Ziko: I support her. Aren’t you one of us? So why are you denying it?
Khalid: (furiously moves closer, ready to punch him) You better watch it or I’ll throw this punch on your face.
Sefinat: (still can’t believe her ears) Everyone is scared of these people in school and here you are, facing him? (breaks down in tears) Ahhh! I’m doomed. What have I gotten myself into? Somebody help! Help!
(one of the gang tapes her mouth)
Khalid takes a deep breath, steps forward to Sefinat, removes the tape, and is about to cut the rope when one of the gang punches him in the face. A fight breaks out. Knives drawn. Punches exchanged. Sefinat screams for help. More gang members rush in, attacking Khalid from all sides. In the chaos, Ziko unties Sefinat and drags her out while covering her mouth.
After a heated brawl, all five gang members lie injured. Khalid, bloodied and weak, touches his stomach and rushes out, limping but determined.
(cut to a bushy path nearby)
Ziko throws Sefinat to the ground.
Ziko: The only joy I could derive from this is killing you. No one offends me and walks free. Never. But that bastard! I don’t know why he wanted to save an imposter like you. From the first day I saw you, I knew you were on a mission. You deserve no mercy, you b*tch! (kicks her repeatedly)
(suddenly he receives a blow to the back of the head and collapses)
Sefinat: (screams in shock, panting, then sees Khalid and breaks down in tears)
Khalid: (panting heavily, drops the thick stick and steps closer) C’mon! Get up.
Sefinat: (cries bitterly, groaning) Just leave me to die here. There’s no purpose to life anyway. Just leave me. I thought you were different. You’re all evil. You all deserve to die.
Khalid: (watches her for a few seconds, then turns) Oh well. Have a nice life. (walks away)
Sefinat: (in disbelief) So you’re seriously going to leave me here? Alone?
Khalid: (ignores her, clutches his stomach where he's bleeding, and keeps walking)
Sefinat: (sobs harder) Khalid! Please come back… even if I’m to die, I don’t want to die here… please come back… Khalid!
Khalid: (returns, stretches his hand) Get up.
Sefinat: (shocked) You came back? You—
Khalid: Grab my hand and get up. I don’t have time for this shit.
Sefinat: (wipes her tears and struggles to reach his hand)
Khalid: Seriously? Now you want to act drama?
Sefinat: I’m not! I’m in pain… please.
Khalid: (moves closer, helps her up, and supports her as they walk)
Sefinat: (lets go of his hand, walks ahead avoiding eye contact)
Khalid: (sighs angrily and looks away, then notices blood on her trousers)
Sefinat: (groans with every step, startled when he wraps his jacket around her waist)
Khalid: You’re stained at the back. (walks to his bike)
Sefinat: (checks herself, feels embarrassed, ties the jacket properly) Thank you.
Khalid: (starts the bike) Are you coming or not?
Sefinat: (quietly) What if I stain your bike?
Khalid: Just climb the damn bike!
Sefinat: (climbs silently, filled with guilt)
Khalid: (drives off)
(cut to 11:23pm)
Khalid: (stops the bike) Get down.
Sefinat: (had fallen asleep holding him tight) Where are we?
Khalid: Where do you think? Get down.
Sefinat: (obeys, notices the bloodstain on the bike, uses her veil to cover it)
Khalid: (notices, says nothing) Follow me.
Sefinat: I’ll wait here...
Khalid: (grabs her hand) Come with me.
Sefinat: (follows, ashamed)
(they enter a large pharmacy)
Atinuke: Yoh! What’s up bro? (approaches)
Sefinat: (nervous and shy)
Khalid: (whispers into Atinuke’s ear)
Atinuke: (nods) I got you bro. Come with me dear. (leads Sefinat away)
Khalid: (watches them go, then turns to the receptionist)
(15 minutes later)
Atinuke: (returns with Sefinat, now in fresh clothes) There he is...
Khalid: (spots them) Please treat her wounds. I’ll wait outside.
Atinuke: No problem. Come with me, sister.
