Kaduna State, Nigeria.

It was him. Her Whisperwind.

Her heart drummed in her chest as her eyes widened in disbelief. How could he be here, in front of her, like this?

The same man whose memory had been dancing around in her head ever since their embarrassing encounter. The very one who had made her heart race and cheeks flush with the mere thought of his presence.

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Her mind replayed their first meeting, the awkward, mortifying exchange outside the restroom, her desperate attempt to impress him, the way he had smiled, even laughed.

He had seemed so unreachable then, like a star in the sky, and yet here he was, in front of her again. It looked like it has been long since he laughed but seeing her in that state undid him.

It was much later when she realized that and she was very pleased to say the least. That encounter has replayed in her head more than her own name.

Her heart fluttered with a mix of nervousness and excitement. She looked around the area, blinked at the sun above, then brought her eyes back to him. Yup, he was still there.

Yasmin couldn't help but take in every detail. He was too good looking for her not to notice it every single time. It is like breathing. A necessity.

There are the sharp lines of his jaw filled with beard, the way his dark eyes studied her, a mix of curiosity and something else in their depths. His presence was magnetic, and she felt herself being drawn to him, the same way she had that night.

She wanted to speak, to say something clever, anything at all, but her voice was caught in her throat. This is what happens when she gets overwhelmed or too excited and right now it is both!

Whisperwind looked as if he was about to say something, his lips parting slightly, but instead, he leaned back against his seat, a ghost, amused smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

Yasmin's mind raced. Should she thank him again for finding her shoes? Should she apologize once more for the smell that had assaulted his senses?

Or... should she just say what she was truly thinking? That seeing him again felt like fate, that she hadn't stopped thinking about him since their encounter? That she had named their kids?

Before she could gather the courage to speak, the car door opened, and a breeze filled the air, carrying his scent –fresh and comforting and expensive and purely masculine.

She inhaled deeply, wishing she could bottle it all up.

He tilted his head, his smile growing a little wider as if he could sense her turmoil. But she knew he was just remembering how she had embarrassed herself. The man doesn't look like he smiles much.

"Are you alright?" he finally asked, his voice like a soft rumble, breaking the silence that had seemed to stretch on forever.

Yasmin felt her face go hot but she nodded quickly. "Y-yes," she stammered, then, desperate to keep the conversation going, she added, "I was just... surprised to see you here."

"I could say the same," he replied, his gaze never leaving her face. "I didn't expect to run into you here and alone. It's not safe."

She swallowed, trying to find her voice. "I—uh, it's... a small world, I guess. I –uh don't live far away. Came to buy some food stuff."

She gestured to the different colored leathers in her hands and his eyes lowered. A frown pulled between his brows before he let it go and looked back at her face. A breath left her in a whoosh. God. He is so handsome.

"Indeed," he murmured, "A very small world."

Yasmin's heart was pounding so hard she was sure he could hear it. She wanted to reach out, to touch his hand, to see if he was real, but she stayed rooted to the spot, afraid to break the spell.

He will run away if she does that. It is also not appropriate. Her mama didn't raise her like that and she won't change direction after so long.

Finally, he spoke again, his voice low and teasing. "So... did you bring any superhero-strength perfume this time?"

Abdullah was shocked at his own humor that he wanted to dial Anas's number and tell him he just cracked a joke. He didn't though. There was just something about the girl in front of him.

Yasmin's eyes widened, and then she burst into laughter, the sound high and nervous, but genuine. Abdullah stared and stared as she laughed watching her straight white teeth shining.

"No, not this time," she managed to say between giggles. "But I'm still convinced it could save the world if needed."

He chuckled too, a short deep, rich sound that made her heart swell. She wished she could bottle it up and hide it somewhere. She felt like she was about to do something very embarrassing.

"Well, I'll keep that in mind." He said, his smile still small.

The tension between them eased, and for a moment, Yasmin felt like maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something beautiful. Something she had only dreamed about, but never believed could actually happen.

Abdullah gestured towards his car. He shouldn't have stopped but seeing her all alone after recognizing her, he had to make a u-turn. The place was empty and anything could happen.

That protective instinct of his to protect people brought him back. He wouldn't want his sisters standing in a place like this all alone with no protection. That'd be a nightmare.

He has a meeting to attend at their old branch in Unguwan Rimi and was on his way there when he saw her. He should have continued driving but he couldn't.

