She was about to collapse heavily when he quickly intercepted her, catching her against his chest as she lost consciousness. He vigorously shook her to wake her up, but receiving no response, he gently laid her down on his bed. He fetched cold water from his refrigerator and splashed it on her face. She stirred slightly, showing signs of revival, but deep exhaustion and sleep instantly overtook her again. Seeing this, Prince (Yareemah) Maheer fixed his eyes on her, analyzing her condition carefully. The erratic way she had burst into his room and the chaotic manner in which she spoke strongly indicated that something profound was bothering her. Furthermore, seeing how deeply she was sleeping now made him wonder: had she been suffering from a severe lack of sleep? He gently adjusted her hair, which had scattered wildly across her face during her fall, tucking it neatly behind her ears. He stared intently at her, admiring the breathtaking beauty Allah had blessed her with—the fine, soft baby hairs framing her forehead, her thick, perfectly shaped eyebrows, her long, dark eyelashes, her prominent nose, and her well-proportioned lips naturally tinted with a reddish hue. His gaze drifted further down to her slender neck, adorned with a delicate, beautiful necklace that glimmered softly. He exhaled a long, deep sigh and closed his eyes, consciously trying to prevent himself from getting lost in her beauty. Slowly opening them again, his gaze landed on her elegant, long fingers. He placed his hand gently over hers. Feeling the immense softness of her skin, he let out a quiet breath, rested his head right over her hand, and allowed a thief called sleep to steal him away. I felt my head spinning and feeling incredibly heavy the exact moment I forced my eyes open. I stared blankly at the ceiling of the room, despite the prevailing darkness. Catching sight of the ceiling fan spinning rapidly above, I kept my eyes locked on it in sheer bewilderment, wondering to myself exactly when my bedroom fan had been changed. I slowly gathered my strength to sit up, but suddenly felt a heavy weight resting on my hand. Dropping my gaze to look down, I discovered a man lying fast asleep over my arm. I instantly let out a loud, piercing scream. Startled by the noise, he woke up abruptly and stood straight up, panicking: "What is it, Khadeeja?" Hearing the deep voice of a grown man, I screamed in terror again, shouting: "Who are you?!" due to the pitch darkness engulfing the room. Only then did Yareemah realize just how dark the room had become because his lights were turned off. He wondered how it had already become late afternoon and when exactly they had both fallen asleep. He quickly switched on the lights. The moment I saw him standing there without proper clothing on, I scrambled off the bed in a flash, demanding aggressively: "What did you do to me?! How on earth did I end up in your bedroom? Why did you carry me out of my own room?!" Seeing the relentless barrage of frantic questions she was hurling at him, he stepped closer to her, attempting to guide her back to sit down, recognizing that she was still heavily disoriented from her deep sleep. Terrified, Deeje scrambled backward defensively, crying out: "Do not dare violate my chastity, Yareemah! I swear by Allah..." He quickly placed his hand over her mouth to silence her, interjecting firmly: "Regain your senses! I did not go to your room to carry you here; you walked into this room entirely on your own two feet! So please, calm down immediately so we can talk rationally." Only then did the memories rush back to me—the sequence of distressing events that had driven me to his room in the first place, and the severe insomnia that had been plaguing me, which was now completely gone. Does this mean I spent the entire afternoon sleeping in this room? I thought. My goodness, thank God nothing inappropriate happened. I looked directly at him and said: "I remember now. I brought myself here to address the issue of the money you transferred to me. It is far too much..." "Khadeeja, I have already explained the system to you. This does not originate from me personally; whatever amount you see in your account is a direct disbursement from the official account of this royal Emirate." "But I saw the amount and felt it was entirely excessive, which is why I came to speak with you." He let out a soft sigh, staring at her intently. He felt a deep urge to pull her into his arms, an overwhelming emotion he had carried since their earlier encounter. Slowly, he reached out and placed his hand over hers, asking softly: "Why do you constantly look at me as though I am someone who would harm you? I..." I abruptly pulled my hands away from his grasp, grabbed my phone, and bolted toward the door without giving him a single glance. I opened it and rushed out. A subtle smile spread across his face as he walked into his bathroom, his true feelings known only to himself. The moment I reached my room, I went straight into the bathroom, took a refreshing shower, and performed all the missed prayers I owed. Afterward, I went over to Diddi's room. The moment she spotted me, she smiled warmly and said: "You've been incredibly scarce today." "Diddi, I spent the entire day sleeping, please forgive me. I didn't even check in on your health. How are you feeling today?" "I feel significantly better, honestly. Don't worry at all, exhaustion happens." "Diddi, Yareemah transferred money to me—up to the tune of one million Naira! Diddi, the money is far too much. I went to confront him so he could reduce it, but he claimed it didn't come from him, but rather from the royal estate." "That is perfectly accurate, Khadeeja. This amount is absolutely nothing unusual for them. May Allah grant further assistance." "Ameen, Diddi. I am so grateful. May Allah grant you increased health and a very long life." Hearing the prayer for longevity, Diddi was overjoyed, her face lighting up with a broad smile. "Ameen, Khadeeja. Thank you as well." I checked her vitals, and by the time I returned to my own room, it was nearly 11:00 PM, so I began preparing for bed.
