ACT TEN
30 minutes earlier
A man in a hat stood by a large window, listening to the roaring crowd as they watched Sekinat, who remained unconscious. He took a deep breath.
Hat Man: I can't believe I'm about to lose you to the empire itself. If only you had listened to me, you wouldn't be so far from safety. I would've done everything to protect and keep you alive. But now, you've landed yourself in this predicament. This wasn't part of my plan, but you've ruined everything, Sekinat. You've put yourself in a position where I can't reach out or help you. You've handed yourself over to the empire, and there's no turning back. You won't realize what's hit you until you open your eyes and see the crowd. Hey you!
Subordinate: Yes, sir!
Hat Man: When they pull her out of the hall, make sure you have her new long dresses with a hijab ready. I mustn't see her like this the next time I see her, or you'll face the consequences.
Subordinate: Yes, sir! But I'm not in charge of clothing.
Hat Man: And I'm not in charge of keeping you alive, but I am in charge of ending lives.
Subordinate: (nervous) Absolutely, sir. I'll get everything ready. (He takes his leave.)
Hat Man: (turns to the window, unable to tear his gaze away from Sekinat despite the distance) Girl, you've messed up so badly.
****************
Sekinat: Where are you taking me, please? I don't want to be locked up again.
Please, just take me to the Hat Man.
Guard 1: Stay quiet! I won't say more than that.
Sekinat: (hurriedly pressing her lips) Okay, sir! I will keep quiet.
The guards open a room and push her in, locking the door.
Sekinat: (running to the door) Please don't lock me in here again! Please! Take me to the Hat Man! (continues banging the door) Please! (uncontrollably shedding tears) Ya Allah, please help me! Please forgive me if this is a punishment. I can't take this test anymore, please. (After crying for about five minutes, she turns to the room and gasps.) This room is so large. I thought it's... I'm short of words. Why would they lock me in here? (She runs back to the door, banging it.) Please open the door, please!
Sekinat: (suddenly, the door opens by itself, and she bumps into the Hat Man, who confidently stands by the door) Hat Man! Is that you? Please help me get out of
here, please. I don't want to be here. I prefer your apartment to this. Please, if this
is a punishment for not listening to you, I'm deeply sorry.
Hat Man: (he drags her into the room and shuts the door behind him) Listen to me very carefully. You don't know me, and I don't know you. From now on, act like we are strangers because you now belong to the Empire. You are officially his personal health personnel, and you must take care of him. Trust me; you wouldn't dare try to kill him with your skills.
Sekinat: But why? I don't want to work for him. I want to work for you.
Hat Man: That's not your choice to make anymore because if you had listened to me, you wouldn't have dragged yourself into this mess in the first place. If you fail to comply with this new side of your life again, whatever trouble you land yourself in, have it at the back of your skull that I won't be there to save you again. The only choice I had to save you one more time was to surrender you to the Empire. So don't mess this up for yourself again. That's all I have to say.
Hat Man: (he tries to walk out, but she blocks his way) Get out of my way.
Sekinat: Please, for Allah's sake, don't throw me away like this. Please, I know I've caused you so much trouble, but please give me one last chance. I prefer to take care of you than him. Please.
Hat Man: (He pushes her out of his way and slams the door.)
Sekinat: Please... wait! Don't leave me, please. (She falls to her knees and weeps bitterly. Suddenly, the door is opened again. As she raises her gaze, she sees a lady majestically walk in, and her subjects bow.)
Empress: (She squats next to Sekinat and helps her up.) You're the lucky lunatic, huh?
Sekinat: (confused) Excuse me? And who are you?
Her statement shocked her subjects standing outside the door.
Empress: (furious) Shut the door! I'd like some time with her alone.
Her subjects: (nods) Okay, Your Highness. (They close the door.)
Empress: (changing her tone) Let's get this straight, you. Don't you dare try your antics towards my family and my one and only man, my empire. You got that?
Sekinat: Excuse me, ma! I'm confused! Me? A slut?
Empress: Are you trying to defy me for stating the truth? (She strolls around the room.) You know, I keep wondering why my empire chose not to kill you all these days, even though you've broken the laws of his empire. You should have been dead a long time ago, but you seem to be preventing that, wanting to take my place in his life. But guess what? I'm fully prepared for your end because your life is in my hands.
Sekinat: (still confused) Once again, excuse me?
Empress: Don't you dare act smart with me because I'm going to watch every step you take in this mansion. If you dare cross your boundaries, you'll receive a straight bullet. You got that? Just heed my warning, and you'll live a long life here and stay away from my son and daughter. (She roars at her.)
Sekinat: You think I wanted to be here? The last place I want to be right now is in this empire, or whatever you call it. I was kidnapped. I come from a very respected family, and now I'm stuck here with you and the empire itself. If you can truly grant my wish, and your wish will be fulfilled too, tell your so-called empire to let me out of his empire, and your heart will be at ease. But if you don't have the power to convince your husband, then why are you the Queen or Empress?
Empress: (furiously presses Sekinat's neck against the wall) Don't play with fire, young lady! You don't know who you're messing with.
