The Untainted– Fractures
Silence fell over the gathering like a heavy curtain.
The name Segun still hung in the air.
Guests exchanged uneasy glances. Some whispered quietly among themselves. Others simply watched, sensing that something deeper had just been revealed.
Balkis stood frozen, tears sliding down her face.
She wished she could pull the words back.
But it was too late.
At the Gate
Basit stepped forward slowly.
His expression had hardened in a way few people had seen before.
"You contacted Segun?" he asked quietly.
Balkis couldn't lift her head.
"I didn't think—"
"No," Basit interrupted sharply.
"You didn't."
His voice carried restrained anger.
Ridwan placed a hand lightly on Basit's arm.
"Easy," he murmured.
But Basit's gaze remained fixed on Balkis.
"You know the kind of people he associates with," Basit continued. "And you still gave him information about this house? About this event?"
Balkis' shoulders shook harder.
"I only told him about the dinner. I didn't know he would send people."
Her voice cracked under the weight of her guilt.
Nearby
Rihannat stood a few steps away.
Still.
Quiet.
Her eyes rested on Balkis, but her expression was not angry.
It was something worse.
Hurt.
"Why?" she asked softly.
The question cut deeper than any accusation.
Balkis finally looked at her.
"I wasn't trying to harm you."
"Then what were you trying to do?"
Balkis hesitated.
Because the truth sounded even worse when spoken aloud.
"I… I thought maybe if he saw how serious the situation was… he would step back."
Rayyan frowned in confusion.
"That doesn't make any sense."
Ridwan sighed quietly.
Because unfortunately…
It did.
Qazeem's Father
The older man stepped forward calmly, his authority quiet but undeniable.
"This gathering is over," he announced firmly.
"Everyone, please return to your homes safely."
The guests did not argue.
The tension in the air was too thick.
Too uncomfortable.
One by one, people began leaving the property.
Across the Street
Segun watched the crowd dispersing.
Bayo leaned forward.
"Well… that ended dramatically."
Segun remained silent.
His eyes followed a specific figure near the gate.
Rihannat.
Even from this distance, her composure stood out.
Bayo glanced sideways.
"So what now?"
Segun leaned back slowly.
"Now… things begin."
Back at the Gate
Qazeem turned to the guard.
"Remove that box."
The guard nodded and carefully carried the smoking device away.
Then Qazeem faced Balkis.
His voice was controlled.
"You should leave."
Balkis looked at him with tear-filled eyes.
"I'm sorry."
But apologies felt meaningless now.
Rayyan gently took Balkis' arm.
"Let's go."
Balkis allowed herself to be led away, her heart heavy with shame.
Near the Car
Ridwan rubbed his face tiredly.
"This night turned into a disaster."
Basit exhaled slowly.
His anger had cooled into something more complicated.
Frustration.
Concern.
And something else he refused to name.
He looked toward Rihannat.
She was speaking quietly with her parents.
Composed.
Graceful.
But he could see the sadness in her eyes.
Inside the House
Qazeem stood alone in the living room for a moment after everyone had left.
The elegant dinner table remained untouched.
Perfectly prepared.
Now meaningless.
His mother walked in slowly.
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
"For what?" he asked.
"For the night not going as planned."
Qazeem gave a faint smile.
"Maybe it went exactly as it was meant to."
But his mind was already turning.
Planning.
Reconsidering.
Because tonight had revealed something important.
There were forces moving around Rihannat now.
And he had no intention of letting them get closer.
Outside the House
Rihannat sat quietly in her father's car.
The ride home felt longer than usual.
Her mother reached over and squeezed her hand gently.
"Are you alright?"
Rihannat nodded slowly.
"Yes."
But her thoughts were still spinning.
Balkis' betrayal.
The chaos.
Basit's sudden appearance.
Everything felt tangled.
She leaned her head lightly against the window and whispered a silent prayer.
Ya Allah… protect my heart from bitterness.
Across Town
Segun finally started the car engine.
Bayo stretched lazily.
"So the big dinner is ruined. Congratulations."
Segun's lips curved slightly.
"Ruined?"
He shook his head.
"No."
His eyes reflected something darker.
"Disrupted."
"And disrupted things are easier to reshape."
The car disappeared into the night.
@OlukoyaZainab