Part 2: The Intruder and the Confrontation
Because I had spent the entire afternoon sleeping, I didn't feel tired at all. I brought out my laptop, which I hadn't used in two days, intending to send in a report. I booted it up and began typing. Suddenly, I heard a faint noise at my door, as if someone was trying to open it. It sounded exactly like someone repeatedly trying a key, but it refused to turn. I quickly shut down my laptop and lay perfectly still. Suddenly, I spotted the silhouette of a person outside my window, actively trying to force it open. Slowly and silently, I crept out of bed on my tiptoes, carefully parting the curtains to see who it was. In a flash, my hand was violently grabbed through the opening, locked in an unyielding, dangerously tight grip. Feeling the sheer force of the grip, I began struggling wildly to wrench my hand free. I pulled with everything I had while the intruder pulled back aggressively. I broke into a heavy sweat, my heart hammering furiously against my ribs. I tried desperately to break free, but I couldn't even budge due to the overwhelming strength of the assailant. The person violently yanked me closer, slamming my body directly against the window frame. Suddenly, I felt the intruder's other hand pressing against my neck, stroking it. In a panic, I bent my head down, aligned my mouth right over the assailant's right hand, and bit down with absolute, savage force, using every ounce of strength left in my body. The person instantly recoiled, letting out a sharp cry of agony as he violently yanked his hand back and stumbled away. I collapsed heavily onto the carpet, gasping for breath with immense difficulty. Hearing the distinct voice of a man outside made me even more terrified. Scrambling on all fours, I rushed to the side of the bed, climbed up in a panic, and lay down, my entire body trembling violently. I completely abandoned any hope of sleeping, falling into a deep vortex of dark thoughts, desperately trying to identify the voice. I analyzed it from every angle but couldn't pinpoint it. Eventually, a restless sleep stole me away. THE FOLLOWING DAY I could barely drag myself out of bed the next morning, having over slept to the point that the sun was already high and I had missed the early morning prayer time. I climbed off the bed, rushed into the bathroom to perform ablution, and quickly prayed. However, I found myself completely unable to stand up from the prayer mat due to a severe, throbbing headache. This was a direct consequence of the late-night trauma and lack of proper rest. I lay right down on the prayer mat, and sleep instantly claimed me again. I didn't wake up until around 11:00 AM. I stood up, my stomach roaring with an intense hunger that made me feel empty inside, and my vision blurred slightly. Seeing that no one had brought me breakfast, I walked out into the main parlor. Spotting an assortment of food neatly arranged in the dining area, I made my way over without a moment's delay. I opened the dishes, heaped a plate full of food, and began eating voraciously. It was macaroni jollof prepared with green vegetables, accompanied by massive pieces of fried fish and meat—so large they practically outnumbered the macaroni itself. Eating with single-minded focus, I consumed a satisfying portion before pouring myself a glass of freshly blended, rich pineapple juice. I let out a satisfied burp, leaned back comfortably against the chair, and softly closed my eyes. "Doctor, did you go the entire night without eating a single thing?" I snapped my eyes open, looking up in a mixture of fear and astonishment. He smiled warmly, pulling out one of the dining chairs to sit down beside me before continuing: "Eating at such a frantic pace could easily make you choke. Or is it just that the food tastes exceptionally good (santi)?" I didn't even realize a smile had broken across my face as I replied: "Maybe it can be santi." He smiled, pouring a cup of tea using his left hand, lifted it, and began to drink. "Your left hand, Yareemah? That is highly inappropriate and mimics the habits of non-believers." "My right hand is in severe pain; I cannot bear the weight of lifting a cup with it. That is why you see me using this hand." I stared fixedly at his right hand, which was buried deep inside his trouser pocket. Suddenly, I bolted upright and demanded: "Show me your hand, Yareemah. Bring it out right now let me see it!" He looked up at me in utter astonishment. Seeing how unyieldingly persistent I was about seeing his hand, he said defensively: "Since when did I deserve this sudden level of care from you? It's not a major injury; I've already taken medication and it will feel much better by tomorrow." "Yareemah, let's not stand here arguing. Just bring your hand out right now—for the sake of peace and absolute peace of mind!" His confusion quickly morphed into suspicion at the gravity of her words. He questioned: "What exactly are you implying, Khadeeja? What brought about this intense interrogation? It's just my hand, and I have stated I will not bring it out. Why is it causing you such distress? Or is this another new tactic of yours?" Filled with rising anger, I shot back: "YAREEMAH, up until this very moment, you haven't changed one bit! And I am absolutely certain you will never change for the rest of your life! What on earth have I ever done to you that makes you..." This time, visibly angered by her accusation, he interrupted fiercely: "KHADEEJA, what is so severe that makes you hurl such painful accusations at me? Did something happen that I am unaware of? Or are you just trying to provoke me? If you must know, I didn't sustain any massive, debilitating wound!" I let out a bitter, sarcastic smile and said: "You stand there putting on a flawless act of total innocence, pretending you know absolutely nothing, whereas you are the ultimate source of all malice (ummul khabis)! But remember, there is Allah..." He quickly grabbed her hand, demanding fiercely: "You are leaving me completely in the dark! What on earth is happening, or rather, what happened?! You keep making wild accusations and acting so strangely!" Seeing him aggressively play innocent, I turned on my heel and walked directly toward Diddi's room. On my way, I encountered Maleek standing there, both hands casually buried inside his pockets. The moment he spotted me, a smirk spread across his face as he mocked: "Well, if it isn't the Western medicine doctor." I completely ignored him and kept walking, but he quickly jumped in front of me, blocking my path. "Why the hostile attitude today, Doctor? At the very least, we should exchange a proper greeting." "Get out of my way and let me pass! My head is already spinning from far too much drama." He smirked and said, "Fine, but how long do you plan on avoiding me? There is an important matter I need us to discuss." "When I am ready, I will look for you," I snapped, pushing past him into Diddi's room. After we exchanged warm greetings, I deeply apologized to her for failing to check in earlier. "Don't worry at all, Khadeeja. My body feels much better now. In fact, Dr. Kamal called me earlier to ask how I was faring, and I told him I am recovering well." "He called me yesterday as well, strictly reminding me not to neglect my studies because our final exams are rapidly approaching. I assured him that I am taking my studies very seriously and am not playing around." We enjoyed a long, comforting chat before I stepped out to return to my room. On my way back, I spotted Hajjiya Ummah and her close confidante, Zulai, standing in a corner whispering quietly to each other, clearly scheming in secret. I walked right past them...
