Anna: His name is Jabir.
Sefinat: I... I don’t even know who that is.
Anna: He’s in HND2.
Sefinat: (exhales deeply)
Anna: Well then... don’t ever call for me again. My work here is done. (walks away)
Sefinat: (watches her disappear from sight, then turns away with a heavy heart as a storm of questions flood her mind)
Sefin... how could you? Despite all my warnings... you actually joined bad company? That explains why your adopted parents were so cold. You... how could you? (tears stream down her face)
And here I am, fighting so hard for justice.
I’m so... disappointed in you. (breaks down in tears by the roadside)
Living room, Munir and his friends watching football]
John: Hey bro, pass me that drink.
Munir: Come get it yourself. I’m not your errand boy.
Kabir: Yo! Just pass the damn drink.
Munir: Clearly, his hands and legs are still working fine.
John: You’re a piece of shit! (stands up)
Munir: And you’re a piece of trash.
Kabir: Whoa! Chill, guys! What’s wrong with you two? You’ve been acting weird lately.
John: Don’t ask me. He started it.
Munir: How would you know? You know what—just get out of my house!
John: That’s it! (charges forward, ready to fight)
Munir: (also rises, fists clenched) Come here and take some!
Kabir: (jumps between them) What’s wrong with you guys?! Munir—what’s going on?
Munir: This piece of trash makes me live with guilt every single day! Do you even know that?
John: Did I drag you into it? You volunteered, remember? You admired her, man. We both messed up—and we lost Jamiu in the process. This is your mess too!
Munir: (furious) Let me go! Let me deal with this punk!
Kabir: Stop it! Both of you! You should be ashamed—especially you, Munir!
John: Yeah! It was his idea to rape her, and now he’s blaming me? I swear, I’ll destroy your face. I don’t care if we turn ourselves in—I’m sick of you!
(Suddenly, a loud thud is heard. They all turn—Akeelah stands frozen, eyes wide with shock. A glass cup she was holding shatters on the floor.)
Munir: (voice trembling as he sees her) Akee... Ak... Akeelah...
Akeelah: (jaw drops in disbelief, her legs give way as she collapses to the ground)
Kabir: (rushing to her) Akeelah!!!
John: (panicking, bolts out of the house)
Munir: (paralyzed in shock, staring blankly)
[ Munir’s nightmare ends]
Munir: (jerks awake, panting heavily) Oh my God... what kind of nightmare was that? (sweating, heart racing)
No... No! (breaks down in tears)
What am I going to do?
**************************************
[Scene — The Next Morning, School Campus]
Sefinat: (enters the classroom with swollen eyes, sadness written all over her face)
Khalid: (notices her first) What’s up with her this time?
(The class murmurs, exchanging puzzled looks, whispering among themselves.)
Sefinat: (walks slowly to the front of the class, her voice shaky)
Good morning, everyone... I know you’re probably wondering why I’m standing here.
I just want to say I’m sorry—to every one of you. If I’ve ever hurt your feelings or caused you pain in any way, please... forgive me. It was never intentional.
Habeebah: (lifts her head instantly, surprised)
Sefinat: (gazes at her with remorse)
I know you don’t really know me, but I meant well. I truly am sorry. (returns to her seat slowly, all eyes following her, the class filled with curiosity and whispers)
(Habeebah and Khalid exchange a glance, both eager to ask questions. Habeebah hesitates, unsure whether to approach her.)
Khalid: (suddenly stands, gently grabs Sefinat’s hand, and leads her out of the class, leaving everyone in suspense)
Maryam: (watching them) Are those two... dating?
Habeebah: (lowers her gaze sadly, resting her head on the desk)
******************************
[Scene — Few Minutes Later, Outside]
Khalid: (releases her hand, concerned) What’s going on with you this time?
Sefinat: (sadly stares at the ground) Nothing.
Khalid: Are you sure?
Sefinat: (lifts her head slightly) I want to apologize... to you too—for all the pain I’ve caused.
Khalid: This isn’t like you. What’s really going on?
Sefinat: (emotional) I’ve realized that my presence here... it’s just a waste of time. I’m sorry.
Khalid: (half-smiling) So, you're finally back to your senses?
Sefinat: If that’s how you see it, then... yes. I’m sorry.
Khalid: (softens, admiring her sincerity) What changed your mind?
Sefinat: I just... realized a lot. I need to start planning my life. It’s time to accept the past... and move forward.
Khalid: Are you okay?
Sefinat: (forces a weak smile) Yeah. I’m heading back to where I belong. My only family is waiting. Thank you... for everything.
