Mama shook her head at him, trying her best to suppress the deep anxiety gnawing at her soul. The sheer magnitude of what the extortionists were demanding completely unhinged her. Looking at him in a state of panic, Mama said, "These people have absolutely no fear of Allah. They want to completely shatter your life and your happiness. And I am certain they know you personally, considering they are demanding something from you that no outsider even knows exists! Oh Lord, please grant us relief." He leaned heavily against Mama, exhaling a ragged breath. He pressed a hand against his throbbing forehead, forcing himself to endure the pain with manly resilience. Exhaling a sharp gust of air, he said, "Mama, I will give them whatever they want, even if it means I have to walk the streets stark naked. The life of my Amana (my trusted love, Lili) means more to me than anything else. I cannot live a life of happiness without her." Mama shook her head, gently stroking his hair. "But that laptop they are demanding is your entire livelihood, Fahad. Have you forgotten that it contains all the backend files of your companies and the deeds to your entire wealth? You must remember that this fortune doesn't belong to you alone. Your siblings have a stake in it too, because if you hand it over, you are giving away property that belongs to your late father's entire estate." He pulled away from Mama, taking a deep breath as his heart burned with an agonizing ache—aggravated by the unusual amount of talking he had to do, a habit he was entirely unaccustomed to. He paused for a long moment before fixing his bloodshot eyes on Mama. "What use is the money I’ve accumulated? I will hand over the laptop, and I will gladly give them every single asset I have amassed. As long as my Amana and I can live together under one roof in happiness and love, that is more than enough for me. I don't care about a hoarded fortune if it cannot solve my agonizing problem." Mama nodded, finally yielding to his resolve. "Very well. May the Almighty guide our steps. Go ahead and arrange how you will hand it over to them."
Preparations and Hidden Motives
Stroking his beard, he stood up and pressed his phone to his ear, speaking in a low, hushed murmur as he walked out of the house toward his car. With the phone still glued to his ear, he closed his eyes and rubbed his stomach, which was practically growling with intense hunger. "Secure the tickets and make sure you all travel together," he commanded into the receiver before hanging up and tossing the phone onto the passenger seat. He slid into the driver's seat, started the ignition with a whispered Bismillah, and turned the steering wheel. As he pulled out of the compound, he turned on a recitation of Surah Al-Ankabut, quietly following along with the verses as he merged onto the main road.
Section 2: Greed and Forbidden Secrets
As soon as he left, Mama stood up and headed to her room, her mind in utter chaos. She felt completely helpless against this non-stop barrage of calamities—one crisis immediately following another. Only now did she realize beyond a shadow of a doubt that her own blood flowed through her daughter's veins; she loved her and wanted her happiness more than anything in the world. She longed to hold her close and feel her warmth, but a cruel twist of fate had repeatedly barred it. Ever since the girl was a child, sinister forces had shadowed her life. Entering her room, Mama sank onto the bed, buried her face in her hands, and began to weep bitterly like a little girl. Her husband had been standing over her since he walked in, watching her until he could no longer bear to hear her cry. He walked over, sat close beside her, and gently pulled her into his arms. Feeling her husband's embrace, Mama burst into a fresh wave of tears. He often found himself amazed by her nature; she was normally a woman of immense patience, tolerance, and quiet reserve, rarely letting things get to her. It was an incredibly rare sight to see her unhinged to the point of tears. If she was weeping like this, it meant she had been pushed into an unbearable corner. And when she did start crying, comforting her became an uphill task—she would weep like a child, her mind spinning with a thousand bleak thoughts, unable to find peace until she got what she wanted. He gently patted and rubbed her back, rocking her to soothe her. Mama caught her breath, then suddenly pulled back slightly, crying out, "I want to see my daughter! I cannot sit by and watch her life be ruined. Please do something, Abban Yara (Father of my children)!" He took her hand in his. "Fatima, are you truly unable to bear the decree of our Lord with patience? You know very well that crying will not solve this. The prayers you have been making are exactly what you must sustain. By the grace of the Prophet, our prayers will never be in vain. Insha Allah, nothing evil will happen to her life, nor to our son, who is also our son-in-law." Mama nodded, somewhat comforted. Exhaling a long sigh, she noted, "But Abban Yara, this laptop they are demanding... there is a snake in the grass here. I keep wondering how on earth they found out about its existence in my son’s possession." He nodded gravely. "Indeed, that exact thought crossed my mind. They say a human being is always flawed—nine out of ten—and no matter how close you are to someone, you should never trust them blindly. However, suspicious assumptions are a sin in themselves, so let us not harbor baseless allegations lest the Almighty hold us accountable. I am going to arrange for special prayers to be offered now. Insha Allah, the Lord will shield us with His protection." Mama wiped the tears from her face and hugged him tightly, wishing him success. He let out a soft laugh, teasing, "Maman Yara, you are such a troublemaker. You never grow up, do you?" She playfully tugged his beard before pushing him toward the door. "Even if I grow up in the eyes of the world, I’ll never be old in the eyes of my anchor, right?" He squeezed her hand. "You're right, my unique one."