Part 3: The Evil Plot and The Princess's Frustration
Hajjiya Ummah: "Ugh, Zulai! Maleek is dangerously close to completely ruining my elaborate plans regarding that wretched, ghost-faced girl! I have exerted so much energy trying to convince him to focus his attention on attracting YUSRAH, but he completely refuses. I am entirely at a loss. I swear by Allah, I am at the point of just ordering a hit to have her killed permanently so I can finally have peace!" "This is exactly what I dislike about you—you panic far too easily and rush into drastic decisions," Zulai sneered. "What power does that insignificant little girl hold? Personally, she doesn't cross my mind at all; whether she exists in this Emirate or not makes absolutely no difference. We must maintain our absolute focus entirely on YUSRAH. She is our ultimate golden ticket, and she is the tool we will use. Within a week, after we successfully manipulate her emotions, we will eliminate Yareemah once and for all. Once he is gone, that little doctor will have no protector left here, and she will be forced to pack her bags and leave permanently." Hajjiya Ummah let out a loud, dramatic cheer, clapping her hands in wicked delight. "Ah, the true agents of chaos have revealed themselves! I swear you are pure evil, Zulai! Your presence never brings anything good, but you have brought an exceptional strategy. Starting tomorrow, we will begin executing our plan, and everything will be finalized long before the wedding." "Are you playing with me? I have successfully dismantled over ten royal palaces with my schemes! I tell you, my presence is a storm. Just wait until we succeed, then you will truly see that I am your ultimate partner in crime." They huddled closer, meticulously refining the details of their sinister plot. PRINCESS YUSRAH She was lounging comfortably on her massive, luxurious royal bed, enjoying the cool blast of the air conditioner. Dressed in comfortable loungewear, she held her phone, casually playing a mobile game. She tossed the phone aside, rolled onto her back, and drifted into deep thought. She questioned whether she could truly survive a marriage with Yareemah Maheer—a man who had shown her absolutely zero respect since her arrival, refusing to dedicate even a fraction of his time to discuss their future together. Truly, she could not tolerate his dismissive attitude. She resolved to confront him face-to-face so they could set boundaries. Sliding off the bed, she went into the bathroom, took a shower, and dressed in elegant royal attire before marching over to Yareemah Maheer’s chambers. She knocked loudly, and when met with silence, she hissed in annoyance, thinking to herself: Such an arrogant, self-centered man. The door finally swung open. Seeing Yusrah standing there, he smirked slightly and asked: "YUSRAH! To what do I owe the honor of your personal visit? I hope all is well?" She scanned him from head to toe, noting how exceptionally handsome he looked in his casual western clothing. "What's the matter, Yusrah? Have you forgotten what I look like?" he asked, smiling playfully. She averted her gaze coldly and said: "I need to talk to you, Yareemah, about the wedding. It feels like there is a major problem." He smiled and remarked tauntingly: "Oh, so you've finally swallowed your pride, Yusrah? You actually want this marriage to happen?" "That is absolutely not what I mean! My point is that you act completely oblivious to my existence. The wedding is barely two weeks away, yet I receive absolutely no communication or effort from your end." Yareemah Maheer smiled calmly and said: "Please, step inside, Yusrah, so we can discuss this rationally." She walked into the room and took a seat, and he sat opposite her. He studied her for a few seconds, silently amused by her perpetual arrogance and inflated ego, knowing she was entirely empty-headed despite her pride. "From my perspective, you also have zero time for me, and you are only marrying me out of sheer royal coercion. That is precisely why I chose to focus entirely on my own affairs." "I never restricted you from handling your affairs! What I am asking is: what kind of life are we going to live after we are married?" "Well, Princess, we will live whatever lifestyle your royal highness chooses to design," he replied sarcastically. Recognizing his blatant mockery and patronizing tone, her anger flared instantly. "Yareemah, I did not come here to advertise myself to you for you to insult me! Do you simply despise living in peace?!" He smiled mockingly and said, "I beg for your royal forgiveness, Princess." Furious, she snapped out of her chair and stormed out of his quarters. He watched her leave, smiling to himself. Classic Yusrah, he thought. KHADEEJA Ibraheem I sat in deep reflection, utterly bewildered by the bizarre, chaotic life I had found myself living inside this Emirate. I constantly questioned: who is this mysterious predator invading my room in the dead of night? What exactly does he want from me? Is he trying to take my life, or is there something specific he is trying to steal from me? I was completely paralyzed by fear, dreading the arrival of nightfall because I lived in constant terror of this malicious attacker returning. All signs seemed to point directly to Yareemah Maheer. If it truly was him, I resolved that I must abandon this EMIRATE immediately before a terrible tragedy befell me.
Part 4: The Final Exam and the Attempted Assault
I walked into Diddi's room and found her sitting up. The moment she saw me, she remarked anxiously: "Khadeeja, what on earth is bothering you lately? Your entire demeanor has changed, and you look so gaunt, as if you are carrying a massive burden in your heart." "It's nothing, Diddi. I am perfectly fine. How is your strength returning?" "Alhamdulillah, that's what I want to hear. My body feels much stronger." We shared a brief conversation before I returned to my room. As I pushed the door open, I heard my phone ringing inside. I rushed to answer it without bothering to lock the door behind me. Seeing Shareefa's name on the screen, I answered quickly. "Sis, you've completely ghosted me lately! I don't even see you online anymore." "Shareefa, you are always on my mind, honestly! It's just that so much has been happening here. I was actually just about to call you. How are you and Daddy doing?" "They are all fine. But it's clear you have absolutely no idea what is going on out here. Everyone is in complete a panic." "Subhanallah! What is happening? I hope to God it's nothing bad?" "It's a major crisis. Just log online right now and check our NUD group chat so you can see it with your own eyes and believe it." "Alright sis, I will log on right now." We said our goodbyes. I lay down on the bed and logged online. A deluge of unread messages instantly flooded my phone. I quickly went into the bathroom, washed my face, and prepared for bed. Picking up my phone, I opened the NUD platform. The moment I saw the announcement, I bolted upright in shock. "Oh my goodness! The exam timetable is out, and we are starting next week?!" Suddenly, my phone rang again displaying an unfamiliar number. I brought it to my ear, remaining silent. From the other end, a voice spoke: "This is your HOD for the ITF program. I assume by now you have seen or heard the news. The faculty is about to go on an indefinite strike. Because of this, the exam timetable was rushed out in an emergency. Therefore, you must send in all your outstanding project reports immediately so I can submit them before the week runs out or before exams commence." Letting out a massive sigh of relief, I replied, "Understood, sir. I will compile and send them to you right away." "Good. I am waiting on you." With a racing heart, I walked back to Diddi’s room, knocked, and pushed