Judge: Then where is your evidence?
Lukman: Your honor, this lady sitting right here was enslaved by her guardian who tortured her in several ways. Worse still, her aunt’s husband once raped her — he should be arrested for sexual harassment. It was that same uncle who planned with her aunt to use her as an exchange for five million naira borrowed from late Mr. Mubarak. Mubarak forced her into marriage because she was sold to him for that money. For four years this man molested her, turned her into a punching bag whenever he was upset, raped her countless times and gave her pills to prevent pregnancy. (the audience murmurs) He prevented her from leaving his house for years. At times she became pregnant for him but he made sure she miscarried, which almost cost her life. Mr. Mubarak even had a personal doctor who treated her each time he injured her — the same man who treated her after the miscarriage. Recently, your honor, she realised she was pregnant for him again. He exposed himself to her out of anger because he didn’t want to have a child with her and wasn’t ready to be a father. That day she confronted him and insisted on keeping the baby, which led to an argument. He pounced on her and began to beat her so hard to make her lose the second pregnancy — I have evidence because Mr. Mubarak installed CCTV cameras all over his house to watch her. (he plays the video; everyone falls silent and murmurs)
Abdulhakeem: (covers his mouth in shock as he watches the video; his siblings break down in tears) I can’t believe this…
Mustakeemah: (looks down, scared to watch the video)
Lukman: Your honor, I call this self-defence. If she hadn’t fought back he would have killed her and her unborn child. You can see how he strangles her on the bed… that’s all for now, your honor.
Lawyer Aregbeshola: Objection, my lord. (rises) This isn’t the whole incident — I have the full video, with permission, your honor.
Judge: Permission granted.
Lawyer Aregbeshola: (plays the full footage) During their fight, Mustakeemah hit him with a vase which made him fall to the floor, blood gushing from his head. He was still breathing and struggled to get up, then she picked another vase and hit him again, which led to his death. The first blow could be self-defence, but the second blow was intentional — that is murder, your honor. She should answer for the killing of Mr. Mubarak.
(Everyone murmurs)
Lukman: (clenches his fists)
Abdulhakeem: (clenches his fists, jumps up furious) This man isn’t a good lawyer — I should be the one to take this case. He shouldn’t have let him make that statement without countering with other evidence! Gosh!
Dad: Take it easy, son. The case will be adjourned till next time. We need to gather enough evidence too.
Abdulhakeem: I will take over this case; he’s going to take whatever he wants.
Judge: This case is adjourned until the 25th of November 2021 — two weeks’ time.
---
In the prison
Policemen: (they escort her back into the prison) Enjoy your new home. (they lock her in) Bye.
Mustakeemah: (finds somewhere to sit)
Leader and followers: (rush to her) How was it? Any good news?
Mustakeemah: (tired, looks at them) I’m hungry… at least I need to stay alive till they pass judgment on my death.
Leader: (brings out bread and water) Here — take this and eat. Don’t starve your baby. (looks sorry) Everything will be fine. Don’t lose hope yet, ok? You need to stay alive for your child’s sake — stay strong.
Follower: Here — I have malt. My sis brought it for me this afternoon.
Mustakeemah: (looks at them and smiles) Thank you all so much. I really appreciate it. (she takes the bread and rushes to eat)
Leader: Take this. (hands her the malt)
Lukman: (enters the prison, sees Mustakeemah eating, shakes his head with pity) As-salamu alaykum, dear.
Mustakeemah: Wa alaykum as-salam. (she quickly covers her head at his voice, stands by the gate) You are here. (she gets up) What are you doing here?
Lukman: I brought you food because I know you must be starving. (whispers) I hope these scary women didn’t harm you?
Mustakeemah: Not really. In fact they’re my protectors now — thanks to them I’m still alive in this prison.
Lukman: (relieved) That’s a good thing. Here — take the food. Take this second flask and give it to them. Thank you all for taking care of my wife.
Leader and followers: You’re welcome, sir.
