<p>The commotion attracted the attention of the staff nearby, who stood still, watching in astonishment. Their hearts were filled with curiosity about DG M. Malik. "Please help me! He's trying to kidnap me; don't let him take me, please!" Maryama cried out in panic. She tried to free her hand from his grip, but his hold was firm. The reason the onlookers did not intervene was that they had never seen DG M. Malik pay attention to any woman in the office, let alone hold one’s hand. This was a spectacle they found hard to believe and assumed there was a deeper reason for his actions.</p><p>Maryama's fear intensified, surpassing the reader's expectations. He led her directly to an office, pushed open the door, and entered with her. Only then did she let out a loud scream, still begging for help. Before she could scream again, she saw him open another door inside the office, leading into a room filled with her portraits. She froze in shock, her heart pounding wildly as her mind raced to process what her eyes were seeing.</p><p>The room was covered with drawings of her, all depicting her likeness with astonishing accuracy. The sight sent her mind spiraling. She continued scanning the room, her anxiety escalating. He looked at her intently, then at the drawings, as if confirming something to himself. His voice trembled as he spoke.<br>"Please save my life; come with me to meet my master."</p><p>Her eyes widened in fear, and she stepped back, trembling. She was now utterly terrified, not just by the drawings but by the entire situation.</p><p>"My master has been searching for you for years. He’s in love with you—true, genuine love. Please marry him. If you don't, he might lose his life because of you. He loves you so deeply that he could do anything for you," he pleaded while trying to grab her hand again.</p><p>Still trembling, Maryama shook her head vehemently, her heart racing with terror. "If that’s the case, he will die long before his time comes," she said with a shaky voice.</p><p>"You’ve truly lost your mind, or maybe you’ve been deceived into believing these delusions. Do you honestly think I’m the one in these drawings?" she asked, her voice filled with panic.</p><p>The drawings undeniably resembled her face and body structure, but she convinced herself it was someone else. In her mind, it was likely another person with similar features or perhaps even a jinn playing tricks on him in his dreams. There was no reason for her to accept that it was her. Her heart sank deeper into dread at the thought of it all.</p><p>"Are you mad?" she continued, her body trembling. "Get a grip on yourself! If you’re delusional because of your master’s dreams, wake up from them immediately. I am not the person in those drawings. You’re nothing but a fool! How dare you bring me here and humiliate me in front of people because of these meaningless sketches? I curse you for touching my hand and ruining my dignity!" she shouted, her voice filled with anger.</p><p>She turned to leave, but he followed her, determined not to let her escape. His only goal was to take her to his master. Frustrated, she turned back and slapped him hard—twice. Tass! Tass!</p><p>He froze, stunned by the sharp slaps. His vision blurred momentarily as his cheeks burned from the impact. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been hit like this.</p><p>Pointing her finger at him, her chest heaving with rage, she yelled, "Don’t you dare touch me again! My body is valuable, and you have no right to lay your filthy hands on me!"</p><p>Her words struck him like a dagger. He fell to his knees, defeated, and began pleading with her. Without giving him another chance, she stormed out of the office, locking him inside. Her heart pounded as she stepped out into the open, her eyes meeting the curious stares of the staff. Tears streamed down her face as she realized what they might think of her. Perhaps they assumed something improper had happened between them.</p><p>Overwhelmed by humiliation and despair, she hurried toward the gate. Anyone who saw her would instantly recognize her distress. She found a cab without much effort and got in, her thoughts racing. When the cab finally moved, she let out a shaky breath, trying to calm herself.</p><p>They had driven quite a distance before she realized she had left something important behind. It didn’t matter now—she would never return to that office. Never. No matter what, she resolved to find another job and replace this one.</p><p>After a while, the cab dropped her at Oshodi under the bridge. With tears still streaking down her face, she walked to another vehicle heading to Agege. She was fortunate to find the last spot and quickly boarded. She sighed in relief, finally feeling a semblance of peace.</p><p>When she arrived at Capitol Road and walked toward her neighborhood, her heart remained heavy with anxiety over the portraits. She entered her house and immediately saw her mother, who was chatting with a friend, Ladi.</p><p>"Maryama, is that you? You’re just getting back?" her mother asked with a smile.</p><p>Maryama exhaled. "Yes, Mama, I just got back."</p><p>"Welcome home. You took so long today," her mother said again.</p><p>"We were busy at work, Mama. They even sent us to Apapa today. It was hectic," she explained, forcing a smile.</p><p>"Welcome home, my dear. How was work?"</p><p>"Alhamdulillah, it went well. We’re almost done."</p><p>"Done with what? There’s more work ahead, my child. May Allah make it easy for you to finish and find a good job afterward."</p><p>"Ameen, Mama. Thank you."</p><p>Ladi, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "Is that Maryama?"</p><p>"Yes, it’s her," her mother replied.</p><p>"My goodness! She’s grown so much! It feels like just yesterday that she was born," Ladi said in amazement.</p><p>"Indeed, she has grown. Masha Allah. She’s even serving the nation now," her mother added proudly.</p><p>"Have you found a suitor for her?" Ladi asked.</p><p>"People have come asking, but once the conversation gets serious, they back out. However, there’s one who seems serious now. He’s the son of her father’s friend, and he’s very interested in marrying her."</p><p>"What a pity," Ladi muttered with a frown.</p><p>"Why do you seem upset? Is there someone else you have in mind for her?" Maryama’s mother asked curiously.</p><p>"No, not at all. I was just thinking that if my children had turned out well, without falling into bad habits, I would have loved for one of them to marry her. She’s such a respectable and well-mannered girl."</p><p>"Indeed, she is. May Allah guide your children as well," Maryama’s mother said kindly.</p><p>"Ameen," Ladi responded with a sigh.</p><p>The two women continued their conversation as they walked slowly, each immersed in her thoughts.</p>
