ACT TWELVE
Sekinat: You need to rest. I'm sure you can't speak loudly in your current condition. You must be starving. Let me get you something light to eat. (As she tried to leave, he held her hand.) Oh, that reminds me. I can't leave the room because I'm not allowed to. Don't blame me if you're hungry. (She realizes he's holding her hand.) What are you doing?
Hat Man: (struggling to speak) I... I...
Sekinat: Don't force yourself. (She gently puts his hand down.) Sorry to say this, but let me warn you for the last time: don't ever touch me again. I can handle every problem here except for sexual harassment.
Hat Man: (shocked) What did you say?
Sekinat: Oh, now you can speak louder. Nice try.
Hat Man: (trying to calm down, his neck in pain) We're not finished with this conversation.
Sekinat: You started it. Besides, I begged you several times to set me free. I begged you to let me out of this mansion, even if it meant being by your side. But you refused to listen. Now you've been shot. I'm the first person that comes to your mind. Weren't you afraid I might kill you?
Hat Man: (smiles weakly) I don't have the strength to speak, but you keep forcing
words out of my mouth.
Sekinat: Then don't come to me when you're shot again. Besides, surviving another bullet is not even 10% guaranteed.
Hat Man: Really?
Sekinat: Yes! At least you'll be able to join those lives you've taken. You'll join them in the grave, that's if they even bury you.
Hat Man: (chuckles) You know, that's been my wish, to die, but death failed to come.
Sekinat: (chuckles) Really? You should have informed me earlier; I would have gladly granted your wish. Nice try, big man, but everyone is afraid of death.
Hat Man: Well, I'm not!
Sekinat: (rolls her eyes) Oh, please!
Hat Man: I've always wanted to die ever since I realized the kind of life I'd be living. But I need to stay alive for the empire's sake.
Sekinat: Want to hear a shocking truth? Your life sucks. If the police were to locate your hideout, I wish they could apprehend every one of you, bring you to justice, and dismantle the empire. You guys don't deserve to live.
Hat Man: You're right, but unfortunately, they can't. But you know what I love about the new you?
Sekinat: (looks away)
Hat Man: Fearless, strong, and confident. That's what I've always loved in a woman. You're bringing out your inner strength.
Sekinat: (weirdly glances at him) I reject it in the name of Allah. I believe this is a test from Allah, and I will be set free one day. All I need is patience—sabr.
Hat Man: And religious too! You've killed two men—strong men at that. What does Islam say about murderers?
Sekinat: (hands shaking) What I did was self-defense!
Hat Man: What about the one you killed last night?
Sekinat: (panting heavily, struggling to find the right words to defend herself)
Hat Man: (smiles) I wish I had the strength to talk more, but I'm going to say this: what you did last night was very daring. You saved my life for real this time and saved the empire. You have no idea of what you did, but you've earned yourself a special place right here (touches his chest) and in the heart of the empire. That was a brave and intelligent move. (groaning in pain)
Sekinat: (calm as she listens to his inspiration) Well, I never meant to kill him. I was targeting the hand he raised to harm you, but unfortunately, the bullet hit his brain. I could never forgive myself for this, and I hope Allah will forgive me.
Hat Man: (weak) You know, there's something I wish to tell you, but I can't.
Gradually, you will see it.
Sekinat: I've seen enough from you. Please, get some rest while we wait for food to arrive. Or wait! Why don't you press the button you usually use on your body? It's like a remote, right?
Hat Man: Very clever! But I'm not doing that.
Sekinat: (chuckles)
Suddenly, two of the old women barge into the room.
Sekinat: (sighs heavily) Here we go again.
Old Woman 2: My boy, how are you feeling? I thought I lost you.
Old Woman 1: My son! (They sit next to him) How are you feeling? We know you'll survive.
Sekinat: (she gets up and moves to the door, trying to avoid any exchange of words with them)
Hat Man: (smiles but chooses not to speak)
After a few minutes of checking on the Hat Man.
Sekinat: (folds her arms by the wall, staring at the ceiling, unaware that the Hat Man sees everything) Sometimes I just ask myself, how in the world did I end up here? Is this how I'm going to spend the rest of my life?
Old Woman 2: (taps her) Hey, you!
Sekinat: (startled) What?
Old Woman 1: (glance at each other) She still doesn't have a proper approach, and that won't make us pals.
Sekinat: (thinking) Who wants to be pals with you and your son, or whatever you call him? I just want to go back home.
Old Woman 2: We can hear your thoughts loud and clear!
Sekinat: (thinking) What are you, witches?
Old Woman 1: We can hear that too!
Sekinat: What do you want again? Aren't you here to see your almost dead son?
Old Woman 1: Yes, but we heard about what you did last night, and we're here to say thank you.
Sekinat: You don't need to thank me because I can't forgive myself for taking a life, and I hope Allah will forgive me for this.
Old Women: What you did last night was very brave by saving our son's life. We owe you our gratitude, so thank you.
Sekinat: (exhales softly)
Old Women: We shall leave him in your care once again. Now we trust you with him. We'll bring his food and your meal too. (They take their leave but choose not to lock the door this time.)
Hat Man: I wish I could set you free.
Sekinat: (moves towards him) Just because I killed someone last night, now I'm a hero? What is wrong with you people? Now you want to set me free because of killing?
Hat Man: (chuckles) Women and their misinterpretations.
********************
Summayah: (watching over her husband lying helplessly on the bed with his injured body)
Shuaib: (enters the room) Mum, I'm ready for school.
