章 92: Is That Him?
He had said he would be there. But we didn't have control over our lives. She wished he could be here. Justin had inspired her and influenced her educational choices.
He astounded her. He only collected her handouts and textbooks and studied in order to teach her in a way she had never been taught before.
She despised mathematics, and some of her courses, particularly those related to economics, and those that seemed to have mathematical applications.
He convinced her that mathematics was simple, sparked her mathematical love and interest, taught her the fundamentals, and guided her through intensive tutorials.
A guy who only completed primary three. Their few months together changed her life forever.
It was as if they had spent their entire lives together and he had left her with a vacuum that no one had been able to fill. She also didn't help matters by never allowing anyone to get close to her.
She was twenty-one years old and had no plans to marry. That was something Justin made her want three years ago, but her enthusiasm faded after he left.
Her friends approached her several times, and even her mother encouraged her to move on and accept Qadr. She accepted Qadr, but deep down she knew he was still alive.
She was still expecting him. She had no idea where he was or if he was even alive, but she felt as if his heartbeat was nearby, or far but powerful enough for her to feel.
She wasn't sure if she was just delusional or living on false hopes, but she was willing to take the chance.
She wasn't sure she could love another man as much as she loved him. She wasn't even ready to fall in love with someone new.
" Petra." Mercy spoke softly.
"You're really sobbing." She moved closer to her and took her hand in hers.
"I'm not sobbing." She replied.
"You are adorable my darling Petra. Today is not the day to cry. We should put aside our sorrows and rejoice." Mercy stated.
"I've been doing it. I only wish he was here to witness this great day. He was very crucial to my success. He was a driving force in my life." Petra stated.
"You worked for four years and he was only there for a few months." You can't destroy yourself for that."
"Those few months were life-changing for me and Justin made it possible. They improved the productivity of the remaining years. I don't expect you to understand my emotions."
"I understand, but you must move on." "How come you can't give Sadiq a chance?" She stated. "He has everything a woman requires." Mercy stated.
"Only Justin has everything I require, and please do not go there." Nobody ever lit a fire under me like he did. I would like to give myself more time. I'll wait." She said.
"I wish you would consider it. Three years have passed. If he is still alive, he would have come to look for you; if he is still alive but refuses to look for you, he does not deserve the wait and loyalty." Mercy continued..
"I'm not sure if he's alive or dead, but my heart tells me that my Justin is alive and that there must be some reason for his absence." Mercy shook her head. Petra was stubborn. Sadiq was her fiancé's friend, and he was desperate for her. Petra had developed a fear of men. She could be friendly, but when it came to relationships, she cringed.
“Mercy!” Her heart was racing as she called out. “Mercy!”
“What? "I'm here." She indicated with her finger. "Isn't that Justin?" “Justin?”
"Look, he's dressed up with a suit. He promised to dress up for my graduation. Look!” She indicated a young man walking towards a block.
"I don't believe that's him." "It is!" She jumped up and said. "Give me a second." She said this and followed him.
Petra walked quickly, her gaze fixed on the man who walked confidently ahead of her. She was almost out of breath. Her heart was racing as she fought the urge to scream his name.
The distance between them narrowed, and she exclaimed, "Hayati (My life)!" The man turned quickly, his reaction indicating that he recognized the name.
He paused when he noticed her. He furrowed his brows. She came to a halt. No! He was not the one. But why did she feel that way? What made her feel his presence? Why was her heart twirling to the beat of love?
This guy had black eyes, whereas Justin had brown eyes. He had a lighter complexion than Justin. He was big, broad-shouldered, and had an aggressive jaw.
His brow was thicker, and he appeared taller than Justin. His beard was longer and his hair curlier than Justin's.
She noticed a guy dressed in a suit with class and cuteness. His white Emporio Armani satin-lapel textured dinner jacket was paired with black Loro Piana straight, slim chinos.
His Lanvin double-layered satin black bow tie gave him a swaggering, gentlemanly appearance. His shoes were Guiseppe Zanotti, which should have cost around 500,000 Naira.
The black manly eyes were hidden behind his plane Versace VE3218 eyeglasses, which was matching his Gucci Dive XL watch. Petra recognized the scent of the high-end Dolce and Gabbana Velvet desert oud cologne.
This guy was in a class of his own in terms of handsomeness and uniqueness, and she was not only disappointed that it wasn't Justin, but also embarrassed and angry at herself for allowing his beauty to affect her.
She almost melted at his sight, but she quickly regained her composure. “Hayat.” A girl called out and approached them. The girl was a slim damsel in expensive clothing, but Petra had had enough of the guy to pay more attention to her.
Hayat? And she referred to him as Hayati. Was that the cause of his sudden turn?
"Have we ever met, Miss Pretty?" He said this, and she noticed a difference in his voice from Justin's. His voice was lighter than Justin's, and he spoke with a more refined accent.
Petra blushed and shook her head. "I apologize for mistaking you for someone else." He smiled, and it was as if he had been blown out of an oven with cool air.
You want to keep seeing that smile and knowing it was meant for you. A smile reminiscent of Justin. Who the hell was this guy who was raising her blood pressure and temperature?
"But you called my name... actually the possessive version."
"I didn't call out your name." Petra said
"I suppose it was a title now, and I feel honored that my name was used." He said this, and the girl came over to join them.
Petra was uneasy, hoping the girl wouldn't do something stupid.
"This is Aaliyah, my sister." He introduced her. "Aaliyah, meet, meet.... Miss...oh she's so bright..." "Miss Sunshine." Petra had no idea when she gave him a sharp look.
He just called her what? she thought inwardly
"Please excuse me?"
"I'm sorry, I don't know what your name is, but that name fits you." You are the epitome of radiance." He laughed.
Aaliyah moved forward with a smile. Her brother appeared to be making a move, and she knew when to back off.
Petra felt stuffy, as if the oxygen in the air had been drained.
"That is not my name, and please do not address me as such again." He realized the name meant something to her. Did he jog her memory?
"My name is Hayat Salat. "May I ask what the princess's name is?" She moved her head.
"I came after you because I mistook you for someone, and that's all there is to it." "I never tell strangers my name."
"I was a stranger just a few moments ago. You now know my name and the name of my sister. Okay, I'm based in Abuja, though I still live with my parents and work as an administrative officer somewhere.
Now you know more about me.....Oh, I guess someone was looking for you." As soon as he saw Mercy, he said.
"I'm not a vampire, just tell her you're safe."
Petra turned around to see Mercy standing behind them.
"I'm still adamant that you don't need to know my name. "Have a nice day..." "OK, that's my sister; please tell her your name and phone number." I want you to be her friend. She requires motivation." He said.
I would appreciate it if you could correct her. She consumes far too many chocolates, which is harmful to her health. Simply do it for her..." Petra laughed.
"The gown I'm wearing is not a transition gown from nursery to primary school." Petra said with a smirk on her face.
"Who said you can fool nursery kids these days?" My trick is so stupid that even a kindergarten student would notice." He stated. "All right, no tricks. Can I have your number, please?
On Fridays, I send duas (prayers) to loved ones." "May Allah bless you for your good intentions, but no I am not giving you my number."
"I guess you're really upset." I am not the Hayati you are looking for. But, since I am not Hayati, please manage me. It's only the 'I' that's missing." He stated.
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