ACT SIX
Sekinat jolted awake, her body drenched in sweat, heart pounding like a drum.
Gasping for breath, she struggled to make sense of her vivid nightmare.
Sekinat: "What kind of a nightmare was that?" She muttered, her voice trembling. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and cautiously peered through the
window, only to be met by the harsh sunlight. "During the day?"
She clutched her chest, attempting to steady her racing heart. Doubts about her escape plan clouded her mind.
Sekinat: "Perhaps Allah is sending me a warning, telling me I need more time to familiarize myself with this place." She sighed with relief. "What a stroke of luck... I woke up in a cocaine storeroom?"
She collapsed back onto the bed, bewildered by her surroundings.
Sekinat: "How can a place like this exist, hidden from the eyes of both the government and the police? I thought such things only happened in action movies. Despite my low opinion of my country, I never imagined they could operate on this scale."
Suddenly, the door burst open, and a shadowy figure stepped into her room.
Hat Man: "Stay in here and don't even think about leaving this room unless I explicitly instruct you to do so. Is that perfectly clear?"
Sekinat stared at the mysterious intruder, her eyes wide with apprehension, her heart still racing from her nightmare.
Sekinat: "Clear! Very clear, sir!" she replied with a trembling voice.
The Hat Man: "Good!" he barked before slamming the door shut and locking it.
Sekinat's heart raced as she listened to the chaos erupting outside. Gunshots echoed in the distance, and the revving of powerful engines filled the air.
Sekinat: "Subhanallah! What's happening out there again?" She clasped her hands, her fingers quivering. "Ya Allah, please protect me until I'm out of here..."
Amid the chaos, she could hear the voices of men engaged in a violent confrontation.
Random Men: "He's down! Hold your ground and fire!"
Sekinat: "This is getting even scarier! Ya Allah, save me from these people." She huddled into a tight ball, her eyes filled with fear. "Only Allah knows how many lives are lost here every single day. People are being killed like animals, with no conscience, no remorse... nothing."
The ground trembled beneath her, and a deafening explosion rocked the room.
Sekinat: "La ilaha illallah! Was that a bomb?!"
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Later in the night, Suraj returned home, his wearied footsteps echoing through the quiet house.
Suraj: "As-salamu alaykum, everyone?" he called out, a weary smile on his face. However, the emptiness that greeted him in the living room gave him pause. "Anyone home?"
The maid, who was busy with her chores, turned to greet him.
Maid: "Wa alaykum as-salam, Abu Shuaib. Welcome back. How was work today?"
Suraj sighed, a hint of weariness in his voice.
Suraj: "Alhamdulillah. Where is everyone? Alhaji and Alhaja?"
Maid: "They're at the police station."
Suraj's expression darkened as he heard the familiar news.
Suraj: "Still searching for their missing daughter?"
Maid: "Yes, she's been missing for six days now. Isn't that enough to frighten everyone? I thought you and your wife were there with them."
Suraj rolled his eyes in frustration, struggling to keep his composure. Suraj: "Anyway, when they get back, tell them I came to pack our things."
The maid looked puzzled and concerned. Maid: "Your things? What happened, sir?"
Suraj's temper flared as he replied curtly.
Suraj: "I don't owe you any explanation. Just make sure to forward my message to them."
The maid hesitated for a moment, her concern evident.
Maid: "But, sir, the house will be empty without you all. This is the moment you and your wife should be there for them..."
Suraj abruptly turned away and headed towards the master bedroom, leaving the maid with her unanswered questions.
Fifteen minutes later, Suraj was outside the house, struggling with the bulky suitcases he was dragging.
Suraj: "I don't know why women's things are always extra large. Just for her alone,
ten boxes..."
Alhaji Sulaiman returned to the house, his face lighting up when he saw Suraj.
Alhaji Sulaiman: "As-salamu alaykum! Suraj, I'm so glad you guys are back home." His eyes fell on the numerous suitcases. "Are you guys leaving?"
Suraj sighed, the weight of his decision heavy on his shoulders.
Suraj: "Yes, sir. I'm sorry, but my wife instructed me to bring all our things."
Alhaji Sulaiman was taken aback, disbelief etched on his face.
Alhaji Sulaiman: "Your wife instructed you, and you obeyed? Your wife? Who's the husband between the two of you?"
Suraj hung his head, unable to meet Alhaji's gaze.
Suraj: "I'm sorry, sir, but I'm leaving. My family needs me."
Just then, Alhaja Selimat entered the room.
Alhaja Selimat: "Dear, I just received a call from the D.P.O." She spotted Suraj with the luggage.
Suraj: "Welcome, Alhaja." He picked up the suitcases and made his way out.
Alhaja Selimat couldn't find the words to express her emotions, and she simply exhaled softly, her eyes downcast.
