Akeelah: (Eyes widen in shock)
[30 minutes later]
Zatimah: (Finally turns around after her long meditation and is stunned to find Akeelah still in the same spot, frozen in shock)
Don't tell me you're surprised? You clearly had sex willingly—so why the drama?
Akeelah: (Still frozen, eyes wide in disbelief)
Zatimah: (Studies her reaction for a moment)
Alright then. You won't die. I’ll find a way to make sure you survive here—with the baby.
Akeelah: (Still unmoving, in a state of shock)
Zatimah: That's it! (Gets up and drags her to her feet. The moment she lets go, Akeelah collapses back to the floor in shock)
Seriously? Acting like this won’t help! You know that. If you don’t pull yourself together, they’ll hand you right back to those same bullies who destroyed you.
Akeelah: (Finally lifts her head, tears streaming down her face)
I... I... I can’t... I can’t be pregnant. I’m still a... a child. I just... I just turned 22. I don’t want this baby... Please tell me you’re joking.
Zatimah: Okay. Is that what you want to hear so you can act normal again? Fine. I was joking. Happy now?
Akeelah: (Falls to her knees, breaking down in tears again. Her sobs start to irritate the other inmates)
I can’t be pregnant... I can’t carry the child of the men who destroyed my life... I CAN’T BE PREGNANT!!! (She begins hitting her stomach furiously)
It’s better you die now than grow inside me. Die... I don’t want you... Go back to wherever you came from...
Zatimah: (Tiredly watching the outburst as she returns to her spot)
Just know this—if you keep hitting your stomach like that, you might not survive either.
What’s done is done. Get over it.
Akeelah: NOOOOO!!!!!!
This can’t be happening to me... NOOOO!!!! (Rolls on the floor, crying bitterly)
**********************************************
[Later that night]
[Quiet, still night.]
Sefinat: (Sits quietly under a pole, sobbing silently, clutching a picture of her brother to her chest)
Ridwan: (Looks around for her. He spots her from upstairs, watches silently for a moment, then heads down to her)
Hey... (Softly)
Sefinat: (Quickly wipes her tears) Hello?
Ridwan: What are you doing out here all alone? You should come inside and eat. My mom and I were looking for you.
Sefinat: I’m fine. I just needed some fresh air, that’s all. You can eat without me.
And... thank you. For everything.
Ridwan: (Finds a spot and sits beside her)
Hey... I know it’s hard to let go. But he’s at peace now. Finally free from this cruel world.
Sefinat: (Interrupts, voice trembling)
How could you say that? "At peace"?
He was murdered, Ridwan! Killed by someone who's probably out there right now, living their best life. And you say he’s resting? (Tears fall freely)
How can he rest when his life was stolen?
I thought you were his best friend... but now, I’m not so sure.
Ridwan: Sefinat, don’t say that. Allah knows how much Seefin meant to me. He was like a brother. My mom can testify to that. His death shattered us... he was part of our family.
But we can’t take justice into our own hands.
Sefinat: (Gets up, backing away)
Well... you’re wrong.
I will avenge my brother’s death. I’ll find whoever did this—and kill them.
He took everything from me. My only hope, my light...
I’ll shed blood if I have to. That’s a promise.
Ridwan: (Gasping) Sefinat!
Sefinat: If I’m no longer welcome in your home, I’ll leave tomorrow.
But nothing will stop me. Not unless God decides to take my life tonight.
Until then... I’ll get justice. Even if it’s the last thing I do! (Panting, she storms off)
Ridwan: Sefinat! Please... wait! Don’t go! Where are you going?
Sefinat: I need more air. (Wipes her tears)
Ridwan: (Watches her disappear into the distance, helplessly)
********************************
Few Days Later – School Campus]
For the first time, Sefinat steps into her late brother's school campus, burning with determination to find his killer. Watching the crowd move up and down, she asks for directions until she finally arrives at the Computer Science department. With a heavy heart and grudges bottled inside her, she stands in front of the three-storey building. After a deep breath, she heads inside and accidentally bumps into a man accompanied by a few lecturers exiting the department.
[Inside the Class]
Halimah groans in pain silently, unnoticed under her niqob while the lecture continues.
Lecturer: That website design must be submitted tomorrow. Course rep!
Tijani: Yes sir.
Lecturer: I want you to create a WhatsApp group and make sure I’m added so they can submit their assignments there. I’ll score them immediately. Is that clear?
Tijani: Yes sir.
Lecturer: Good. (Yawns) Well... I think I’ll call it a day. Have a good one. (Exits the class)
The class becomes noisy like a marketplace. Students move around and gist as they wait for the next lecture. Suddenly, Sefinat barges in, filled with confidence and rage, scanning everyone’s face with fierce eyes. Her presence commands the room as students begin whispering and tapping each other.
Sefinat (thinking): So this is it... this is my brother's class. One or two of his killers are right in front of me—but that’s why I’m here. To find whoever it is.
A.Z: Hey you! Are you lost or something? Who are you looking for?
Sefinat: I guess you're the loudmouth of this class, huh?
