LEFT TO ALLAH

Chapter 2: The City

Nairobi was a beast- Loud, fast and hungry. Said arrived with a suitcase full of ambitions and a heart still echoing her mother's words: Never let someone complain to Allah about you." But the city had it own rhythm, and soon that echo faded between the roar of matatus and the hum of neon-lit night.

His job at a rising tech firm came with perks: a sleek desk, a company's telephone and rooftops parties where deals were sealed over whiskeys and promises. Said adapted quickly. Too quickly.

Then came Amina.

She wasn't like the women at those parties. She was sharp, principled and beautiful in a way that made silence feel sacred. They met at the youth conference on justice reform. Said cracked a joke about corrupt Mps. Amina didn't laugh- she corrected him. He was hooked.

Their love bloomed fast. Long walks through Uhuru Park. Debates that ended in laughter. Nights where they share dreams and fear. Said told her about her mom. Then she said," she was not giving

an advice, she giving a warning."

But Said was flying high. Promotions came. His name started appearing in tech blogs. He began skipping calls from Mama Rehema. When he is asked if he is still praying, he says," I am busy building."

Amina noticed the shift. "You're changing," she said one night.

"I am evolving," he replied, kissing her forehead.

She smiled but her eyes lingered on his- searching for the man she first met.

Later that night, Said scrolled through his phone, ignoring messages from his mother. He didn't realize it then, but forgetting had begun.

And the city was watching.