Mustakeemah: (smiles as she stretches her head out of the window, enjoying the weather)
Lukman: You like it, right?
Mustakeemah: (nods) Yes sir, it’s lovely. I guess life is worth living at times. Thanks for showing me more reasons to be strong for my child’s sake.
Lukman: It’s the least I could do—to make you happy. Gosh, smiling really suits you… (he continues staring and admiring her until she notices)
Mustakeemah: (faces the window)
Lukman: Oh, I’m sorry; I’m making you uncomfortable. I’m sorry. Here we are… welcome to the beach. (tries to park his car) We’ve reached our destination.
Mustakeemah: Wow…the beach. I swear this is my first time seeing a beach right in front of me. (she jumps up in joy) Allahu Akbar… (covers her mouth in amazement) I can’t believe I’m seeing this. It’s so beautiful… Oh my God! (she turns to him) Thank you so much, sir.
Lukman: (bright smile) It’s nothing. Let’s go so we can get a better view. (he walks behind her as she happily walks towards the beach) We won’t get too close because it can be very tempting… so let’s sit over there.
Mustakeemah: Do we have to sit when we can just stand and watch how magically it dances with its body? See how beautifully it moves toward people… see how amazing it is. (happily watching people play next to it) It’s so magical.
Lukman: (admires how she admires the beach) Beautiful… right?
Mustakeemah: (laughing and smiling at the same time) Yes, it sure is… so amazing.
Lukman: (admires her) You are so beautiful when you smile, honestly.
Mustakeemah: (realizes he is staring, then turns to him) What did you say?
Lukman: Nothing… just enjoying what I’m seeing and happy with the environment.
Mustakeemah: Yeah, that’s true. (faces the beach again) Life is worth living. Thank you so much for saving me. I will never forget what you’ve done for me.
Lukman: You’re welcome, my dear. (admiring her) Do you need anything, like snacks or drinks? Let’s stroll to that bar…
Mustakeemah: (nods and follows him)
************
Later in the night
Chef S.K: Welcome home, sir. Welcome, madam. How was your outing?
Mustakeemah: (responds with a smile)
Lukman: It was amazing. I hope you enjoyed yourself while we were gone.
Chef S.K: Omo! It’s not as sweet as having you guys around. I should have followed you two, but since it’s a lovebird outing I must excuse myself.
Mustakeemah: (shocked) Excuse me?
Lukman: (quickly gives him a deadly look)
Chef S.K: (covers his mouth) So sorry, sir… please excuse me. (he takes his leave)
Mustakeemah: (turns her face to him)
Lukman: (quickly looks away from her, staring at the ceiling and the ground at the same time) Uhm, you must be tired… go in and rest, but make sure you pray before you sleep. I’m heading to the mosque. Goodnight, Chef — come with me, it’s time for salah. (embarrassed, walks away)
Mustakeemah: (confused)
---
The next morning
Shukroh: (bares into the house) As-salamu alaykum, people… anyone home? Chef S.K! Big bro! Where is everybody?
Mustakeemah: (comes out of the kitchen together with Chef S.K) Wa alaykum as-salam, ma. Good morning, ma.
Shukroh: (scans her from head to toe) Chef S.K, is this your new assistant? Omo! My brother mean this chef work o… he got himself a decent one. Nice one. Please, where is he?
Lukman: Aburomi… how far now? How is study?
Shukroh: I’m fine… congratulations on your new chef. I love how she dresses—very religious.
Lukman: Who are you referring to?
Shukroh: That lady, of course.
Lukman: She? She is not who you think she is. She is a guest here, so please show some respect.
Chef S.K: Please excuse me. (he heads back to the kitchen)
Mustakeemah: Please excuse me too.
Lukman: Mustakeemah, wait please. (he takes some steps closer to her) I’m sorry about my sister. Have you eaten? And how are you feeling now?
Shukroh: (confused) Who did you say she is again?
Lukman: She is a guest, and you need to treat her with respect.
Shukroh: (suspicious) Bro. (she drags him to one side) Who is she, and since when did you welcome a non-mahram into your home? You two seem like lovers, which is inappropriate. If you want to marry her then do the proper thing — not this now.
Lukman: We are not lovers. She is a guest and nothing else, so please treat her kindly. She has been through a lot in her past. Please, just do me that favour.
Mustakeemah: (sadly watches them talking to each other)
Shukroh: You owe me an explanation for this… or else Abu and Ummu will hear about this.
Lukman: You wouldn’t dare!
Shukroh: Well, watch me! (tries to leave his presence; he drags her) What na!
Lukman: Don’t dare me, Shukroh! I am not committing any sinful act so please watch your mouth and speak to me with respect. I am only trying to help my fellow Muslimah. So be nice to her and don’t you dare tell Mum and Dad about this. Take this as a warning and a threat — I won’t say more than that.
Mustakeemah: I should excuse you two. (she sadly goes to her room and locks the door) I’m always a problem wherever I go. I have nowhere to go, nowhere to call home… no one to talk to, no siblings, no parents. My life is so useless… and now the police are searching for me. (she sits on the floor, squeezes herself by the wall)
Lukman: Don’t you dare act funny with me. If you don’t have anything reasonable to say, please kindly take your leave.
Shukroh: Are you chasing your sister out of your house because of a stranger, just to please a total stranger? Me your sister… (about to cry) Till you threatened me over her… who is she to you? How important is she to you to choose her over me? Honestly, I didn’t expect this from you. (she picks her bag and angrily walks out of the house)
Lukman: Shukroh, baby, wait! Oh my goodness! She always overreacts about everything… don’t worry, your matter is later.
Shukroh: (as she angrily walks into the compound she finds the gate man battling with policemen) Gateman, what happened? (then she pauses) This is none of my business anyway… deal with it yourself. (she walks out of the gate, leaving them)
Policeman: Madam, come back here!
Shukroh: I know nothing, oh… I’m just here to deliver something. Please, I don’t know anything; they are all inside… (she walks away)
Policemen: Now move. (place a gun behind the gateman’s head as he leads the way into the house)
Lukman: (rests on the couch) What’s that noise? Please, enough!
Policeman: Mr. man… where is a lady named Mustakeemah? Bring her out right now.
Lukman: (jumps up from the couch instantly) How did you get in? (he notices the gateman) Subhanallah! Uhm, who did you say you are looking for again?
Policeman: Don’t act funny with us or else you’ll join her. Just go inside and bring her out or else…
Mustakeemah: (opens the door to check who is making noise; she falls to her knees the moment she sights the policemen) What happened?
Lukman: No, no!! Please police — she is innocent. Please listen to me, I’m a lawyer.
Policeman: (walks up to her) Madam, you are under arrest for the death of Mr. Mubarak Olowolayemo.