The Labyrinth of Admirers

Chapter 12

The Labyrinth of Admirers

Bayo's expression mirrored the confusion, "Have I erred in the name?" His voice held a note of hope for clarity.

The man shook his head, "That name does not strike a chord with me," his response floating in the space between them, wishing for understanding.

As Bayo turned, poised to seek answers elsewhere, a voice chimed in. "Could it be Ameer Amina you seek?" He laced his words with a reverence that piqued Bayo's curiosity anew.

Bayo's intuition told him that the student before him held Ameer Amina in high esteem. He offered a nod, his smile a careful construction to mask his inner chagrin at the near mishap of his delay.

"She's currently in another session within our halls," the student shared with a knowing laugh, his awareness of Ameer Amina's schedule apparent. He gave Bayo a look that seemed to understand the admiration that had brought him here.

Bayo lingered in the corridor, the clock ticking away nearly two hours, yet no whisper of Ameer Amina's presence reached him. Resigned, he was about to pivot towards alternative paths when, in a twist of fate, there she was. Ameer Amina appeared her movement a fluid dance, her slender waist catching the rhythm of an unseen melody as she turned. Her navy and burgundy outfit highlighted her remarkable features — a pair of deep blue eyes, a straight nose, and an appealing figure.

Bayo's expression remained indifferent as he glanced at Ameer Amina, who wore a smile.

Ameer Amina lived amidst the turmoil of war and freedom in Algiers, where cries of rebels and colonists echoed through the city.

Ezzouar, a heartbeat away from the capital's core, bore the brunt of this strife, its streets echoing with the noise of bombings and the strife of guerilla warfare. Yet, it was here, in the crucible of conflict, that Ameer Amina found her resolve. With a Victorian scholarship as her vessel, she charted a course beyond the turmoil, setting her sights on the hallowed halls of Harvard's Faculty of Divinity.

Her quest for knowledge was insatiable, fueled by a vision to weave a mix of understanding among the disparate threads of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities. Ameer Amina aspired to be the harbinger of peace, to mend the fragmented spirit of Algeria with the balm of interfaith dialogue.

Through the storm of war, Ameer Amina's smile endured a lighthouse of hope amidst the storm, guiding her admirers through the darkness with its unwavering light.

Ameer Amina had just finished her lecture when a colleague whispered about Bayo's presence. She wondered if it was one of her admirers who had been persistently and repeatedly trying to catch her attention.

But when she saw Bayo standing outside the hallway of her class, she was intrigued by his unusual appearance. His Dada hair, a rich shade of brown, matched his smooth chocolate complexion, and his eyes betrayed no hint of curiosity or emotion towards her or anything else.

Ameer Amina flashed him a friendly smile, trying to ease the tension. She kept her composure and moved closer to Bayo, who appeared detached and remote.

Bayo felt his heart thumping wildly in his chest as if it wanted to escape. He worried that the girl might sense his nervousness from across the hallway.

Bayo exhaled, his grip tightening involuntarily. 'I'm awful at these conversations,' he admitted, feeling the weight of his social insecurities.

As Ameer Amina walked towards him, she sensed a strange vibe from him. She felt her muscles tighten and her pinky finger twitch. She breathed out and discreetly observed him, curious about what made him so different.

Bayo had a prejudice against people who were "slightly beautiful," as he put it. He thought they were arrogant and spoiled, and he disliked them. He hoped Ameer Amina would not be one of them.

As Bayo reached her, he stretched his hand and said hello courteously.

He smiled politely, but his eyes betrayed his mistrust. Bayo could not shake off the feeling that Ameer Amina was wearing a mask and would reveal her arrogant nature sooner or later.

Ameer Amina's voice was gentle and sweet as she said, "I heard from my colleague that you've been waiting," pretending not to notice his rigid stance.

Ameer Amina felt a slight tug of war in her heart, thinking, 'I also heard Ahmed Farid was here earlier.' She was sure Farid would come back.

She had bumped into Farid by chance a month ago, but she could tell he was persistent even after her discreet refusal. She exhaled, feeling stressed. She wondered who else would show up.

