Without a word, Nabila stood up. They entered one of their departmental classes. Falila tore a sheet of paper and drafted the letter neatly. Then they both stood and went to the admin block. Falila handed her the letter; she went inside, submitted it, and returned. Then Falila said, “Now let’s go to the commercial area so you can buy water and wash your face. Anyone who sees you now will know you’ve been crying.”
Nabila agreed. They walked to the commercial area where students relaxed. They found Jabir and his friends at a restaurant eating fried Irish potatoes.
Without knowing anything about what was going on, Jabir stood and came toward them. “Nabila, I came to see you.”
Hearing that, Falila walked away toward a drink shop. Jabir adjusted his standing posture and said, “Nabila, it’s been days. About what we discussed—I just want to know your opinion about me.”
Nabila opened her mouth: “No problem. I accept.”
Joy washed over Jabir as he said, “Nabila, do you mean you love me too? Today, I can say no one in the world is luckier than me. I’m so happy I can’t even express it. I’m grateful. I pray Allah lets our love be blessed. Take care.”
He walked away, leaving Nabila standing, waiting for Falila. When Falila didn’t come, she got tired and went to the shop where she found her sitting with a peach drink bottle, sipping slowly.
Upset, Nabila said, “Falila, what’s this now? You left me standing just to come sit here?”
Sarcastically, Falila said, “Forgive me, besty. I gave you both space so you could fry your love.”
Nabila said, “Space to burn, not fry—you little trickster.”
Falila smiled, stood up, handed Nabila bottled water, and said, “Here, wash your face so we can go.”
They walked for some time when Falila asked, “Besty, what happened between you and Jabir earlier?”
Nabila replied, “He asked again about his love confession. But with everything happening to me at school, I’ve decided I won’t return until the remarking result is out. So I said yes since I know we won’t meet again soon—exams are over and we’ll be traveling to Abuja soon.”
Falila sadly responded, “Besty, why are you so quick to decide you won’t return to school? Now is when you need to focus on this semester the most. I can’t support this decision.”
Nabila said, “Look, you can’t chew two stones at once. Even if things were normal, I still have to stop school for now and focus fully on the Qur’an competition in Abuja.”
Falila sighed. “Well, you have a point. But just know that Jabir and I will miss you terribly.” They parted ways there.
After One Week
The school management concluded their investigation regarding Nabila’s complaint. A biochemistry lecturer from Kaduna State University (KASU) was invited to remark her exams. Within five days, Nabila rewrote all the courses she disputed.
Then it was time to wait for the marking.
