Sefinat scrolls through her phone as she walks toward the school gate. She pauses, lowers the phone, and sighs deeply.
Sefinat: I don’t think I’m ever going to achieve my aim here... Maybe it’s high time I let it go and moved on with my life. It’s been months since I came here, and I still haven’t gotten to the bottom of it. (looks up at the sky) What exactly should I do, ehn? Sefin... you could’ve made this easier for me by keeping me updated about the friends you mingled with. Even now, I don’t have a single target. What assurance do I have that I’ll ever find your killer?
Suddenly, a car speeds past her and blocks her path. She stumbles back, panting heavily. The car door opens, and a group of guys step out, reeking of cigarettes.
Zuko: Hey you! Who are you?
Sefinat: (heart pounding) You almost hit me with your car, and you still have the guts to ask who I am?
Seyi: (steps forward and slaps her cheek lightly) Watch your mouth! How dare you talk to the boss like that? Do you even know who we are?
Sefinat: Touch me again, and I promise—you’ll regret it.
K.Y: (chuckling) Let me fulfill that promise, then. (raises hand to strike her)
Zuko: Stop!
K.Y: (backs off instantly) Yes, boss.
Zuko: You look familiar. Have we met before?
Sefinat: (glares at them, then turns and walks away)
K.Y and Seyi exchange furious glances and move to attack her from behind, but Zuko stops them.
K.Y: Zuko! Why’d you let her go? Just give us one chance—let’s design her face with some scars!
Seyi: Yeah! Nobody sees us and walks away without begging for their life!
Zuko: Something’s off about her... She looks familiar, and I’m going to find out who she is before making any moves. Unlike you idiots, I actually think before acting.
Seyi: Sorry, boss.
K.Y: We’re sorry. (opens the car door)
Zuko: I’ll handle it myself. (gets into the car)
******************************
SCENE: 3:23 a.m. – Maryam's Room
Maryam wakes up, panting and sweating.
Maryam: What... What kind of dream was that? A nightmare! (looks for her phone) And I kept shouting, but she wouldn’t listen! (checks the time) I don’t care if it’s the middle of the night—I’ll keep calling until she picks up.
She dials Sefinat’s number repeatedly. On the tenth call, Sefinat finally answers.
Sefinat: (groggy) Hello? Who’s this?
Maryam: It’s me—Maryam. Sefinat, please... you need to come back. I’m begging you, for Allah’s sake.
Sefinat: (half-asleep) What are you talking about? (yawns)
Maryam: This is my problem with you. You’re so stubborn! Please, come back to your senses. Sefin is gone—he’s never coming back. Nothing you do will change that. So please... come back home. I don’t want to lose you too.
Sefinat: (fully awake but tired) So this is why you called me at this hour? Couldn’t it wait till morning? You just ruined my beauty sleep.
Maryam: Yes, because I had a nightmare about you! Please listen to me—come back home.
Sefinat: (yawning) We’ll talk in the morning. I’m tired.
She’s about to hang up.
Maryam: Don’t you dare hang up on me! What exactly is your problem, Sefinat? Are you the only one who’s lost someone? What about me? We were both raised in an orphanage—I don’t have anyone either, and I’m still surviving! What’s your excuse? Come back home and move on with your life.
Sefinat: (as tears fall) Okay...
She hangs up.
Maryam: Hello?! Sefinat?! (slams pillow in frustration) That stubborn girl is definitely going to get herself killed... She doesn’t even know her life is in danger.
Sefinat wipes her tears, steps outside, and finds a place to sit in deep thought.
******************************
The Next Day – Lecture Room
Habeebah sits quietly, withdrawn.
Habeebah: I only have thirty thousand naira left. I’ve run out of business ideas—I’ve searched everywhere online and still found nothing. How will I survive if I don’t invest in something? Ya Allah, guide me... I’m tired of living like this. My so-called husband doesn’t even care if I’m alive or dead. Please, grant me rizq so I can stand on my own... please. (wipes her tears)
Aishat: (entering) No wonder the air feels lighter—Zuko and his gang aren’t in class today. Now I can talk as much as I want!
James: Can’t you do without gossip for once?
Aishat: Then what’s my purpose in life?
Rukayah: Even that girl is absent—with A.Z.
Aishat: Oh! That’s true. That witch is also absent. I just pray she never comes back—I can’t stand her. I wish every day could be like this. Idris is dealing with his life at the hospital, Zuko’s not here, and that witch is gone too.
