Jabir: (presses her neck to the bed, cold and furious) Now listen to me, you idiot. If you dare utter a single word in school, I swear, I’ll make sure you never live long enough to get home. You’ll join Jamiu.
Aishah: (heart racing, struggling) So… so you did kill him? You killed Jamiu?!
Jabir: (tightens his grip over her neck and mouth) You are the worst mistake of my life! I don’t even know what my father saw in your filthy mother that made me stuck with you. If you dare… if they born you well… go and tell anyone. I’ll kill you with my bare hands. I’m sparing your life because of my dad. If not, I would’ve buried you long ago, you disgusting trash! (lets her go and storms out)
Aishah: (breaks down in tears, shivering violently)
AT THE HOSPITAL – INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
(The doctor examines Munir who is unconscious, bandaged, and hooked to machines.)
Nurse: (shakes her head) Doctor… we might have to amputate his right leg.
Doctor: Definitely. If we don’t, he might not survive. There’s internal infection already.
Nurse: And they said he has no family. The only sister he has is in jail.
Doctor: Then who’s footing his bill?
Nurse: A friend… poor guy. Allah help him.
NEXT DAY – DECEMBER 30TH – AFTERNOON
Habibah: (sweeping and folding clothes) Every time he’s around, he just throws his clothes everywhere like his hands are broken. (bumps into his travel bag) This bag don suffer! Only Allah knows if this thing has ever touched water before. Let me just help his life. (starts unpacking, then pauses when she sees some unusual medication) What’s this? Oh… right. He was sick. He probably hasn’t even taken them. (her eyes catch a paper, she reads slowly—her voice trails off) For HIV patients? What…? (suddenly freezes, her heart pounding. She drops everything and sits slowly, sweat forming on her forehead) Amir… is HIV positive? (starts panting, her eyes wide, disbelief flooding her)
Habibah: (muttering) But… but we did tests before marriage… everything was fine! (rummages through the bag, searching desperately until she finds a small Android phone) No, no, no. Amir… this better be a joke. Please… (powers on the phone) Battery’s dead?! (races to the sitting room to plug it in, her hand trembling) Amir… you’re HIV positive? And you still slept with me?! No! Habibah, calm down. Maybe it’s a mix-up. (phone powers on) Alhamdulilah, no password. (goes straight to WhatsApp—freezes as she sees multiple female contacts. Her hands shake. She opens one.)
Habibah: (already crying) Amir… don’t tell me you got it from these women and brought it to me! (scrolls, reading through shocking messages)
FIVE HOURS LATER
Amir: (enters and removes his shoes) As-salaam alaykum, dear. I’m home! (sees her curled up, soaked in tears) What’s wrong? What happened?! (rushes to her but halts when he sees the phone next to her, realization hits him) You… you went through my stuff? You powered on that phone?
Habibah: (in tears, voice broken and hollow) Amir…… Amir.
Amir: (gulping in guilt)
Habibah: Amirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! (lets out a heavy, heartbroken roar) La ilaha illallah!!
Amir: I can explain! Please… please hear me out! I didn’t mean for it to happen this way… please…
Habibah: (screams) YOU DIDN’T MEAN TO?! And you told your mistresses that you’d use it to teach me a lesson?! For not being "obedient" enough?! ARE YOU MAD?! What did I ever do to deserve this?!
Amir: (drops to his knees) I’m sorry! Please!
Habibah: (clutches her hair, breaking down) I think I’m going crazy! Don’t… don’t say another word, Amir! Don’t!
(Sefinat and Akeelah burst in and freeze at the scene—Amir on his knees, Habibah on the floor.)
Habibah: (sobbing uncontrollably as they hold her) What did I ever do to deserve this from you?! All I did was complete my deen! All I did was avoid zina! I disobeyed my parents for you… and THIS is what I get?!
Sefinat: What happened?! Police officers are in the compound!
Habibah: (barely able to speak) This… this monster… ahhhhh!
(Amir quickly grabs his shoes, attempting to run, but bumps into armed soldiers and Habibah’s parents at the door.)
Habibah: (rolling on the floor, screaming in grief) Yaa Allah!!!
Akeelah: (in tears as she and Sefinat read through the chats on the phone) Subhanallah…
Ummu: (runs in and hugs Habibah tightly, also weeping) Habibah! My daughter! Why didn’t you tell me?! Why would you hide something like this from your own mother?!
Abu: (frozen by the door, trembling with rage as he watches his daughter’s broken state)
KHALID’S APARTMENT
(Khalid is busy on his system when he hears footsteps. He quickly shuts his laptop and stands behind the door. Suddenly, a blow lands on his head. He crashes to the ground, unconscious.)
