torturedpoeeet
Hakeem is a Muslim boy from Northern Ghana who finds himself thrust into the vibrant but suffocating halls of a conservative boarding school in Kumasi. Struggling to reconcile his faith with his sexuality, he hopes to stay invisible and avoid trouble.
But trouble finds him in the form of Osman, a bold and flamboyant boy who introduces Hakeem to "the monarchy," a tight-knit group of queer students navigating life in secret. Things become even more complicated when Hakeem meets Francis, a charming and enigmatic boy who stirs feelings he can't ignore. As Hakeem grows closer to Francis, he discovers that Francis has his own secrets-and a trail of past relationships that keep haunting him.
In a world filled with unspoken rules, forbidden love, and mounting dangers, Hakeem must decide who he wants to be and who he's willing to fight for. Escapism Ultima is a heartfelt coming-of-age story about faith, identity, and finding love in the unlikeliest of places.