ACT SEVENTEEN
Few weeks later
Life of both families in the past few weeks had turned into a nightmare for everybody. Filled with hatred and grudges inside, with different mindsets.
Summayah mourns her husband’s death throughout the weeks, harboring
anger for her parents' refusal to pay her a visit due to their
misunderstandings, especially her mom. She begins to doubt if they don’t have a hand in her husband’s death. Trying to think it through, she always finds them in the picture. Unable to endure the pain and grudges as a widow, she decides to give them a shocking visit to express her thoughts. Upon arriving, she finds a few people outside the gate discussing. She doesn't bother to greet them but barges into the compound. She finds their gate man seated next to his apartment, engrossed in his phone.
Summayah: Gateman!!!
Gate Man: (caught off guard) Ma! I'm sorry, ma! I didn’t know you were there. (he welcomes her)
Summayah: Keep it to yourself. Where is Mr. and Mrs. Sulaiman?
Gate Man: (confused) Aren't you Ummu Shuaib?
Summayah: I can see you are deaf. Where are they? And who are these people? What are they doing here?
Gate Man: Sorry, madam, but if truly you are their daughter... sorry to say this, but you are wicked at heart! I don’t care about being fired in the end, but you are not a good daughter! I am old enough to be your father, so I will be straightforward.
Do you want your own children to see your end? Is this how a good child behaves toward their parents?
Summayah: (unable to believe her eyes) What the hell are you talking about, and how dare you speak to me in that manner?
Gate Man: (firmly) My friend, will you shut up? How sure are we that you don’t
have any hand in your sister’s disappearance, eh?
Summayah: (furious with anger) If not because you are an elderly man, I would have slapped your face! I don’t blame you. But them...
Gate Man: (suddenly breaks down in tears as she was about to leave) And they were such loving parents. And what did you give them in return? Nothing but pain.
Summayah: (steps backward immediately) What did you say?
Gate Man: Just go away, abeg. (He sits back and continues mourning)
Summayah: (shaking) Please speak up! What happened to my parents? What happened to my mom? (panicking) Please talk to me.
Gate Man: (unable to control his emotions)
Summayah: (in haste to get an answer to her desperate question, she races into the building and finds lots of people in the living room. They all go mute instantly as they spot her, murmuring) What is going on here? And where is my mom? Where are my parents?
Police Officer: (moves closer to her) Good morning, madam. Please don’t tell me you have no idea about your father’s death?
Summayah: (feels a sharp arrow into her heart and almost loses balance) Whaat!
(She touches the wall to gain her balance)
Police Officer: I am so sorry, but I thought you knew. I also came here to further our investigations at their place when I found and heard the news. I was told he passed away three days ago.
Summayah: (tears gush out of her eyes) Noooooooo!!!!!! No!! Please tell me this
isn’t true… pleaseeee!
Police Officer: We are so sorry you are going through all these. Losing your husband and your father at the same time is the most challenging time for you. Please be strong. I shall come back next time because your mom is still recovering from a heart attack.
Summayah: What? (cries out in pain) Nooo!!!! This is too much for me to bear, noo!!!! (People are surprised to realize she is just hearing the news as females try to console her) Nooo!!! Why me???
Police Officer: I was told Alhaji Sulaiman had a fatal accident a few weeks ago and gave up his ghost three days ago. This must be really hard for your mother. You guys need each other more than ever. So sorry for your loss once again. I shall come back next time. (He takes his leave)
Summayah: (falls on her knees, crying so loud and painfully) Why meeeee? Whyyyy? If this is a nightmare, somebody should pinch me so I can wake up! I can't take this any longer… (flashes back on the memories she spent with him as she was growing up) How am I going to ever face my mom again? How?
Suddenly, people in the room hear a sound from another room, and footsteps approach. They curiously wonder who it is. Suddenly, Alhaja Selimat appears, running out of the room, having just learned about the death of her son-in-law and her daughter's presence in the living room.
Alhaja Selimat: Summayah…. (She breaks down in tears again)
Summayah: (can't believe her eyes, her mother's appearance altered by so much weight loss, her skeleton displaying through her skin) Mmmom?
