ACT NINETEEN
Sekinat: Yes! Now, even if I get out of here alive, I'm still going to land in jail and get killed. My sister and I aren't even friends at all. She is definitely going to fight for justice for her husband. So what's the point of trying to leave here? I'm stuck here all because I tried to save you.
Hat Man: I know how much you regret your actions, but I will make it up to you.
Sekinat: You have no idea what I discovered here while you were gone. This country is a total mess, and the ones we think are leading us are betraying us.
Hat Man: Yep! I know exactly what that means, but that’s just the little of it. You will find out more about it. Just promise me you won't take any funny actions towards it. The Empire won't spare your life this time around.
Sekinat: Yeah right! Empire… Here, take. Finish your meal and get some rest while I give you two packets of drip. Your body needs it. (she gets up and tries to leave)
Hat Man: Where are you going?
Sekinat: Nowhere. I just want to give you time to heal alone too.
Hat Man: (puts the food aside and tries to stand on his feet, but he falls down instantly while Sekinat rushes to his aid) Don’t worry, I got this.
Sekinat: What are you doing? Walking isn’t that easy for you right now. You need to recover first.
Hat Man: Then stay by my side always. You are the only strength I need to finish this deal. Please, you are only back here because of me, and I need you. I want you to always stay by my side.
Sekinat: (remembers his confession night, then hurriedly helps him get back to bed and sits far from his bed)
Hat Man: (smiles at her)
Suddenly, three old women run inside in tears.
Old Women: Awwwww! Our boy is back. We knew you would come back. We are so proud of you.
Sekinat: (gets up and tries to leave)
Old Women and Hat Man: Sekinat, where are you going?
Sekinat: Giving them the space they need to talk to you. Being around you when they are here is not good for me.
Hat Man: (faces the old women) What did you say to her?
Old Women: Nothing!
Sekinat: (walks away)
Old Women: Aww, our baby...
Hat Man: Look, mothers, I need your help...
Old Women: We know what you are looking for, so here! (they bring out a small wrapper and open it)
Hat Man: (gasp) This wasn’t what... You know what? You guys are the best. But I really need your help for real this time. Old Women: (open their ears to listen)
The Empire’s community organizes a welcome party for Hat Man, with lots of different delicacies and drinks for the party. Approved by the Empire himself that same night, Sekinat wonders what is going on, but she can't ask anyone because she is in a corner crying bitterly, regretting risking her freedom to face another problem. She regrets turning back to save Hat Man. She believes if she hadn’t tried to save him, her sister’s husband would still be alive, and she wouldn't be a murderer in her family. The man she saved doesn't bring her excitement or happiness anymore. She cries bitterly for her mistakes, begging Allah for one more chance to make things right or take her life.
On the other side, Hat Man can barely get the rest and enough sleep he wants due to the noise outside his mansion. He orders his subordinates to chase them away, but they couldn’t because the party was organized by the Empress herself. He rages in anger. Finally standing on his feet but still unsteady, he manages to walk in search of Sekinat and orders his men to find her.
20 minutes later, Sekinat barges into the room.
Sekinat: I heard you are looking for me?
Hat Man: (sighs of relief) I was so worried about you. Where were you?
Sekinat: It doesn’t matter. I am here now. What do you need me for? (buries her face)
Hat Man: (takes a deep breath) What's wrong? I know I put you into this mess, but seeing your face like this isn’t helping me recover.
Sekinat: That’s an excuse to me. (she moves closer and drags the surgical equipment table towards her) Stay still! I want to clean your wound.
Hat Man: I don’t even know what to say. Just give me time to think of a solution. I promise you, one more time, I will get you out of here, soon!
Sekinat: Okay. (she focuses on her work)
Hat Man: (he touches her hand) Please... I know this sounds crazy for falling in love with you, but it's my first time, and I never imagined this is how real love feels like. I know you don’t feel the same way, but please be happy.
Sekinat: (tears roll down from her eyes) Okay.
Hat Man: (can't take it) Stop treating me. I’m fine, okay? Stop!
Sekinat: Why? Let me do my job.
Hat Man: This is not your job! Okay? I don’t even know what to say, but you need to have patience so I can think of a plan on how to get you out of here.
Sekinat: Don’t worry about that. I am fine here because I can't even go home. Remember?
Hat Man: But they don’t know you were the one now.
Sekinat: Sooner or later, they will know. The truth can't be hidden forever.
The noise and music beat increase.
Sekinat: And look at that! A party to welcome their boss back to life, as if, if you had died, they wouldn’t move on with their lives.
Hat Man: Something is burning inside you, but you don’t want to say it, and I can feel it, Sekinat. Tell me.
Sekinat: (wipes her tears and chuckles) Really? What will you do about it if I tell you? Of course, you can't do anything.
Hat Man: You name it or say it. I will do anything for you, even if it means killing
myself. That's how much I love you.
There was an intense silence in the room for a minute as they both stared at each other before Sekinat finally looked away.
Sekinat: Get well soon. Now I'm done with dressing the wound. Get some rest or you go join the welcome party. (As she was about to leave, he held her hand) Let go of my hand. You can't just be touching me anyhow you like. Show me some respect as a woman.