the door open. Seeing me at that late hour, she sat up anxiously and asked: "Khadeeja! What brings you here at this time?" "It's me, Diddi," I said, finding a place to sit. "My HOD just called to inform me that our final examinations are starting next week, so I need to begin preparing to return to school." "My goodness, the decree of the Lord happens so fast, Khadeeja! May Allah grant you absolute success. But the moment you finish, you will return here, right?" "Yes, Diddi, Insha Allah." "That's perfectly fine, Khadeeja. Since you are coming back, there is no problem. I know university exams never take more than three weeks or a month at most. It's not an issue at all." "Thank you so much, Diddi." I stood up, bade her goodnight, and quietly walked back to my room. My entire body felt heavy with exhaustion as I thought about the intense cramming I had to do in the coming days. I lay down, lost in anxious thoughts. Suddenly, I felt a physical touch on my body. I bolted upright in terror, but a hand was instantly slapped brutally over my mouth to silence me. The pitch darkness of the room made it impossible to discern the intruder's face, but the distinct, familiar scent of his cologne filled my nose. It's YAREEMAH MAHEER! I thought in absolute horror. I began struggling frantically to break free, but he used his absolute physical strength to pin me down, rendering me completely immobile. I tried to scream, but only muffled, silent whimpers escaped. He aggressively began tearing at my clothes, shoving me forcefully to the side. He quickly pinned my body down beneath his, suffocating me to the point where I could barely draw breath. Just as he was about to forcefully violate me, the bedroom lights suddenly flashed on! Startled and terrified, the predator instantly jumped off me, scrambling to the side in pure panic, his face concealed by a dark mask to prevent identification. I scrambled off the bed in a state of utter hysteria, wrapping a bedsheet tightly around my body as I looked toward the door to see who had switched on the lights. Standing at the entrance was Yareemah Maheer, his entire body trembling with explosive fury, his breath coming in dangerous gasps, and his eyes completely bloodshot. Without wasting a single second, Yareemah lunged fiercely at the masked intruder, grabbing him violently by the throat with one hand, while using his other hand to rip the mask completely off the attacker's face... The true face of the predator was revealed. I stumbled backward in absolute psychological horror, tightly clutching the bedsheet around my body and closing my eyes in pure disgust and shock at the vile act that had just almost been committed against me. My entire frame shook violently as a severe, trauma-induced fever gripped my body. I huddled deeply under the sheet, gasping for air. My mind was completely shattered by what I had just witnessed. Looking at the man standing furiously at the door and the man caught red-handed, I was plunged into total cognitive dissonance. If Yareemah Maheer is standing right there at the door, then who on earth has been trying to destroy my life?! Yareemah didn't hesitate for a fraction of a second. He lunged at the unmasked man, pinning him against the wall. It was MALEEK! Maleek was the monster who was trying to rape me! Instantly, Yareemah's warnings echoed in my mind—he had been entirely right when he told me Maleek was a vile, unprincipled degenerate. The horrific conversation I had overheard between Maleek and Hajjiya Ummah flashed through my mind—where Maleek stated he would achieve his ultimate goal over me. This was his disgusting goal all along. Yareemah Maheer unleashed a rain of devastating punches on Maleek, beating him mercilessly like a wild animal, without uttering a single word or asking a single question. Realizing he was facing fatal retribution, Maleek began desperately scrambling for an escape route, knowing with absolute certainty that if he didn't flee, Yareemah's blinding rage would literally land him in the grave. Yareemah slammed him hard onto the carpet, viciously battering Maleek's face until it was a bloody, unrecognizable pulp. Maleek was thoroughly obliterated, feeling the terrifying strength of a real man. Realizing his life was on the line, he gathered his remaining strength, forcefully shoved Maheer off him, and bolted out of the room at lightning speed to save his life. Yareemah Maheer immediately rushed over to where Khadeeja was huddled, his heart in his throat. He lifted her up, checking her frantically from head to toe. She was drenched in a cold sweat and trembling like a leaf. In a voice thick with explosive rage, he demanded: "Look at me! What did he do to you?!" He began turning her around to inspect her for injuries. She forcefully pushed his hands away, pinning her back against the wall, crying out hysterically: "Please, just stop! He didn't do anything to me! Stop asking me questions!" "If he harmed or violated you, how on earth will I know unless you tell me?!" he roared back defensively. Bursting into tears, she wept: "He didn't do anything to me! He was just about to do it when you burst through the door!" Hearing that Maleek had failed to violate her, Yareemah let out a massive, trembling sigh of relief and collapsed heavily onto his knees on the floor, trying to stabilize his breathing. I also sank to the floor, gasping heavily for air. Slowly, I looked at him and asked quietly: "How did you know what was happening? How did you know to come in?" Exhaling a long breath, he looked at her and explained: "I went to Diddi's room to check on her and wish her a goodnight. She casually mentioned to me that you had just left her room and had informed her that your final exams are starting next week and you need to return to school. As I was walking away from her quarters, I spotted a shadow swiftly gliding toward your room. I hid in the shadows to observe. The moment he saw the coast was clear, he slipped into your room. I immediately followed him inside, only to discover it was Maleek. I have warned you repeatedly to stay far away from him because he is a dangerous lunatic, but you always assumed I was just trying to defame his character. While I am not shocked to find him here, I never imagined he would sink to the level of attempting such a heinous crime, though I know this degenerate behavior of his is nothing new. All signs showed this wasn't his first time attacking you either, because I noticed you have been living in absolute trauma and distress for the past few days." He spoke while looking directly into my eyes. I looked back at him and said: "Yes, this wasn't..."
2. Summary
The narrative details a dark turning point in the royal household, uncovering a sinister sexual assault plot, political scheming, and a dramatic rescue.
Trauma, Misunderstandings, and Academic Stress: Following a severe bout of insomnia, Khadeeja collapses in Prince (Yareemah) Maheer’s room. He cares for her purely, but when she awakens in the dark, she panics and falsely accuses him of violating her. Later, Khadeeja learns from her university HOD that due to an impending faculty strike, her final exams have been pushed forward to the following week, forcing her to prepare for a sudden departure.
The Sinister Political Plot: Meanwhile, the villainous Hajjiya Ummah and her co-conspirator Zulai plot to maintain control over the Emirate. Frustrated that Maleek refuses to court the wealthy Princess Yusrah (who herself is frustrated by Yareemah’s icy, arrogant indifference toward their upcoming arranged marriage), Hajjiya Ummah contemplates ordering a hit on Khadeeja. Zulai refines the plan: they will manipulate Princess Yusrah, assassinate Yareemah Maheer within a week, and leave the unprotected Khadeeja with no choice but to flee.