Najma's Selfish Demands
She accompanied him all the way to the courtyard, watching him drive off before heading back inside. In the main living room, she found Najma and Yusrah chatting idly. Seeing Mama enter, Najma quickly sat up and moved closer to her. "Mama, actually, I want you to ask Big Bro for my share of Daddy’s estate the moment he gets back. I want to start a business." The moment Najma started speaking, Mama stared at her in utter disbelief. Controlling her rising anger, Mama said with forced calmness, "But Najma, you know everything that's happening right now. There's no need for me to waste my time explaining things to you." Najma shook her head dismissively. "Mama, I fail to see how Lili's disappearance has anything to do with the money I am asking for." Mama nodded slowly, averting her gaze in disgust. "Clearly, you haven't heard the news. The kidnappers who took Lubna are demanding the entire estate left by your late father as ransom. So as you can see, there is no money left to give you." Najma’s eyes went wide with shock. "What?! Yes, Mama, they can hand it over, but they must make absolutely sure my rightful share is deducted and set aside before they give those people anything!" Saying this, she stormed off to her room, her heart burning with bitter resentment. She refused to sit back and watch herself be left empty-handed; she believed her inheritance was an absolute right that must be handed over immediately. Mama and Yusrah watched her retreat. Yusrah was completely stunned by Najma's callousness—she was acting as though her own sister's abduction meant absolutely nothing to her. Mama sighed deeply. She had known things would get ugly, but she was entirely resolved to give Najma exactly what she wanted just to be rid of her greed. Standing up, Mama looked at Yusrah. "How is my dear girl doing? Momma has been unusually quiet today, is everything alright?" Yusrah smiled softly. "Yes, Aunty. Afnerh and Brother Sufyan went out shopping while you were asleep. Momma is actually packing up; she plans for us to head back home in a week." Mama gasped, putting a hand to her mouth. "Goodness, Fatima! And she didn't say a word to me? Let me finish up in the kitchen, and then I’ll head over to her section." Yusrah stood up. "Let me help you, Mama. The house feels incredibly dull today." The two walked into the kitchen together. They spent about an hour preparing food, finishing just as the call for Maghrib prayer began to echo. After wrapping up, they went to perform their ablutions—Mama heading to her quarters and Yusrah heading back to Momma's section. Right around that time, Sufyan and Afnerh returned from their shopping trip.
Section 3: The Secret Affair and Nocturnal Shadows
Midnight Ultimatums
Fahad didn't return to the house until around 10:00 PM. The moment he arrived, he dashed into the bathroom to take a quick shower. He emerged wearing nothing but a pair of trousers, using a towel to dry off his torso. No matter how intently you stared at his face, you could never read the storm raging in his heart; his expressions completely masked his true feelings. He let out a sharp breath, his chest tight with a simmering fury—especially after Mama had informed him over the phone about Najma's selfish demands. He hadn't come straight home; instead, he had gone out to legally finalize and secure everything he would hand over to Najma. He had already been given the precise breakdown of everyone’s rightful inheritance from the estate. Finishing drying himself, he grabbed a jar of unscented Vaseline and rubbed it over his skin. He was completely stripped of his peace of mind, doing everything by sheer force of will. Even maintaining this level of composure was a monumental feat, achieved only through the sheer power of the constant prayers he recited to soothe his burning heart. He pulled on a pair of three-quarter shorts and a lightweight t-shirt. He quickly combed through his hair, skipping his usual cologne entirely, and picked up his phone to head out. Just as he stepped into the main living room, his phone began to vibrate. He bit his lip in frustration; by this point, he despised any form of conversation or disturbance. He swiped open the massive screen, and a beautiful picture of Lili immediately lit up the display. Seeing her smiling so happily in the photo instantly melted away about fifty percent of his crushing anxiety. Swiping down on the notification bar, he saw two text messages. The first was from a hidden number. He opened it and read:
"If you are ready, come tomorrow with the laptop and collect your wife. If you delay by even five minutes, I guarantee you will lose both the laptop and your wife’s dignity. I promise you."
He squeezed his eyes shut tightly, his voice dropping to a dangerous, low growl. "I swear to God, you are lying. I will see to the end of every single one of you. I swear by the Almighty Lord who gives me breath, you are nothing but pathetic, cowardly trash." He exhaled sharply, his head pounding fiercely from the sheer stress of the situation. Summoning every ounce of stoic strength he possessed, he opened the second message:
"I have secured the tickets just as you requested, but we won't be able to arrive until tomorrow. Thank you once again, my friend."
He quickly typed out replies to both messages, slipped his phone into his pocket, and walked further into the parlor.
Securing the Greed
This time, Sufyan, Mama, and Momma were all gathered in the parlor. Off to one side, Afnerh was curled up fast asleep, while Najma and Yusrah were on the other side, glued to their phones. Fahad took a seat right between his parents, greeting them and wishing them a restful evening before turning to respect Mama. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the legal documents along with a bank draft, handing them over to Mama. In a voice so quiet it was practically a whisper, he said, "Mama, here is the share she so desperately demanded. These are the corporate files for her company, the deeds to her three plots of land, and here is a draft for her ten million Naira." He closed his eyes wearily as he spoke. Mama turned to Najma, her voice laced with disappointment. "Here is exactly what you demanded." Najma practically bolted upright, snatching the files from Mama's hands, her face lighting up with unbridled joy. The moment she took them, she scurried off to her bedroom. Yusrah, meanwhile, sat frozen in a trance, completely captivated by Fahad's overwhelming, intimidating aura. Everything about him was executed with immaculate precision and absolute order; he was entirely devoid of unnecessary noise, and above all, he was a man of incredibly few words. She realized he possessed a deeply generous and compassionate soul beneath that tough exterior, and it was precisely that kindness that people often exploited to cross him. Yet, he was an absolute enigma—mysterious, deeply reserved, and utterly indifferent to the opinions of others, just as he never bothered anyone else. Catching a glimpse of a genuine smile on his face was an absolute rarity; at most, he would subtly adjust his expression, a micro-movement that allowed his striking dimples to flash briefly, giving the mere illusion of a smile. Yusrah caught her breath and quickly averted her gaze, her face burning with embarrassment when Fahad suddenly caught her staring and flashed her a harsh, warning glare. Not even five minutes had passed before he stood up and glided back into his own quarters. A heavy, profound silence fell over the living room, each person lost in their own dark thoughts until, one by one, everyone retired to their respective rooms. Upon entering his bedroom, Fahad stripped off his shirt, sprayed a light layer of cologne, took his evening medication, and threw himself onto the massive bed. Turning on an audio recitation of Surah Al-Baqarah, he followed along with the verses until a deep sleep finally claimed him.