Khalid: (eyes roaming, deep in thought)
Habeebah: I guess she’s finally returned to where she came from...
Khalid: (thinking) Why do I feel like something isn’t right?
Aishat: Maybe she’s next in line to be taught a lesson—just like Idris. (walks to Khalid’s desk) Anyway, as long as you’re in school, my day will—
Khalid: (suddenly stands and walks out)
Everyone chuckles and mocks Aishat.
Aishat: (furious) Mind your business!
Maryam: Don’t you get tired? Always forcing yourself on a man. Maybe you’ll be next.
Aishat: (furiously approaches Maryam’s desk and drags off her veil, exposing her hair. A fight breaks out.)
**********************************
Night – 9:23 p.m.
Habeebah: (in bed reciting her adhkar, then pauses, looking around—suddenly lost in thought for a few minutes. She picks up her phone and scrolls through her social media. After a while, something catches her attention. She reads it through, then continues scrolling. She suddenly snaps back to reality.) How did I get to this point? I was reciting adhkar, wasn’t I? Then how come I’m holding my phone? Kai... Shaytan. (puts the phone down and resumes)
Few minutes later...
Habeebah: (staring at the ceiling with a heavy heart) I’ve tried so many small physical businesses, but none seem to work. They’re time-consuming and full of debtors... And there’s no other business I can start with just 20k. Every legit online business is full of scammers now... (sighs deeply) Yaa Allah, this is mentally draining. If I touch this twenty thousand naira, I’ll starve later. Grant me knowledge of a business that suits a niqabi like me. (pauses, thinking) Or should I try calling him again... hoping he picks? (takes a deep breath, borrows airtime, and dials her husband’s number. Her heart pounds as it rings. After several failed attempts, she puts the phone down) I’ve made the biggest mistake of my entire life. Did he use jazz on me to marry him or what? Because I can’t believe I actually married a heartless man... Subhanallah.
***************************
That Same Night
Sefinat: (standing by the roadside, stretching her neck and looking down the street, clearly waiting for someone. Her phone rings, and she quickly answers, turning around to check her surroundings) Hello? (spots the person she’s expecting and ends the call)
Anna: (also ends the call and glances at Sefinat, silently)
Few minutes later – at a nearby mini restaurant. The two sit across from each other in silence for a moment.
Anna: (noticing the resemblance) I guess you have nothing to say. We’ve just been staring at each other. (reaches for her bag, preparing to leave)
Sefinat: (grabs her hand gently) Please... don’t go. I’m so sorry—I was just admiring the woman my brother loved. Please have a seat... forgive my manners.
Anna: So why did you ask to see me?
Sefinat: Actually, like I said on the phone... I’m Jamiu’s twin sister, and I just want to make some findings about his death. That’s all.
Anna: So you’re here to investigate me?
Sefinat: No!! Please don’t get me wrong. I just want to hear about the good memories you shared with him...
Anna: (smirks) Actually... you got the wrong idea about me. And for the record... I’m glad Jamiu is dead.
Sefinat: (eyes widen) What did you say?
Anna: You heard me. Jamiu brought more pain than peace into my life.
Sefinat: (furious but trying to remain calm)
Anna: Jamiu and I were close friends once. Then everything changed—he joined a gang that completely messed up his life. From then on, he became a nightmare. He and his gang bullied me repeatedly... They forced me to strip while they recorded me... (voice shakes)
Sefinat: (jaw drops) What?
Anna: Hmm. Imagine how that felt. He deceived me... ruined my life. Alhamdulillah, I almost ended my life from the humiliation. It’s a trauma I still live with.
Sefinat: (still in shock) I... I’m so sorry... I didn’t know.
Anna: Of course you didn’t. Only Allah knows how many times I wished for him to disappear—just so I could survive. After my ND, I planned to leave for my hometown and continue my studies. And then, to my greatest surprise... I heard the news of his death.
Sefinat: (still speechless)
Anna: Lucky for me, I found a better man. One who truly loves me—even with my flaws. And now... I’m carrying his child. (touches her tummy)
Sefinat: I... I’m really sorry to hear what you went through. And I’m happy you found peace.
Anna: Save it. I’m sorry for your loss... but I believe I’ve answered your questions. Have a good night. (picks up her bag and walks away)
Sefinat: (stands up quickly) Please wait! (catches up to her) Do you know any of the gang members by name? Can you tell me anyone?
Anna: I only know one of them. His name is...