The Untainted
Chapter 23 – Principles and Plans
A peaceful silence settled in the room after Rayyan and Balkis left.
The hostel felt unusually calm. Their third roommate was still out partying somewhere — probably dancing under flashing lights and loud music.
For once, the room belonged to just the two of them.
It was a comfortable silence.
The kind that didn't demand words.
Rihannat adjusted her scarf.
Folakemi leaned back on the bed.
They looked at each other.
And suddenly—
They burst into giggles.
The giggles turned into laughter.
The laughter turned uncontrollable.
"I didn't know you had this playful side hidden inside you," Folakemi managed between laughs. "With your serious 'I-don't-have-time-for-nonsense' face every day."
Rihannat gasped dramatically. "Excuse me? And you? Outside you're all 'don't mess with me, I own the campus.' But here?" She narrowed her eyes teasingly. "You're soft like butter."
Folakemi placed her hand on her chest. "I told you I will change for better. And I am. Isn't it good?"
"Of course it is," Rihannat replied warmly. "I'm just… amazed."
They both said together, "Alhamdulillah."
And laughed again.
Rihannat shook her head playfully.
"At least now I have one less 'open the door for me at 2am smelling like alcohol as body spray.'"
Folakemi gasped.
"Reeking of alcohol and sweat!" Rihannat continued, crinkling her nose dramatically. "And especially this your walking style when drunk — you and Adeola — like dizzy chickens!"
She stood up and began mimicking their old staggering steps, wobbling left and right.
Folakemi fell back on the bed laughing hysterically.
"Stop it jo! Bad girl!" She lightly punched Rihannat's shoulder.
The laughter slowly softened into something warmer.
"Thank you… for today," Folakemi said quietly.
Her voice carried emotion now.
"I didn't know I was missing this much. Real friendship. Real peace. I'm glad I'm back to my senses."
She pulled Rihannat into a tight hug.
Rihannat hugged her back.
"You're welcome."
Then suddenly—
"Oh my bag!"
Rihannat pulled away. "I need to start sketching. Full class tomorrow. No time to waste."
She playfully squeezed Folakemi's cheeks like a baby before grabbing her bag and emptying its contents onto the bed.
Sketchbook.
Pencils.
Fabric samples.
Then—
Bundles of money rolled out.
One.
Two.
Three.
Rihannat froze.
"Subhanallah! Who put this here? Folakemi?"
Folakemi didn't look surprised.
"Calm down, babe. My brothers' gift. Just accept it, please."
Rihannat stared at the money like it was a live snake.
"No. No. No. This is another two hundred thousand naira! Your parents already gave me one hundred thousand. I cannot take this."
Folakemi waved her hand dismissively.
"Ehn ehn, I collected more than that when coming to school, you know."
"That's different!"
"It's not different."
"It is! This is too much for me. Please keep it and return it."
Folakemi folded her arms. "Not a chance. Return it yourself. If you leave it with me, I'll spend it."
Rihannat sighed dramatically. "Fine. I'll call them."
She picked up her phone and dialed Qazeem's line.
The phone rang twice.
"Hello, Rihannat," Olalekan's voice came through. "Sorry, I was in the bathroom."
She cleared her throat.
"Ehm… I saw the money you left in my bag. Wallahi, I will not spend it. Come and take it back."
There was a pause.
"And you know when I say wallahi, I'm serious," she added firmly.
A heavy sigh echoed through the phone.
"We thought as much," he said softly. "Keep it for now, stronghead girl."
"No. I can't. I just don't feel comfortable—"
"Don't apologize," he interrupted gently. "We knew you might return it. That's why we hid it. We just wanted to try. But if it makes you uncomfortable, return it. We gave it for your comfort, not to pressure you."
Her shoulders relaxed.
"Thank you for understanding. So how should I return it?"
"Send it to my bank account or bring it to my office at the hospital."
"Send me your account details. I'll transfer it."
"Alright. I'll inform Oladeji too."
"Thank you."
She hung up.
Folakemi stared at her in disbelief.
"Can't you just keep it? You can buy anything you need! You're part of our family now. Why are you still like this?"
Rihannat smiled calmly.
"It's not about being part of your family. It's about my peace of mind. I don't want to ever feel indebted."
Folakemi groaned. "Ah! You and your principles."
"We all know your dad is monitoring you now like CCTV camera," Rihannat teased. "That's why your brothers didn't even bother asking about you."
Folakemi gasped. "True o! My own brother didn't even ask of me. I'll call him later."
Rihannat laughed at her dramatic expression.
"Fine," Folakemi said, making a funny face. "You win."
But inwardly…
Her mind was racing.
We are both going for MBA together, she thought mischievously.
Dad is sponsoring you overseas. And you have plenty 'no' to say before that man allows it.
She grinned foolishly.
Rihannat noticed the grin.
"Why are you smiling like a suspicious cat?"
"Nothing," Folakemi replied innocently.
Rihannat narrowed her eyes but let it go.
She returned to her sketchbook, focused and disciplined.
Little did she know—
Plans were already forming around her.
Good plans.
Big plans.
And this time—
It wouldn't be money hidden in a bag.
It would be an opportunity she might find impossible to refuse.
*************>>>>>>>>>
What do you think?
Is Rihannat right to return the money?
Or should she learn to accept help freely?
And what exactly is Folakemi planning? 🤔