Little Rot

Content Warning: The novel and this section of the guide contain references to violence, murder, drug use, rape, human trafficking, child abuse, and child sexual abuse.

After her failed lunch date with Ahmed, Souraya returned to her hotel and ordered room service. She spent the afternoon nibbling on food while in bed watching reality TV. Ahmed calls at 6:13, and Souraya answers reluctantly. He tells her he is outside, and she agrees to let him in.

Souraya notices something different about Ahmed and asks what happened after he left. He tells her that New Lagos makes him think of their relationship; it is a place she “hates,” but it is Ahmed’s home and the place that molded him. He says that he knows he will “corrupt” Souraya, but he came to see her anyway. He kisses her, and she asks again what happened. As he presses her against the wall and begins to touch her, he tells her he “did something terrible” and confesses to murdering Seun (242). Souraya doesn’t turn away; on the contrary, she unzips Ahmed’s pants and continues, telling him that “it wasn’t the first time” he killed someone (243). Ahmed argues that it was different because he’d never “done it with [his] bare hands” (243).