Section 4: Betrayal in the Dark
The moment Sufyan entered his room, he slipped into the bathroom. He emerged shortly after, quickly changing into his sleepwear. His mind was spinning with a chaotic web of thoughts, deeply bewildered by how events were unfolding. If he wasn't the one who had abducted Lili, then who on earth did? And what was the true purpose behind demanding that specific laptop from Fahad? Knowing that he and Najma were the ones keeping a hyper-vigilant eye on Fahad's life, he was now absolutely certain that there was another hidden player—or players—involved. With that burning thought, he slipped out of his room and crept into Afnerh's bedroom. He found her lying on the bed, already fast asleep. He shook his head, a sudden wave of genuine affection for her washing over him; now that he had actually slept with her, he felt a strange sense of attachment. A dark smile touched his lips, knowing she wasn't just any ordinary woman—she was his perfect match. With that, he quietly pulled her door shut and headed straight for Najma's bedroom. Upon entering, he found her wrapped tightly in a towel. She looked at him with a mix of surprise and suspicion. "Is everything alright at this hour?" He let out a sinister chuckle, walking deep into the room to sit right beside her. "I've come to offer you a piece of advice. If you play your cards right, you are on the verge of becoming the richest young lady around." Her eyes widened with absolute greed. "When it comes to money, who would turn it down? I am completely ready." Sufyan leaned in closer, narrowing his eyes. "I’ve figured out exactly where your Daddy’s laptop is hidden. If you cooperate with me, I will steal it and hand it over to you. Think about it—that way, I get my ultimate happiness with Lubna, and you get your massive fortune." Najma nodded slowly, already visualizing the sheer mountain of wealth within her grasp. She looked up at him. "What kind of cooperation do you need from me?" Sufyan slid closer, his hand reaching out to stroke her thigh seductively. "I need you tonight. I want to give you the absolute best, wildest night of your life." Startled and momentarily panicked, Najma recoiled slightly. "Honestly, I can't do that. That's a massive sin, it's way too much for me. Come on, think of something else." Sufyan immediately stood up and turned toward the door. "Fine, suit yourself. But you can officially stop dreaming about ever visiting Paris like you’ve always wanted." A tense silence fell over the room. Seeing him right on the verge of walking out, Najma panicked and blurted out, "Alright! I agree." A deeply wicked, triumphant grin spread across Sufyan's face. He reached out and flipped off the bedroom lights, aggressively lunging toward where she sat. He pulled her forcefully against his chest, ruthlessly tearing the towel from her body. Pinning her naked form roughly onto the bed, he stripped completely naked without a second thought and began to touch her aggressively. Within a matter of moments, he successfully ignited the hidden, dormant passions within her. Caught up in the heat of the moment, Najma began to fiercely match his aggression. Within no time, the two had driven each other into a frenzy of pure lust, the room filling with nothing but the heavy, ragged sound of their breathing. Determined to completely lose themselves in the act, they shifted positions. Casting aside all shame and fear of God, Sufyan forced his way into her. A piercing, simultaneous cry escaped their lips as they clamped onto each other, completely oblivious to the fact that they were in a house full of family members.
Section 5: The Discovery
In the middle of her sleep, Afnerh was suddenly awoken by a violent, gnawing hunger. Whispering prayers under her breath, she stood up and padded into the bathroom to wash her face. Her brow furrowed in confusion when she noticed Sufyan was nowhere to be found in the room—she knew that even if he hadn't been there earlier, he usually would have come to bed by now. She bypassed the main living room and headed straight into the kitchen. She switched on the gas stove, set a small pot of water to boil, and began cooking some instant noodles with eggs. After about thirty minutes, she finished her meal right there in the kitchen, washing it down with a glass of water. She returned to her bedroom and lay down, but a sudden, lingering longing for her husband gripped her. Standing up, she walked over to her dressing mirror, lightly sprayed some perfume, and applied a touch of lipstick. She walked over to his bedroom, but found it completely empty. Refusing to give up, she checked his bathroom—still nothing. She stepped out into the hallway, deeply perplexed as to where he could have gone at this hour of the night. Leaving his section, she began walking toward Momma's quarters. Just as she was about to pass Najma's door, the faint, unmistakable sound of muffled whimpering and heavy, rhythmic groaning caught her ear. Her first instinct was that Najma might be terribly ill, and she was right on the verge of walking past when her intuition screamed at her to double-check. As she crept closer to the bedroom door to listen, a hand suddenly shot out of the darkness, gripping her wrist tightly and yanking her backward into the shadows. Afnerh’s mouth gasped open to unleash a terrifying shriek, but a firm palm was instantly clapped over her mouth, completely smothering her cry.
Caught in the Crosshairs
Pure terror and shock paralyzed Afnerh, rendering her completely speechless. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly, terrified of seeing whatever horror was about to unfold. Deep down, her mind reeled at the muffled screams and breathless moans still echoing from Najma’s room. Her heart hammered violently against her ribs as she felt herself being dragged backward down the hallway like a piece of laundry. They moved through the shadows until they reached a small, secluded parlor. She heard the heavy thud of the door being shut, followed by the sharp click of a key turning in the lock. Slowly, tremblingly, she forced her eyes open and looked up. He was standing right there, his back turned to her. He was dressed in his sleepwear—just a pair of three-quarter shorts and a white singlet. His hands were propped rigidly against his waist, his head bowed deeply in profound, heavy thought. Just as he ignored her presence, she chose to stay silent too. Both of them were locked in their own minds, desperately hunting for a way out of the madness. Afnerh's mind raced back to her husband Sufyan, wondering where on earth he could be on this horrific night. For some inexplicable reason, a deep, sickening dread settled in her stomach regarding Najma’s room, but she kept quiet—she simply lacked the energy or the courage to demand answers about the scandalous sounds she had just overheard. Meanwhile, Fahad's heart pounded with a volatile, simmering fury. One look at his rigid posture was enough to tell anyone that he was completely consumed by rage. He had never imagined things were this rotten. If he had known, nothing on earth would have ever made him agree to give his sister away to such a monster. He exhaled another hot breath. In a twisted way, a part of him thought, Thank God this happened tonight, because this horrific night had pulled back the curtain on so many mysteries—revelations that had brought him to a point of profound grief (Juyayi). Squeezing his large, striking eyes shut, he bit his lip forcefully, exhaling a burning breath through his teeth. Slowly, deliberately, he turned around to face her. He walked over with an eerie, calm precision and sat on a chair right beside her. He traced the line of his jawline thoughtfully before locking his intense gaze onto her. In a low, smooth voice that carried a chilling calmness, he demanded, "Wandering around in the dead of night? Why?" She lowered her head, refusing to utter a single word. Fahad’s face contorted with sudden, sharp anger. "You!!! Are you trying to make a fool out of me?!" The sheer terror broke her. Unable to control herself, Afnerh burst into tears, lunging forward to throw herself against his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. Fahad closed his eyes, her bitter weeping cutting straight to his soul. Only now, in this moment of shared grief, did he truly feel a profound, brotherly connection to his sister. Right now, in this entire world, no one meant more to him than her—she was his own flesh and blood. He raised his hands, gently patting her back to soothe her. Through her suffocating tears, she choked out, "I am so sorry, Yaya... I didn't mean anything by it. I only came out to look for Sufyan. I noticed he wasn't in his room." He looked down at her, gently but firmly pulling her away from his chest. Taking a deep breath, he ordered, "Alright. Go back to your bedroom immediately. And whatever you do, do not dare step foot near Najma’s room." She nodded submissively, but then looked up at him with a vulnerable, tearful pout. "But... what about Sufyan?" His face instantly hardened, completely devoid of any warmth or humor. "Is he a child?" She shook her head, wiping away the tears streaming down her face. He tapped her head gently before standing up and marching back into his bedroom, his heart absolutely bursting with a silent, catastrophic rage. With completely numb limbs, she made her way out of his flat, freezing in the main living room as she sank deep into a dark, suffocating abyss of thought.