Alhaja Selimat: Yes! I am the one… I am! Your father is gone!!! He is gone… he left me in this wicked world all alone with you! Why didn’t he take me with him? Summayah: (before she could finish her statement, she runs into her mother's arms in tears) I am so sorry, Mom… I am really sorry for everything. I didn’t realize the pain you were going through. This is all my fault!
Some people in the room can't control their emotional feelings as they break down in tears.
Summayah: I’m really sorry, Mum! Please forgive me. Find it in your deepest heart to forgive me!
Alhaja Selimat: I’m sorry too for blaming you for everything. This is also my fault. I am sorry. (They embrace each other for a complete 5 minutes, mourning the death of their loved ones)
Certainly, let's continue with the story, refining and enhancing this part:
An hour later. The house is now empty, except for their workers, Alhaji’s employees, and his personal assistant. Mother and daughter sit by the stairs discussing.
Alhaja Selimat: (rubs her face in admiration) This must be really hard for you… I am sorry for not being there to console you.
Summayah: It's okay, Mum! We both lost our husbands in the same year.
Alhaja Selimat: But you lost your husband and your father!
Summayah: And … And you lost your husband and your daughter! And I was so stupid. I left you alone in pain. I am so sorry for not being there when you needed me. The reason why I didn’t feel remorse about Sekinat’s disappearance was that she and I fought all the time. She always said she wished to disappear from this family. Do you remember?
Alhaja Selimat: (nods) Yes, I do.
Summayah: (takes out her phone and scrolls down her WhatsApp contacts) Here, this is the last message Sekinat sent to me on that same day she never returned home. Look at it.
Alhaja Selimat: (reads it out) ―Hey, arrogant one of the family, guess what! I will soon leave this family for good and never return since I’m a pain in your neck! You give me problems, Mum gives me double by forcing a marriage I’m against on my neck. So don’t worry. All your wishes will be granted soon.‖ She sent this to you? That same day?
Summayah: Yes, Mum! So that was why I wasn’t worried about it, thinking maybe she had finally traveled out because you know there is nothing Sekinat can't do! She is a strong and courageous young lady right from childhood. That’s why. Not like I have any hand in her disappearance, but now it's not getting funny anymore because I was on her case secretly when I found out she was truly kidnapped by some unknown men, before I got the news of my husband’s death. I am so sorry, Mum.
Alhaja Selimat: Nooo!!! I should be the sorry one. I have blamed you for everything. Ahhh! Summayah! I have hurt you so much, and I can never forgive myself for this. Please forgive me. (breaks down in tears again)
Summayah: Please stop crying, Mum!
Alhaja Selimat: You are all I've got now. I shouldn’t have treated you so badly in the first place. I was so mean and heartless to you, Summayah!
Summayah: It's okay, Mum. It's okay. Stop crying, please. We will face this together. Just that I miss my husband so much. Life without him is unbearable for us. My son cries every night because the bond they shared isn’t just a father and son’s bond but as buddies too. He still finds it hard to believe his father is gone. And the last time I set my eyes on my father, he said he never wants to see me again. He left without saying goodbye or forgiving me. Mum… am I not a mess in this family?
Under the bright and shiny sun penetrating directly into the Hat Man’s room, Sekinat rests her head on a plastic chair, staring at the Hat Man, praying inside that he fights his condition and comes back to finish what he started. She realizes that getting out of here alive will be more difficult than she could ever imagine. So, she stops thinking of a way out but first prioritizes the Hat Man’s coming back to life. She carries out a check-up on him every hour, checking for any improvement and cleaning his wounds. She has lots of questions in her mind, hoping for an answer soon. Suddenly, her mind begins to roam, wondering why the police haven’t located their hideout until now. Then, her senses draw her back to their last mission and she realizes she wasn’t dreaming that she shot her sister’s husband. Her body begins to shiver in fear. She screams out instantly and breaks down in tears, crying bitterly.
