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Nana’s heart sank. In fear and panic she asked, “Who is it? Who’s there?” But there was only silence; no one answered her.
She switched on the light and saw Imam Hammad standing inside the room. She staggered backward in shock, covering her mouth to suppress the scream that was about to burst out of her because of fear and terror.
“If you scream and Asal hears you,” he said, “you will explain to her what brought me into this room, and whatever judgment she passes on you will be carried out, no matter how harsh.”
With trembling eyes she stared at him in fear.
He walked slowly toward her, fixing his eyes on her in a way that unsettled her even more; her whole body was shaking.
“Who are you?” he asked, staring hard at her.
“I am nobody,” she replied, trembling all over, terrified that he might remember what happened yesterday when she went to his quarters.
“Tell me who you are. And for what purpose did you come into this house?”
She shut her eyes and shook her head. “By Allah, I am nobody. It was your wife who brought me here.”
“Have you known me somewhere before now?”
She lifted her head, looked at him, and slowly shook her head, tears filling her eyes.
“You stopped me from eating bananas; you ate them and fell ill. You stopped me from climbing the fence; I climbed it and fell. Whenever I see you, I feel strange things in my body that I don’t understand, as if you are not human. The taste of your food reminds me of food I eat in a place I can’t remember; if it’s not food you cooked, it has no taste in my mouth. You rub my ointment on me and give me milk with black seed—something no one knows I take. Tell me who you are, and where you know me from,” he said, moving closer to her and raising his voice.
“I don’t know you. I have never been to Agadez except this once. I know nothing about you,” she said, tears streaming down her face.
He sighed and said, “Even if someone sent you to toy with my mind, fear Allah. The trials my life has already gone through are enough for me. Don’t let me catch you in any form of deceit.”
She remained silent, lowering her head.
“Nana, right?”
She nodded in fear.
“I’m sorry for frightening you. I don’t want Asal to suspect anything; she will only hate you more.” With that, he turned and left her room.
She searched for a place to sit, trying to steady her breathing because of how badly she had been frightened.
---
Sagir took Yusra and went to Shukura’s family house to console one another together with Hajiya Amina, and to reassure her parents that they did not suspect her of Yusra’s disappearance as she feared.
They sat in the main living room. Hajiya Amina looked thin and worn out from anxiety and worry. Beside her was Yusuf, Shukura’s brother, his face also filled with concern.
After greetings, Hajiya Amina asked, “Sagir, is there still no news about Shukura’s disappearance?”
“By Allah, Mami, there’s nothing. I’ve been going around the security agencies, but there’s no news. Every day they just say investigations are ongoing. They couldn’t track where her phone is. Honestly, I don’t even understand what kind of investigation they’re doing.”
Hajiya Amina said, “It’s nothing. Allah is there; we will keep praying to Him. God willing, she will be found.”
Alhaji Zailani came out, preparing to leave. Respectfully he asked, “What’s the situation with Shukura—still no news?”
“Yes, Daddy, but we’re praying; God willing, she will be found.”
“I’m tired of this waiting,” he snapped. “On my part, I will intensify the investigation, because I don’t trust you. How can a young woman disappear in broad daylight, pregnant, and only her is missing? Why weren’t you taken instead, or your wife?”
Hajiya Amina protested, “Alhaji, how could Sagir arrange for Shukura to be abducted? Where would he take her?”
“Keep quiet,” he barked. “Anything can happen.” With that he stormed out.
Hajiya Amina turned to Sagir. “Please forgive him. He’s just distressed over Shukura’s disappearance. Don’t worry; she will be found by Allah’s will.”
Yusra said, “If my friend were here, she might have already told you where Shukura is.”
Everyone looked at Yusra. She added, “Yes, Nana—you remember her, right?” she said, looking at Hajiya Amina.
She nodded, but Sagir said, “Mami, let’s go. You know she’s not completely well.”
Mami replied, “Poor thing. But she’s right, I know Nana. Where did you know her from?”
Yusra fell silent, not wanting to be labeled unwell, but since they entered the house she had sensed Nana’s scent.
---
After the dawn prayer, Nana lay down, lost in thought, wondering what her final escape would be, as everything around her seemed to be getting more complicated. She picked up her phone and looked at Muhsin’s pictures, missing him terribly until tears filled her eyes. She decided to ask Imam for permission to go home, since he was more bedridden than Asal.
But something like sleep overtook her—what people call sleep paralysis, which some say is caused by a jinn pressing on a person. She tried with all her strength to get up but couldn’t. She tried to pray but failed. She saw the shadow of a person enter the room but couldn’t tell whether it was male or female. The shadow approached, took the phone from her hand, and left.
She woke up in terror, gasping and scanning the room, but saw no one. She searched for her phone and couldn’t find it. Panic overwhelmed her. She lifted the mattress and shook the place she was lying, but there was no phone, no trace of it. She hurried to check her clothes, thinking maybe it was inside, but again—nothing. She rushed outside to see if she could spot anyone, but saw no one.
Her anxiety worsened because she didn’t know who had taken her phone, and the phone had no security on it. She didn’t suspect the house staff, because they had no access to that section.
Fearing Asal’s wrath if she delayed food preparation, she went into the kitchen. She later came out weakly, tidying the living room when Asal emerged and greeted her.
“Good afternoon. Don’t worry about setting aside food for Imam; he’s not around since dawn. They’re holding a Sultan’s council meeting.” Nana nodded.
So it wasn’t him who entered her room again—could it be Asal?
She quickly said, “Amm, please…” then stopped herself and changed what she was about to say.
“I’m listening,” Asal said.
“It’s nothing,” Nana replied, and Asal walked away.
Nana’s mind refused to settle. She didn’t know who had her phone or what might happen next.
---
They were all seated in grandeur, discussing matters. The Sultan announced that the royal gold company would enter into an agreement with France over gold and uranium mining, and that Imam Hammad and Omar should be sent to review the agreement. He also mentioned another meeting at home about expanding their camel export business.
Tafawa Maleek objected loudly, accusing the Sultan of favoritism—sending his son for the gold and uranium deal while assigning others’ children to camels.
The exchange escalated into a heated argument. Tafawa accused the Sultan of pushing Hammad toward the throne despite his health issues, lack of an heir, and missing signet ring, questioning how such a person could represent Agadez.
The Sardauna of Agadez angrily rebuked Tafawa, reminding him of respect and stating that illness or lack of children was no reason to deny someone opportunity, and that if Allah destined Hammad to rule Agadez, he would.
The room fell silent.
Hammad requested permission to leave and went home, deeply hurt by Tafawa’s words. He confided in Mahmoudu that he wanted to withdraw from all royal affairs, seeking peace and freedom away from the palace.
Later scenes showed growing political tension, personal conflicts, and emotional strain—Jamila’s mysterious illness, family worries, and continued suspicion.
Eventually, the Sultan confronted Hammad, explaining his hopes for him to succeed as Sultan—not out of selfishness, but to correct past mistakes and serve Agadez well. Hammad, however, admitted he was broken by the harsh words thrown at him.
Despite the Sultan’s reassurance and disciplinary action against Tafawa, the damage had been done. Hammad felt overwhelmed, burdened by expectations, illness, and public humiliation.
The story closes with Tafawa seething in anger, vowing to prove to the world that Hammad was unfit, determined that the throne the Sultan sought to force upon him would never truly be his.
