Why would I go anywhere with you? For all I know, you could be trying to kidnap me" What she said was ridiculous in a way, because how would Abdallah kidnap her? If she follows him willingly it's not even kidnapping.

"If I was trying to kidnap you, we wouldn't be talking right now" He stated. "And besides, kidnappers don't really want someone like you" He muttered, but she heard him, annoying her more.

"And why the hell not?"

Abdallah shook his head. This is one of the reasons he doesn't like getting himself involved with her. She makes everything so damn difficult. "Look, come if you want. If you don't want to, stay here" He turned around, and opened the door to the driver's seat.

She stood there for a couple of seconds, as he revved the car to life. She gave in though, as she marched all the way to the passenger's seat and got in. Knowing him, he would throw a tantrum if she sits in the back. The last time, she was just lucky. Speaking of which...

"Why were you nice to me the last time?" She asked, as he drove away from the hospital. She knew Abdallah, well, in the sense that she knows she's in good hands. He might be annoying, and a jerk on more occasions that one, but he is a gentleman. There's no denying that. So, she wasn't really scared of being with him without Aisha being there.

Abdallah didn't spare her a glance as he focused on driving. "Nice to you?"

She nodded, "Yes" She leaned back slightly, the wheels in her head turning. "You allowed me, well, us to stay in the backseat the last time, gave us free food, had someone take us home, and even bothered to get us ice cream last week" That wasn't like Abdallah at all.

The free food? Yes, that was more like him.

Everything else though, nope, definitely not him.

"It's a good thing you kept saying 'us'. So, don't flatter yourself"

She shook her head, refusing to pick up on anything he says. "No, that's not it" It was her gut feeling that was screaming it's something else. And when it clicked, she found herself turning in her seat to look at him. "Do you like me or something?"

Abdallah turned around to stare at her as if she had grown two heads, before he shook his head muttering something as he looked back to the road again.

Jannah still didn't let it go. "No but seriously, you like me, don't you?" She honestly doesn't believe there's nothing to the things he is doing. She then exaggerated a sigh, flickering her imaginary hair over her shoulder. "I get that you can't help yourself but catch the Jannah fever, but you know my current predicament, right? And besides, you aren't really..." She gestured to him with her hand, "...my type"

Abdallah pulled the car to a stop, when they got stuck in traffic. He then turned to look at her, his famous blank expression on as his eyes met hers. "Hauka kikeyi?" He asked, "Why would I like someone like you? If you so badly want to know why I did all those things, then I'd tell you now. It's because I pity you, kina jina? I'm sure it's with this attitude that you got yourself involved with someone like that prick. You start acting up the moment someone shows you small attention. Are you craving for it that much?"

Jannah didn't know what exactly she was flooded with. Was it anger? Embarrassment? Hurt? Perhaps, all three?

Yup, definitely all three.

Her smile fell instantly. "Well, I'm sorry you feel that way" She settled back on her seat, turning the way so as to not face him. She was honestly embarrassed. But aside from that, she was hurt because his words hit home-more than she would like to admit.

Abdallah flickered his eyes close, shaking his head as he blew out a small breath. He honestly didn't mean to come out like that, but she did annoy him by what she said. That to say doesn't mean he doesn't know he shouldn't have said all that.

But what could he do now? She was already upset and from what he knows about her, she wasn't to stay upset for a short while. Her anger lasts for a very long time, especially when she felt hurt and embarrassed at the same time.

The rest of the ride was silent, with Abdallah occasionally throwing glances at her. He wanted to apologize, but he didn't know how to do that exactly. She on the other hand refused to tear her gaze away from the window.

His words were still playing in her head, and truth be told, that triggered her emotions before she saw him earlier. She could feel her eyes stinging, but she swallowed it back with much difficulty.

The ride seemed longer, considering they were in a silence that neither of them could wait to get to the end of. Jannah thought of asking him to drop her home, but she had already gotten herself involved in that situation so she would see whatever he wanted to show her and then she would leave.

Abdallah parked the car, and when Jannah rose her head up, she wasn't surprised to see he took them to his restaurant. Was that where he wanted to bring her in the first place? Or did he change his mind and chose to apologize this way?

