: A Night of Unspoken Sorrows
It’s a very dark night, filled with beautiful stars. The time is around 11:56 p.m. Sefinat stands quietly in the corridor, gazing at the sky, lost in thought. While counting the stars, she remembers her time with her brothers at the orphanage—how they laughed, cried, and played together. Most of all, she remembers Sefin’s promise: to never leave her side in this cruel world.
Sefinat: (breaking down) I can’t do this anymore... (she sobs loudly, mourning bitterly)
Ridwan: (from his room, hearing her cries, he sits up, lowers his head sadly) Poor Sefinat...
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Scene: Elsewhere That Same Night
The air is warm, despite the cool night sky. Habibah lies awake, restless. She gets up, walks to the window with a heavy heart, and looks up.
Habibah: (voice shaking) Yaa Allah... this isn’t the marriage I dreamed of. I’m starving, anxious, and depressed. I don’t think I can cope like this. For how long? I can’t even call home—they warned me. Maybe they saw this coming, but I was blinded by love and trying to keep it halal. Should I blame myself? I didn’t even eat dinner... (tears stream down her face) Yaa Allah, change my story... If this is my kadar, please change it. Don’t test me beyond what I can bear. (she slowly closes the curtain and picks up her prayer mat)
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Scene: Also That Same Night
A dim room. Akeelah sits, staring at the floor. Her eyes are swollen. Zatimah watches her quietly for a long moment.
Zatimah: Hey...
Akeelah: (silent, lost in thought)
Zatimah: Akeelah?
Akeelah: (still no response)
Zatimah: (moves closer, sits in front of her, and holds her hand) Hey...
Akeelah: Ma...? (wipes her tears)
Zatimah: You’ll be fine... Just don’t hate the baby. I promise you, this will pass.
Akeelah: You don’t get it, do you? If you were in my position, would you keep a rapist’s child?
Zatimah: (silent)
Akeelah: Exactly... Just as I expected. So please, if you want to help, help me get rid of it—quietly.
Zatimah: No.
Akeelah: What?
Zatimah: I said no. I know it’s hard, but children are a blessing.
Akeelah: Please stop. Just stop. I’m tired... I’ve cried every day for two months. I’m ready to accept being here, but I will never accept this. If you won’t help me, I’ll do it myself.
Zatimah: Akeelah, it could cost you your life!
Akeelah: I don’t care! Will you help me or not? I don’t mind dying. What I can’t bear is knowing that thing is growing inside me.
Zatimah: (sighs heavily) Then you’ve made up your mind. But I can’t help you. I’ve done enough wrong in this world. I took you in to do something good—one last good thing before I die. But you’re not making that easy.
Akeelah: You’re right. You can’t help. But I know how to handle it. I’m going back to that cell.
Zatimah: Are you serious? You want to get beaten?
Akeelah: Exactly. I’ll force a miscarriage. That’s how it’s going to be.
Zatimah: (realizes she’s made up her mind) Alright then... I wish you peace. See you on the other side. (she gets up and returns to her spot)
Akeelah: (tears fall silently)
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Scene: POLICE HEADQUARTERS
Ridwan: (leading the way, looking around) Hmm... I just hope we find the lady.
Sefinat: Why can’t we just talk to any of them?
Ridwan: The case was hers before it was closed, so— (approaches the officers on duty) Hello sir, please, I'm looking for Officer Mrs. Gbenga.
Officer: What’s the issue? Why do you want to see her?
Sefinat: (taps him and whispers) Are you sure this is going to work?
Ridwan: (whispers back) Trust me, okay?
Mrs. Gbenga: (appears just in time) How may I help you?
Ridwan: Oh! Thank goodness you showed up, ma’am. Good afternoon.
Mrs. Gbenga: Afternoon. (stealing glances at Sefinat repeatedly) Like I said, how may I help you?
Ridwan: Uhmm... the thing is... Actually... Uhmm...
Sefinat: We want you to investigate the death of Jamiu Babatunde, who was murdered recently at Lagos State Polytechnic.
Mrs. Gbenga: (eyes widen slightly) Hmm... How about we talk outside instead? Come with me.
(Sefinat and Ridwan exchange curious glances and follow her out.)
A Few Minutes Later – Outside the Station
Mrs. Gbenga: I brought you out here because I don’t want you two making a scene over a closed case, okay?
Sefinat: I know it’s closed. That’s why we’re here—to reopen it. I’m his biological sister. In fact, I’m his twin. Those people—his so-called parents—they adopted us. They feel bad about it now, but I want justice for my brother. Please.
Ridwan: Yes, ma’am. The report says he committed suicide, but that’s not true.
Sefinat: Please, ma’am. His murderer is still out there, walking freely like he’s done nothing wrong. Please...
Mrs. Gbenga: I’m so sorry. The case isn’t under my jurisdiction anymore, and I don’t have the power to reopen it. It’s beyond me. I wish I could help.
Sefinat: So you’re saying you can’t do anything? That this whole police headquarters is just useless? You set criminals free and punish the victims? I don’t get it!
Ridwan: Sefinat! Stop!