Sekinat: What have you done? I thought I had a nightmare. Sekinat, you actually killed your sister’s husband to save him? Inalilahi wahina ilayhi rajihun… no! But wait! What was he doing there last night? And I heard he was their leader? What exactly is going on in this country? Now I have killed my family member just to save a Mafia! How am I ever going to face my sister? She will kill me. So what's the point of trying to get out of here alive? This is just the end. (She shakes her head in regret) Sekinat, what have you done? How am I ever going to face my family again? No! But how on earth did he turn into a mafia too? I guess there are lots of people with secret sources of income that are against the law, but he was also a killer? Honestly, this world is full of surprises. Abu Shuaib of all people! The most innocent person in our family. I guess we are to fear silent people. But why must it be me that killed him? Why not someone else? Why me? Sekinat, you are so dead! This is just the end. The end of me. I am sorry, Abu Shuaib. Please don’t find it in your heart to forgive me. I never meant to kill you. It was a big mistake. Ya Allah, please forgive me. Astaghfirllah! (She couldn’t control her tears.)**
Suddenly, a group of men barges into the room
One of the Men: Get up and come with us.
Sekinat: For what again? What is my offense this time? Besides, I have stayed out of troubles, so what now?
They lift her up and take her out of the room, slamming the door.
Sekinat: (Screaming) Put me down! No! Where are you taking me? Please put me down. I didn’t cause any troubles. Are you just gonna stand there or help me?
(They all look away) No! Please, I swear I didn’t kill anyone or cause any troubles.
Just let me go! (She continues screaming for help until they get to their destination and put her down.)
The Men: Stay and don’t leave this spot, and don’t try to act funny because death is your reward here.
Suddenly, two beautifully dressed women with heavy makeup on their faces approach Sekinat.
The Ladies: There she is! Welcome, little Angel! We’ve been waiting for you. Now come here; let's put you in more classic wears.
Sekinat: (Confused; by the time she turns around, she found no men behind her again) Who are you people?
The Ladies: We are your dressers. We are gonna give you a beautiful makeover. Now come with us. (They both hold her hands and walk into the building.) Right this way, Angel.
Sekinat: (She follows them because they were friendly) But where are you taking me?
The Ladies: You will find out soon. Just be patient! Come on! (They enter a beautiful room, and immediately they tear down her dress and hijab) What in the world are you guys doing? (Quickly covers up)
The Ladies: You must be very exhausted. Come on! Let’s get you into the shower. (They clap their hands, and five young ladies present some makeup kits in the room.)
Sekinat: Can anyone tell me exactly what is going on? Why am I being treated like a princess all of a sudden?
The Ladies: Well, you want to find out, Angel? You are having a meeting with a huge guest! VIP guest! And you must look very presentable to them.
Sekinat: I never said I wanted this or that!
The Ladies: Well, you should be grateful because lots of young and beautiful women want to be in the position you are now but couldn’t. So you should be grateful and prepare for your speech.
Sekinat: Sorry, but I am still confused! Am I not in the Empire’s den again?
The Ladies: Less talk and more makeover. (They push her into the shower and join her)
Sekinat: Uhm, you don’t have to join me. I can bathe myself.
The Ladies: Nonsense! Just cooperate with us, and we won’t have any problems, okay? (They help her take off her clothes) Oh my, she has a sexy, beautiful, and fresh body like a flower. They're surely going to pick you.
Sekinat: (Feels very uncomfortable)
The Ladies: (Adjusting her dress) Now you are so ready.
Sekinat: (Uncomfortably squeezing herself in) Where is the dress and also a hijab for me to put on?
The Ladies: (Chuckles) Silly you! You are already dressed. What remains is covering your beautiful face with a net veil so you can make the VIPs wonder
about your beauty.
Sekinat: Wait!! I’m confused. Are you saying this is how I'm going out?
The Ladies: Yes, of course.
Sekinat: (Chuckles) Hell no! A big no! If you don’t want us to harm each other in this room, just please… give me a long hijab. I mean a very long hijab.
The Ladies: (They give each other an agreeing glance) But… we don’t have any.
Sekinat: Then make one! Because I am a Muslim, and I can't go out there with exposed private parts. You do it or return me back to my old rag. Got it?
The Ladies: Fine! (Clap their hands) Fashionista! Let's make a beautiful hijab for her.
Sekinat: A long one.
The Ladies: Yes, a long, beautiful hijab.
Sekinat: (Gives them a fake smile)