The Untainted
Chapter 21 – Seeds of Favor
The next morning came bright and calm, as though the heavens themselves had decided to bless the new beginning.
Oladeji and Olalekan drove the girls back to school.
The car ride was filled with laughter, teasing, and playful arguments. Folakemi was glowing — literally glowing. Her happiness was obvious. She had even insisted on sleeping in Rihannat's room the previous night, talking late into the night like little girls reunited after years apart.
Rihannat couldn't remember the last time she saw someone so relieved to change.
As they approached the school gate, the mood shifted slightly — not sadness, but the quiet awareness that normal life was resuming.
Olalekan parked in front of the girls' hostel.
They all stepped out.
And then came the bags.
More bags.
And even more bags.
Clothes. Shoes. Foodstuffs. Snacks. Gift items. Souvenirs.
And almost all of them were for Rihannat.
Folakemi's items were there too… but noticeably fewer.
Rihannat stared at the mountain of luggage and sighed for what felt like the hundredth time.
"This is too much…"
Oladeji cut her off immediately.
"Who said that?"
"You can share with your friends," Olalekan added casually. "It's not even much. Just some countable bags."
Rihannat raised a brow. "So it has to become uncountable before it's too much?"
"Exactly," Olalekan replied with a smirk.
She shook her head, amused.
What she didn't know was that the two brothers had slipped two parcels of money into her bag.
Her parents had already given her two bundles the previous day, but she forcefully returned one. They knew her too well. She would never accept money easily.
So they found another way.
Folakemi knew.
But she kept quiet.
If her friend wouldn't collect it willingly, then she would collect it unknowingly.
Sometimes help had to be strategic.
When they got to the hostel steps — the boundary where boys could go no further — the brothers stopped.
They hugged their sister tightly.
Then turned to Rihannat.
Before they left, she spoke sincerely.
"Thank you for your care, your support, your family love, your protection… It was truly amazing being in your house. I had a wonderful time. Thank you for accepting me and allowing me to network at your party. You gave me access to people I might never meet easily — people from the business and political world. That opportunity means more than you know. May Allah bless your family abundantly. Thank you for allowing me to benefit from your influence."
Oladeji nodded proudly.
"You deserve it."
Olalekan smiled. "And this is only the beginning."
They waved goodbye and drove off.
Folakemi and Rihannat stood watching until the car disappeared.
Then they turned and carried the bags inside.
Inside the Hostel
They had barely arranged the first set of bags when the door burst open.
"Rihannat!!!"
It was Rayyan.
Behind her was Balkis.
"Alhamdulillah! We thought you've abandoned us! We kept calling and all we heard was 'I'll call you later' since yesterday. O ga o!" Rayyan exclaimed dramatically.
Folakemi laughed softly. "News travels fast."
Rayyan didn't even acknowledge her.
She walked straight to Rihannat.
"Do you know how many times Basit came looking for you? I told you to inform him! You said one day — ONE day — but you used two!"
Rihannat sighed apologetically.
"I'm really sorry. I had so many orders and sales. You won't believe I sold out everything I took. I even produced more pieces there. Toward the end of the event… something almost happened. I was nearly embarrassed. But Allah saved me."
Rayyan paused.
Her anger softened.
"I was overwhelmed," Rihannat continued. "Please forgive me. You know I wouldn't ignore you intentionally. And is it compulsory I inform Basit everywhere I go?"
Rayyan folded her arms.
"…Not compulsory."
"I'll tell him when I see him," Rihannat concluded calmly.
Rayyan exhaled. "Fine. Now start from the beginning. We have all day."
She sat cross-legged on the floor dramatically.
"I'm listening."
Balkis sat quietly on the bed.
Rihannat began.
She narrated everything.
How she met Folakemi's family.
How welcoming they were.
How her brothers treated her like a sister.
How influential guests from the business and political world praised her work.
How they collected her number.
How orders kept pouring in.
How Folakemi's parents publicly announced her as their goddaughter.
Rayyan's earlier annoyance completely vanished.
Her face lit up.
"I'm so proud of you!" she squealed.
For the first time since entering the room, she turned to Folakemi.
"I'm sorry for ignoring you earlier. Thank you… truly."
Folakemi smiled shyly. "It's okay."
"And you've changed?"
"Yes."
"She has conditions now," Folakemi said jokingly, pointing at Rihannat.
Rayyan laughed. "Then I accept you as my friend too."
The atmosphere warmed.
Rihannat opened the bags.
The girls gasped.
"Wow…"
Balkis finally spoke — her first word since entering.
"This is so much."
Rayyan didn't hesitate.
She grabbed one bag.
"This one is mine o! Balkis, take yours. I'm not sharing mine!"
They all laughed.
Balkis picked one too.
But something twisted inside her chest.
A small ache.
A small whisper.
Why didn't I go?
If I had followed her… maybe I would have been recognized too.
Maybe I would have met influential people.
Maybe…
Why is she always the one receiving favor?
Jealousy crept in quietly.
She smiled outwardly.
But inside, she burned.
Rayyan noticed.
She watched Balkis carefully.
She could read her like a book.
"Please be content," Rayyan thought silently.
The room remained cheerful.
Until—
Rayyan froze mid-laughter.
"Wait."
She turned slowly.
"Repeat that last part."
Rihannat blinked. "Which one?"
"You said… your drink was what?"
Rihannat hesitated.
"…Spiked."
Silence fell.
"What?!" Rayyan shouted, jumping to her feet.
Folakemi lowered her head.
Balkis stiffened.
"What do you mean spiked? Who did it? When? How?!" Rayyan's voice rose with every question.
Rihannat explained calmly.
How someone she trusted switched her drink.
How Allah exposed it before it escalated.
How everything was handled quietly.
Rayyan's hands trembled.
"Do you know what could have happened?!"
"I know," Rihannat said softly.
"But Allah didn't allow it."
Rayyan paced the room angrily.
"If anything had happened to you…"
She couldn't even finish the sentence.
Balkis sat still.
Her jealousy evaporated instantly.
Replaced by shock.
And guilt.
While she was busy envying her blessings, her friend had narrowly escaped disaster.
Favor and tests often travel together.
Rihannat looked at them both.
"Everything that happened… the good, the bad… it was all mercy in disguise."
Rayyan stopped pacing.
"You could have lost everything."
"But I didn't," Rihannat replied gently.
"And that's what matters."
The room was quiet now.
Not heavy like before.
But thoughtful.
Balkis swallowed.
Jealousy suddenly felt ugly.
Small.
Meaningless.
Life could change in seconds.
And here she was comparing gifts.
Rayyan walked back and hugged Rihannat tightly.
"Don't ever scare us like that again."
Rihannat laughed softly. "I didn't plan to."
Folakemi spoke quietly for the first time since the revelation.
"It won't happen again. I promise."
Rayyan looked at her.
And this time…
She believed her.
But deep inside…
She knew something else.
If someone dared try it once…
Who says they won't try again?
And somewhere within the walls of that campus…
Someone was not happy.
Very not happy.
And this time—
It wouldn't be accidental.
What do you think?
Is Balkis' jealousy harmless… or the beginning of something deeper?
And who do you think spiked the drink?
Drop your thoughts.