He was lying on his luxurious bed, very tall and fair-skinned, his feet still in shoes. The bed was a lavish one, the kind that only someone with a lot of money could afford. The room was grand and well-furnished with all the modern comforts one could desire.

His phone, which was on the nightstand, began to ring. He sat up, stretching, his eyes half-closed. He stood up to fetch the phone, walking unsteadily as if he wasn’t fully awake. By the time he reached the phone, the call had ended. Another call came in, and with trembling hands, he picked up the phone and saw the name "BESTY SAFNA" displayed on the screen. He answered the call and said, "Hello." In her sweet voice, she asked, "Safwan, why didn't you come to school? Class is about to start." Trying to change his tone so she wouldn't notice his state, he replied, "Saf...Nahh! I'm not feeling well." Anyone could tell from his voice that he was intoxicated. Safna responded, "Safwan, are you lying to me?" "No, I..." She hung up before he could finish his sentence. Safwan felt a wave of anxiety wash over him, and he lay down, quickly falling asleep.

AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA

Let’s take a look at what was happening there. Students were bustling around the vast campus, each attending to their own business. A young girl, who couldn’t be more than seventeen, sat alone on a bench, deep in thought. She was very fair-skinned and exceptionally beautiful, and with one look, you could tell she was Fulani. Another girl, likely around the same age, approached her and sat down, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Safnah, what are you doing here alone? Are you waiting for your man?" The girl addressed as Safnah looked up and said, "No, Maryam, I’m just resting before class. I called Safwan, and he said he wasn’t coming." "Then let’s go to class. Mr. Deniel is about to start." They quickly got up and headed to the classroom because if he started, latecomers would have to stay outside.

As usual, he began his lecture as soon as he entered. Those who came late had to remain outside. He taught for an hour and then gave them an assignment, reminding them that it would count as part of their continuous assessment (CA). After he left, everyone went back to their activities, some studying and others chatting. Kamal, Safwan’s friend, approached Safnah and asked, "Why didn’t Safwan come?" She replied, "Did you call him?" "No," he said. "Then call him and find out," she retorted. Kamal walked away to sit back down, while Safnah sighed in frustration. She never liked Kamal for reasons she couldn’t quite pinpoint; they simply didn’t get along.

At twelve o’clock, school was over for the day. Safnah and her friend Maryam walked together to the school gate, where they parted ways since Maryam’s brother, who worked for a local leader (Dan Magaji), had come to pick her up. Safnah, whose house was in Samaru and not far from the university, began looking for a keke napep (tricycle) to take her home. She waited for a long time in the hot sun before finally finding a ride home.