(Some moments later, he regains consciousness. His vision is blurred.)
Ziko: You’re awake! (welcomes him with a hard punch to the nose) You should be fully awake by now.
Khalid: (groans silently as blood drips down his nose) I knew you’d come for me… and I knew I’d get my ass beaten.
Ziko: I’m glad you knew. You’re a wise guy… too bad you didn’t join us. Life could’ve been better for you, you know?
Khalid: And what happened to my elder brother—who was once your leader? He’s been dead a long time.
Ziko: He died a fighter. I’ll always respect him. That’s the only reason you’re still alive. I came alone tonight—no boys. Just to show you, I’m still the boss!
Khalid: (panting) I’m sorry for what happened last time.
Ziko: You should be sorry.
Khalid: I had to save the girl. She’s… kind of special to me.
Ziko: Lovebirds, huh? Too bad my own crush is dying for you every day.
Khalid: Who’s that?
Ziko: Aishat! I’d do anything for that girl.
Khalid: (chuckles in pain) That parrot? Out of all the girls on campus? Aishat?
Ziko: I don’t even know why, bro. I just like that girl… she takes my breath away.
Khalid: Does she know?
Ziko: Not yet. I don’t wanna scare her off, you get me?
Khalid: (laughs) Yeah, I feel you.
Ziko: Don’t laugh like that in your condition. Be grateful.
Khalid: Of course. I’m grateful.
Ziko: (smirks and unties him) It was nice whooping your ass.
Khalid: (sits up and wipes his face) And the pleasure’s all mine, sir. Actually, I need your help.
Ziko: Hell no! I came here to hit, not help.
Khalid: It’s about Jamiu’s death.
Ziko: (pauses and returns to his seat) What about it?
Khalid: Everyone suspects you. Even though we all know it wasn’t suicide.
Ziko: Yeah, I hated that guy.
Khalid: I know. That’s why you turned your rage on his sister.
Ziko: Get to the point.
Khalid: I’m suspecting Jabir.
Ziko: Jabir? That same idiot who’s scared of a cat?
Khalid: Yes.
Ziko: I don’t buy it.
Khalid: That’s exactly what he wants. So no one would ever suspect him. Ever since Jamiu started hanging out with him, he changed completely. He even hurt Anna—his ex.
Ziko: Hmm.
Khalid: And when I pressed him for the truth about their friendship, he said Jamiu was gay.
Ziko: (bursts into laughter) You’re joking!
Khalid: (stares at him, tiredly)
Ziko: You’re serious? Gay? (chuckles) That can’t be true.
Khalid: I didn’t believe it either… until I found his actual lover. The guy explained everything. (narrates)
Ziko: (smirks) Jabir… best student of the year. The same quiet guy is actually a killer?
Khalid: So what do we do? I tracked a phone—it’s currently at Jabir’s place.
Ziko: So what do you want me to do?
Khalid: This might sound crazy… I was thinking you could kidnap Aishat. Maybe she knows something. They live together. But then, knowing she’s your crush…
Ziko: Absolutely not!
Khalid: Thought as much. Anyway, I’ve got all the evidence. Just need one more piece to force him to confess. I think Idris works for him.
Ziko: Idris?
Khalid: Yeah. That girl who was murdered months ago—I can’t remember her name—she slapped Jabir when he tried to harass her. I think that’s why her finger got chopped off. Jabir’s more dangerous than we think. And you know how connected his father is—school management, politicians…
Ziko: Damn…
Khalid: I wanted to handle him privately, but it’s gone beyond that. We need a confession. And yes—I taught him a lesson. That’s why he’s been on a wheelchair for a while. The fool even sent Idris to kill the girl.
Ziko: (rages) That son of a—!
Khalid: Don’t say it.
Ziko: (takes a deep breath) This is serious. Alright… I can’t believe I’m saying this… but I’ll see what I can do. For love.
Khalid: (chuckles) You sound weird. I never thought cultists fell in love. I thought you just chop girls and disappear.
Ziko: You’re not wrong. But Aishah… Aishahhhh! I see a future with that girl.
Khalid: (bursts into laughter) You’ve gotta be kidding me! Cultist in love?
Ziko: (walks up to him) You want another round of punches?
Khalid: Alright, alright, chill! I’m sorry.
Ziko: So… the real question—why are you doing all this? I didn’t know you had detective skills like this. Is it because of her? Are you in love?
Khalid: I can’t say, man. She’s tough as hell. I just want to keep her safe. That’s all.
Ziko: Doesn’t sound like “just” to me. You risked your life for her.
Khalid: (smirks) I need to get back to work. See you later, man. And thanks for the punches. (they handshake and bump chests)
Ziko: (heads out)
Khalid: (groans) Damn… he punches hard!