Hearing that, Falila dropped the topic and said, “Alright then, get up so we can hurry to the test center.”

They both stood up and walked, chatting until they arrived. Their arrival coincided with when the line had already formed and people had begun entering. They joined the queue, were screened, and allowed in. After some time, people began coming out. Jabir and Falila’s exits happened one after the other. Quickly, Falila caught up with Jabir as he headed towards where he parked his car.

Falila said, “Brother Jabir, today you finally got it right, wallahi. Because today, if nothing else, you've killed the boss. I’m happy you finally confessed love to Nabila—because you’ll see the benefit. From today, write it down and keep it: even if she doesn’t like you yet, just move forward; she won’t dare treat you with the same disrespect she used to give you before. This is simply our nature as women—no matter how stubborn a girl is, once you confess that you love her, anytime she sees you, she’ll feel something deep in her chest. Because the word love carries a very heavy weight for any woman.”

Hearing that, Jabir sighed slightly and said, “That’s my sister. I want us to talk, but I don’t want Nabila to see me with you at this stage. So go back—I know she’s out waiting for you now. We’ll talk later.”

H.O.D

“We have only one week left before exams start. That means you still have a chance to use this time well and improve your future. There are so many girls like you who used their opportunities well and completed their studies with excellent results—the kind that major ministries in this country are looking for. Many of them are now in NNPC, some in the Port Authority, and many other places. You too have the chance to become one of these workers,” the H.O.D said.

Nabila responded, “Sir, forgive me for what I’m about to say. But honestly, I cannot commit immorality. I fear Allah’s punishment. I have already vowed that I will only enter my husband’s house with my chastity intact. Honestly, I would rather accept any punishment you give me than do what you want. I prefer to face Allah’s punishment than yours.”

As soon as she turned to leave, the H.O.D raised his hand and banged the table in front of him, saying angrily, “You’re lying, girl!”

Nabila didn’t hesitate—she walked straight out of his office. She came out so upset that she didn’t wait for her brother Mubaraq; she simply headed home. Despite everything weighing heavily on her, she still buried herself in her books day and night until the exam day finally arrived.

After Exams

They were given just one week of break separating first and second semesters. A week into second semester, the results for first semester were released. Many students performed well. Some performed poorly—like Nabila and a few others—who had so many carryovers that it was clear they had already failed the first semester.

Falila

“So now we’ve entered a time where the life of a young woman is dangerously difficult. Because it’s rare to see a girl succeed without facing these wicked challenges from terrible men. And what’s shocking is that this immorality is not just in schools. Even at hospitals—just recently when I went to see a doctor, that foolish man kept trying to touch parts of my body that had nothing to do with my sickness. In the end, he only stopped when he saw I was getting angry enough to gather people to disgrace him.

“And this is now normal—single girls committing zina, married women committing zina. People don’t think about their future or what will become of their children. That’s why I pray Allah strengthens our hearts and keeps us protected with our dignity.”

Nabila opened her mouth, her nose sniffling from tears. “May Allah help us, but honestly I don’t even know what to do with my life anymore.”

With sympathy, Falila said, “There’s only one thing to do now—we must write a letter and submit it to the school senate at the admin block, stating that you do not accept the result that says you failed. There is a provision in the school regulations that if you strongly believe you passed and yet you are marked failed, you can file a complaint. They will make you rewrite the exam, and the marking will be done by a different lecturer from another university. If you passed, the school must dismiss the lecturer. If you truly failed, then you too will be dismissed. I strongly believe you will win this case against that wicked man. So be patient—let’s go.”