It had been 20 minutes since Zahra stepped into Alice Garden and saw Michael sitting alone at a two-seater table in the right wing, his eyes fixed on the menu but his mind clearly elsewhere.
It was around nine in the morning, and the restaurant was alive with the hum of conversation and clinking plates. Friday morning chaos filled the streets, but inside, there was a palpable tension between the two of them.
Zahra was still trying to explain to Michael everything that had happened during the time she lost her phone.
"So, that's it? That's your excuse?" Michael asked, his voice heavy with frustration. His phone sat forgotten in his pocket, and in his right hand, a bottle of water was half-empty, the coolness of it barely touching the heat of his frustration.
Zahra's heart sank. "What do you mean by that? You think I'm lying to you?" she shot back, a sharp edge in her voice that betrayed her vulnerability.
Michael's eyes softened for a moment as he saw the hurt in her gaze, the raw honesty in her words. He knew she was telling the truth, and that knowledge stung. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized there was nothing left between them—not anymore. He was with Olivia now, and that was all that mattered. The past was the past.
He sighed, setting the bottle down with a quiet thud. "It's not like that… Look, I get it. I understand it wasn't your fault either, but there's nothing I can do about it. We can't go back, Zahra. We can't be together again."
"We never broke up, Michael. This was just a long break we never planned for. We can make it work again. I could move to Lagos, we could hang out like old times, just the two of us."
"You know that's possible, but—" he stood up, cutting her off as the words slipped out with painful finality, "I think we need to call it quits... I'm calling it quits."
Zahra stood slowly, her legs trembling beneath her. The world around her seemed to blur, and for a moment, she couldn't find her voice.
"So, you're breaking up with me?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah," he said, his words final.
Zahra exhaled sharply, her face a mixture of disbelief and hurt. "Wow," she whispered, a single tear escaping down her cheek as she turned away.
"Look, Zee, it's not personal. Let's just call it what it is —a mutual breakup. I've got a girlfriend now, and I really care about her. I can't just leave her because you're back. After you left, my life fell apart, and I've been doing everything I can to put it back together. Now that I've found some happiness, I can't just throw it all away. It wouldn't be fair."
Zahra paused, a sad smile on her face. "I get it. I guess fate's just not on our side."
She chuckled quietly and grabbed her side bag.
"If I'd reached out sooner, maybe things could've been different. Just my luck." She sighed, adjusting the strap on her shoulder. "We can still be friends, though, right?"
"Of course. You know what? I'll take you on a little tour of Lagos —show you some of my favorite spots."
"Sounds fun." Michael smiled. "Let me just pay the bill."
"No, I've got it. I can't have you doing me favors." Zahra grinned and walked towards the door.
It was around six in the evening. The sun was dipping slowly behind the horizon, and the first signs of nightfall were creeping in. Michael and Zahra walked out of ShopRite at Ikeja City Mall, bags in hand after a fun shopping spree.
"So, what do you think of Lagos?" Michael asked as they hopped into the Uber.
"It's not too bad. I've discovered a lot here. I'll definitely be back soon. I'm starting to love it."
"You should," he replied, a small smile playing on his lips.
"The Chinese food here is way better than what we get in the capital. It's honestly finger-licking good. I don't know why you haven't tried it yet. All these luxuries and yet…"
"I'll give it a try later. For now, I'll stick with what I know."
"You do that." She glanced at her watch.
"Oh shit! I'm past curfew. My dad's gonna be furious. We should get going."
"Zee, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Well, I want to talk about someone. It's a girl."
"Hold on... Is it your girlfriend? The fair girl who was interrogating you yesterday? I don't like her."
"No, not her. It's someone else."
"Oh wow! I didn't know you had become a player. The same guy who didn't want to get attached to any girl."
"I'm not a player. It's just... complicated. I know it's weird for me to ask my ex for advice, but I'm just really confused."
"Well, that's something a player would say. Guess I should feel lucky you broke up with me."
"Stop it, Zee. I'm not that guy. Can you just hear me out first?"
"Alright, talk."
"I don't know where to start... Her name's Tosin. We met at the field in my estate. I usually go there every day after school, and we hung out a lot. She's tough but sweet. Yeah, she gambles and drinks, but she's caring, funny, beautiful — and honestly, she's been the best friend I've had in years. She's like a rare diamond in the rough. Every time we talk, I feel alive. She makes me believe I can do anything. She helped me join the school football team and even pushed me to win. She's been there for me every single day. She's just... really the best."
"Wow, from what you just said, she sounds like your favorite person in the world."
"Yeah... I think she is."
"Then why are you with the other girl? Why not just face your feelings?"
"I told you, it's complicated."
A sleek white Honda Accord pulled up a few meters away, and the driver popped the trunk to load their bags. They slipped into the car, and the engine roared to life as they began their drive toward Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja.
Zahra fastened her seatbelt, feeling the smooth leather of the seats welcome her. The comfort and warmth wrapped around her like a cozy embrace. After such a hectic day, she could already imagine herself dozing off into a peaceful sleep. It was exactly what she needed.