Mrs. Gbenga: Listen, girl... You’re lucky I’m in a good mood today. (gets to her feet) You’re not getting help from me or anyone else on this case. So don’t take any reckless action you’ll regret. Just go home. Let God be the judge.
Sefinat: Mrs. Gbenga! (panting, voice shaking) I’m sure you’re a mother... You have kids you pray will outlive you. You have a beautiful family. But I don’t. Sefin was all I had in this world. We grew up in an orphanage... We don’t even know our real parents. We’re the less privileged—and I accepted that. But if your son was in Sefin’s shoes... would you just sit and do nothing? Tell me!
Mrs. Gbenga: (tightens her fist, turns back around slowly) Young lady...
Sefinat: (cuts in, emotionally) No need for your speech. I’ll leave now. But put yourself in my shoes. All I want is justice for my brother. But the world is cruel. If you can’t help... I’ll help myself. It’s because of people like you that new villains are born. Ridwan, let’s go. (walks away, tears streaming down her face)
Ridwan: (torn, unsure what to do) Uhmm... Please... I’m really sorry on her behalf. Please don’t arrest us. (runs after Sefinat)
Mrs. Gbenga: (watches them leave, sighs deeply with a heavy heart)
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: At Home
Ridwan: Look, this is becoming frustrating o! Why don’t you think before you speak? You just talk anyhow... Just imagine what you said to that woman. If you don’t take it easy, you might get hurt too.
Sefinat: Really? It’s fine. (about to walk away)
Ridwan: (grabs her hand) No now... This is my problem with you. You don’t listen. Let me guess—you’re upset about what I said too? You can’t always take matters into your own hands. No!
Sefinat: I heard you. Thank you for everything.
Ridwan: You know I’m only looking out for you, Sefinat. I care about you more than anything. I made a promise to your brother—I really want to take care of you. I like you, Sefinat. I'm just worried...
Sefinat: (surprised, glances at him) Seriously? (shakes her head) So it’s true what they say—men don’t care about your situation once they’re looking for where to put down their pencil. Nothing else enters their heads. Anyway, it was nice knowing you. Thank you so much for everything... but I have to leave.
Ridwan: No!!! (blocks her path) Please don’t. I... I know this isn’t the right time, but I thought it might make you feel better. I swear I care about you. Seeing you stressed like this is unbearable for me. And I’m sure this is what your brother would have wanted. Please... (moves closer and gently holds her waist) I just want you to be happy.
Sefinat: Okay! I gatchu! Okay? (gently steps back) Do you mind if I take a stroll? I’ll be back. I just... I just need some air.
Ridwan: (steps forward) Sefinat, I know this is a lot to take in, but please—
Sefinat: (signals him not to step closer) Don’t. I understand. (leaves the house)
Ridwan: Sefinat!!! Please...
Scene: Night – 9:23 PM
Sefinat: (walking down an unknown street, crying as she wanders) Sefin!!! You’re so cruel and heartless. How could you leave me all alone in this world? Just look at me—I’m helpless. I can’t survive without you. It’s really hard... I want you back, please... (falls to her knees in the road as cars and motorcycles pass by) I wish you could come back to me... Please... (bows her head in tears)
(The road grows quiet. Few bikes and tricycles pass. Sefinat doesn’t notice the two men arriving on a bike. They step down, look around, and grab her.)
Sefinat: (shocked as they try to carry her) What are you doing?! Somebody help!! (panting) Please... help!
First Guy: (puts a knife to her neck) Shhhhhhh! You better cooperate if you don’t want to lose your life right now.
Sefinat: (closes her lips instantly) Please... (tries to stay silent) Please have mercy...
(They begin to lift her when suddenly, a strong force slams one of the men into a nearby gutter. Sefinat screams in shock. The first guy, now alone, drops the bike and charges with a knife. But before he can strike, a mysterious man lands a punch on his face, knocking him out cold.)
Sefinat: (falls to her knees, panicking) Please don’t hit me... Please have mercy... I’m not with them. They wanted to kidnap me! (cries bitterly)
Khalid: (kneels in front of her, calm) Hey... shhhhh... What are you doing out here alone at this time of night?
Sefinat: (sobbing, unable to speak)
Khalid: (notices her panic attack) It’s okay... I got you.
Sefinat: (realizes she’s safe) Thank you... Thank you, sir... (picks up her shoes, ready to flee)
Khalid: Wait! I think I know you...
Sefinat: Ahhh no! I don’t live here, sir. I’m new in this area, please... (wipes her tears)
Khalid: Wait... Aren’t you the new girl in my class?
Sefinat: Uhh? (suddenly looks up, face stained with tears and dust) No... I don’t know you, sir.
Khalid: Of course, you wouldn’t know me. We only met once. Anyway, you’re safe now. Where do you live?
Sefinat: (remembers why she left Ridwan’s house) I... I... (breaks down again)
Ridwan: (spots her from afar) Sefinat!!! Is that you?? Have been. Looking for you everywhere! Why do you always have to do this?
Sefinat: (turns and realizes it’s him—she starts running away)