The Depths of Sin
Inside Najma's room, Sufyan and Najma had long since completely lost themselves to their desires, the air thick with nothing but their heavy breathing and shameless chatter. They spent hours engaging in the ultimate transgression against the Almighty—a sin so vile that Islamic tradition holds it worse than forced assault, for willing adultery is a profound corruption. It is a darkness so absolute that a soul can never find peace until divine justice is served, as established in the holy traditions. But they had entirely erased God from their minds, boldly enjoying their forbidden tryst, fully convinced that they were hidden from the world and that this depravity was their golden ticket to achieving their desires. Yet, the divine watchful eye would ensure they never knew peace, let alone success. They continued their shameless act through the night; whenever he made a move to stop, she would aggressively entice him back. Whenever she seemed to tire, he would re-engage, showering her with affection until she babbled deliriously in his arms, driving him to plunge right back in. They carried on this way continuously until the first call for the dawn (Fajr) prayer began to echo through the silence. Only then did they finally pull apart. Sufyan quickly stood up, walked into her bathroom, and stood beneath the shower to perform a full ritual bath. He emerged completely refreshed and dressed back into his clothes right before her eyes. Najma let out a wry laugh, mocking him. "Well, you certainly know what you’re doing." He raised an eyebrow arrogantly. "I had to make sure I left an impression. You feel tight, like a virgin—except we both know you're not." She shook her head with a cynical smile. "Pretty much. Only one man has ever known me before you, and he met his untimely death shortly after. You are officially the second." (The author chimes in with disgust: Look at this foolish woman! Who on earth boasts about the intimate secrets of her marriage to a scoundrel like this? 🤔) Sufyan didn't bother replying. He finished fixing his clothes and turned to leave. Najma also stood up and slipped into the bathroom to perform her ritual bath. Only now, in the quiet aftermath, did a sudden, heavy wave of guilt wash over her, a nagging realization that she had made a catastrophic mistake by submitting to Sufyan. But a dark, vindictive voice inside her head quickly countered: No, Najma! You did exactly the right thing. This is the only path that will grant you your fortune and allow you to exact total revenge on Lili—because she is the sole reason your husband is dead! Clinging to that toxic justification, she quickly dressed, threw herself onto the bed, and immediately fell into a deep sleep, completely unbothered by the morning prayers echoing outside.
The Confrontation in the Hallway
Sufyan stepped out of the room, heading toward his section with a smug, triumphant grin plastered across his face. But from a distance, Afnerh’s heart stopped dead. Her head spun violently. She frantically rubbed her eyes, blinking rapidly, but the vision didn't change—it was undeniably him, walking out of Najma's bedroom. Her eyes scanned his appearance, noting his damp hair and the water literally dripping from his body. Her entire frame began to tremble violently. With immense effort, her trembling lips finally managed to gasp out:
"Innalillahi wa'inna ilaihir raji'un..."
Sufyan froze dead in his tracks, his heart dropping. He had never anticipated running into her at this hour. He instantly lowered his head, the guilt written all over his face. Afnerh simply stared at him, hot, agonizing tears spilling over her eyelids. Sufyan quickly rushed toward her, reaching out to pull her into his arms. "My baby..." he started. But Afnerh sharply threw her hand up, cutting him off instantly and silencing whatever lie he was about to weave. She spun around on her heel and bolted back to her quarters. The moment she reached her room, she collapsed onto the bed and burst into a violent, heartbreaking sob. The pieces of the puzzle violently clicked into place. The muffled whimpering, the scandalous moans she had heard—this was it. This was the exact reason Fahad had ambushed her in the hallway and dragged her away; he was trying to protect her, trying to prevent her from witnessing an abomination that would have literally caused her heart to fail. This meant Fahad had heard everything. He knew. He understood exactly what they were doing. How long have they been doing this? she wondered, her mind spiraling. Has he always been a monster, or did this just start? Does this mean he travels and sleeps with other women too? Or... is this somehow my fault because I’ve been sick and distant, driving him into this depravity out of frustration? "NO!!" she screamed out into the empty room. She knew his character all too well; whenever he set his mind on something, no amount of her crying would ever make him stop until he was entirely satisfied and chose to offer a hollow apology. She wept bitterly, the sheer exhaustion and grief completely draining her until a heavy, troubled sleep finally took her—mercifully, she was exempted from prayers due to her monthly cycle. Sufyan—
: Desperate Measures and Family Ties
A Mother's Anguish
Mama shook her head at him, trying her best to suppress the deep anxiety gnawing at her soul. The sheer magnitude of what the extortionists were demanding completely unhinged her. Looking at him in a state of panic, Mama said, "These people have absolutely no fear of Allah. They want to completely shatter your life and your happiness. And I am certain they know you personally, considering they are demanding something from you that no outsider even knows exists! Oh Lord, please grant us relief."