The Attempted Rape and Retribution: The climax occurs at night when an intruder slips into Khadeeja’s dark bedroom, restrains her, and attempts to rape her. Just before the assault is completed, Yareemah Maheer—who had been tipped off after spotting a suspicious shadow near her room—bursts in and flips on the lights. He unmasks the predator, revealing it to be Maleek. In a fit of righteous fury, Yareemah brutally beats Maleek into a bloody pulp until Maleek barely escapes with his life. A traumatized, feverish Khadeeja finally realizes that Yareemah was innocent all along, and that Maleek was the true monster terrorizing her.
GIDAN UNCLE SABON SALO BOOK COMPELET
The Encounter at the Bedroom and Suspicion
She was about to collapse heavily when he quickly intercepted her, catching her against his chest as she lost consciousness. He vigorously shook her to wake her up, but receiving no response, he gently laid her down on his bed. He fetched cold water from his refrigerator and splashed it on her face. She stirred slightly, showing signs of revival, but deep exhaustion and sleep instantly overtook her again. Seeing this, Prince (Yareemah) Maheer fixed his eyes on her, analyzing her condition carefully. The erratic way she had burst into his room and the chaotic manner in which she spoke strongly indicated that something profound was bothering her. Furthermore, seeing how deeply she was sleeping now made him wonder: had she been suffering from a severe lack of sleep?
He gently adjusted her hair, which had scattered wildly across her face during her fall, tucking it neatly behind her ears. He stared intently at her, admiring the breathtaking beauty Allah had blessed her with—the fine, soft baby hairs framing her forehead, her thick, perfectly shaped eyebrows, her long, dark eyelashes, her prominent nose, and her well-proportioned lips naturally tinted with a reddish hue. His gaze drifted further down to her slender neck, adorned with a delicate, beautiful necklace that glimmered softly.
He exhaled a long, deep sigh and closed his eyes, consciously trying to prevent himself from getting lost in her beauty. Slowly opening them again, his gaze landed on her elegant, long fingers. He placed his hand gently over hers. Feeling the immense softness of her skin, he let out a quiet breath, rested his head right over her hand, and allowed a thief called sleep to steal him away.
I felt my head spinning and feeling incredibly heavy the exact moment I forced my eyes open. I stared blankly at the ceiling of the room, despite the prevailing darkness. Catching sight of the ceiling fan spinning rapidly above, I kept my eyes locked on it in sheer bewilderment, wondering to myself exactly when my bedroom fan had been changed. I slowly gathered my strength to sit up, but suddenly felt a heavy weight resting on my hand. Dropping my gaze to look down, I discovered a man lying fast asleep over my arm. I instantly let out a loud, piercing scream.
Startled by the noise, he woke up abruptly and stood straight up, panicking: "What is it, Khadeeja?"
Hearing the deep voice of a grown man, I screamed in terror again, shouting: "Who are you?!" due to the pitch darkness engulfing the room.
Only then did Yareemah realize just how dark the room had become because his lights were turned off. He wondered how it had already become late afternoon and when exactly they had both fallen asleep. He quickly switched on the lights.
The moment I saw him standing there without proper clothing on, I scrambled off the bed in a flash, demanding aggressively: "What did you do to me?! How on earth did I end up in your bedroom? Why did you carry me out of my own room?!"
Seeing the relentless barrage of frantic questions she was hurling at him, he stepped closer to her, attempting to guide her back to sit down, recognizing that she was still heavily disoriented from her deep sleep.
Terrified, Deeje scrambled backward defensively, crying out: "Do not dare violate my chastity, Yareemah! I swear by Allah..."
He quickly placed his hand over her mouth to silence her, interjecting firmly:
"Regain your senses! I did not go to your room to carry you here; you walked into this room entirely on your own two feet! So please, calm down immediately so we can talk rationally."
Only then did the memories rush back to me—the sequence of distressing events that had driven me to his room in the first place, and the severe insomnia that had been plaguing me, which was now completely gone. Does this mean I spent the entire afternoon sleeping in this room? I thought. My goodness, thank God nothing inappropriate happened. I looked directly at him and said:
"I remember now. I brought myself here to address the issue of the money you transferred to me. It is far too much..."
"Khadeeja, I have already explained the system to you. This does not originate from me personally; whatever amount you see in your account is a direct disbursement from the official account of this royal Emirate."
"But I saw the amount and felt it was entirely excessive, which is why I came to speak with you."
He let out a soft sigh, staring at her intently. He felt a deep urge to pull her into his arms, an overwhelming emotion he had carried since their earlier encounter. Slowly, he reached out and placed his hand over hers, asking softly:
"Why do you constantly look at me as though I am someone who would harm you? I..."
I abruptly pulled my hands away from his grasp, grabbed my phone, and bolted toward the door without giving him a single glance. I opened it and rushed out. A subtle smile spread across his face as he walked into his bathroom, his true feelings known only to himself.
The moment I reached my room, I went straight into the bathroom, took a refreshing shower, and performed all the missed prayers I owed. Afterward, I went over to Diddi's room. The moment she spotted me, she smiled warmly and said:
"You've been incredibly scarce today."
"Diddi, I spent the entire day sleeping, please forgive me. I didn't even check in on your health. How are you feeling today?"
"I feel significantly better, honestly. Don't worry at all, exhaustion happens."
"Diddi, Yareemah transferred money to me—up to the tune of one million Naira! Diddi, the money is far too much. I went to confront him so he could reduce it, but he claimed it didn't come from him, but rather from the royal estate."
"That is perfectly accurate, Khadeeja. This amount is absolutely nothing unusual for them. May Allah grant further assistance."
"Ameen, Diddi. I am so grateful. May Allah grant you increased health and a very long life."
Hearing the prayer for longevity, Diddi was overjoyed, her face lighting up with a broad smile.
"Ameen, Khadeeja. Thank you as well."
I checked her vitals, and by the time I returned to my own room, it was nearly 11:00 PM, so I began preparing for bed.
Part 2: The Intruder and the Confrontation
Because I had spent the entire afternoon sleeping, I didn't feel tired at all. I brought out my laptop, which I hadn't used in two days, intending to send in a report. I booted it up and began typing. Suddenly, I heard a faint noise at my door, as if someone was trying to open it. It sounded exactly like someone repeatedly trying a key, but it refused to turn. I quickly shut down my laptop and lay perfectly still.
