The next day
Abdulhakeem: (sits in his car waiting for Lukman) What’s taking him so long? (checks his wristwatch)
Lukman: (gets down from his car and walks to Abdulhakeem’s) You want to see me?
Abdulhakeem: (opens the car door) Please, come in.
Lukman: I’m fine like this.
Abdulhakeem: Oh come on! Please get in…
Lukman: (rolls his eyes and gets in) What is it this time?
Abdulhakeem: I know you and I haven’t been on good terms, but please — I’m begging you in the name of Allah — let me take over this case. If you truly care about her you wouldn’t mind. We just need to work together to gather evidence: access the CCTV, contact witnesses. We need to work together if we want this girl to survive. Please let me take over.
Lukman: (clears his throat) So you’re saying I’m not good at my job — is that what you’re insinuating?
Abdulhakeem: No, please don’t get me wrong. You’re great at your work, but this is a critical case. That monster isn’t ordinary; he’s someone who’s won many hearts and has power to sway things. They could turn the table in a blink. Please — let’s help her, together. As one.
Lukman: (takes a deep breath) I guess you’re right. We need to work together. So what’s your plan? What do you have in mind?
Abdulhakeem: (adjusts his position) Mustakeemah told you everything about what happened, right? Because she didn’t open up to me. I need every single detail of what took place between her and that man.
Lukman: Well, uhm… (begins to narrate the whole story to him.)
Abdulhakeem: (gasps as he listens) He did that to her? Oh my God! We need to find that doctor and search his house.
Lukman: I went there but his family wouldn’t let me in… (continues the narration.)
Abdulhakeem: (shocked) Oh my goodness. So her aunt is dead? Gosh — she shouldn’t have died so easily; she should have suffered for her sins first. I pray Suraj’s legs rot in hell.
Lukman: That’s her life story.
Abdulhakeem: I never knew she was once raped by her uncle. We need to find that man. I once went to his house when I got back from abroad; I was told he no longer owns the house, but they gave me his new address. We should look for him first. As for that family preventing us from entering Mubarak’s house, that shouldn’t stop us. We don’t have to enter yet — we get enough evidence first. One of his family members will help us.
Lukman: But how? (curious)
Abdulhakeem: (smiles) This is why I said you should leave the case to me. (he closes the car door) We need to find Suraj now!
Lukman: Not in your car — I have mine. (opens his door and heads back to his car) Let’s go.
---
(They ask for directions from strangers before finally reaching the destination.)
Lukman: (wondering) Are you sure we’re at the right place? ’Cause this place is nasty… the way you described his house is totally opposite to this.
Abdulhakeem: I’m as surprised as you are. (they get down from the car) Let’s go inside.
Lukman: Alright.
Abdulhakeem: (they enter the compound and ask neighbours for his room) Let’s go, Lukman. (he bumps into Bolanle) Excuse me, young lady — we’re looking for Mr. Suraj.
Bolanle: (scans them head to toe) I hope there’s no problem, o…
Abdulhakeem: Not really — we just want to see him and discuss something important.
Lukman: Yes, are you his relative? (he scans her and notices how miserable she looks)
Bolanle: He never said he was expecting anyone.
Abdulhakeem: I guess you’re his daughter, right? Please, let us in. We’re not here to harm anyone.
Bolanle: Ok then, come in. (she leads them into the apartment) Daddy! You have guests! Daddy! Ayomide, where is Daddy?
Ayomide: (hisses) As if I give a shit about him… see, don’t bother my life.
Bolanle: Please come in.
Ayomide: (immediately, seeing the two young men, quickly composes herself) Welcome, handsome men… who are you here for? I hope it’s not this thing over here.
Bolanle: Ayomide, watch your mouth! Please have a seat.
Lukman and Abdulhakeem: No thank you, we’re okay standing.
Ayomide: Why would they want to sit on this dirty chair? Don’t you see how good-looking they are?
Mr. Suraj: (shouts from his room) You girls have started again — mind yourselves before I come down.
Bolanle: (hisses) Dad, you have guests.
Mr. Suraj: Who are they? Come, get me so I can see them. I don’t have the strength to push this wheelchair today.
Bolanle: Ok, sir. (she moves to the room to help him)
Abdulhakeem: (jaw drops the moment he sees him come out in a wheelchair — he looks at the legs but sees nothing there).
Lukman: (taps him and whispers) Is that Suraj?
Abdulhakeem: (he nods) Good afternoon, Mr. Suraj.
Mr. Suraj: Good afternoon, gentlemen… but I don’t know these faces.
Abdulhakeem: Well, if you don’t know, we know you… so you don’t remember this face of mine?
Mr. Suraj: I don’t think I’ve seen this face before… please have a seat. Uhmm, Ayomide, find our guests something to eat.
Lukman and Abdulhakeem: No, we’re fine like this.
Mr. Suraj: Then please have a seat now.
(They uncomfortably sit down.)
Mr. Suraj: So, I hope there is no problem to see you…
Abdulhakeem: So you’re saying you don’t know me up till now?
Mr. Suraj: I said no, young man.
Abdulhakeem: Well, my name is Abdulhakeem and this is my friend Lukman. We are both lawyers and we’re here for the sake of your wife's Sister, Mustakeemah.
(Bolanle and Ayomide run out of the room.)
Mr. Suraj: (his body begins to shake) What did you say?
Abdulhakeem: As I was saying, we’re here to carry out an investigation.
Mr. Suraj: Please, where is Mustakeemah now? I have offended her and all I need is her forgiveness. I’m in this situation because of her; everywhere I go they tell me to find her and ask for forgiveness so my life can go back to normal. Please, help me beg her to forgive me for all I have done. (breaks down in tears)
Lukman: For your information, she is alive and breathing. Speaking of your evil friend called Mubarak — he passed away last week; he was killed by Mustakeemah in an act of self-defence. Mustakeemah is in prison, and that’s why we’re here. So, Mr. man, you don’t need to hide anything from us — I don’t have time to waste. I’m going straight to the point: we need you to testify in court that you sold Mustakeemah to Mubarak if you truly want her to forgive you.
Abdulhakeem: Yoh! Relax, man — you’re rushing! We don’t talk like that.
Mr. Suraj: Thank you, my boy… I can see you’re more sensible than him.
Abdulhakeem: (scans him head to toe and looks away) Mr. Suraj, we’re not here to help you for whatever you’re going through now, you’re being punished for your deeds. I didn’t know you’d lost your legs as well… Allah is really great. If you want Allah to forgive your sins along with Mustakeemah’s, now is the time to show how truly sorry you are by helping win this case. If we lose, she’ll die, and she’s carrying that man’s child. You need to testify about everything. This isn’t an order; it’s a plea.
Mr. Suraj: (wipes his tears) Hmmmm… ever since the beginning of her life she has been suffering. I thought she was living a luxurious life… hmmmm.
---
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