He leaned heavily against Mama, exhaling a ragged breath. He pressed a hand against his throbbing forehead, forcing himself to endure the pain with manly resilience. Exhaling a sharp gust of air, he said, "Mama, I will give them whatever they want, even if it means I have to walk the streets stark naked. The life of my Amana (my trusted love, Lili) means more to me than anything else. I cannot live a life of happiness without her."
Mama shook her head, gently stroking his hair. "But that laptop they are demanding is your entire livelihood, Fahad. Have you forgotten that it contains all the backend files of your companies and the deeds to your entire wealth? You must remember that this fortune doesn't belong to you alone. Your siblings have a stake in it too, because if you hand it over, you are giving away property that belongs to your late father's entire estate."
He pulled away from Mama, taking a deep breath as his heart burned with an agonizing ache—aggravated by the unusual amount of talking he had to do, a habit he was entirely unaccustomed to. He paused for a long moment before fixing his bloodshot eyes on Mama. "What use is the money I’ve accumulated? I will hand over the laptop, and I will gladly give them every single asset I have amassed. As long as my Amana and I can live together under one roof in happiness and love, that is more than enough for me. I don't care about a hoarded fortune if it cannot solve my agonizing problem."
Mama nodded, finally yielding to his resolve. "Very well. May the Almighty guide our steps. Go ahead and arrange how you will hand it over to them."
Preparations and Hidden Motives
Stroking his beard, he stood up and pressed his phone to his ear, speaking in a low, hushed murmur as he walked out of the house toward his car. With the phone still glued to his ear, he closed his eyes and rubbed his stomach, which was practically growling with intense hunger.
"Secure the tickets and make sure you all travel together," he commanded into the receiver before hanging up and tossing the phone onto the passenger seat.
He slid into the driver's seat, started the ignition with a whispered Bismillah, and turned the steering wheel. As he pulled out of the compound, he turned on a recitation of Surah Al-Ankabut, quietly following along with the verses as he merged onto the main road.
Section 2: Greed and Forbidden Secrets
As soon as he left, Mama stood up and headed to her room, her mind in utter chaos. She felt completely helpless against this non-stop barrage of calamities—one crisis immediately following another. Only now did she realize beyond a shadow of a doubt that her own blood flowed through her daughter's veins; she loved her and wanted her happiness more than anything in the world. She longed to hold her close and feel her warmth, but a cruel twist of fate had repeatedly barred it. Ever since the girl was a child, sinister forces had shadowed her life.
Entering her room, Mama sank onto the bed, buried her face in her hands, and began to weep bitterly like a little girl.
Her husband had been standing over her since he walked in, watching her until he could no longer bear to hear her cry. He walked over, sat close beside her, and gently pulled her into his arms. Feeling her husband's embrace, Mama burst into a fresh wave of tears.
He often found himself amazed by her nature; she was normally a woman of immense patience, tolerance, and quiet reserve, rarely letting things get to her. It was an incredibly rare sight to see her unhinged to the point of tears. If she was weeping like this, it meant she had been pushed into an unbearable corner. And when she did start crying, comforting her became an uphill task—she would weep like a child, her mind spinning with a thousand bleak thoughts, unable to find peace until she got what she wanted.
He gently patted and rubbed her back, rocking her to soothe her. Mama caught her breath, then suddenly pulled back slightly, crying out, "I want to see my daughter! I cannot sit by and watch her life be ruined. Please do something, Abban Yara (Father of my children)!"
He took her hand in his. "Fatima, are you truly unable to bear the decree of our Lord with patience? You know very well that crying will not solve this. The prayers you have been making are exactly what you must sustain. By the grace of the Prophet, our prayers will never be in vain. Insha Allah, nothing evil will happen to her life, nor to our son, who is also our son-in-law."
Mama nodded, somewhat comforted. Exhaling a long sigh, she noted, "But Abban Yara, this laptop they are demanding... there is a snake in the grass here. I keep wondering how on earth they found out about its existence in my son’s possession."
He nodded gravely. "Indeed, that exact thought crossed my mind. They say a human being is always flawed—nine out of ten—and no matter how close you are to someone, you should never trust them blindly. However, suspicious assumptions are a sin in themselves, so let us not harbor baseless allegations lest the Almighty hold us accountable. I am going to arrange for special prayers to be offered now. Insha Allah, the Lord will shield us with His protection."
Mama wiped the tears from her face and hugged him tightly, wishing him success. He let out a soft laugh, teasing, "Maman Yara, you are such a troublemaker. You never grow up, do you?"
She playfully tugged his beard before pushing him toward the door. "Even if I grow up in the eyes of the world, I’ll never be old in the eyes of my anchor, right?"
He squeezed her hand. "You're right, my unique one."
Najma's Selfish Demands
She accompanied him all the way to the courtyard, watching him drive off before heading back inside. In the main living room, she found Najma and Yusrah chatting idly.
Seeing Mama enter, Najma quickly sat up and moved closer to her. "Mama, actually, I want you to ask Big Bro for my share of Daddy’s estate the moment he gets back. I want to start a business."
The moment Najma started speaking, Mama stared at her in utter disbelief. Controlling her rising anger, Mama said with forced calmness, "But Najma, you know everything that's happening right now. There's no need for me to waste my time explaining things to you."
Najma shook her head dismissively. "Mama, I fail to see how Lili's disappearance has anything to do with the money I am asking for."
Mama nodded slowly, averting her gaze in disgust. "Clearly, you haven't heard the news. The kidnappers who took Lubna are demanding the entire estate left by your late father as ransom. So as you can see, there is no money left to give you."
