Lukman: (obstructs the police) I think there must be a big misunderstanding.
Policeman: Mr. man, stay out of this or else you will join her — we are coming for you too for hiding a murderer under your roof.
Chef S.K: Murderer? (gasps)
Lukman: Please, let’s discuss this outside. I’m a lawyer.
Policeman: Young man, whatever you are is none of our business. (he moves closer to Mustakeemah and handcuffs her) Madam, quietly follow us to the station because whatever you say will be used against you in a court of law. Now move! Men, take her away.
Mustakeemah: (her cries increase as she is led out of the house in handcuffs)
Lukman: (follows them and tries to speak to the policemen but they turn a deaf ear) Police, sir, hear me out — please take it easy with her, she is innocent. Please…
Policeman: Look, young man, stay out of this. She wasn’t arrested only for the murder of Mr. Mubarak — she also stole his money and ran away with it. So if you really want to help her, better tighten your belt because she’s going to rot in hell… Men, let’s move. (he gets into the car and it drives away while Lukman begs to follow)
Lukman: (shouts) I’m coming for you, Mustakeemah… please don’t cry. (panicking, he pulls out his phone and dials) Oh my God! How did they locate her so fast? (he heads back inside) Where is my car key?
Chef S.K: Sir, so she was the one that killed Mr. Mubarak Olowolayemo? This is unbelievable.
Lukman: Better watch your mouth if you don’t want to lose your job. Subhanallah! Who should I call first… ehn! I need to call this man… this is going to be tough. Yaa Allah, you are the only One who can save this girl — she needs You more than ever now.
---
At the police station
Policemen: (they push her into the cell and lock it) Murderer…
Mustakeemah: (soaked with tears, she falls to her knees and cries bitterly) Somebody please save me.
(Mubarak’s family angrily walks into the station)
Mubarak’s Mother: Where is that demon called human being? Where is she? Let me strangle her! She used fire to burn me right in front of me while I was alive and breathing. She killed the only son God gave me — the only child taking care of me and his siblings. He was the only son God gave me; the rest are female. Why would she kill him for me? (she sees Mustakeemah and angrily rushes up to the cell, grabbing her hijab as the gate separates them; the police try to pull her away as she struggles to breathe) I must kill you today — you destroy me and my family. May you rot in hell. May you suffer the same death. You unfortunate witch — she must not go scot-free! She must be hanged too. She must die a painful death as well! (her children try to console her)
Shade: Mum, it’s okay. Please stop crying. Brother Mubarak is gone — all this will not bring him back. Right now we need an excellent lawyer to help us fight for our brother and punish her properly. This won’t help.
Mubarak’s Mother: You’re right, my child. (she wipes her tears) I heard Mubarak had a high-standard lawyer, so we need to find him, because this murderer must be punished.
Shade: Let’s go home, Mum. At least she’s been caught — that’s a relief for now. (they accompany her out of the station; Shade turns back, shakes her head with pity as she stares at Mustakeemah)
Mustakeemah: (weeps bitterly) Somebody help me… I can’t face the world like this.
Lukman: (panting heavily as he rushes into the station, searching for her with his eyes) Where is she? Where is she? I hope she hasn’t been taken to prison… Where are you, Mustakeemah? (he finally sees her) Mustakeemah! Please stay calm, okay? I promise to get you out of this.
Policeman: And who are you to barge in here and talk to her? It seems you want to join her, abi?
Lukman: (produces his I.D. card) Sorry, but I’m her lawyer — I’ll be taking her case. I need to get valid information from my client.
Policeman: Okay then. You have less than ten minutes.
Lukman: Mustakeemah, please don’t cry. I promise to get you out of here soon — just bear with me for a little while. You’ll be out soon.
Mustakeemah: (says nothing)
Lukman: Please, talk to me.
Mustakeemah: please just go away and live your life… I don’t need you nor your help… please go away; you are just making my life worse than ever — leave!