Sefinat: Okay. (follows, glances at Khalid and notices his injuries being treated)
(10 minutes later)
Sefinat: (walks out and finds him resting on his bike) I’m here... (softly)
Khalid: (ignores her, mounts the bike) Let me drop you off.
Sefinat: (sees the cleaned seat, smiles faintly, and climbs on)
(7 minutes later)
Khalid: (stops at her apartment) Get down now!
Sefinat: (gets down, stands awkwardly)
Khalid: (hands her a small bag) Contains painkillers. (starts the bike)
Sefinat: Khalid! Please… wait… I…
Khalid: Yeah, that reminds me. Don’t ever in your life call me again. I don’t want to have anything to do with you. Do I make myself clear? Good! (drives off)
Sefinat: (calls after him) Khalid!! (sighs heavily) What have I done? (looks around, realizes she’s alone, then rushes inside)
************************************
THE NEXT MORNING 8: 43AM
Habibah: (knock at the door) as salam alaykum? Sefinat! Are you inside? Sefinat: (wake up and get up to open the door) yeah who is it? (groaning as her body ache) Habibah: is Habibah, your friend. Sefinat: (hurriedly open the door and was surprised to find her in tears) Habeebah! What… what happened? Habibah: (embrace her) I thought something bad has happened to you.. I was so worried.. alhamdulilah you are okay… Sefinat: (welcome her embrace getting emotional) Few minutes later Habibah: (hand over a cup of tea to her) this should relieve you of the pain.. your gas is about to finish self (sit next to her) Sefinat: thank you so much (sip the tea) I feel better than yesterday… thanks to… (remember what she said to khalid during the scene) I think I have messed up again. Habibah: honestly khalid is truly a hero.. I cant imagine what would have happened yesterday, those people are very dangerous. People they capture never made it out alive. Honestly you owe khalid a lot
. Sefinat: (covers her face in dissapontment) I think I messed up..
Habibah: what happened?
Sefinat: I am so ashamed to say it.
Habibah: that remainds me (she brings out a phone from her bag) he asked me to give this to you.. I guess he forgot to gave you.
Sefinat: (break down in tears) I have offended him badly… infact! I don’t know how to ever face him and he almost lost his life for mine. how could I ever ask for his forgiveness? I messed up habibah, I messed up badly.
Habeebah: (exhale deeply) there is something have been wanted to discuss with you about this whole drama and your brother’s case, especially the reality of life and forgiveness and I want you to give me your full ears. It might sound like I’m preaching but if truly we take each other and friends and sisters then I have to be honest with you.
Sefinat: (sit up and focus all her attention on her) I’m listening.
Habeebah: are you sure you wont take it personal?
Sefinat: I think it high time I listen to real advice and stop letting my head decide for me.
Habeebah: (sadly gaze at her) I know it hard, I know it extremely hard. No parents, no relatives, and the most important person left for you was taken away and murdered and that is the hardest to accept and you have every right be mad, to want revenge, to tortured and killed the monster behind his death.
Sefinat: (tears drip down her face)
Habeebah: but the real question is (help wipe her tears with her jilbab) the real question is, does taking revenge brings him back? Will you find peace after killing the monster? I don’t mean to take you back to your past but it just the truth. I know I am not in your shoes but I feel your pain. Do you know what Allah says in the Quran? In surah Ash-Shura (42:40) he says “The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgive and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah, verily, he loves not the wrongdoers”. He also says I surah Fussilat (41:34) “ Good and evil are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then the one who was your enemy will become as close as an intimate friend”. And whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is (due) from Allah. Sefinat: (obviously confused) uh? Habibah: what am trying to say is… you need to let go. You need to forgive and move on so your brother can find peace in his grave. Not like he was a saint before he died. The best thing you can do to help your late families is by praying for them every seconds because you are the only hope they have to ease their past sins in front of Allah. we commit sins every single day but sins are heavier than eachother. That monster behind is death, yes I know he is moving freely but you know how amazing Allah is? Yes he is merciful but when he shows his wonders you will be dumbfounded. Nothing is greater than leaving a sinner in the hand of Allah to pass his judgment.
Sefinat: (break down in tears again)