Mustakeemah’s P.O.V
Where on earth will I get drugs at this time of the night? Why are these people so mean and heartless? Someone gave birth to me too…
I broke down in tears as I stood by the gate outside, wondering where to go and how fast I should run. What if someone attacks me? They won’t even care if I’m alive or dead. I fell on my knees, crying bitterly. When will I finally rest in this life and find peace? If my mother were alive, I should be in her arms right now—not alone in this darkness.
I got up immediately, wiping my tears as my brain reminded me I had less than ten minutes to return. Ya Allah, please protect me. I prepared my body and soul for the run and dashed to the nearest pharmacy, praying they were not closed.
I went to three different chemists, but they were all closed. Alone in the middle of nowhere, shivering and scared, my tears flowed uncontrollably. Time had already passed; it was well over ten minutes. I knew I had to rush back before I landed in even more trouble.
Finally, I reached the gate. I knocked several times, pleading for them to open, but no one answered. Fear gripped me—was I going to sleep outside the gate? Alone? At least they should let me into the compound. I didn’t stop; I kept knocking, my voice breaking as I begged for mercy. I was sure they could hear me. I knocked until my hands swelled, crying harder with every strike against the gate.
Ya Allah, please protect me throughout this night. Exhausted, I slumped to the ground, laying my head beside the gate as my tears soaked the floor.
The next thing I realized, my surroundings looked bright. My eyes fluttered open—morning had come so fast? It felt like I had only slept for a few minutes. I quickly checked myself—thank God no one attacked me. The money and the paper were still in my pocket.
Just as I was recovering, the gate suddenly opened. I dropped to my knees instantly, begging for mercy. But instead of scolding me, they rushed past me in panic. Mr. Suraj was carrying Olumide in his arms, her body helpless and weak, while Mrs. Shola hurried beside him.
I broke down in tears again, praying she would be fine. Yet, none of them bothered about me.
Mr. Suraj: Get out of my way before I hit you with my car! (he yelled angrily)
Mustakeemah: (quickly moves aside, still on her knees) Please sir, I’m sorry. When I got to the chemists, they were all closed…
Mrs. Shola: Just pray nothing happens to my daughter, or else you are dead! What did you give her to eat? I sent you for drugs last night, but you intentionally wasted our time and slept at your boyfriend’s house, abi? Useless witch! If anything happens to my child, I will slaughter you with my bare hands! In fact, don’t enter my house again—stay outside this gate till we are back! Go to your boyfriend and eat if you like. Shameless girl!
Mr. Suraj: (steps out of the car and locks the gate) Enter my house and see how I’ll tear you apart myself. (he drives off with his family)
Mustakeemah: (sobs bitterly, falling to the ground) Please ma, please sir… I’m sorry. Ya Allah, what am I going to do? I have nowhere to go. Please keep Olumide safe. Nothing bad should happen to her—because if anything goes wrong, I’m dead…
****************
Abdulhakeem: Mum, I’m going.
Taiye: Kenny, I can’t find my socks.
Abdulhakeem: Hey! Better don’t start again this morning or else I’ll break your teeth.
Taiye: (quietly enters her room and slams the door)
Mum: Akeem, have you taken breakfast?
Abdulhakeem: I’m fine, Mum! Bye.
Mum: Wait! (moves closer to him) What’s wrong? You haven’t been yourself lately… what happened?
Abdulhakeem: It’s nothing, I’m fine. I’ve got to go now.
Kehinde: Taiye, I’m ready to go ohhh! You’re the one wasting my time now.
Abdulhakeem: (as he tries to head out she holds his hand) What?
Mum: Something is bothering you and you’re not going to open up to mummy?
Abdulhakeem: Mum, I’m fine.
Mum: You’re not! I know you… I’m your mother, talk to me, uh?
Abdulhakeem: (exhales softly) I’m fine.
Kehinde and Taiye: Bye, mummy.
Mum: Bye girls… where is Idowu?
Idowu: I’m here too.
Mum: I hope you finished that food?
Idowu: Yes, Mum.
Mum: Good girl, make sure you focus in class… byeeee. (she waves at them as they leave)
Abdulhakeem: Bye, Mum.
Mum: Should I come visit you at the office?
Abdulhakeem: Yeah, exactly where you and Dad wanted me to be!
Mum: I knew it, I knew there’s something bothering you… talk to me.
Abdulhakeem: Mum! Leave me alone! (he heads out)
Mum: Akee… (sighs heavily) This is all their dad’s fault. He hasn’t come back home for months now…
---
Mustakeemah'pOV
I look so miserable right now. I can’t stop crying and the devil keeps whispering to me to use the money they gave me to buy food, because I’m starving, freezing, and dying here… Every neighbor passes me by. Some make fun of me, some show concern, while others don’t say a word. All my mates are going to school right now but I’m here freezing and starving, my lips so dry.
Taiye: (they walk past Mustakeemah) Hey! Kenny, see that girl!
Kehinde: (turns to look) Ehhyyy! What did she do? Look how miserable she looks…
Idowu: Some parents are wicked, ehh?
Taiye: I can tell she doesn’t live with her parents. No parents will treat their child like this. Abi is she a beggar?
Idowu: (taps them) Sis, look! Brother Abdulhakeem is talking to her.
Kehinde: Does he know her? Because I know he doesn’t talk to anyone in the neighborhood.
Taiye: We should go there too.
Idowu: Not me, bye, I’m late for school.
Kehinde: You want to go? You know him now, he’ll disgrace you in front of that beggar.
Taiye: But the girl looks so pitiful…
Kehinde: Nothing concern me sha! Bye… Idowu, wait for me.
Taiye: Wait for me too…
*********
Abdulhakeem: (in a low tone) Hey… what happened?
Mustakeemah: (she doesn’t turn to look at him; tears just keep rolling down her face)
Abdulhakeem: Did they lock you outside? Or is no one home?
Mustakeemah: (silent)
Abdulhakeem: Talk to me, please. You must be starving… (he opens his backpack and brings out a food flask) Here, take this and eat.
Mustakeemah: (she finally turns to him when she notices the food. Without a second thought, she grabs the flask with her shaking hands)
Abdulhakeem: Let me help you open it. (he sadly takes it back, opens it, then hands it to her) Here, take… let me get the spoon from my— (he stops in shock as she rushes the food with her dirty hands) Wait!
Mustakeemah: (she ignores him, devouring the food like a starved lion)
Abdulhakeem: (his heart aches watching her) You must be so hungry. I’ll get you water from that shop. (he gets up quickly and walks away)
---
Four minutes later.
Abdulhakeem: (muttering as he heads back) How could people be so wicked and heartless? (but as he turns into her street, he freezes. To his greatest shock, he sees a couple beating Mustakeemah with their legs and hands. The food is scattered in the sand. She struggles to plead for mercy while he stands frozen, gripping a bottle of water in his hand.) Stop! (he yells angrily, rushing forward) Why are you so wicked and heartless?! How could you do this to another human being?! (he kneels by her, horrified to see blood trickling from her nose. He quickly presses his shirt to her face) Who are you people to her?! If you don’t stop, I’ll call the police!
Mrs. Shola: (furiously drags Mustakeemah by the arm into the house while her husband drives into the gate and locks it instantly) Mind your business!
Mr. Suraj: Watch your back, young man.
Abdulhakeem: (he throws the bottle of water angrily to the ground, his chest heaving) Wicked people! So wicked!