FEW DAYS LATER – CAFETERIA (NIGHT)
Sefinat sits at a corner table, glancing at her phone, legs jittering with impatience.
Sefinat: (murmuring) I just pray he shows up...
34 minutes later
Sefinat sighs and rests her head on the table.
Waiter: (approaches) Ma’am?
Sefinat: (lifts her head) Yes?
Waiter: You haven’t ordered anything for almost an hour. You’ll need to place an order, ma’am.
Sefinat: (hesitant) Uhmm... I’m so sorry... uhmm...
Jabir: (arrives) Let’s have your menu, please.
Waiter: Okay sir. (He leaves to get the menu.)
Jabir: Sorry I’m late. (He sits.) I hope you haven’t waited too long. I was attending to a client.
Sefinat: No! In fact, I just got here not up to ten minutes ago. Thank you so much for coming—it really means a lot.
Jabir: So, what exactly do you want to ask me? You’ve been blowing up my phone since you got my number.
Sefinat: I’m really sorry about that. I didn’t mean to bother you.
Jabir: (as the waiter brings the menu, Jabir ticks his choice) Let’s get this straight.
Sefinat: (thinking) He seems so responsible... way too calm to be involved in anything criminal.
Jabir: Madam?
Sefinat: (snaps back) Oh, yes sir. Sorry. Do you know someone named Jamiu?
Jabir: Oh, yeah. He was a good friend of mine before he passed. May his soul rest in peace.
Sefinat: Can you tell me how you two became friends?
Jabir: (chuckles) Are you an inspector or what?
Sefinat: My bad... I’d really appreciate it if you could share.
Jabir: (clears throat) Well, it happened earlier this year. I’m generally friendly with everyone in the department, and being the president, it’s my job to lead and support others.
Sefinat: I understand.
Jabir: One day, Jamiu came to me, really disturbed. He needed my help with something, and from there, we became close.
Sefinat: Do you mind sharing what he needed help with?
Jabir: I’m sorry. I promised him before he died that I’d never tell anyone. I intend to keep that promise.
Sefinat: (quietly) Please... you can trust me.
Jabir: What exactly is your relationship with Jamiu?
Sefinat: I... I was his girlfriend before he died.
Jabir: (doubtful) Why do I find that hard to believe?
Sefinat: I can show you pictures of us together if you like.
Jabir: That won’t be necessary. But why all these questions now? He’s dead. Everyone knows he committed suicide. I still feel guilty that I couldn’t help him more.
The waiter brings their drinks.
Sefinat: (lost in thought) It’s hard to believe he committed suicide. The day he died, we spoke. In fact, we had a video call that same day. He sounded happy. Why would he end his life? I know him better than anyone.
Jabir: Even more than his parents?
Sefinat: They weren’t his real parents. He was adopted as a child.
Jabir: Really? Then if your instincts are telling you he was murdered, maybe you should listen to them. You might want to start your search with those "parents."
Sefinat: (sinks into thought) I don’t want to believe his adopted parents had anything to do with it. But... something tells me you’re hiding something.
Jabir: (stands, angry) What are you, a detective?
Sefinat: Wait—no, please! I didn’t mean it like that!
Jabir: (signals the waiter) How much?
Waiter: ₦5000, sir.
Sefinat: Please… I’m sorry…
Jabir: (counts cash and hands it over) Don’t ever stalk me again. Or you’ll regret it.
He storms out.
Sefinat: Jabir! (sinks into the chair) Why???
She suddenly sees his phone on the table.
Sefinat: Oh! He... he forgot his... (runs out and sees him entering a cab) Wait! Jabir!
Panicking, she stops a bike and hops on.
Sefinat: Follow that cab, please!
Inside the Cab
Jabir: (thinking) How dare she suspect me? I need to teach her a lesson.
On the Bike
Sefinat: Please go faster!
After a few minutes, the cab arrives at its destination. Jabir enters the gate. Sefinat’s bike stops just in time.
Sefinat: (hops down) How much?
Bike Man: ₦800.
Sefinat: Ah ahn! For what?
Bike Man: That’s the fare, madam.
Sefinat: Only God will judge Lagos okada men. (hands the cash)
Bike Man: (hands her ₦200 change and speeds off)
Sefinat: (scoffs) Rubbish. (approaches the gate and rings the bell twice)
Inside the House
Aishat watches from the CCTV.
Aishat: (grabs her jacket and storms to the gate) Who is it?! (opens it and sees her) What the hell are you doing here?
Sefinat: (startled) Uhmm... I thought this was Jabir’s house.
Aishat: And how is that your business?
Sefinat: I’m sorry. I didn’t know you two lived together. Are you siblings?
Aishat: I said, what are you doing here?!
Sefinat: Jabir forgot his phone, and I couldn’t catch up with him. I just wanted to return it. (stretches her hand)
Aishat: (grabs the phone and slams the gate)
Sefinat: (startled) Oh my God...
Gate reopens
Aishat: And stay away from Khalid! He’s mine. Anyone who comes between us—dies!
Gate slams again.
Sefinat: (in shock) What the—?!
Inside
Aishat: (throws the phone at Jabir) Your new girlfriend brought your phone.
Jabir: (sits up) How did she find my place?
Aishat: I thought you were smart, but I was wrong. Of all the girls out there, you chose her?
Jabir: You better watch your mouth before I shut you up!
Aishat: Do it! Push me! One simple task—to keep our identity a secret! And you blew it! Now the whole department might know we’re siblings. I’m tired of you!
Jabir: (furious, smashes a glass cup) Sefinat, or whatever you call yourself... you’ll regret ever knowing me. You’ll pay for this!
Later That Night – Sefinat’s Compound
Sefinat walks home tired, her mind racing.
Sefinat: (thinking) Why is my head so heavy... so many questions, no answers...
Her phone beeps. She checks and smiles slightly, reaching her door—when...
Sefinat: What are you doing here?
Khalid: (standing) I guess you’re okay now.
Sefinat: What were you doing here?
Khalid: Where have you been?
Sefinat: That’s none of your business. Quit stalking me or I’ll report you.
Khalid: (hands in hoodie pocket) You’re pathetic. Goodnight, Sefin’s annoying sister.
He turns to leave.
Sefinat: I’m still talking to you!
Suddenly, her phone rings.
Sefinat: Hello?! (listens) What? Where are you? Don’t open the door! Give me the address—I’m coming!
Khalid: (turns around, concerned)
Sefinat: (panicking) Oh my God...
Khalid: What’s wrong? What happened?