The class murmurs. Suddenly, the most attractive girl speaks up.
Aisha: Are you deaf or something? Who are you?
Sefinat: (Steps forward and bangs on her desk) Don’t worry. You’ll find out. (Smiles darkly and walks to the back, finding a seat behind Halimah)
The murmuring grows louder and more confused.
Gabriel: Can you guys just stop murmuring and speak your minds out loud? It’s annoying my ears!
Aisha: The question is—why are you even here? We’re in HND1, second semester. It’s not possible to have new students.
Sefinat: (Chuckles) Then let that curiosity eat you alive. You can make your findings if you want to. But one thing is clear—you all are stuck with me as long as I’m in this class.
Idris: (Furiously gets up and grabs her shirt) Now listen to me, bitch! This isn’t kindergarten where you just barge in. If you're too illiterate to understand how higher institutions work, then you shouldn’t be here. You better get up and leave now—or you won’t make it out of here!
Sefinat (thinking): I guess this must be him... he looks furious and ready to kill. They're already revealing themselves. I just have to keep dragging out the monster in them. (Glances at him with a deadly smile)
Habibah: Please let her go, for Allah's sake. You can't grab a woman like that.
The entire class turns, surprised.
Aisha: Wait—Eleha! So you can speak good English? (Everyone bursts into laughter.)
Habibah: (Sinks back into her pain and depression)
Sefinat: (Hits his hand away and returns to her seat) The next time you grab my collar like that, you won’t believe what I’ll do to you.
Idris: (Still furious, about to strike her again when a lecturer enters the class)
Lecturer: What is going on here?
The class adjusts immediately.
Idris: You better not run after class. (Returns to his seat)
************************************
Few Hours Later – Outside the School Premises]
Habibah finally heads home after a long day. She checks her bag, hoping to find enough money for transport.
Habibah: (sighs as she finds a ₦500 note) How am I going to come to school tomorrow like this? (Dials her husband’s number) Please pick up o... because you just want to punish me with that ₦2k. You know I don’t have any source of income. (He doesn’t answer) I know you’re ignoring my calls on purpose—but no wahala. I’ll sort myself out bi idhnillah.
Suddenly, she sees Sefinat confidently standing as if waiting for trouble. She runs towards her.
Habibah: As-salaam alaikum, sis?
Sefinat: (confused) Wa alaikum salaam?
Habibah: What are you still doing here? Do you really want to get beaten up by those cruel people?
Sefinat: Yep! What else does it look like I’m doing?
Habibah: Look, I know you’re new here, but things are different here. If you want to graduate alive, you need to mind your business. There are a lot of bad students here. (Whispers) Come with me—let me walk you out of the school. Please.
Sefinat: Wait, have we met before?
Habibah: No, but I just want to help.
Sefinat: (glances at the building, annoyed) Damn it... now you’ve spoiled my plans. Let’s go then
Habibah: (sighs in relief) Alhamdulillah... thanks for listening to me.
Idris and his gang watch them silently from a nearby building.
Sefinat: (scans her from head to toe) By the way, my name is Sefinat. And yours?
Habibah: My name is Halimah. But you need to be very careful around here, please... we lost one of our coursemates recently.
Sefinat: His name is Sefin, am I right?
Habibah: Uhnmm... actually, no. His name is Jamiu, but his nickname was Jamie. He was such a nice guy. His sudden death brought fear to all of us... especially me.
Sefinat: (realizes something) So... no one knows him by his real name. Only his nickname. Interesting. So tell me more about this guy—Jamiu. I need to know everything.
Habibah: Uhnmm... I don’t really know much.
Sefinat: Just tell me everything you know.
Habibah: (notices how desperate she is) Uhnmm... by the way, I like your face cap.
Sefinat: Uhmm, thanks. How do you even breathe under that niqab? Don’t you feel hot under that long hijab?
Habibah: Uhmm... I thought you’re a Muslim?
Sefinat: Oh, that? Yes, I am—a proud one.
Habibah: Then a real Muslim shouldn’t ask such questions. It’s understandable coming from a kafir, but not from a Muslim. (Shakes her head) I cover my face from non-mahram because my beauty is for my husband.
Sefinat: (curious) Wait—you’re married?
Habibah: (chuckles) Yeah, I am. (Suddenly grows sad)
Sefinat: Well... I’ve always wanted to get married early too. But... everything changed. Now I envy you. You must be very happy.
Habibah: (forces a smile) Uhmm... please don’t. Don’t envy me. May Allah grant you your heart’s desires.
Sefinat: Amin.
Habibah: So... tell me, what brought you here? And how come you’re just joining us now?
Sefinat: Uhnmm... (lowers her voice) Can you keep a secret? Because I kinda like you already.
Habibah: Then if it’s a secret, kindly keep it to yourself. Okay? May Allah ease our affairs.
Sefinat: (surprised and impressed) Wow... you know what? We might actually get along.
Habibah: (smiles)
Sefinat: I bet you look extremely beautiful under that niqab.
Habibah: (shakes her head and chuckles) You’re funny.
Sefinat: I’m serious! (They finally reach the school gate.)