Alhaji Sulaiman, meanwhile, was left seething with anger.
Alhaji Sulaiman: "Are you happy now? Now we are left all alone... Sekinat is missing... Summayah has disowned us... and finally, we are childless."
Alhaja Selimat, unable to bear the accusations, walked out of the room.
Alhaji Sulaiman: "I'm talking to you! How dare you walk out on me! Get back here!"
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9:23pm
Sekinat paced restlessly around the room, her anxious movements matching the chaos outside, where thick smoke hung in the air.
Sekinat: "I just hope this building won't collapse on my head tonight. Only Allah knows how many lives have been lost today."
Suddenly, the door swung open, and the Hat Man stumbled into the room, falling to the ground. He clutched his side, blood staining his clothes.
Sekinat rushed to his side in alarm.
Sekinat: "What happened?" She knelt beside him, her hands trembling. "Are you okay? You're bleeding." She noticed the gunshot wound on his back. "Ya Salam! You've been shot. Let me help you onto the bed."
The Hat Man struggled to speak through his pain.
Hat Man: "Don't go out there! It's dangerous."
Sekinat's voice quivered as she insisted, determined to save his life.
Sekinat: "But I need to remove the bullet as soon as possible. You're bleeding too much. I can't just watch you die. Just hang in there. I think I hear people's voices."
Hat Man pleaded with her to stay.
Hat Man: "Don't go!"
Sekinat: "You risked your life to save mine, so why wouldn't I risk mine to save yours too? I don't understand why you guys keep hurting yourselves." She peeped cautiously through the door and saw lifeless bodies strewn on the ground. Shocked, she quickly covered her mouth.
Sekinat: "Subhanallah."
She descended the stairs, where she found more lifeless bodies scattered about. Fortunately, she noticed an open room, which turned out to be a first-aid room. A sense of relief washed over her, and she quickly gathered the necessary equipment.
Sekinat returned upstairs, her heart pounding with worry.
Sekinat: "Are you still breathing? Please hang in there. I'm here now."
The Hat Man remained weak, unable to speak, and his breathing was labored. Sekinat continued with the improvised surgery, tearing his shirt and gently tending to his gunshot wound.
Sekinat: "Just hang in there. You'll be fine, but you've lost a lot of blood."
The Hat Man cried out in pain and panted heavily.
Hat Man: "Uhhhhahhhh!"
Sekinat: "I'm sorry about that; it will hurt a little."
The Hat Man couldn't help but watch Sekinat as she worked on his wound, murmuring a compliment despite the pain.
Hat Man: "Beautiful..."
Sekinat was surprised by his comment.
Sekinat: "What did you say? I thought you couldn't speak."
The Hat Man turned his gaze away, groaning in pain once more.
Sekinat: "I'm sorry! Just a few minutes left. Hang in there. You'll be fine. I can't believe I managed to find all the necessary equipment and drugs I needed to treat you. It seems like you were prepared for this moment."
Sekinat noticed the scars on his body.
Sekinat: "I guess this isn't your first gunshot. You're very strong."
The Hat Man's pain became unbearable, and he let out another cry.
Hat Man: "Ahhhhhhhhhuh!"
Sekinat pressed on, determined to complete the treatment.
Sekinat: "Almost done! There you go. See, you'll be fine now. Let me insert the IV drip into your vein. I know you're weak already."
Hat Man desperately pleaded for water.
Hat Man: "I need water... water."
Sekinat: "I'm sorry, but I can't give you water. Just the IV drip for now."
An hour later, Sekinat had patiently cleaned the room and covered the Hat Man with the little blanket she had. She sat by his side, hoping he would recover soon. She couldn't bring herself to leave the room, surrounded by lifeless bodies that bore silent witness to the recent violence. She wondered what had transpired between their group and the assailants, but all her questions remained unanswered.
Sekinat, tormented by her predicament, spent a sleepless night pondering her chances of survival. She couldn't help but feel abandoned, even by her parents, who hadn't made any efforts to find her. Her thoughts raced, filled with frustration about the lack of security in her country.
Sekinat: "How am I going to get out of here alive? And my parents aren't doing anything about my whereabouts? Why am I even blaming them when the government can't provide enough security in this country? My parents must have accepted that I'm dead. I've gone from a lovely, dream-come-true life into the darkest tunnel of my existence, stuck here with this man who shows no intention of setting me free or helping me escape."
Throughout the night, Sekinat watched over the Hat Man, performing regular check-ups. To her relief, the Hat Man's health began to improve, and she monitored him through the night. She prayed Fajr, her tears mingling with her prayers as she begged for her freedom, unknowingly touching the Hat Man's heart.
As Sekinat finished her prayers and raised her head, she noticed that the Hat Man had opened his eyes. She rushed to his side, her concern evident.
