BUZZING ROAD – DAY
(The road is bustling. Hawkers scream out their wares. Students, civil servants, and businesspeople rush to various destinations. Amid the crowd, Habibah and Sefinat walk side by side, chatting as they head toward the nearest market.)
Sefinat: Gosh, I hate okra soup! In fact, I hate all those draw soups. They make me sick.
Habibah: You’re missing out, girl—really missing out. Just picture hot amala with thick jute leaves… damn, girl!
Sefinat: Ehn? Eleha is saying “damn girl”? Okay, that’s new! I love this version of you. Damn!
Habibah: (chuckles) Stop joor! Are you teasing me now?
Sefinat: (laughing) Me? Never!
(Suddenly, something catches her attention. She squints ahead.)
Sefinat: Habibah?
Habibah: Yes, Madam Teaser?
Sefinat: Is it just me, or is that lady about to cross the road? She looks lost… and not okay at all.
Habibah: (looks toward the woman) Yes!! Ah-ah! She’s not even looking!
(They both break into a run. Just as the woman is about to cross, a trailer approaches at full speed.)
Sefinat: Oh my God! (runs and grabs her hand, pulling her back just in time—they both fall to the ground, groaning)
Habibah: (groans, helping Sefinat up) Are you okay? Hope you’re not badly hurt. (stares at Akeelah lying motionless on the ground) What’s wrong with you, madam?!
Sefinat: (dusts herself off and looks at her) Are you out of your mind?! If you want to die, at least die properly—not scattered across the road! (waits for her to speak) Are you even listening? (notices bruises on her wrist) I can’t believe I risked my life to save someone who doesn’t even care if she dies.
Habibah: (taps her) Hey… I don’t think she’s mentally okay. Maybe we should just leave…
Sefinat: Ssshhh! (kneels beside Akeelah) Hey! Can you hear us? Do you understand English? What’s the problem?
(Akeelah slowly gets up, adjusts her veil to cover her bald head, and silently turns to leave.)
Habibah: (noticing her injuries) Look! She’s bleeding. Madam! You don’t look okay o!
(Akeelah ignores them and limps away, leaving them confused and speechless.)
Sefinat: Omoh! Different kinds of creatures in this Lagos o! Can you imagine?
Habibah: I don’t think she’s herself. She doesn’t even know she’s injured. Yaa Allah, only You know what this world has done to this one again. This duniyah is scary...
Sefinat: Please let’s just go, abeg. (grabs her hand)
Habibah: May Allah have mercy… Ehnn? Things are really happening! (follows her)
TWO DAYS LATER – NIGHT – UNCOMPLETED BUILDING
(Jabir steps down from a cab and spots Khalid at the top of an uncompleted building.)
Jabir: (calling out) Hey! You tired of life too? (chuckles as he climbs up to meet him)
Khalid: (smiling, offers a handshake) Wassup, bro?
Jabir: I’m good. You?
Khalid: Same here.
Jabir: I was surprised to get your call. You sounded serious. I was wondering what was up, especially with this weird location. You’re scaring me o.
Khalid: (chuckles) Innocent me? It’s nothing too deep, really. You know I’ll always have your back when things go wrong.
Jabir: Of course. We’ve always got each other’s backs. So, what’s up?
Khalid: (rubbing his palms together) Like I said, it’s nothing too serious. I just need some clarification, that’s all.
Jabir: Alright. I’m all ears.
Khalid: (takes a deep breath and looks him straight in the eye) We’ve known each other for quite a while, and I want you to trust me and be honest with the questions I’m about to ask.
Jabir: Now you’re making me nervous.
Khalid: (smiles) Sometimes, when I look at you, I just can’t imagine you hurting a fly. You’re too soft, man. But… I want to ask you about Sefin.
Jabir: Sefin? Who’s that?
Khalid: Oh—sorry. I mean Jamiu. Late Jamiu. My close friend.
Jabir: Ohhh! Yeah… Jamiu. What a great guy. May his soul rest in peace. So, what about him?
Khalid: What exactly brought you two so close back then? What made your bond strong?
Jabir: Obviously, his vibe. That guy was all vibes—we all knew it.
Khalid: Yeah, that’s true. But I want the real reason behind your closeness. Please.
Jabir: Why do you want to know? What’s prompting this now? Are you suspecting me or something?
Khalid: What? Hell no! Don’t get me wrong, okay? I mean well. Maybe something you say could help us finally find the person behind his death. Because we all know—Jamiu didn’t kill himself. And I have enough evidence now to prove it.