She wasn't stupid, she saw the regret in his eyes the minute she uttered her last statement to him. She also felt his gaze on her but she ignored it because she didn't want to mistake his small attention for something.

When he got out of the car, she opened her door and stepped out too. He waited for her to catch up, before they made their way into the restaurant. For the first time, judging from the look on her face he knew food wouldn't really help him in this situation. But, he was hoping what he planned from the beginning would.

The restaurant was empty, which was something new considering the place is popular. She didn't say a word though and instead followed him to a table in the corner which had two people waiting there-a man and a woman. Reaching there, Abdallah shook hands with the man while he offered a grin to the woman.

They then turned to her, and Jannah suddenly felt self-conscious. She was still in her scrubs, white coat, and oversize Hermes shoe. Her hijab was made in a sloppy way too. She didn't care that much before because well, it was Abdallah. Now though, she regrets it.

Stupid Abdallah should've told her they were meeting whoever these people are. Instead, he allowed her to come looking like a homeless doctor.

"Is this the woman you were telling us about?" The man asked, as he and the woman stood up and rounded the table to meet them. They both offered Jannah smiles, and much to her luck, they didn't really judge her appearance.

Abdallah smiled, nodding his head. "Yes, she is the one"

The woman's grin widened, as she extended her hand for a handshake which was gladly returned. "Well, you sure were right when you said she's pretty" She threw a glance at Abdallah.

Pretty? Jannah thought in her head. Is he really trying to sell me or something?

It seems as though he knew what's going on in her head, because he chose to explain the situation to her. "There's this event we were chosen to cater, and they were looking for someone to be the face of a new campaign they were doing so I told them, I know someone perfect for the job"

"Campaign?" She asked, not looking at him. Her gaze shifted between the two people. She refused to look at him after what just happened.

Is it like a campaign for human trafficking or something?

The man nodded, making Jannah's eyes widened slightly. Did he hear what I said? She wondered. I swear to God Abdallah if you're trying to sell me I will hunt you in your dreams-

"Yes, a campaign for our new Pepsi product"

--Wait a minute. Did he say Pepsi?

"Pepsi?" She asked, voicing her thought. Having a conversation in her head won't really help her here.

The three nodded, grins masking their features. "We work with the Pepsi Naija branch, and we're holding an event for our new product launch soon. We're looking for someone that could possibly be the new face of the Pepsi Naija brand"

Wait a damn minute. She snapped her gaze to look at Abdallah, as if to silently ask if what she's hearing is right. He nodded, confirming their words and thought.

"But we've seen enough now, I honestly don't think we need to look further" The woman spoke, turning to the man who nodded, signifying they reached the same agreement. Her smile widened, as she turned to Jannah. "Would you like to be the face of Pepsi, Jannah?"

Jannah didn't think for a second before she answered. "Heck yes!"

She still couldn't believe that actually happened. That Abdallah actually made that happened.

Damn you Abdallah! She thought in her head. He definitely knows how to mess with my emotions.

~*~

Gaskiya Abdallah kana bamu missed signals😑😒.

Jannah is living the dream! Abeg someone should come and make me the face of Pepsi ko na angwar mu ne, I'm content with that🤣🤣.

Toh keh Jannah kin danyi over sabi. Kai Kuma Abdallah you were a bit much🤷

Before I wasn't about Abdallah, but guy I can see your intentions now😉😏

Aisha and Jannah are one kind duo like this. One is unaware, and the other is over aware, if that's a thing. You know what, for today, it is😂😂.

I've been trying to write this chapter since yesterday, but my brain wasn't cooperating sai yau. Anywaysssss, thank you all for the love this book is getting. Seriously, I'm just seeing votes like this upan down😭❤️❤️.

Toh, it appears I've wrongly judged the last kdrama I started. I'm just in episode 4/12 but I like it now. A bit too violent for me, but the plot twist bruhh, damn!😎

Share, share, share!

Bruh, I'm seriously being nice with updates haka. I'm just writing for you people upan down😁.

Na gaji yanxu aradu. Sai anjima👋

Love, Jannah and a new song she's obsessing over today.