Bayo was about to say something, but she interrupted him, bending her knee slightly, "I'm sorry for making you wait."

What impressed Bayo was not her modesty, which contradicted his preconceived notions, but her sweet Algerian Arabic accent, which sounded lovely to his ears.

Surprised, Bayo kept his thoughts to himself, smiled back, and said, "I have been waiting for quite some time." He did not conceal his frankness - he was proud of it.

Amina's eyes widened in shock as she heard Bayo's words. She found him tactless but also appreciated his honesty. They had just met, and she had to learn about him. He had earned some of her respect, but it was not enough.

"I've heard about your impending expulsion and deportation," Ameer Amina said, noticing no change in Bayo's face. She sighed and asked, "How can I help you?"

Bayo stared at Amina with a blank look, curious how she knew. He hid his feelings well. He thought his unique Dada hair made him stand out among the crowd.

He uttered with a composed demeanor and a firm purpose, Bayo said, "I require your cooperation on something specific." He gripped his fist, reluctant to owe anyone anything because of Èsù.

"Oh?" Amina lifted an eyebrow and asked, "What information do you need?" She doubted Bayo needed her expertise in that field. But what else could she offer him?

"I'm looking for some insights on Yoruba culture and faith," Bayo said, masking his urgency with a vague plea. He inwardly braced himself for Amina's rejection.

Amina smiled warmly, but her face soon showed a hint of hesitation. She paused as if weighing her options, then sighed and asked, "How urgently do you need this information?"

Bayo felt a surge of anxiety; he had confirmed his worst fear. He tried to hide his nervousness with a smile and said, "Any time will do," while tapping his leg involuntarily. "But doing it right away could save us a lot of trouble." He finished with a quiet sigh.

Amina looked at him with a slight frown, her thoughts unreadable to Bayo. She wondered what he was after and how much he would risk to wait.

Amina gathered her courage and said, "It would be better if you tell me how urgent you want this information." She spoke with a mixed expression, wishing she didn't have to ask that but not wanting to be pressured.

Bayo felt a pang of discomfort, a twinge of unease stirring within his soul. He subtly tightened his fist imperceptibly before responding, "The sooner, the better." A flicker of hope crossed his mind, silently wishing he wouldn't be in this situation again.

"I'm happy to help you." She said this with a conflicted tone. Maybe she could use this chance to go to the library and clear her mind.

"Like here?" Bayo asked with confusion, not sure what she meant. He was about to ask his big question, but Amina gently stopped him with her hand.

Seeing Bayo's bewilderment, she quickly explained and suggested, "Let's go to the library for that."

Bayo was surprised; he thought she could give him the information without library resources. The record of her intelligence had impressed him, but now he was relieved that she needed the library. He would have doubted her credibility otherwise.

Amina was about to leave when Bayo snapped out of his trance. He chuckled, "I'm sorry, I was so rude. I didn't even tell you my name."

Amina felt a mix of curiosity and wariness towards Bayo. He seemed to have much on his mind, but he also intrigued her.

"I'm Opeyemi Adebayo, but please, call me Bayo." He noticed Amina's warm smile and continued, "I'm not a fan of formalities, so let's keep it casual." Bayo's openness surprised Amina, but she nodded in acceptance.

"Shall we?" She said, with a weary look on her face.

As Bayo and Ameer Amina exchanged hesitant pleasantries, a familiar figure emerged from the bustling hallway. Ahmed Farid's confident stride and crisp white attire drew the attention of those nearby, his presence commanding the space around him. Bayo's gaze flickered to the approaching figure, not recognizing him from previous encounters but silently concerned about his sudden appearance. A ripple of tension spread through the corridor as Farid approached, his expression a mix of determination and concern.

Ameer Amina let out a soft sigh, her eyes fixed on the approaching figure of Farid. She had sensed his arrival before he appeared. She felt nothing for him, yet she couldn't resist stealing a glance from Bayo to Farid, a pang of guilt stirring in her chest.