(The sky outside was a dismal gray, mirroring the despair that had consumed Akeelah’s soul. The air was heavy with sorrow, and every breath she took felt like a struggle.)
(As the verdict echoed in her mind, Akeelah felt like she had lost herself. The cold, unforgiving walls of the prison cell seemed to close in on her, suffocating her. She was trapped—with no escape from the agony wracking her body and mind.)
(Tears streamed down her face in a relentless torrent. Her bitter sobs echoed through the cell, a haunting reminder of her regret and sorrow.)
Akeelah: (wailing, her voice hoarse from crying) Why? Why is this happening to me?
(The question swirled in her mind like a storm, taunting her with no answers. The night wore on—an endless expanse of darkness and grief. Even the meager meal offered by the prison officers remained untouched, as Akeelah’s misery consumed her.)
(The officers’ warning and the clang of the cell gate only made her cry harder, as if the sound itself was tearing her apart. She was oblivious to her surroundings, lost in a sea of pain.)
(It wasn’t until one of the other prisoners—a gruff but not entirely unkind woman—kicked her leg and barked at her to shut up that Akeelah realized she wasn’t alone. The woman’s rough voice pierced through the fog of her grief.)
Shade: If you dare make another sound tonight, I’ll pounce on you! That crime that brought you here? It’s nothing compared to what we’ve done. So watch how you act around here
(She presses her middle finger against her lips, signaling Akeelah to be silent.) Now—fem!
Akeelah: (quickly covers her mouth, shivering in fear, groaning as she struggles to contain her emotions) I—I’m sorry…
Shade: This is what I can’t stand about newcomers. Always whining, acting like they’re innocent. Like they don’t deserve to be here.
Akeelah: (sobbing silently, still covering her mouth)
Amaka: Chai! Chi mo! See ehn— (furiously gets up) if you don’t shut that mouth, you’ll wish you were never born. You think you know where you are? You don’t!
Akeelah: (swallows her sobs and holds her breath, frozen with fear)
Shola: Ehnnn… now she don dey cooperate.
Amaka: If them born your papa well, just try make one more sound before daybreak. You go use your own hand carry your two legs commot here. You dey craze?
Akeelah: (whispers, trembling) I’m sorry… I’m sorry, ma’am.
Shola: Oya, she don mute. No vex, babe. (gently taps Amaka’s shoulder) Let’s go sleep.
Amaka: Na she save your ass tonight, o. If not—me wey don kill five people already—adding you would’ve been nothing but a warm-up!
Akeelah: (her heart pounding, wishing she could disappear) I’m sorry, ma…
*************************************
Few Weeks Later – Inside the Room
Maryam: (enters and finds Sefinat looking distressed) Babe? What happened? You don’t look so good.
Sefinat: (groaning) I don’t know why I’m like this either. I just feel like… something isn’t right with my life. In fact—if you asked me to explain what exactly is wrong—I wouldn’t even know what to say.
Maryam: Really? (pauses, thinking) Uhmm… when are you expecting your visitors?
Sefinat: I don’t know… maybe this week or next?
Maryam: I guess it’s your hormones doing this, not you. But don’t worry— (embraces her) —you’ll be fine, okay? We will be fine. I got you, babe.
Sefinat: (smiles as she welcomes the hug) Thanks. But seriously… we’re going to be extremely broke.
(They burst into laughter.)
Maryam: Absolutely! Since we resigned from our jobs, now we’re jobless, penniless, foodless, and drinkless!
Sefinat: (sighs deeply) We are definitely cooked this time.
Maryam: But! We are not hopeless. I believe every disappointment is a blessing.
Sefinat: That reminds me… I’m actually worried—about my brother. I haven’t been able to reach him.
Maryam: Are you serious? But he should have reached out by now…
Sefinat: That’s what scares me. Our last conversation was unusual. Something’s not right.
Maryam: So what are you going to do? Isn’t there a way to reach his so-called parents?
Sefinat: Trust me… you don’t want me doing that. Sometimes I wonder why he was even adopted by them in the first place… (sighs) Maryam, I’m really worried.
Maryam: Look at me. You have nothing to be worried about. He’s probably out there chilling with some random girls while you’re here stressing for nothing. Just keep trying his line. I’m sure he’ll reach out once he gets the chance.
Sefinat: Don’t say that. My brother isn’t even that into women, you know.