Najma’s eyes went wide with shock. "What?! Yes, Mama, they can hand it over, but they must make absolutely sure my rightful share is deducted and set aside before they give those people anything!"
Saying this, she stormed off to her room, her heart burning with bitter resentment. She refused to sit back and watch herself be left empty-handed; she believed her inheritance was an absolute right that must be handed over immediately.
Mama and Yusrah watched her retreat. Yusrah was completely stunned by Najma's callousness—she was acting as though her own sister's abduction meant absolutely nothing to her.
Mama sighed deeply. She had known things would get ugly, but she was entirely resolved to give Najma exactly what she wanted just to be rid of her greed. Standing up, Mama looked at Yusrah. "How is my dear girl doing? Momma has been unusually quiet today, is everything alright?"
Yusrah smiled softly. "Yes, Aunty. Afnerh and Brother Sufyan went out shopping while you were asleep. Momma is actually packing up; she plans for us to head back home in a week."
Mama gasped, putting a hand to her mouth. "Goodness, Fatima! And she didn't say a word to me? Let me finish up in the kitchen, and then I’ll head over to her section."
Yusrah stood up. "Let me help you, Mama. The house feels incredibly dull today."
The two walked into the kitchen together. They spent about an hour preparing food, finishing just as the call for Maghrib prayer began to echo. After wrapping up, they went to perform their ablutions—Mama heading to her quarters and Yusrah heading back to Momma's section. Right around that time, Sufyan and Afnerh returned from their shopping trip.
Section 3: The Secret Affair and Nocturnal Shadows
Midnight Ultimatums
Fahad didn't return to the house until around 10:00 PM. The moment he arrived, he dashed into the bathroom to take a quick shower. He emerged wearing nothing but a pair of trousers, using a towel to dry off his torso. No matter how intently you stared at his face, you could never read the storm raging in his heart; his expressions completely masked his true feelings.
He let out a sharp breath, his chest tight with a simmering fury—especially after Mama had informed him over the phone about Najma's selfish demands. He hadn't come straight home; instead, he had gone out to legally finalize and secure everything he would hand over to Najma. He had already been given the precise breakdown of everyone’s rightful inheritance from the estate.
Finishing drying himself, he grabbed a jar of unscented Vaseline and rubbed it over his skin. He was completely stripped of his peace of mind, doing everything by sheer force of will. Even maintaining this level of composure was a monumental feat, achieved only through the sheer power of the constant prayers he recited to soothe his burning heart.
He pulled on a pair of three-quarter shorts and a lightweight t-shirt. He quickly combed through his hair, skipping his usual cologne entirely, and picked up his phone to head out.
Just as he stepped into the main living room, his phone began to vibrate. He bit his lip in frustration; by this point, he despised any form of conversation or disturbance. He swiped open the massive screen, and a beautiful picture of Lili immediately lit up the display. Seeing her smiling so happily in the photo instantly melted away about fifty percent of his crushing anxiety.
Swiping down on the notification bar, he saw two text messages. The first was from a hidden number. He opened it and read:
He squeezed his eyes shut tightly, his voice dropping to a dangerous, low growl. "I swear to God, you are lying. I will see to the end of every single one of you. I swear by the Almighty Lord who gives me breath, you are nothing but pathetic, cowardly trash."
He exhaled sharply, his head pounding fiercely from the sheer stress of the situation. Summoning every ounce of stoic strength he possessed, he opened the second message:
He quickly typed out replies to both messages, slipped his phone into his pocket, and walked further into the parlor.
Securing the Greed
This time, Sufyan, Mama, and Momma were all gathered in the parlor. Off to one side, Afnerh was curled up fast asleep, while Najma and Yusrah were on the other side, glued to their phones.
Fahad took a seat right between his parents, greeting them and wishing them a restful evening before turning to respect Mama. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the legal documents along with a bank draft, handing them over to Mama. In a voice so quiet it was practically a whisper, he said, "Mama, here is the share she so desperately demanded. These are the corporate files for her company, the deeds to her three plots of land, and here is a draft for her ten million Naira." He closed his eyes wearily as he spoke.
Mama turned to Najma, her voice laced with disappointment. "Here is exactly what you demanded."
Najma practically bolted upright, snatching the files from Mama's hands, her face lighting up with unbridled joy. The moment she took them, she scurried off to her bedroom.
Yusrah, meanwhile, sat frozen in a trance, completely captivated by Fahad's overwhelming, intimidating aura. Everything about him was executed with immaculate precision and absolute order; he was entirely devoid of unnecessary noise, and above all, he was a man of incredibly few words. She realized he possessed a deeply generous and compassionate soul beneath that tough exterior, and it was precisely that kindness that people often exploited to cross him.
Yet, he was an absolute enigma—mysterious, deeply reserved, and utterly indifferent to the opinions of others, just as he never bothered anyone else. Catching a glimpse of a genuine smile on his face was an absolute rarity; at most, he would subtly adjust his expression, a micro-movement that allowed his striking dimples to flash briefly, giving the mere illusion of a smile.
Yusrah caught her breath and quickly averted her gaze, her face burning with embarrassment when Fahad suddenly caught her staring and flashed her a harsh, warning glare. Not even five minutes had passed before he stood up and glided back into his own quarters.
A heavy, profound silence fell over the living room, each person lost in their own dark thoughts until, one by one, everyone retired to their respective rooms.
Upon entering his bedroom, Fahad stripped off his shirt, sprayed a light layer of cologne, took his evening medication, and threw himself onto the massive bed. Turning on an audio recitation of Surah Al-Baqarah, he followed along with the verses until a deep sleep finally claimed him.
Section 4: Betrayal in the Dark
The moment Sufyan entered his room, he slipped into the bathroom. He emerged shortly after, quickly changing into his sleepwear. His mind was spinning with a chaotic web of thoughts, deeply bewildered by how events were unfolding. If he wasn't the one who had abducted Lili, then who on earth did? And what was the true purpose behind demanding that specific laptop from Fahad?