Suddenly, I spotted the silhouette of a person outside my window, actively trying to force it open. Slowly and silently, I crept out of bed on my tiptoes, carefully parting the curtains to see who it was. In a flash, my hand was violently grabbed through the opening, locked in an unyielding, dangerously tight grip.
Feeling the sheer force of the grip, I began struggling wildly to wrench my hand free. I pulled with everything I had while the intruder pulled back aggressively. I broke into a heavy sweat, my heart hammering furiously against my ribs. I tried desperately to break free, but I couldn't even budge due to the overwhelming strength of the assailant.
The person violently yanked me closer, slamming my body directly against the window frame. Suddenly, I felt the intruder's other hand pressing against my neck, stroking it. In a panic, I bent my head down, aligned my mouth right over the assailant's right hand, and bit down with absolute, savage force, using every ounce of strength left in my body.
The person instantly recoiled, letting out a sharp cry of agony as he violently yanked his hand back and stumbled away. I collapsed heavily onto the carpet, gasping for breath with immense difficulty. Hearing the distinct voice of a man outside made me even more terrified. Scrambling on all fours, I rushed to the side of the bed, climbed up in a panic, and lay down, my entire body trembling violently. I completely abandoned any hope of sleeping, falling into a deep vortex of dark thoughts, desperately trying to identify the voice. I analyzed it from every angle but couldn't pinpoint it. Eventually, a restless sleep stole me away.
THE FOLLOWING DAY
I could barely drag myself out of bed the next morning, having over slept to the point that the sun was already high and I had missed the early morning prayer time. I climbed off the bed, rushed into the bathroom to perform ablution, and quickly prayed. However, I found myself completely unable to stand up from the prayer mat due to a severe, throbbing headache. This was a direct consequence of the late-night trauma and lack of proper rest. I lay right down on the prayer mat, and sleep instantly claimed me again.
I didn't wake up until around 11:00 AM. I stood up, my stomach roaring with an intense hunger that made me feel empty inside, and my vision blurred slightly. Seeing that no one had brought me breakfast, I walked out into the main parlor. Spotting an assortment of food neatly arranged in the dining area, I made my way over without a moment's delay. I opened the dishes, heaped a plate full of food, and began eating voraciously. It was macaroni jollof prepared with green vegetables, accompanied by massive pieces of fried fish and meat—so large they practically outnumbered the macaroni itself. Eating with single-minded focus, I consumed a satisfying portion before pouring myself a glass of freshly blended, rich pineapple juice. I let out a satisfied burp, leaned back comfortably against the chair, and softly closed my eyes.
"Doctor, did you go the entire night without eating a single thing?"
I snapped my eyes open, looking up in a mixture of fear and astonishment. He smiled warmly, pulling out one of the dining chairs to sit down beside me before continuing:
"Eating at such a frantic pace could easily make you choke. Or is it just that the food tastes exceptionally good (santi)?"
I didn't even realize a smile had broken across my face as I replied:
"Maybe it can be santi."
He smiled, pouring a cup of tea using his left hand, lifted it, and began to drink.
"Your left hand, Yareemah? That is highly inappropriate and mimics the habits of non-believers."
"My right hand is in severe pain; I cannot bear the weight of lifting a cup with it. That is why you see me using this hand."
I stared fixedly at his right hand, which was buried deep inside his trouser pocket. Suddenly, I bolted upright and demanded:
"Show me your hand, Yareemah. Bring it out right now let me see it!"
He looked up at me in utter astonishment. Seeing how unyieldingly persistent I was about seeing his hand, he said defensively:
"Since when did I deserve this sudden level of care from you? It's not a major injury; I've already taken medication and it will feel much better by tomorrow."
"Yareemah, let's not stand here arguing. Just bring your hand out right now—for the sake of peace and absolute peace of mind!"
His confusion quickly morphed into suspicion at the gravity of her words. He questioned:
"What exactly are you implying, Khadeeja? What brought about this intense interrogation? It's just my hand, and I have stated I will not bring it out. Why is it causing you such distress? Or is this another new tactic of yours?"
Filled with rising anger, I shot back:
"YAREEMAH, up until this very moment, you haven't changed one bit! And I am absolutely certain you will never change for the rest of your life! What on earth have I ever done to you that makes you..."
This time, visibly angered by her accusation, he interrupted fiercely:
"KHADEEJA, what is so severe that makes you hurl such painful accusations at me? Did something happen that I am unaware of? Or are you just trying to provoke me? If you must know, I didn't sustain any massive, debilitating wound!"
I let out a bitter, sarcastic smile and said:
"You stand there putting on a flawless act of total innocence, pretending you know absolutely nothing, whereas you are the ultimate source of all malice (ummul khabis)! But remember, there is Allah..."
He quickly grabbed her hand, demanding fiercely:
"You are leaving me completely in the dark! What on earth is happening, or rather, what happened?! You keep making wild accusations and acting so strangely!"
Seeing him aggressively play innocent, I turned on my heel and walked directly toward Diddi's room. On my way, I encountered Maleek standing there, both hands casually buried inside his pockets. The moment he spotted me, a smirk spread across his face as he mocked:
"Well, if it isn't the Western medicine doctor."
I completely ignored him and kept walking, but he quickly jumped in front of me, blocking my path.
"Why the hostile attitude today, Doctor? At the very least, we should exchange a proper greeting."
"Get out of my way and let me pass! My head is already spinning from far too much drama."
He smirked and said, "Fine, but how long do you plan on avoiding me? There is an important matter I need us to discuss."
"When I am ready, I will look for you," I snapped, pushing past him into Diddi's room. After we exchanged warm greetings, I deeply apologized to her for failing to check in earlier.
"Don't worry at all, Khadeeja. My body feels much better now. In fact, Dr. Kamal called me earlier to ask how I was faring, and I told him I am recovering well."
"He called me yesterday as well, strictly reminding me not to neglect my studies because our final exams are rapidly approaching. I assured him that I am taking my studies very seriously and am not playing around."
We enjoyed a long, comforting chat before I stepped out to return to my room. On my way back, I spotted Hajjiya Ummah and her close confidante, Zulai, standing in a corner whispering quietly to each other, clearly scheming in secret. I walked right past them...