Sekinat: (steadfastly) And I don't want to know. I'm not here to fight or be your rival. I just want to be free from all of you. This isn't the life I wanted, okay? Just tell your husband to set me free, and you'll have peace of mind as well. Instead of pressing my neck against the wall, just do your role as his wife, and things will be solved. (Suddenly, the Hat Man barges into the room and finds them in the act. He furiously walks up to them and pushes the Empress's hand away.)
Hat Man: You don't need to face her! Face me! This is a war between you and me, not her!
Sekinat: (struggling to breathe and coughing as she gasps for air)
Empress: Oh! So this is how we're doing it this time around, huh? Well, this is just the beginning. (She majestically walks away and slams the door.)
Hat Man: Are you okay?
Sekinat: (still trying to catch her breath) I'm fine!
Hat Man: Stay away from her as much as you can, if you want to live.
Sekinat: And did I ask to be saved? You always show up when I'm in danger, but you can't still free me. What exactly do you want from me?
Hat Man: (He walks out of the room and shuts the door.)
Sekinat: Wait! Please! Don't go!
************************
Few days later
Suraj barges into Alhaji's office.
Suraj: I never knew you are a wicked father until today.
Alhaji Sulaiman: (shocked) Excuse me? (He gets on his feet.) What did you say to me?
Suraj: Yes, sir! You heard me well. How could you be so mean to your own child? You sent for my wife, and she was arrested by the police. I got back from work last night and found my son all alone, crying. At least, if she isn't your biological daughter, have pity on her son. We have told you several times we know nothing about your precious daughter's disappearance. You better release my wife, or you are raising a war. (He angrily walks out and slams the door.)
Alhaji Sulaiman: (jaw dropped) What just happened? Am I dreaming, or is this real? Did Suraj just talk to me like that? I can't believe this. And what was he saying about Summayah's arrest? I never sent anyone to arrest her. Or wait...
Selimah!
Later in the evening
Alhaji Sulaiman: (barges into the house and finds his wife sobbing) Selimah! Don't wake the demon in me! How could you send for your daughter's arrest? What kind of a mother are you?
Alhaja Selimat: And what kind of a father are you? Yes! Tell me, do you want me to accept Sekinat is dead, huh?
Alhaji Sulaiman: That's why you sent for Summayah, right?
Alhaja Selimat: What are you talking about?
Alhaji Sulaiman: Oh, now you want to act innocent, right? You better find a way to release her from police custody, or else... Ahh, Selimat! You will enjoy me, since you want to prove to society you're a bad mother. I am not like you.
Alhaja Selimat: Are you saying I arrested my daughter? Over what? Why would I do such a thing? She is my child too.
Alhaji Sulaiman: Don't act smart with me, woman! If you don't want to see my wrath, Suraj came to my office shouting at me, and you let him talk to me anyhow by arresting his wife? Wo! If you don't do as I say right now, wallahi, our marriage will be at stake.
Alhaja Selimat: I swear by the name of Allah, I have no idea what you're talking about. I didn't send for her arrest. Do you see how miserable I look? I don't even know where my phone is for the past few days now. I'm just here mourning my daughter. I have no hand in her arrest. Maybe next time, when something like this happens, you should learn to ask for clues before making up your mind that I was the one. Whoever she offended is where her husband should go, not you coming here to add to my pain. (She breaks down in tears.)
Alhaji Sulaiman: (finally back to his normal self) So you're saying you didn't send
for her arrest?
Alhaja Selimat: (she gets up and walks out on him) I won't sit here and watch you add to my pain because I don't have the strength for this.
Alhaji Sulaiman: Then who sent for her arrest? I thought it was her mother. My dear, wait, let me tell you something!
*******************
Middle of the night
The Empress opens her eyes, finding it hard to fall asleep, bothered by her husband's recent decision concerning Sekinat. She decides to sit up.
Empress: (in her mind) Why does my husband keep insisting she becomes his health personnel, despite having multiple of them under us? What exactly does he have in mind? Maybe I should wake and ask him. Honey... (Her first tap makes him put a gun to her forehead instantly, despite being in deep sleep.) It's me! Wake up.
Empire: (about to pull the trigger) Speak, or you die!
Empress: I'm your wife, now!
Empire: (finally putting down the gun) What is it? And why are you awake at this time of the night? Have you been awake long?
Empress: Well, I'm bothered about something, and I want you to clear my mind.
Empire: What is it about? Speak up.
Empress: At least sit up with me now. Let's discuss it properly.
Empire: I can see you have nothing to say. (He adjusts his position.) Goodnight.
Empress: Please, honey, it's about that girl you failed to kill...
Empire: (he understands where she's going) Goodnight.
Empress: Please, now! Do you like the girl? Because you failed to kill her despite her offense, and lots of women who haven't been in her shoes have died a long time ago. Why do you keep saving her?
Empire: I don't want to have this conversation, so please... sleep!
Empress: So it's true that you like her, right? Well, guess what? Not on my watch! I'm not going to sit here and watch you downgrade yourself when you have me. Am I not beautiful and attractive to you anymore?
Empire: Can you just shut up and sleep, woman?
Empress: You know I can't just watch you do this to me. Not on my watch!
Empire: (he gets up and puts on his jacket) Don't you dare follow me!
Empress: Baby, I still love you... Please, don't do this to me.
Suddenly they began to hear gun short and heavy noise from outside.
Empress: honey what's going on? Are we under attack again?