Lukman: I am not leaving you alone until you finally gain your freedom. Right now I need to start taking action. We are all meeting in court tomorrow, so we must be prepared and gather enough evidence. Where can we find that doctor you told me about?
Mustakeemah: I don’t know where he lives or where he comes from. I know nothing about him — all I know is he is a doctor.
Lukman: Don’t worry, I promise to find another way. I need to go to the late Mubarak’s house. I will be right back, dear. Just don’t stress yourself — I will be right back, okay? (he runs out of the police station and drives away)
Mustakeemah: (tears stop; she just sits on the ground and remains silent as the other prisoners keep yelling at each other)
During the night
MUSTAKEEMAH’S POV
Ever since I was locked in this place I’ve tried as much as I can to control my thoughts. Enough is enough — nothing changes; things keep getting worse and worse. If I am going to die, then I should die peacefully. This is the end of me: locked here, watched by the police, among criminals — which means I am one of them. Nothing can be done to save me now. I just wish Lukman’s memory would fade so he could forget everything about me and move on with his life. I don’t want any more trouble for anyone around me. He has done enough for me in the past few days, and those memories are enough to keep me strong a little — for my child’s sake. The police yelled at us angrily and served some food, saying their guards brought it. They mostly talked about Mubarak’s death; one of them said he was a very generous man, a man of integrity. I looked at him and smiled — integrity indeed. They continued talking about him until it reached his death. They all stared at me angrily, and one of them shouted, “You will not go unpunished, I promise you that.” I looked down and shook my head because they know nothing about him compared to me. I sat gently, but my stomach’s grumbling made me uncomfortable. I don’t care if I’m starving, but I need food for my child’s sake. Suddenly I thought deeply: maybe it’s better I die once I give birth to my child. But what if he or she faces worse than what I went through? She would never forgive me. Maybe it’s better we die together and she comes out to someone else… I place my hand on my stomach and try to cuddle myself. Suddenly I see Lukman move closer holding out a bag, but I don’t move an inch. I keep staring at him, hoping he will read my heart and go away from my life.
Lukman: Mustakeemah, take this and eat now — you must be starving. (still stretching out his hand, waiting for her to take the bag) Please take it and eat. Tomorrow we are going to court; you need to stay strong. I wish I could sleep here with you, but they won’t let me, so please take and eat.
Mustakeemah: (shakes her head pityingly without saying a word)
Lukman: Please, Mustakeemah! Take it before the police complain. For Allah’s sake, don’t hurt yourself by starving. Ok then — please eat for my sake.
Mustakeemah: (declines) I’m not hungry. I’m okay like this. Just go home and sleep. Forget you ever met me. This is where my life will end. Go away from me.
Lukman: (feels sorry for her) I’m sorry you have to go through all this alone, but I promise I’m here for you.
Mustakeemah: Why are you helping me even when I’ve given up? Why are you bothering yourself over a useless human like me? I’ve been used countless times like a robot. My body is useless — so what are you looking for again?
Lukman: (gasps and exhales softly) Do you know I’m in love with you? I fell in love with you for the sake of Allah. You have such a beautiful heart and I need you in my life. Hearing your story gives me even more reason to need you in my life. I will take good care of you and our child. Please just stay strong. I will bring you out of here soon — just stay strong for Allah’s sake.
Mustakeemah: (shakes her head pityingly as tears roll down her cheeks) Why am I meeting someone like you now? It’s too late, so please go start your life with someone useful — not a useless me. Go away.
Policeman: Mr. man, you need to leave! Enough of the discussion — you two will meet in court tomorrow. Leave her alone.
Mustakeemah: (tears roll down her face) Please go home… go, please! (she breaks down in tears)
Lukman: (shakes his head with pity as tears fall; he steps back) Please make sure you eat that food. I will come check on you tomorrow. Bye. (he waves at her, wipes his tears, and sadly walks away)