Sekinat: "Alhamdulillah! You're getting better. How do you feel? I know you must be in a lot of pain, but it won't last long."
The Hat Man nodded in response.
Sekinat: "I guess you're too weak to talk, and I understand. You just need plenty of rest, some healthy food, and you'll be back on your feet in no time."
The Hat Man attempted to sit up, despite the pain, surprising Sekinat.
Sekinat: "What are you doing? You'll hurt yourself." She tried to stop him, but he managed to sit up despite the discomfort. "Why do you have to hurt yourself?"
The Hat Man was finally able to speak, though only a few words.
Hat Man: "I'm fine...thank you." He forced a smile, his lips dry.
Sekinat was skeptical of his claim.
Sekinat: "Obviously, you're not."
The Hat Man discreetly pressed a button on a device in his palm and spoke into it.
Hat Man: "Clear out the corpses and clean my apartment. Make sure to bring the chef with you."
Sekinat was confused.
Sekinat: "Who are you talking to?"
The Hat Man put down his hand, avoiding her question.
Hat Man: "Can I leave now?"
Sekinat was adamant, refusing to let the Hat Man leave in his weakened state.
Sekinat: "No, you can't leave! You're too weak to walk. You'll only worsen your condition. Please, you need to rest."
The Hat Man questioned her concern, considering he hadn't granted her freedom.
Hat Man: "Why do you care, despite me not granting you your freedom?"
Sekinat sighed softly.
Sekinat: "You saved my life twice, and this is the least I can do to thank you. I believe you'll help me get out of here too."
Hat Man wasn't so optimistic.
Hat Man: "Don't get your hopes too high. I might break your heart. There's no home for you."
Sekinat looked down, a sense of sadness washing over her.
The Hat Man, now aware of their inappropriate situation, put on a shirt. Hat Man: "As a Muslim, you aren't supposed to be in a room with a man, right?"
Sekinat defended herself.
Sekinat: "You're not just a man; you're my patient."
The Hat Man teased her about the torn shirt and his physique.
Hat Man: "Oh really? And you tore my shirt, huh? Seeing my six-pack?"
Sekinat chuckled.
Sekinat: "I'm a surgeon. You should imagine the different parts of the human body
I've seen, not just on the outside but on the inside."
The Hat Man pushed her further.
Hat Man: "I guess you can't be afraid to see a butcher cutting human flesh into pieces, huh?"
Sekinat was taken aback.
Sekinat: "Excuse me?"
The Hat Man explained himself and put on a shirt.
Hat Man: "Yeah."
Sekinat clarified her profession.
Sekinat: "No, I'm not referring to mine. I heal and cure; I cut into their bodies to heal and cure them, not to kill them, just like I did to you. I save lives; they waste lives."
Hat Man decided to take her along.
Hat Man: "Well, in that case, come with me."
Sekinat inquired about their destination.
Sekinat: "To where?"
Hat Man: "To the Empire's mansion."
Sekinat: "Who is that?"
Hat Man: "You'll know when we get there. Come with me, and don't worry. Once you're with me, you'll be safe."
Sekinat still had concerns about the dead bodies in the building.
Sekinat: "What about the dead bodies?"
Hat Man reassured her.
Hat Man: "It's been taken care of. Come on, come with me."
Sekinat hesitated, fearful of the outside world.
Sekinat: "I'm scared to go out there."
Hat Man provided her with a sense of security.
Hat Man: "Fear not when you're with me."
Sekinat contemplated his role.
Sekinat: "Then what are you? Some sort of savior?"
Hat Man: "Just come with me."
They ventured out, and to Sekinat's astonishment, the building appeared pristine and devoid of any signs of the earlier chaos, leaving her to wonder if she had experienced another nightmare of corpses on the floor. She followed the Hat Man, unsure of their destination and the people they would meet, but she took comfort in the belief that nothing bad could happen to her as long as he was by her side.
As Sekinat settled into the car beside the Hat Man, her mind was flooded with questions. She couldn't contain her curiosity.
Sekinat: "I have lots of questions to ask you."
The Hat Man remained silent, his focus entirely on their journey.
Sekinat: "Can I ask?"
Just then, a car blocked their path, and several armed men quickly emerged, opening the car doors for them to enter.
Sekinat was startled by their sudden appearance.
Sekinat: "Are they another group of attackers?"
The Hat Man, his face serious, urged her to act quickly.
Hat Man: "Just get in!" He entered the car first. "Get in, or someone might shoot you from nowhere."
Sekinat, recognizing the urgency of the situation, complied.
Sekinat: "Okay, fine!" She got into the car beside the Hat Man, and as the door closed, they sped away, leaving behind the uncertainty and danger they had faced.
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