Maryam: Abeg! So far he’s a man and he’s got a tail between his legs—he’ll definitely be into women.
Sefinat: (sighs) Ugh! You’re so annoying sometimes. Just leave me alone, abeg. (exits the room)
Maryam: Babe! I was just kidding! Seriously?
****************************************************
LAGOS – School Campus, Lecture Room
Medinah: (suddenly calls out) Guys! I’ve been thinking about something for a while now and I just can’t help it.
(Everyone gathers around, curious.)
Tiwa: Ehn? What is it?
Medinah: Despite what they say… we all know Sefin didn’t commit suicide. He was murdered.
Everyone: Ehn ehn?
Medinah: Even though the police claim it was a suicide…
Everyone: Ehn ehn? What now happened?
Medinah: What baffles me most is how his parents don’t even seem remorseful. They even told the police to close the case!
(The group begins to murmur.)
Medinah: I’m serious! Tiwa—you noticed it too, right?
Natasha: We all noticed. But it is what it is. They are his parents after all.
Medinah: Are you sure about that? Because no real parents would act the way they did. I’m telling you—he was killed.
Tobi: Everybody knows Sefin was a cool guy. But suddenly, he changed. Started rolling with the wrong crowd.
So please, enough gossip. Let’s face what brought us here. (returns to his seat)
(Habeebah listens quietly from her seat, not engaging.)
Medinah: All I know is—Sefin was a good guy. And his killer must not go unpunished.
Tiwa: And what if the killer is… (suddenly lowers her voice and whispers) a cultist?
(Immediately, everyone retreats to their seats and pretends they heard nothing.)
Medinah: My hand no dey there ooo! Abeg oh!
*************************************************
(It had been two weeks since the verdict. Akeelah’s life had been reduced to mere existence—a sorrowful routine within the cold, unrelenting walls of the prison. Depression, anxiety, and illness had taken their toll on her fragile frame. Amidst the darkness, she found herself constantly at the mercy of ruthless inmates who took pleasure in bullying her. Days blurred into one another, consumed by pain and despair.)
(But this morning, a glimmer of hope flickered to life. The iron gate of her cell swung open. The prison officers stood firm, yet their tone wasn’t as harsh as usual.)
Prison Officer: Hey! You—get up!
Akeelah: (looks up with weak, sunken eyes) Me?
Prison Officer: You have a visitor.
(Akeelah’s heart skips a beat. She scrambles to her feet, a flicker of hope reigniting in her broken spirit.)
Akeelah: Amir…? (Tears rush to her eyes as she hurries after the officer. In the visitor’s room, her emotions spill over when she sees her brother.) You finally came… (rushes into his arms, clinging to him in her weakness) You finally came to see me…
Amir: (gently lets go and they sit. He can’t look at her; his gaze is fixed on the floor.)
How... I mean… how are you doing?
Akeelah: (tears rolling down her cheeks
What took you so long? Why didn’t you show up at the courtroom?
Amir: (voice cracking) Because I couldn’t face you. I was so mad at myself—for letting this happen to you. If I had protected you the way I should have… none of this would’ve happened. I’m so sorry, Akeelah.
(Tears fall down his face)
I wasn’t a good brother. And only God knows the pain you’re going through now.
Akeelah: it's not your fault (gripping his hands through her sobs)
I don’t want to be here, Amir. I don’t want to go back in there. It’s horrific. It’s terrible. They beat me… all the time. I’m scared I won’t make it out alive. Please—do something. I’m scared, Amir…
Amir: (breaks down fully, still looking at the floor) I’m sorry… I’ll do everything I can. I swear I’ll keep fighting to get your sentence reduced. Just… please don’t cry.
Akeelah: (wipes her tears, trying to be strong)
At least look at me. I look miserable… I am miserable.
I’m in pain, Amir.
I was raped by two men… and all I did was defend myself.
One of them died—and the other ran away. I didn’t mean to kill him…
This is injustice. I’m suffering for trying to survive.
(A heavy silence fills the room, broken only by the sound of their sobbing.)
Prison Officer: (stepping forward, firm) Time’s up.
Akeelah: (grabs Amir’s hand tighter, desperate)
Please! Don’t let them take me back in there. I’m begging you!
They’ll kill me… please… do something…
(Two prison officers pull her away. Akeelah cries out, her fingers slipping from Amir’s hand as she’s dragged from the room. Amir sits frozen, tears falling, helpless.)