Part 3: The Evil Plot and The Princess's Frustration
Hajjiya Ummah:
"Ugh, Zulai! Maleek is dangerously close to completely ruining my elaborate plans regarding that wretched, ghost-faced girl! I have exerted so much energy trying to convince him to focus his attention on attracting YUSRAH, but he completely refuses. I am entirely at a loss. I swear by Allah, I am at the point of just ordering a hit to have her killed permanently so I can finally have peace!"
"This is exactly what I dislike about you—you panic far too easily and rush into drastic decisions," Zulai sneered. "What power does that insignificant little girl hold? Personally, she doesn't cross my mind at all; whether she exists in this Emirate or not makes absolutely no difference. We must maintain our absolute focus entirely on YUSRAH. She is our ultimate golden ticket, and she is the tool we will use. Within a week, after we successfully manipulate her emotions, we will eliminate Yareemah once and for all. Once he is gone, that little doctor will have no protector left here, and she will be forced to pack her bags and leave permanently."
Hajjiya Ummah let out a loud, dramatic cheer, clapping her hands in wicked delight.
"Ah, the true agents of chaos have revealed themselves! I swear you are pure evil, Zulai! Your presence never brings anything good, but you have brought an exceptional strategy. Starting tomorrow, we will begin executing our plan, and everything will be finalized long before the wedding."
"Are you playing with me? I have successfully dismantled over ten royal palaces with my schemes! I tell you, my presence is a storm. Just wait until we succeed, then you will truly see that I am your ultimate partner in crime."
They huddled closer, meticulously refining the details of their sinister plot.
PRINCESS YUSRAH
She was lounging comfortably on her massive, luxurious royal bed, enjoying the cool blast of the air conditioner. Dressed in comfortable loungewear, she held her phone, casually playing a mobile game. She tossed the phone aside, rolled onto her back, and drifted into deep thought. She questioned whether she could truly survive a marriage with Yareemah Maheer—a man who had shown her absolutely zero respect since her arrival, refusing to dedicate even a fraction of his time to discuss their future together. Truly, she could not tolerate his dismissive attitude.
She resolved to confront him face-to-face so they could set boundaries. Sliding off the bed, she went into the bathroom, took a shower, and dressed in elegant royal attire before marching over to Yareemah Maheer’s chambers. She knocked loudly, and when met with silence, she hissed in annoyance, thinking to herself: Such an arrogant, self-centered man.
The door finally swung open. Seeing Yusrah standing there, he smirked slightly and asked:
"YUSRAH! To what do I owe the honor of your personal visit? I hope all is well?"
She scanned him from head to toe, noting how exceptionally handsome he looked in his casual western clothing.
"What's the matter, Yusrah? Have you forgotten what I look like?" he asked, smiling playfully.
She averted her gaze coldly and said:
"I need to talk to you, Yareemah, about the wedding. It feels like there is a major problem."
He smiled and remarked tauntingly: "Oh, so you've finally swallowed your pride, Yusrah? You actually want this marriage to happen?"
"That is absolutely not what I mean! My point is that you act completely oblivious to my existence. The wedding is barely two weeks away, yet I receive absolutely no communication or effort from your end."
Yareemah Maheer smiled calmly and said:
"Please, step inside, Yusrah, so we can discuss this rationally."
She walked into the room and took a seat, and he sat opposite her. He studied her for a few seconds, silently amused by her perpetual arrogance and inflated ego, knowing she was entirely empty-headed despite her pride.
"From my perspective, you also have zero time for me, and you are only marrying me out of sheer royal coercion. That is precisely why I chose to focus entirely on my own affairs."
"I never restricted you from handling your affairs! What I am asking is: what kind of life are we going to live after we are married?"
"Well, Princess, we will live whatever lifestyle your royal highness chooses to design," he replied sarcastically.
Recognizing his blatant mockery and patronizing tone, her anger flared instantly.
"Yareemah, I did not come here to advertise myself to you for you to insult me! Do you simply despise living in peace?!"
He smiled mockingly and said, "I beg for your royal forgiveness, Princess."
Furious, she snapped out of her chair and stormed out of his quarters. He watched her leave, smiling to himself. Classic Yusrah, he thought.
KHADEEJA Ibraheem
I sat in deep reflection, utterly bewildered by the bizarre, chaotic life I had found myself living inside this Emirate. I constantly questioned: who is this mysterious predator invading my room in the dead of night? What exactly does he want from me? Is he trying to take my life, or is there something specific he is trying to steal from me?
I was completely paralyzed by fear, dreading the arrival of nightfall because I lived in constant terror of this malicious attacker returning. All signs seemed to point directly to Yareemah Maheer. If it truly was him, I resolved that I must abandon this EMIRATE immediately before a terrible tragedy befell me.
Part 4: The Final Exam and the Attempted Assault
I walked into Diddi's room and found her sitting up. The moment she saw me, she remarked anxiously:
"Khadeeja, what on earth is bothering you lately? Your entire demeanor has changed, and you look so gaunt, as if you are carrying a massive burden in your heart."
"It's nothing, Diddi. I am perfectly fine. How is your strength returning?"
"Alhamdulillah, that's what I want to hear. My body feels much stronger."
We shared a brief conversation before I returned to my room. As I pushed the door open, I heard my phone ringing inside. I rushed to answer it without bothering to lock the door behind me. Seeing Shareefa's name on the screen, I answered quickly.
"Sis, you've completely ghosted me lately! I don't even see you online anymore."
"Shareefa, you are always on my mind, honestly! It's just that so much has been happening here. I was actually just about to call you. How are you and Daddy doing?"
"They are all fine. But it's clear you have absolutely no idea what is going on out here. Everyone is in complete a panic."
"Subhanallah! What is happening? I hope to God it's nothing bad?"
"It's a major crisis. Just log online right now and check our NUD group chat so you can see it with your own eyes and believe it."
"Alright sis, I will log on right now." We said our goodbyes.
I lay down on the bed and logged online. A deluge of unread messages instantly flooded my phone. I quickly went into the bathroom, washed my face, and prepared for bed. Picking up my phone, I opened the NUD platform. The moment I saw the announcement, I bolted upright in shock.
"Oh my goodness! The exam timetable is out, and we are starting next week?!"
