The Untainted – Aftermath
The night after the ruined dinner felt unusually heavy.
News traveled quickly among families and friends. By morning, whispers had already begun spreading quietly through the community.
Something happened at Qazeem's house.
There was smoke.
Someone planted something at the gate.
But the full truth remained hidden.
For now.
Rihannat's House
Rihannat woke early.
She had barely slept.
The events of the night replayed in fragments inside her mind — the explosion, Balkis' confession, Basit's sudden appearance, and the uncomfortable silence that followed.
She sat on her prayer mat longer than usual after Fajr.
Her voice was soft as she made du'a.
"Ya Allah… guide me away from anything that brings harm to my heart or my faith."
When she finally stood, she felt calmer.
Not healed.
But steadier.
Her mother watched quietly from the doorway.
"You prayed longer today," she observed gently.
Rihannat gave a faint smile.
"Sometimes the heart needs more time to speak."
Her mother nodded knowingly.
Balkis' Room
Balkis had not slept at all.
Her phone lay beside her, the screen dark.
She had blocked the unknown number.
She had blocked Segun.
But none of it erased the memory of Rihannat's voice asking that single question.
Why?
That question hurt more than Basit's anger.
More than the embarrassment.
More than the shame.
She buried her face into her pillow.
"How did I ruin everything like this?" she whispered to herself.
University Campus – Later That Day
Students moved across the campus as usual.
But when Rihannat arrived with Rayyan, the air felt slightly different.
Some people looked at them longer than usual.
Rayyan frowned.
"They already know something happened," she murmured.
Rihannat sighed softly.
"Let them talk."
Rayyan studied her carefully.
"You're calmer than I expected."
Rihannat shrugged lightly.
"Whatever Allah allows to happen has a purpose."
But deep down, the hurt still lingered.
Especially when she thought about Balkis.
Across Town
Basit stood in his room, staring at his phone.
One name sat on the screen.
Segun.
Ridwan leaned against the wall nearby.
"You're really thinking about calling him?"
Basit exhaled slowly.
"I want to know why."
Ridwan folded his arms.
"You already know why."
Basit's jaw tightened.
But he pressed the call button anyway.
The phone rang twice.
Then a voice answered.
"Basit."
Segun sounded calm.
Too calm.
Basit's voice turned cold.
"You involved yourself in something that should never have concerned you."
Segun chuckled softly.
"You're referring to last night?"
"You know exactly what I'm referring to."
A pause followed.
Then Segun spoke slowly.
"I didn't harm anyone."
"You caused chaos."
"Chaos reveals truth," Segun replied.
Basit's patience thinned.
"What truth?"
Segun's voice lowered slightly.
"That people become very interesting when they are under pressure."
Basit clenched his jaw.
"You stay away from Rihannat."
The silence on the line stretched longer this time.
Then Segun answered quietly.
"That depends."
Basit's grip on the phone tightened.
"On what?"
"On whether she becomes important to the story."
The line went dead.
Later That Evening
Balkis stood outside Rihannat's house.
Her heart pounded violently.
She had been standing there for ten minutes already.
Trying to gather courage.
Finally she knocked.
The door opened.
Rihannat stood there.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Balkis' voice finally broke the silence.
"I came to apologize."
Her eyes filled with tears again.
"I know I don't deserve forgiveness… but I couldn't stay silent."
Rihannat studied her quietly.
Then stepped aside.
"Come in."
Balkis looked surprised.
"You're… letting me inside?"
Rihannat nodded.
"Yes."
They sat across from each other in the living room.
The air between them felt fragile.
Balkis wiped her eyes.
"I was jealous."
The admission came out suddenly.
"I saw how everyone cared about you… respected you… trusted you.....your beauty..... And I thought if things got complicated maybe—"
Her voice trembled.
"Maybe the attention around you would fade."
Rihannat listened quietly.
Then asked softly,
"And did it make you feel better?"
Balkis shook her head immediately.
"No."
"Then learn from it," Rihannat said gently.
Balkis looked up, shocked.
"You're not angry?"
"I am hurt," Rihannat replied honestly.
"But anger doesn't fix anything."
Tears slid down Balkis' face again.
"I don't deserve your kindness."
Rihannat sighed softly.
"Kindness isn't about deserving."
Across the City
Segun stood on a balcony overlooking the city lights.
His phone rested in his hand.
Bayo joined him with two cups of tea.
"So what did Basit say?"
Segun smiled faintly.
"He warned me to stay away."
Bayo laughed.
"And will you?"
Segun looked out toward the horizon.
Where the city lights stretched endlessly.
"I haven't decided yet."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"But something tells me this story isn't finished."
@OlukoyaZainab