Khalid: Wait—so you’re not coming to class anymore?
Sefinat: No. I’m an impostor here, remember? I’m traveling back home tomorrow. Take care, Khalid. (walks back to the classroom)
Khalid: (thinking aloud) What’s going on? What—or who—changed her mind? Something doesn’t feel right.
************************************
[Scene — At the Hospital]
Idris: (groaning in pain) I swear I’ll make him pay! I will... I’ll kill him with my bare hands! That’s a promise! (screams in pain as doctors and nurses rush into the room)
I’ll make him pay!
Lekan: (standing at the door, watching him covered in bandages, visibly disturbed) Whoever did this must be seriously strong...
(Suddenly, the door opens. A tall figure enters, wearing a face cap and a nose mask. Upon seeing him, Lekan lowers his head.)
Lekan: Welcome, sir.
Masked Man: (ignores him and walks straight to Idris’s bedside)
Idris: (screaming, but goes mute instantly when he sees the masked man)
Lekan: (stepping forward) Uh... Doctor, please, could you give us a moment?
(The doctor and nurse nod respectfully and exit the room.)
Idris: (gathering himself despite the pain) Welcome, sir.
Masked Man: Who did this to you?
Idris: I don’t know yet. We’re still trying to find out.
Masked Man: (smirks coldly) You don’t know him? No wonder he beat you senseless. He should have gouged your eyes out while he was at it.
Idris: (bows his head) I’m sorry, sir. I’ll find him—I promise.
Masked Man: That won’t be necessary. You’re already useless to me. Focus on recovering. Then find him yourself... and bring his head to me.
Idris: Yes, sir. I will. I promise. (groaning quietly)
Masked Man: (walks out without another word)
Lekan: (opens the door for him) Thank you for coming, sir.
(As soon as he leaves, Idris clenches his fist and angrily knocks over the drip stand and other equipment. Panting heavily, eyes wild with rage—)
Idris: I will find you... I’ll hunt you down... and your entire family. I will find you.
Scene: The Prison Field
(Akeelah, sweating, cuts grass despite her condition.)
Akeelah: (panting) This sun is too much...
Zatimah: (watching her from her duty post) You okay?
Akeelah: Yeah, thanks. Just... a little tired, that’s all.
(Suddenly, Chiamaka and her gang approach.)
Chiamaka: Well, would you look at that? She’s carrying a baby! Bet you're real proud of yourself, huh?
Akeelah: (stepping back) What do you want?
Zatimah: (puts down her cutlass and confronts them) You lost or something?
Chiamaka: Chillax, ma’am. We just came to say hi.
Zatimah: Good. Now get lost—before I help you lose your way.
Chiamaka: Fine. (smirks as they walk off)
Zatimah: (turns to Akeelah) You okay?
Akeelah: Yeah. (uses her uniform to wipe her sweat) Thank you. (panting softly) What would I do without you?
Zatimah: You’d be dead.
(A prison officer approaches.)
Prison Officer: Hey, you! You have a visitor.
Akeelah: (glances at Zatimah) Me?
Prison Officer: (walking off) You've got five minutes. It’s already counting.
Akeelah: (drops the cutlass and hurries after the officer) I’ll be back.
Zatimah: Okay. (watches her disappear, then picks up her cutlass and continues clearing her area)
---
Scene: Visiting Room
(Akeelah enters and sees her brother.)
Akeelah: Munir! (smiling) You finally came back to see me.
(Munir stands, sadly scanning her from head to toe. His eyes land on her baby bump. Tears stream down his face as he steps back.)
Akeelah: (confused by his reaction) Are you still mad at me... for getting pregnant?
(Munir shakes his head, still crying.)
Akeelah: Say something... You're scaring me. Are you disappointed I kept the baby?
(Munir avoids eye contact.)
Munir: I’m sorry, Akeelah. Please... forgive me.
Akeelah: What’s going on? You’re really scaring me now...
(Munir breaks down and pulls her into an embrace.)
Munir: I’m so sorry. Please forgive me...
Akeelah: (emotional, embracing him back) Now you're making me sad and worried. I could never be mad at you. If I were in your position, I might have done the same thing. I understand... And you still came back. That’s all that matters. I’m more than happy.
Munir: (crying bitterly) I just hope... one day... you can truly forgive me. (pulls away, unable to meet her eyes)
Akeelah: (gently wipes his tears) I’ll be fine. As long as you accept this child, then... I’m okay. I just need your blessings.
(Munir turns and leans his head against the wall, sobbing.)
Akeelah: (watching him sadly, tears in her eyes) Is there something you are not telling me?