Knowing that he and Najma were the ones keeping a hyper-vigilant eye on Fahad's life, he was now absolutely certain that there was another hidden player—or players—involved.
With that burning thought, he slipped out of his room and crept into Afnerh's bedroom. He found her lying on the bed, already fast asleep. He shook his head, a sudden wave of genuine affection for her washing over him; now that he had actually slept with her, he felt a strange sense of attachment. A dark smile touched his lips, knowing she wasn't just any ordinary woman—she was his perfect match. With that, he quietly pulled her door shut and headed straight for Najma's bedroom.
Upon entering, he found her wrapped tightly in a towel. She looked at him with a mix of surprise and suspicion. "Is everything alright at this hour?"
He let out a sinister chuckle, walking deep into the room to sit right beside her. "I've come to offer you a piece of advice. If you play your cards right, you are on the verge of becoming the richest young lady around."
Her eyes widened with absolute greed. "When it comes to money, who would turn it down? I am completely ready."
Sufyan leaned in closer, narrowing his eyes. "I’ve figured out exactly where your Daddy’s laptop is hidden. If you cooperate with me, I will steal it and hand it over to you. Think about it—that way, I get my ultimate happiness with Lubna, and you get your massive fortune."
Najma nodded slowly, already visualizing the sheer mountain of wealth within her grasp. She looked up at him. "What kind of cooperation do you need from me?"
Sufyan slid closer, his hand reaching out to stroke her thigh seductively. "I need you tonight. I want to give you the absolute best, wildest night of your life."
Startled and momentarily panicked, Najma recoiled slightly. "Honestly, I can't do that. That's a massive sin, it's way too much for me. Come on, think of something else."
Sufyan immediately stood up and turned toward the door. "Fine, suit yourself. But you can officially stop dreaming about ever visiting Paris like you’ve always wanted."
A tense silence fell over the room. Seeing him right on the verge of walking out, Najma panicked and blurted out, "Alright! I agree."
A deeply wicked, triumphant grin spread across Sufyan's face. He reached out and flipped off the bedroom lights, aggressively lunging toward where she sat. He pulled her forcefully against his chest, ruthlessly tearing the towel from her body. Pinning her naked form roughly onto the bed, he stripped completely naked without a second thought and began to touch her aggressively.
Within a matter of moments, he successfully ignited the hidden, dormant passions within her. Caught up in the heat of the moment, Najma began to fiercely match his aggression. Within no time, the two had driven each other into a frenzy of pure lust, the room filling with nothing but the heavy, ragged sound of their breathing.
Determined to completely lose themselves in the act, they shifted positions. Casting aside all shame and fear of God, Sufyan forced his way into her. A piercing, simultaneous cry escaped their lips as they clamped onto each other, completely oblivious to the fact that they were in a house full of family members.
Section 5: The Discovery
In the middle of her sleep, Afnerh was suddenly awoken by a violent, gnawing hunger. Whispering prayers under her breath, she stood up and padded into the bathroom to wash her face. Her brow furrowed in confusion when she noticed Sufyan was nowhere to be found in the room—she knew that even if he hadn't been there earlier, he usually would have come to bed by now.
She bypassed the main living room and headed straight into the kitchen. She switched on the gas stove, set a small pot of water to boil, and began cooking some instant noodles with eggs. After about thirty minutes, she finished her meal right there in the kitchen, washing it down with a glass of water.
She returned to her bedroom and lay down, but a sudden, lingering longing for her husband gripped her. Standing up, she walked over to her dressing mirror, lightly sprayed some perfume, and applied a touch of lipstick.
She walked over to his bedroom, but found it completely empty. Refusing to give up, she checked his bathroom—still nothing. She stepped out into the hallway, deeply perplexed as to where he could have gone at this hour of the night.
Leaving his section, she began walking toward Momma's quarters. Just as she was about to pass Najma's door, the faint, unmistakable sound of muffled whimpering and heavy, rhythmic groaning caught her ear.
Her first instinct was that Najma might be terribly ill, and she was right on the verge of walking past when her intuition screamed at her to double-check. As she crept closer to the bedroom door to listen, a hand suddenly shot out of the darkness, gripping her wrist tightly and yanking her backward into the shadows.
Afnerh’s mouth gasped open to unleash a terrifying shriek, but a firm palm was instantly clapped over her mouth, completely smothering her cry.
Caught in the Crosshairs
Pure terror and shock paralyzed Afnerh, rendering her completely speechless. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly, terrified of seeing whatever horror was about to unfold. Deep down, her mind reeled at the muffled screams and breathless moans still echoing from Najma’s room. Her heart hammered violently against her ribs as she felt herself being dragged backward down the hallway like a piece of laundry.
They moved through the shadows until they reached a small, secluded parlor. She heard the heavy thud of the door being shut, followed by the sharp click of a key turning in the lock.
Slowly, tremblingly, she forced her eyes open and looked up.
He was standing right there, his back turned to her. He was dressed in his sleepwear—just a pair of three-quarter shorts and a white singlet. His hands were propped rigidly against his waist, his head bowed deeply in profound, heavy thought.
Just as he ignored her presence, she chose to stay silent too. Both of them were locked in their own minds, desperately hunting for a way out of the madness.
Afnerh's mind raced back to her husband Sufyan, wondering where on earth he could be on this horrific night. For some inexplicable reason, a deep, sickening dread settled in her stomach regarding Najma’s room, but she kept quiet—she simply lacked the energy or the courage to demand answers about the scandalous sounds she had just overheard.
Meanwhile, Fahad's heart pounded with a volatile, simmering fury. One look at his rigid posture was enough to tell anyone that he was completely consumed by rage. He had never imagined things were this rotten. If he had known, nothing on earth would have ever made him agree to give his sister away to such a monster.
He exhaled another hot breath. In a twisted way, a part of him thought, Thank God this happened tonight, because this horrific night had pulled back the curtain on so many mysteries—revelations that had brought him to a point of profound grief (Juyayi).