Summayah: Okay, my son. Let me call someone to take you. Your father isn't feeling too well, and I need to be by his side.
Shuaib: But Mum, what kind of wicked people would let go of a man who had an accident?
Summayah: I'm more confused than you are. Let me call the driver.
(15 minutes later)
Suraj: (groaning from sleep)
Summayah: Baby, you're awake. Alhamdulilah.
Suraj: (body aching) Uhhhhhh, my whole body hurts.
Summayah: I'm still wondering why you chose not to go to the hospital. Do you want to land me in trouble? What if something had happened last night?
Suraj: I'm fine now.
Summayah: Obviously you are. Anyway, how do you feel? The doctor said he would come this morning.
Suraj: I'm starving.
Summayah: Give me a few minutes while I microwave your food.
Suraj: (groaning)
*************************
2 days after
Sekinat was still never allowed to see the outside world. She had accepted her fate and chosen to enjoy her own company as an introvert. She never missed her solat, hoping for a miracle at any time, and promised never to touch the gun or kill anyone again, even if her life was in danger. She kept having nightmares, but no one cared to check on her since the Hat Man was taken away from her room.
Suddenly, the Hat Man barged into the room, armed with his guns. Sekinat hurriedly got up, wondering what was going on.
Hat Man: Come with me.
Sekinat: For what again?
Hat Man: I don't want to drag you out, so please cooperate.
Sekinat: Where are you taking me?
Hat Man: Do you want to get out of this mansion or not?
Sekinat: And go where?
Hat Man: To my place?
Sekinat: Oh! So that's the reward I get for killing. You guys are so full of surprises.
Why can't you just set me free? Can't you see? I don't belong here.
Hat Man: Well, do you know what I see in you all the time?
Sekinat: What?
Hat Man: That this is exactly where you belong.
Sekinat: (she hits him on the chest) Don't you ever tell me this is where I belong. You are not Allah! You should know your limits before you go astray. Since you feel like a god, now you feel better? Why won't you blab? Two days ago, you were helplessly lying on this bed.
Hat Man: (He furiously drags her with him out of the room, causing a commotion in the hallway as it catches the attention of the subordinates and guards. They
murmur as Sekinat struggles to free herself along the way, until they enter the
empire's throne room.) Here she is, my lord! (He finally lets go of her.)
Sekinat: (panting heavily) What is wrong with you? You think you can just hold me however you want? The next time you try this with me, I will not hesitate to slap you!
The Empress gasps in surprise, luckily, there are only four of them in the room.
Hat Man: (puts his hand in his pocket and brings out tape, ready to tape her mouth when the Empire signals to him not to do it) Okay, sir. (He bows his head.)
Empress: (ready to reprimand her but the Empire gives her a deadly look) Sorry, sir.
Empire: Young lady, you've grown too bold in my community, haven't you? No one dares to speak to him the way you just did. Their souls would have vanished long before arriving here. But you, you tolerate it, huh? You know, I've wanted to kill you a long time ago, but he kept saving you. I never knew he could be patient with his subordinates, but I see his patience through you. That doesn't mean you should be rude to him. This should be the last time I witness such behavior.
Sekinat: Listen, sir. I fear no one but Allah. If you want to kill me, then do it. Stop
saving my life. Just kill me already. (The Hat Man instantly covers her mouth.)
Hat Man: (whispers) Will you please just shut up?
Empire: (he chuckles)
Sekinat: (pushes his hand away) Let me speak! You've always locked me indoors; don't take away my freedom of speech. I will spea— (Before she can finish her statement, the Empire seizes a gun from his guards and fires it close to Sekinat's leg, leaving her in shock as she nearly collapses on her feet.)
Empire: You were saying? Go on! Speak! Where is your confidence?
Hat Man: I'm sorry on her behalf, my lord.
Empire: Will you just shut up? For how long are you going to continue defending this ungrateful woman? She was right; she should have been dead long ago, but you chose to save her. You know what? I've had enough of her drama. (He points the gun at her head.) Any last words?
Sekinat: (shivering)
The Empire was about to fire his gun when the Hat Man covers Sekinat, trying to take the bullet for her, leaving the Empire and the Empress in shock.
Empress: Hat Man, what are you doing?
Sekinat: (shocked to see what the Hat Man did as she still tries to catch her breath)
Hat Man: Please, my lord, for my sake, spare her. (He stands firmly, ready to take the bullet for her.) And if you really don't want to change your mind, then shoot me.
Empire: (yells at him) What the hell are you doing? Trying to defend her, a commoner? Why are you saving her?
Hat Man: Please, my lord, just please spare her life.
Sekinat: (feels his frailty as he stands in front of her, which makes her calm down) 20 minutes after!
Sekinat was returned to her locked room, where she stayed calm, still trying to understand the incident that took place earlier. She couldn't grasp the reason why the Hat Man had put his life on the line for her. This incident left her both anxious and grateful, ready to speak with the Hat Man at every opportunity she got and to thank him.
And speaking of the devil, he showed up in her room as she was lost in thought about him. Sekinat hurriedly got up, feeling nervous and unprepared to look him in the eyes for causing him so much trouble. But the Hat Man gradually stepped forward towards her as she braced herself, believing he was there to scold and yell at her for causing him trouble.
Hat man: have you had something?
Sekinat: uh?
Hat man: you heard me well…
Sekinat: (speechless)
Watch out for the next episode!!!