Not once had Abdullah ever stopped to give a random person a lift. Not in his entire life. Especially girls that think anyone that helps them wants something from them. Too messy.

This was his first time but then again he has never seen a familiar face in a dangerous place, probably that is why.

"Let me give you a lift. I'm heading towards your area." He gestured for her to enter the car.

Yasmin stood there watching him trying to find what she found different in him today then it drowned on her. He was wearing a dress shirt, tie and waistcoat. God, he looked good in everything.

She cannot decide whether he looked better in kaftan or this fit. But one thing is for sure, her Whisperwind is so freaking gorgeous.

Blinking, she started towards the passenger seat but he stopped her and collected her stuff from her hand without touching her. He opened the boot and placed them gently inside.

"Now this man is going to take so much care of me. Look at the way he placed the leathers like gems," Yasmin thought with a lingering smile.

"Shall we?" He started towards the driver's side and she walked towards the passenger's.

Her mother told her not to go anywhere with strangers but to be honest Whisperwind is anything but a stranger. He is her future husband and the father of their many kids.

As the car pulled away from the empty street, Yasmin felt a strange mix of exhilaration and anxiety. She had barely had time to process the fact that she was now sharing a confined space with her Whisperwind.

The silence inside the car was thick, almost oppressive. Abdullah stared ahead, his face unreadable, his hands gripping the steering wheel with a calm certainty that seemed to match his entire aura. Steady. Unbothered.

Yasmin fidgeted, her fingers playing nervously with the hem of her hijab. She couldn't bear the quiet any longer. It felt like a chasm between them, and she needed to fill it with something, anything.

She turned slightly toward him, stealing a glance at his profile. "I've been waiting for your call," she blurted out, her voice louder than she'd intended.

Abdullah's expression didn't change; his gaze remained fixed on the road. He didn't even blink. He has even forgotten that he collected her number for a second there.

"I had no intention of calling," he replied flatly, as if he were stating a mundane fact.

"Then why did you take my number?" Yasmin's smile faltered, replaced by a frown.

He shrugged, not even glancing at her. He collected her number to send her credit after her spiel about how she was going to be in trouble from her boss. It was nothing else.

She blinked, taken aback by his bluntness. There was no apology in his voice, no attempt to soften the blow. Just a simple, matter-of-fact statement that seemed to carry no weight for him.

The silence returned, thicker than before. Yasmin stared out the window, her fingers clenching around her tiny phone, trying to mask the hurt that had settled in her gut. But it doesn't matter.

She knew he was not that kind of person to jump into conclusion or... does he have a girlfriend?

The car slowed as they approached her home. Her heart sank a little further with every passing second. She couldn't just let it end like this, in a disappointing silence that felt like a door closing in her face.

She wanted to ask if he has a girlfriend and wants his number so desperately.

She couldn't explain what came over her, but she knew she couldn't let him leave like this. She needed to do something wild, something he wouldn't expect.

Before he could say another word or even reach for the door handle, she leaned over and pressed her lips against his cheek grazing his beard. It was quick, a fleeting brush of warmth, but it left her heart racing wildly in her chest.

Abdullah froze, his entire body tensing at the unexpected contact. His eyes widened in surprise, and for a second, she saw something flicker in his expression—confusion.

She pulled back, her own face burning with a mix of boldness and embarrassment. What the actual hell? Yasmin thought to herself because this is the stupidest thing she has ever done.

"There. Now you have a reason to remember me," she whispered, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

He stared at her, his eyes dark and unreadable, but his silence was louder than any words. Yasmin quickly stepped out of the car, her heart thudding in her ears, and without looking back, she rushed toward her house.

"Innalillahi! What have I done?" She screamed to herself in their compound, her eyes wide. She didn't expect herself to act like that. Not in her wildest dreams.

She just pecked a man??? A man? A man she doesn't know the name of? What would he think of her now?

Don't come for me bansan Yasmin haka take ba😂😂😂😂😂 wallahi after I typed it I was like this is something she would do lemme leave it. Ahhhhhh now what will Abdullah be thinking?

How about our chefane in his boot? Abi Yasmin will use her money to go buy am again?🤣

Anywayssss double update? Yall be so lucky. The weather is giving🙂‍↔️

QOTD; Read minds or be invisible? I want to read minds o🤣 invisible won't be as much fun for me. Lemme know wetin you dey think!! You?