Chapter 50
Rihannat lay quietly on her narrow hostel bed when her phone suddenly pinged.
At that hour of the night, the sound felt almost intrusive.
Who could it be? she wondered.
Definitely not her parents. They would never call or text at such an ungodly hour. It was 2:00 a.m.
She turned to the other side and ignored it. Whatever it was could wait until morning.
By 2:30 a.m., she stirred awake again. Without hesitation, she gently reached across and tapped Folakemi, who slept on the opposite bed.
"Wake up… it's time," she whispered softly.
Folakemi groaned faintly but sat up almost immediately. Over time, waking up for Tahajjud had become a habit for her. It was a transformation that still amazed Rihannat. The once reluctant girl now rose willingly, never complained, and had grown consistent with her five daily prayers.
They both performed ablution in their small bathroom, the cool water helping them shake off the remnants of sleep. Soon, they stood side by side on their prayer mats.
The silence of the night wrapped around them as they prayed four rak'ahs of Tahajjud.
Afterward, they sat quietly, palms raised.
Their supplications flowed gently—beginning with gratitude to Allah, then seeking His forgiveness. They asked for mercy in this dunya, in the grave, and in the hereafter. They sought refuge from Shaytan and his whispers, from the trials of life and death, and from the uncertainties of the akhirah.
They prayed for their parents.
For their studies.
For their ambitions and future.
They asked that their efforts be fruitful, their struggles rewarded, and their goals crowned with success.
Then, softly, almost shyly, they prayed for their future spouses.
For men who would be righteous, faithful, and conscious of Allah.
Men who would walk beside them on the path to Jannah, treat them with kindness, and build homes filled with peace and mercy.
They prayed for children yet unborn—children who would be a source of joy, tranquility, and righteousness. Children who would be the coolness of their eyes and companions in Paradise.
They ended with praises and glorification of Allah, their hearts lighter, calmer.
By around 3:30 a.m., Rihannat folded her prayer mat.
That was when she remembered her phone.
She reached under her pillow and picked it up. Folakemi had already gone back to sleep.
Her screen lit up.
So many unread messages.
Blocked numbers.
Yet the messages won't stop coming.
She sighed deeply.
Her eyes fell on the most recent one. Even without opening it, the preview alone made her stomach churn. She felt repulsed to open it.
"Hiss… same as always," she muttered, tossing the phone onto the bed.
But as she threw it, her finger accidentally tapped the screen.
The message opened.
"Babe, pls won't you still consider me? Just for one night maybe you will leave my head mmn. I'm offering you 800k…. or should I make it 1 million?" I can't get you out of my system pretty flower. Even when I close my eyes, you are all I see. I don't know what you did to me, I can't sleep."
"Don't ignore me pls. Let me worship your beauty, shower you with money. Just give me a chance okay. Pls...."
Still waiting for you.
— Folarin
Rihannat's face hardened.
Disgust.
Anger.
And —weariness.
There were countless messages like that on her phone. She had deleted many, blocked many numbers repeatedly, yet the nessages kept coming.
Where are they even getting my number from?
Then it clicked again.
The school forum.
Of course.
Her jaw tightened.
It will end soon, she reassured herself. Once I graduate, I'm changing my SIM.
That decision brought her a strange sense of relief.
Morning came quietly.
After Salatul Fajr, the two young women began their weekend routine.
They cleaned the room thoroughly, moving with quiet coordination. The third roommate was nowhere to be found—as usual. She had practically turned outings into a career and clubbing into a second home.
Rihannat and Folakemi no longer paid her any mind.
By 9:00 a.m., they were done cleaning and had washed their clothes.
Exhaustion crept in, but hunger followed closely behind.
"Beans and plantain?" Folakemi suggested, tying her wrapper tighter around her waist. The wrapper she collected from Rihannat.
Rihannat smiled faintly. "Simple and perfect."
Soon, the small kitchen space was filled with the comforting aroma of boiling beans and frying plantains.
As they sat down to eat, Folakemi noticed something unusual.
"You're quiet," she said, watching Rihannat closely. "More than usual."
Rihannat hesitated.
Then she sighed.
"My phone…" she began, pushing her plate slightly aside. "The messages… they're getting worse irritation coating her words.
Folakemi's expression darkened. "Still those disgusting offers?" she knew about it.
Rihannat nodded.
"I blocked so many numbers, but they keep coming. It's like…" she paused, searching for the right words. "It's like they don't even take my refusal seriously. Just a…"
"A body for amusement or entertainment?" Folakemi finished.
Rihannat looked up, surprised. Then she nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Folakemi placed her spoon down.
"That's the reality of this world," she said calmly. "But not everyone sees you that way. And more importantly—Allah doesn't."
That landed deeply.
Rihannat exhaled.
"You're right," she said quietly. " I know that too. I'm just tired, it's like they won't rest until I give in and I'm afraid someone will drug my drink or something like that again. I'm a little afraid now fola since the incident that happened with bola at the party." She told her friend sincerely, what she'd been feeling for days now.
Folakemi leaned forward slightly, feeling sorry for her. " You don't need to be afraid Rihannat, no one will dare to do that again, they won't even dare to threaten you, not to talk of drug!.
The only thing they can do is coax you into it. Just keep rejecting them, Simple. And you have me here." She said with a raised brow.
To protect yourself, change your number.--- School sim separate, another one for your normal calls. Limit where you share it. And stop checking those messages at all."
Rihannat gave a small, appreciative smile.
"Advisor Folakemi," she teased lightly.
Folakemi grinned. "I'm serious."
"I know."
There was a brief silence as they resumed eating.
Then Folakemi spoke again, softer this time.
"You know… discipline is not just about prayers, dressing and others." She said. "It's also about boundaries. Who we allow into our space. What we entertain. Even digitally.' to protect ourselves and faith." I
Rihannat paused mid-bite.
Wow. Her friend is growing more and more in deen.
Deeply.
She nodded slowly.
"Hmm."
"I'm happy that you can now reason like this folakemi. I'm so happy." Rihannat told her friend.
******hmmm to my readers
*Beauty can be a blessing and at the same time a test? Will you allow it define you or otherwise? How we use shall be accounted for! The fear of Allah will guide a true believer.
*Having a good and realiable friends are the best in the journey of life. Someone who takes you closer to Allah and share your burden. They make you feel at peace when together.
Comment and share your thoughts. let's also use this chapter to share our experiences too 🤣..... babe
@OlukoyaZainab