Squeezing his large, striking eyes shut, he bit his lip forcefully, exhaling a burning breath through his teeth. Slowly, deliberately, he turned around to face her. He walked over with an eerie, calm precision and sat on a chair right beside her. He traced the line of his jawline thoughtfully before locking his intense gaze onto her.
In a low, smooth voice that carried a chilling calmness, he demanded, "Wandering around in the dead of night? Why?"
She lowered her head, refusing to utter a single word.
Fahad’s face contorted with sudden, sharp anger. "You!!! Are you trying to make a fool out of me?!"
The sheer terror broke her. Unable to control herself, Afnerh burst into tears, lunging forward to throw herself against his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.
Fahad closed his eyes, her bitter weeping cutting straight to his soul. Only now, in this moment of shared grief, did he truly feel a profound, brotherly connection to his sister. Right now, in this entire world, no one meant more to him than her—she was his own flesh and blood. He raised his hands, gently patting her back to soothe her.
Through her suffocating tears, she choked out, "I am so sorry, Yaya... I didn't mean anything by it. I only came out to look for Sufyan. I noticed he wasn't in his room."
He looked down at her, gently but firmly pulling her away from his chest. Taking a deep breath, he ordered, "Alright. Go back to your bedroom immediately. And whatever you do, do not dare step foot near Najma’s room."
She nodded submissively, but then looked up at him with a vulnerable, tearful pout. "But... what about Sufyan?"
His face instantly hardened, completely devoid of any warmth or humor. "Is he a child?"
She shook her head, wiping away the tears streaming down her face. He tapped her head gently before standing up and marching back into his bedroom, his heart absolutely bursting with a silent, catastrophic rage. With completely numb limbs, she made her way out of his flat, freezing in the main living room as she sank deep into a dark, suffocating abyss of thought.
The Depths of Sin
Inside Najma's room, Sufyan and Najma had long since completely lost themselves to their desires, the air thick with nothing but their heavy breathing and shameless chatter. They spent hours engaging in the ultimate transgression against the Almighty—a sin so vile that Islamic tradition holds it worse than forced assault, for willing adultery is a profound corruption. It is a darkness so absolute that a soul can never find peace until divine justice is served, as established in the holy traditions.
But they had entirely erased God from their minds, boldly enjoying their forbidden tryst, fully convinced that they were hidden from the world and that this depravity was their golden ticket to achieving their desires.
Yet, the divine watchful eye would ensure they never knew peace, let alone success. They continued their shameless act through the night; whenever he made a move to stop, she would aggressively entice him back. Whenever she seemed to tire, he would re-engage, showering her with affection until she babbled deliriously in his arms, driving him to plunge right back in.
They carried on this way continuously until the first call for the dawn (Fajr) prayer began to echo through the silence. Only then did they finally pull apart.
Sufyan quickly stood up, walked into her bathroom, and stood beneath the shower to perform a full ritual bath. He emerged completely refreshed and dressed back into his clothes right before her eyes.
Najma let out a wry laugh, mocking him. "Well, you certainly know what you’re doing."
He raised an eyebrow arrogantly. "I had to make sure I left an impression. You feel tight, like a virgin—except we both know you're not."
She shook her head with a cynical smile. "Pretty much. Only one man has ever known me before you, and he met his untimely death shortly after. You are officially the second."
(The author chimes in with disgust: Look at this foolish woman! Who on earth boasts about the intimate secrets of her marriage to a scoundrel like this? 🤔)
Sufyan didn't bother replying. He finished fixing his clothes and turned to leave. Najma also stood up and slipped into the bathroom to perform her ritual bath. Only now, in the quiet aftermath, did a sudden, heavy wave of guilt wash over her, a nagging realization that she had made a catastrophic mistake by submitting to Sufyan.
But a dark, vindictive voice inside her head quickly countered: No, Najma! You did exactly the right thing. This is the only path that will grant you your fortune and allow you to exact total revenge on Lili—because she is the sole reason your husband is dead! Clinging to that toxic justification, she quickly dressed, threw herself onto the bed, and immediately fell into a deep sleep, completely unbothered by the morning prayers echoing outside.
The Confrontation in the Hallway
Sufyan stepped out of the room, heading toward his section with a smug, triumphant grin plastered across his face.
But from a distance, Afnerh’s heart stopped dead. Her head spun violently. She frantically rubbed her eyes, blinking rapidly, but the vision didn't change—it was undeniably him, walking out of Najma's bedroom. Her eyes scanned his appearance, noting his damp hair and the water literally dripping from his body.
Her entire frame began to tremble violently. With immense effort, her trembling lips finally managed to gasp out:
Sufyan froze dead in his tracks, his heart dropping. He had never anticipated running into her at this hour. He instantly lowered his head, the guilt written all over his face.
Afnerh simply stared at him, hot, agonizing tears spilling over her eyelids. Sufyan quickly rushed toward her, reaching out to pull her into his arms.
"My baby..." he started.
But Afnerh sharply threw her hand up, cutting him off instantly and silencing whatever lie he was about to weave. She spun around on her heel and bolted back to her quarters. The moment she reached her room, she collapsed onto the bed and burst into a violent, heartbreaking sob.
The pieces of the puzzle violently clicked into place. The muffled whimpering, the scandalous moans she had heard—this was it. This was the exact reason Fahad had ambushed her in the hallway and dragged her away; he was trying to protect her, trying to prevent her from witnessing an abomination that would have literally caused her heart to fail.
This meant Fahad had heard everything. He knew. He understood exactly what they were doing.
How long have they been doing this? she wondered, her mind spiraling. Has he always been a monster, or did this just start? Does this mean he travels and sleeps with other women too? Or... is this somehow my fault because I’ve been sick and distant, driving him into this depravity out of frustration?
"NO!!" she screamed out into the empty room. She knew his character all too well; whenever he set his mind on something, no amount of her crying would ever make him stop until he was entirely satisfied and chose to offer a hollow apology.
She wept bitterly, the sheer exhaustion and grief completely draining her until a heavy, troubled sleep finally took her—mercifully, she was exempted from prayers due to her monthly cycle.
Sufyan—