Mustakeemah: (hands over the large flask; they grab it) Thank you so much for all you are doing for me. I really appreciate it, sir. But stop calling me your wife — I am nothing to you. You just happen to be my new angel Allah sent.
Lukman: I guess Abdulhakeem was first, right?
Mustakeemah: (looks down)
Lukman: It’s ok. (smiles) I’m here for you always and I won’t leave you until you are set free. Here’s a pack of malt, bottled water and some snacks in case you need anything else.
Mustakeemah: (gasps) You shouldn’t have — it wasn’t necessary.
Lukman: I’m not doing this for you alone but for our unborn child.
Mustakeemah: (sadly looks away) I don’t know why you’re doing this. I’ve given up on love — please don’t give me hope. (about to cry)
Lukman: I’m sorry I couldn’t come to you sooner.
Policeman: Time’s up, Mr. Lawyer! You need to leave.
Lukman: One more minute please… just try to be happy, ok? I will get you out of here soon. I love you so much.
Policeman: Mr. Man, leave now before I push you out!
Lukman: Bye. (he waves)
Mustakeemah: (surprisingly waves back)
******************
40 minutes later
Followers: (using her hand to pick out stuck meat from her teeth) Gosh, I enjoyed this food. I wish I could eat this every day — I don’t think I want to ever get out of here.
(They all chuckle.)
Police woman: Mustakeemah, you have a guest. (she unlocks the gate) Come with me.
Mustakeemah: Who is it? (she gets up and follows her)
Police man: (opens the guest room) You have less than five minutes.
Mustakeemah: (as she sights Abdulhakeem she tries to turn back; he holds her hand) What do you want? (she asks in a weak tone) I don’t have the strength for this.
Abdulhakeem: Please give me a chance to speak. I know you’ve been unhappy with me ever since you met me. Please have a seat.
Mustakeemah: (she obeys) I’m listening. (stares at the table)
Abdulhakeem: Please let me take over your case, please… I can’t stand to see you lose this case. I can’t stand to see you suffer like this.
Mustakeemah: I don’t need your help, and besides I’m not gonna get out of this place alive.
Abdulhakeem: Don’t say that. You will not die, not even with your condition. I’m sorry — I never imagined you could suffer this much. What Lukman said about your past was worse than I imagined. Please just let me take over your case.
Mustakeemah: Leave me alone, Abdulhakeem! With or without you, life will go on. If your father hadn’t sent me out of his house that night I wouldn’t have landed here. So stop this acting and leave my life alone. Enough of the pain your family has caused me — enough is enough. Leave me alone! (she raises her voice angrily) Leave me! (tears roll down her cheeks)
Abdulhakeem: (tears roll down his face too) Do you think I wanted this for you? Do you think this was what I wanted? Do you know my intention toward you before that incident? Yeah, my father is to blame for all this, but if you knew how much I suffered looking for you for months… I fell sick and almost lost my life, but I never gave up. I continued to pray for you wherever you were — to protect you and guide you to me.
Mustakeemah: (angrily wipes her tears) Well now you’ve seen me — I’m fine! Alive and sound. Leave! Since your dad can’t chase me out of here again, leave me alone. (she breaks down in tears)
Police man: Reduce your noise, woman — you have less than a minute.
Mustakeemah: (in a weak tone) Please leave.
Abdulhakeem: (gets up and embraces her) I can’t leave you. I am not leaving until I get you out of here alive. Then I’ll take you to the paradise you belong to. I will take care of you and our baby. Please don’t push me away. I have been in love with you since the first day I set my eyes on you — that day you were weeding at the front of your aunt’s house. I love you, Mustakeemah.
Mustakeemah: (cries bitterly)
Police man: Time’s up. (Come with me.)
Mustakeemah: (she pushes him and follows the policeman in tears)
Abdulhakeem: Please stay strong, ok? Please.
(Mustakeemah returns to the prison, falls to her knees and breaks down in tears again, worrying her neighbours.)