He pulled his head out of the water, gasping for air. In a strained, exhausted voice, he muttered, *"I got her."* As he said this, the days of struggle flashed through his mind—the thick rope he had clung to, now wrapped around his wrist.
Quickly, he swam closer before carefully grabbing the rope tied to Akeela. Slowly, he pulled it toward him. Akeela resisted slightly, drifting with the current as the water rushed fiercely around her.
The paleness of her fingertips was unsettling—almost as if blood was about to spill from her skin due to how drained she looked.
His trembling hands gripped her wrist tightly. *"Kittt!"* He yanked her toward him just as another wave crashed over them, deafening his ears. He shut his eyes tightly, pressing his hands firmly against her body, checking for any movement.
He held his breath, feeling the water surge past them as if trying to sweep them away.
As he adjusted her body against his, his gaze fell on her face. *"Glory be to the Lord who created the seven heavens and the seven earths, the Lord who created this world and also created this beauty now in Akeem’s hands."*
Akeela’s face, though lifeless, held an ethereal beauty—beyond human imagination. Her eyes were closed, but her long, dark lashes rested delicately over her eyelids. Her perfectly shaped nose aligned with her full lips, which were slightly parted.
Her hair, once tied with a ribbon, had come undone, floating around her like a mermaid’s in the water.
Akeem exhaled sharply before adjusting his grip on the rope around his body. Slowly, he began swimming upward, the recent events replaying in his mind.
P.A watched his master intently, trying to recall something important but failing. Yet, seeing Akeem struggle with Akeela reminded him of something crucial in his life.
Malam clearly declared, *"Alhamdulillah bi rahmatika."*
As they neared the shore, a sudden force yanked Akeela backward. *"Timmm!"* Her head hit the ground, but she didn’t move—she had been unconscious for too long.
Akeem’s body trembled violently. His veins bulged, his heart pounded with fury, and the cold water had seeped into every pore of his skin.
He immediately turned toward Bala, the driver. Seeing this, P.A signaled him urgently—anything could happen if Akeem lost control. The rage burning inside him was evident in his expression, revealing just how broken he was.
Approaching Bala, his voice was icy.
*"Car keys?"*
Bala’s eyes widened before he burst into tears. *"For the sake of God and the Prophet, spare me, Big Master! Have mercy—don’t kill me! I’ll lose my job! I swear, this is how I feed my family! I know I made a mistake, but I didn’t force the Young Master to enter the water—"*
Akeem’s sharp slap cut him off. *"Hey! I said car keys, idiot. Don’t provoke me. Let me handle justice myself. That wicked woman caused this—I hate her. If I live, I’ll take revenge. You’ll see what I do. Now, my friend, give them to me!"*
Bala hurriedly handed over the keys. Akeem’s eyes burned with fury—he couldn’t stand looking at anyone.
Adjusting his tone, P.A added, *"Md Adnan’s phone and I.D card."*
The driver quickly handed over the phone and wallet containing every necessary card.
Akeem headed straight for the car, not caring if the little girl was inside. Before entering, P.A called out, *"Sir!"*
Akeem turned sharply, his face twisted in irritation. *"What now, P.A Al'kaseem Yahya Gamu?"*
The way he said P.A’s full name made everyone freeze. P.A responded, *"Abbu is calling."*
As if reluctant, Akeem slowly answered the phone, water still dripping from his hair.
Abbu’s voice was firm. *"Son."*
No further words. The silence made Abbu ask, *"Are you okay?"*
Still no response. Ummi, standing beside him, added, *"Is everything okay?"*
Didi, an elderly woman clutching her walking stick, suddenly wailed. *"People of God, am I not speaking? Bukari, you gave birth to him, but not his manners! That boy has too much pride—the whole world has seen it! Yesterday, you saw his misbehavior, and tonight he disappears—is this theft? Or is it magic? His signature is now useless, but I swear, Bukari, find your son medicine! I don’t want to be disgraced in public! His body is possessed—what kind of demon eats flesh and sticks out its tongue...?"*
She fell silent when Akeem’s furious voice erupted through the phone. *"Keeee!"*
Didi’s eyes widened before she burst into louder cries, shaking her walking stick. *"So! In this world, if I don’t wear Audil’s blessings, what will I wear? Huh? She found parents who know nothing, while I’m here suffering! I’ve prayed eighty-six million times—Astaghfirullah! As if my words mean nothing!"*
Abbu shook his head before speaking.
*"Friend, what’s wrong?"*
Akeem exhaled heavily. *"Abbu, she killed my brother. She killed Adnan."*
Abbu’s grip on the phone tightened. *"Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un. Adnan is dead?"*
Didi let out a horrified scream before collapsing, unable to speak.
Ummi covered her mouth, rushing to her bedroom in shock. Mami’s eyes darted to Abbu—*"May God reduce our troubles."* The children were all in school, and Amani was asleep.
With forced calm, Abbu said, *"Stay there, Abdul-Hakeem. In sha Allah, I’m on my way. Let’s go to Baffa’s house now."*
As he hung up, Mami sighed deeply. Didi’s wails continued. *"Which tragedy is this, Adnan? Laa Muhammadur Rasulullah (S.A.W)! Don’t leave me behind—don’t let me fall!"