"Should I continue?" Michael asked, his voice soft but hesitant.
Zahra didn't immediately answer. Her eyes met his, but they were empty, distant, as if she were already a million miles away. If only he could see the exhaustion that weighed her down.
"Continue," she said finally, her voice flat. "Not like I have a choice. I'm stuck here with you for a few more minutes."
Michael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, here it goes. First off, I don't have feelings for her. My feelings for her are completely platonic—just friends, nothing more."
Zahra raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. Now, I'm not sure if you're lying, or if you're just confused."
He let out a short laugh, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Anyway, here's the thing. A couple of weeks ago, we had this fight. She doesn't want to talk to me anymore, and honestly, it's driving me crazy because it's not my fault. A few months ago, I won my first match at school, and I shared the news with her, right? She took me out... drinking. We were celebrating, but on the way back, I got into an accident. And after that... she ditched me at the hospital. Ghosted me for months. No calls, no texts."
"Drinking? I didn't know you had started drinking. You've changed, alright. Please continue… seems like I have something in common with this Tosin girl."
"Anyways, I was taken to the UK to get surgery done during those couple of months."
"Wait a minute. Surgery?" Zahra sat up a bit. "I think I didn't get that accident part. Are you okay? How bad was it?"
"I'm alright now. It was just an ACL. Nothing too serious."
She frowned. "Michael, that's not 'just'. ACL injuries are painful."
He shrugged. "Yeah, well… I got through it. But after the accident, I didn't hear from Tosin. Not a single call, not even a text. I tried to explain when I got back. Went all the way to her place…"
He paused.
"And?"
"She didn't want to hear me out. Said I was lying, shut me out, and even threatened to call the police."
Zahra's eyes widened. "She what?"
"Yeah. Just like that. That's what really pissed me off."
Is that all?"
"Yeah… Oh—almost forgot. One of her friends told me she had feelings for me. And when I brought it up to her, she just brushed me off. Like, completely ignored it."
Zahra rolled her eyes. "Michael, you clearly still don't understand women. So you think she's just going to open up and pour out her heart because what—her friend snitched?"
He blinked. "Uhh… yeah? How hard can it be?"
She let out a soft scoff. "Wow. Just wow. Look, she needs assurance. Some sense of security. She can't just put herself out there like that, not when she doesn't know where she stands. Come on, really? What did you expect her to do? Give you a hug and start reciting love poems?"
Michael looked away, rubbing the back of his neck.
Zahra softened a bit. "Look, I don't know much about this girl or whatever it is you two had—or still have—but I do know this: you need to talk to her. For real this time. She's probably in a bad place. And honestly? It sounds like she pushed you away because she feels guilty. It's your job now to put on your big-boy pants and fix it. No one cares about your ego. That's all I can say."
"We are here, ma'am," the driver said, cutting through the moment.
"Finally," Zahra yawned lightly. "This whole therapy session is making me sleepy. I'll see you again soon. Until then…"
"Let me walk you to your room," Michael offered, already stepping out. "It's the least I can do after dumping my entire emotional baggage on you."
Michael chuckled as he reached for the door, holding it open like a proper gentleman.
A few minutes later, they stood outside Room D09. Zahra slid the keycard into the slot while Michael held her bags. The light turned green. Click.
"Thanks for today," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Don't mention it," he smiled. "It was nice… weirdly."
The door swung open—and immediately, they were hit by a strange stillness. The living room was a complete mess. A chair was tipped over, a wine glass shattered near the rug, and the faint scent of perfume and sweat hung in the air like fog.
Then came the sound—low, muffled moans drifting from the bedroom.
Zahra's eyes narrowed. She looked at Michael, who instinctively stepped back.
"What the hell?" she muttered.
They walked toward the hallway. The floor was a trail of chaos—heels, socks, trousers, a bra. Zahra's pace quickened, heart pounding, confusion turning into a burning dread.
She shoved the door open.
And froze.
Her dad… was on the bed. Shirtless. Tangled in silk sheets. With a woman—definitely not her mother—straddling him.
He was half-naked. So was she. Their bodies tangled in a desperate dance, flesh on flesh, breathless and reckless. The king-sized bed groaned beneath them with every motion, the springs creaking in betrayal. The white-striped duvet barely covered their shame, but it was enough to hint at everything beneath. His hands were on her breasts, their faces lost in pleasure—until Zahra's voice cut through like a blade.
"Dad?"
Silence.
He turned, eyes wide. His expression collapsed the moment he met her gaze. Zahra stood by the door, frozen. Her lips parted but no words came. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. Anger hadn't reached her yet—it was still shock. Confusion. Disgust.
"What the hell, Dad?"
Then came Michael's voice from behind, quiet at first, trying to piece things together.
"Wait a minute... Is that—?"
He leaned forward, eyes narrowing as the woman shifted, trying to hide her face behind the duvet.
Recognition hit him like a slap.
"Mom?!"
For a second, time stopped.