Hat Man: (he lets go) I'm sorry!
Sekinat: (she walks away)
Hat Man: (exhales softly) I wish I was never a Mafia! I wish I could end this once and for all.
Three hours later, Sekinat was returned to her old, windowless room to spend the night. She did nothing but cry while praying, cry while eating, and still crying. But her cries couldn’t be heard due to the noisy environment.
Sekinat: I don’t even know what next to do in my life. I don’t know if I should pray for freedom or pray for mercy and forgiveness. Ya Allah, I'm tired of everything. Please forgive me and find me a better solution to my life. I can't do this anymore. Please help me. (Cries out louder) Please help me. I don’t know what to do in my life again. If this is a punishment for killing those people, please forgive me. And even if death is my only way to forgiveness, then take my life right now. I wish I could kill myself, but that is the worst thing to do as a Muslim.
Please help me, ya Allah. (Her cries melted the Hat Man’s heart who was standing by the door listening to her cries. He hated himself for landing her in this mess in the first place. He doesn’t want to see her cry ever again, but he couldn’t help it but knock at the door.)
Hat Man: Sekinat! Please open the door.
Sekinat: (shocked) Who.. who is there?
Hat Man: It's me! Please open the door and stop crying.
Sekinat: (she moves to the door and wipes her tears to avoid any trace of crying) I am coming. (She opens it) What are you doing here?
Hat Man: (he didn’t realize when he grabbed her and embraced her) I am sorry for everything. I can't bear to see you in this condition. It's killing me.
Sekinat: (tries to push him away, but despite his weak body, he still overpowered her) What are you doing? Let go of me! Please... I have warned you not to ever touch me again.
Hat Man: Can you please just let me hug you for this once? Please! Everything will be fine, okay? Just give me a little time to think of a way to solve all the problems.
Sekinat: (still struggling to free herself) Leave me alone, please!!!
Hat Man: (finally lets go of her) I am sorry.
Sekinat: (she lands a hot slap on his face immediately) How many times will I tell you not to ever touch me again?
Hat Man: (bows his head) I am sorry. I actually deserve that.
Sekinat: (realizes she hit him) Uhm! I am so sorry, please... I didn’t mean to.
Hat Man: It's okay! I deserve that. Just please stop crying. Hearing your helpless voice weakens my spirit. Please. Just hang in there for me, okay? I will sort everything out. Please don’t ever cry again. Except if I am dead.
Sekinat: (nodding) Please leave now.
Hat Man: Goodnight.
Sekinat: Goodnight. (She slams the door in his face and locks it.)
Hat Man: (almost stumbling on his feet, he touches the wall until he regains his balance and returns to his room)
The Next Morning
7:02 AM
The morning dawned bright and beautiful. The entire team was outside, engrossed in their various activities. Some were transporting cocaine into the storeroom, others were fixing cars, and a few were busy on their systems. The Hat Man walked majestically past them, heading towards the Empire’s mansion. His subordinates paid their respects, but he brushed them off, focusing on his destination.
Hat Man: (bursts into the throne room, finding the Empire dividing gold into two)
Good morning, sir. (He states confidently, standing firm)
Empire: Ah, that's my boy! Now, I can confirm you're back. How was the journey to the other side of the world?
Hat Man: Amazing, sir!
Empire: I assume you enjoyed the trip.
Empire: I guess you liked it in there… Why did you come back then?
Hat Man: To finish an unfinished business, sir… (he stretches out his hand) Here is the result of the mission we went for, sir.
Empire: (a bright smile on his face) Uhhhhh! You finished the mission even before being attacked, huh?
Hat Man: Yes, sir… You know I always make sure I accomplish my mission no matter what happens.
Empire: I am so proud of you! You will surely be rewarded for this… Desmond!
Desmond: Yes, sir!
Empire: Take that diamond and examine it for me.
Desmond: Yes, sir. (He takes it from Hat Man and takes his leave)
Empire: Now! Tell me what you want! Anything! Just name it, and I will grant your wish, except setting that girl free because she knows too much about me and my empire!
Hat Man: Highly understood, sir.
Empire: I will send 10 million naira into your account as a gift. I want you to do one more mission for me.
Hat Man: Yes, sir! Just name it!
Empire: You see that girl Sekinat! I really like her a lot, and I want to have her to myself without my wife knowing. I don’t know how you will work it, but I want to have her tonight. It shouldn’t be hard for you to do because she is under your custody now. You know what I'm saying? (bursts into laughter)
Hat Man: (shocked) But, sir!
Empire: You can't do it?
Hat Man: Actually, sir, there is something I really need to tell you.
Empire: Say it.
Hat Man: I know I shouldn't be saying this, but I didn't know you had an interest in her. I have fallen in love with her, and I want to marry her.
Empire: (raises eyebrows) You want to marry her? Since when did you have the intention of getting married? You once told me getting married is the last thing on your list. Why all of a sudden? Or do you think that’s the only means she can be yours without us fighting over her?
Hat Man: That’s not it, sir. But it is the only way I can have her to myself. I am sorry for saying this now, but she is the only woman that gives me a reason to want to live again. I don’t think it will be hard for you to bless our union and help my dream come true, sir.