Suddenly, my phone rang again displaying an unfamiliar number. I brought it to my ear, remaining silent. From the other end, a voice spoke:
"This is your HOD for the ITF program. I assume by now you have seen or heard the news. The faculty is about to go on an indefinite strike. Because of this, the exam timetable was rushed out in an emergency. Therefore, you must send in all your outstanding project reports immediately so I can submit them before the week runs out or before exams commence."
Letting out a massive sigh of relief, I replied, "Understood, sir. I will compile and send them to you right away."
"Good. I am waiting on you."
With a racing heart, I walked back to Diddi’s room, knocked, and pushed the door open. Seeing me at that late hour, she sat up anxiously and asked:
"Khadeeja! What brings you here at this time?"
"It's me, Diddi," I said, finding a place to sit. "My HOD just called to inform me that our final examinations are starting next week, so I need to begin preparing to return to school."
"My goodness, the decree of the Lord happens so fast, Khadeeja! May Allah grant you absolute success. But the moment you finish, you will return here, right?"
"Yes, Diddi, Insha Allah."
"That's perfectly fine, Khadeeja. Since you are coming back, there is no problem. I know university exams never take more than three weeks or a month at most. It's not an issue at all."
"Thank you so much, Diddi." I stood up, bade her goodnight, and quietly walked back to my room. My entire body felt heavy with exhaustion as I thought about the intense cramming I had to do in the coming days. I lay down, lost in anxious thoughts.
Suddenly, I felt a physical touch on my body. I bolted upright in terror, but a hand was instantly slapped brutally over my mouth to silence me. The pitch darkness of the room made it impossible to discern the intruder's face, but the distinct, familiar scent of his cologne filled my nose. It's YAREEMAH MAHEER! I thought in absolute horror. I began struggling frantically to break free, but he used his absolute physical strength to pin me down, rendering me completely immobile. I tried to scream, but only muffled, silent whimpers escaped. He aggressively began tearing at my clothes, shoving me forcefully to the side. He quickly pinned my body down beneath his, suffocating me to the point where I could barely draw breath.
Just as he was about to forcefully violate me, the bedroom lights suddenly flashed on!
Startled and terrified, the predator instantly jumped off me, scrambling to the side in pure panic, his face concealed by a dark mask to prevent identification.
I scrambled off the bed in a state of utter hysteria, wrapping a bedsheet tightly around my body as I looked toward the door to see who had switched on the lights. Standing at the entrance was Yareemah Maheer, his entire body trembling with explosive fury, his breath coming in dangerous gasps, and his eyes completely bloodshot. Without wasting a single second, Yareemah lunged fiercely at the masked intruder, grabbing him violently by the throat with one hand, while using his other hand to rip the mask completely off the attacker's face...
The true face of the predator was revealed.
I stumbled backward in absolute psychological horror, tightly clutching the bedsheet around my body and closing my eyes in pure disgust and shock at the vile act that had just almost been committed against me.
My entire frame shook violently as a severe, trauma-induced fever gripped my body. I huddled deeply under the sheet, gasping for air. My mind was completely shattered by what I had just witnessed. Looking at the man standing furiously at the door and the man caught red-handed, I was plunged into total cognitive dissonance. If Yareemah Maheer is standing right there at the door, then who on earth has been trying to destroy my life?!
Yareemah didn't hesitate for a fraction of a second. He lunged at the unmasked man, pinning him against the wall.
It was MALEEK! Maleek was the monster who was trying to rape me!
Instantly, Yareemah's warnings echoed in my mind—he had been entirely right when he told me Maleek was a vile, unprincipled degenerate. The horrific conversation I had overheard between Maleek and Hajjiya Ummah flashed through my mind—where Maleek stated he would achieve his ultimate goal over me. This was his disgusting goal all along.
Yareemah Maheer unleashed a rain of devastating punches on Maleek, beating him mercilessly like a wild animal, without uttering a single word or asking a single question.
Realizing he was facing fatal retribution, Maleek began desperately scrambling for an escape route, knowing with absolute certainty that if he didn't flee, Yareemah's blinding rage would literally land him in the grave.
Yareemah slammed him hard onto the carpet, viciously battering Maleek's face until it was a bloody, unrecognizable pulp.
Maleek was thoroughly obliterated, feeling the terrifying strength of a real man. Realizing his life was on the line, he gathered his remaining strength, forcefully shoved Maheer off him, and bolted out of the room at lightning speed to save his life.
Yareemah Maheer immediately rushed over to where Khadeeja was huddled, his heart in his throat. He lifted her up, checking her frantically from head to toe. She was drenched in a cold sweat and trembling like a leaf. In a voice thick with explosive rage, he demanded:
"Look at me! What did he do to you?!" He began turning her around to inspect her for injuries. She forcefully pushed his hands away, pinning her back against the wall, crying out hysterically:
"Please, just stop! He didn't do anything to me! Stop asking me questions!"
"If he harmed or violated you, how on earth will I know unless you tell me?!" he roared back defensively.
Bursting into tears, she wept: "He didn't do anything to me! He was just about to do it when you burst through the door!"
Hearing that Maleek had failed to violate her, Yareemah let out a massive, trembling sigh of relief and collapsed heavily onto his knees on the floor, trying to stabilize his breathing.
I also sank to the floor, gasping heavily for air. Slowly, I looked at him and asked quietly: "How did you know what was happening? How did you know to come in?"
Exhaling a long breath, he looked at her and explained:
"I went to Diddi's room to check on her and wish her a goodnight. She casually mentioned to me that you had just left her room and had informed her that your final exams are starting next week and you need to return to school. As I was walking away from her quarters, I spotted a shadow swiftly gliding toward your room. I hid in the shadows to observe. The moment he saw the coast was clear, he slipped into your room. I immediately followed him inside, only to discover it was Maleek. I have warned you repeatedly to stay far away from him because he is a dangerous lunatic, but you always assumed I was just trying to defame his character. While I am not shocked to find him here, I never imagined he would sink to the level of attempting such a heinous crime, though I know this degenerate behavior of his is nothing new. All signs showed this wasn't his first time attacking you either, because I noticed you have been living in absolute trauma and distress for the past few days." He spoke while looking directly into my eyes. I looked back at him and said:
"Yes, this wasn't..."
2. Summary
The narrative details a dark turning point in the royal household, uncovering a sinister sexual assault plot, political scheming, and a dramatic rescue.