The Untainted
The Dinner Night
The house glowed with warm lights.
From the outside, Qazeem's family home looked like a place where nothing bad could ever happen. The garden lamps cast golden halos across the walkway, and soft laughter drifted from inside.
Cars arrived one after another.
Guests stepped out in elegant attire, greeting one another with smiles and respectful nods.
Inside, the living room had been carefully arranged. Polished furniture, delicate centerpieces, and the faint scent of oud filled the air.
It was a night meant for honor.
For welcoming a goddaughter.
For family.
For decisions.
But unseen intentions were already moving beneath the surface.
Rihannat's House
Her mother adjusted the final pin on her hijab.
"There," she said softly.
Rihannat looked at herself in the mirror. Her parents really tried for the dress.
The emerald gown fell gracefully to the floor. The embroidery shimmered subtly beneath the light.
She looked composed.
Serene.
Yet her heart was strangely restless.
"You look beautiful," her mother added gently.
Rihannat smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Mama."
Her father called from the sitting room.
"Are we ready?"
"Almost!" her mother replied.
As they stepped out of the house together, Rihannat felt something she couldn't explain.
As if tonight held something more than a simple dinner.
At Qazeem's Family Home
Guests had already begun to gather.
Qazeem stood near the entrance greeting relatives, his calm smile hiding the tension inside him.
His mother leaned closer.
"You're nervous."
"I'm not," he said quickly.
She raised an eyebrow.
"You've checked the gate six times."
He exhaled.
"This dinner is important."
She placed a hand on his arm.
"Then trust Allah with the outcome."
He nodded.
But anticipation still sat heavily in his chest.
Outside the House
A black car slowed near the corner of the street.
Inside, Segun watched the house from a distance.
Lights.
Cars.
Guests arriving.
He leaned back in his seat.
"So this is where the fairytale happens," he muttered.
Bayo sat beside him, chewing gum lazily.
"You're really not going inside?"
Segun smirked.
"No."
"Then what's the plan?"
Segun checked his phone.
Right on time.
"Like I told you before… we create a distraction."
Across the street, two motorcycles quietly pulled up.
Bayo straightened.
"Oh."
Segun's smile deepened.
"Let the night begin."
Inside the House
Balkis arrived with Rayyan and Rihannat.
The moment Balkis stepped out of the car, her stomach twisted violently.
Too many lights.
Too many people.
Too many chances for something to go wrong.
Rihannat looked peaceful beside her.
Unaware.
Trusting.
Balkis felt the weight of her guilt crush her chest.
Rayyan whispered excitedly, "This place is beautiful."
But Balkis could barely hear her.
Her eyes scanned the street nervously.
Please… let nothing happen.
Please.
Inside the Living Room
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming.
Qazeem and Farouq greeted Rihannat, her friends and family warmly and respectfully and formally.
"You look… elegant tonight." the two brothers told Rihannat
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"Thank you."
Their parents watched the interaction with quiet approval.
Guests chatted softly.
Tea was served.
Everything looked perfect.
Too perfect.
Outside
One of the motorcycles suddenly sped down the street.
Then another.
The loud engines shattered the calm night air.
Guests near the windows turned their heads.
"What was that?"
Moments later—
A car alarm began screaming somewhere down the road.
Then another.
Then another.
Confused murmurs spread among the guests.
"What's happening?"
"Is there a problem outside?"
Inside the house, tension slowly crept into the room.
Across the Street
Segun watched calmly.
Bayo chuckled.
"That's chaos already."
Segun tapped his fingers on the dashboard.
"Small disruptions create big opportunities."
Inside the House
Basit arrived.
He stepped through the gate quietly, unaware that half the guests were distracted by the commotion outside.
Ridwan followed behind him.
"You're really doing this," Ridwan muttered.
Basit's eyes searched the room.
Then he saw her.
Rihannat.
Standing beside Rayyan.
Looking calm.
Beautiful.
Unreachable.
His chest tightened painfully.
Across the room…
Rihannat suddenly felt it.
That strange pull again.
She turned
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the entire room faded.
The noise.
The conversations.
Everything.
Just silence between two hearts that never found the courage to speak.
Balkis saw it.
And panic exploded inside her.
No.
No no no.
This is going wrong.
Her phone vibrated violently in her purse.
She checked it.
A message from the unknown number.
Unknown:
The real distraction hasn't started yet.
Balkis felt her blood run cold.
What do you mean… real distraction?
Outside
A loud crash echoed from the end of the street.
People gasped.
Someone shouted.
Guests began moving toward the windows.
Confusion spread quickly.
Inside the house, the peaceful dinner had begun to unravel.
And no one yet realized…
The night was only getting started.
@OlukoyaZainab