Jabir: What do you mean?
Khalid: A student was creating content near the building the day he died. The guy was dancing on video—and by Allah’s will, he unknowingly captured the moment Jamiu fell.
Jabir: (focused now) Are you serious?! Then why haven’t you reported this to the police?
Khalid: I just recently got the footage. I’m gathering more evidence before taking it further.
Jabir: Who is this guy? The one that captured it?
Khalid: I’d rather not mention his name. I want to keep him safe for now.
Jabir: Wait—you think I’d hurt him?
Khalid: No, never! I just mean I have to be cautious. That's all.
Jabir: So why can’t you tell me? Let’s find the person who did this—together!
Khalid: (smirks) Do you trust me?
Jabir: Of course I trust you. This could be our chance to uncover the truth.
Khalid: Then tell me—who do you think might have done it?
Jabir: (thinks deeply) Hmm... Promise you won’t tell anyone I said this?
Khalid: Don’t worry, bro. Your secret’s safe with me.
Jabir: Well… (leans in and whispers) Either Idris and his gang… or Ziko, the cultist.
Khalid: (nods) I guess we’re thinking the same thing.
Jabir: so tell me who the content creator is.
Khalid: I don’t think you should be bothered about that.. I just need you to tell me what really made you and jamiu so close before his death.
Jabir: well… I promise to keep his information a secret because he never wants me to disclose it with anyone.. not even you. so how should I trust you?
Khalid: (chuckles) c’mon!
Jabir: yeah! You don’t trust me then why should i?
Khalid: (losing it) okay fine! I will tell you and you must promise to tell me as well and must keep his identity a secret till we gather enough evidence.
Jabir: I promise.
Khalid: fine.. his name Is Daniel Rotimi, computer engineering department, ND2 student.
Jabir: oh okay..
Khalid: now tell me.
Jabir: promise to keep this a secret.
Khalid: I already promise man.
Jabir: good! (look around again and whispers) Jamiu doesn’t feel attracted to female at all.. he is into men. And he was having an affair with a student close to our department. So one evening I caught them right at the spot kissing. So ever since then, he kept wanting to be around me, pleading that I never reveal his secret with anymore and I promise.. and now I just broke that promise. So every time he always want to be close with me so I wont spill the bean.
Khalid: (shocked but compose) are you sure of what you are saying?
Jabir: 100% sure. I know its hard to believe but I cant lie on a dead person. I cant believe I broke this promise.. I pray he wont be mad at me for this. make he no show for my dream.
Khalid: relax man! But wait.. he was in a relationship with one lady like that, her name is… uhmm..
Jabir: Anna.
Khalid: yes Anna.. but how did you?
Jabir: that was just his cover up.. he had to do whatever it takes to prevent people from noticing.
Khalid: but.. this sound unbelievable.. Jamiu likes women.. infact! He admires beautiful women.
Jabir: guy! It Is what it is… is up to you to believe. That’s why it called a secret.
Khalid: oh well.. thanks bro.. this wasn’t what I was expecting. Absolutely not! anyways.. I better be on my way.. I got work to do.
Jabir: alright then (handshake)
Khalid: (head the buiding) so you are now a graduate uh? Our latest corper!
Jabir: you also want to join them in pulling my legs uh?
Khalid: anyways congratulations. More success.
Jabir: thanks man.
*********************************
That same day (night)
Munir: (enter his apartment) what a day! (move to the kitchen) I’m starving.. (rinse a plate and pour his ordered meal, suddenly heard the door opens) who is it? (No response) who dey there na? (still no response, then he head to the door) I said who is….. (shocked to what he sees, he rub his face twice) is that akee… Akeelah? Akeelah is that… really you? (suddenly his body shiver in fear but compose) I cant believe it.. how. How did you get out of the prison?
Akeelah: (looks miserable, stained dress she had been wearing for two days, dried face with injure body, looking scary as she speak) i… thought you will be happy to see me.
Munir: of of course (stammering) ofcourse.. i.. I am very happy! Finally you.. you are home! (about to embrace her she brings out a gun behind her then she freeze) Akeelah! What.. what are you doing? where did you get the.. the gun?
Akeelah: (saidly coldly) why are you shivering? Unless you’ve done something bad.
Munir: (show sign of relieve ) you know I hate this type of expensive joke.. at first I thought it was a real gun. And why on earth will you try to shoot your own blood brother? Stop this joke jor, let me embrace you (about to touch her, she point the gun straight at his forehead)
Akeelah: take one more step and you will join mum and dad!. (tears drip down her face)