ACT TWENTY-NINE
Sultan: Yes! I knew she was kidnapped by late Suraj's enemies. I knew they were the attackers! This is great news, seriously.
Akeem: Sir! We can't attack those people; they are not ordinary people.
Sultan: And what was that supposed to mean?
Akeem: They are Mafia! Not ordinary kidnappers. They are way more powerful than you think.
Sultan: Are you saying we should leave them and not save my girl? What are we for if we can't fight them? Why are we an army?
Akeem: I understand your point, sir, but how about we just try to save the girl and forget we ever attempted such.
Sultan: Some nuts must have come loose in your head! Why are you wearing this uniform if you can't save your country? If you can't save a civilian, huh? We are attacking that hideout whether you like it or not, and we are going fully prepared.
Akeem: I understand you, sir, but how about if you exclude me from this mission?
Sultan: What was that supposed to mean?
Akeem: Sir! These people are dangerous. Do you know who Empire is?
Sultan: Is that the name of his hideout?
Akeem: That's the name of the leader of all the mafia in Nigeria. He is like their king. You haven't defeated the subordinate, but you want to start a war directly with the leader? Let me make this clear, sir. None of us are coming back alive. In fact, even that girl you want to save isn't getting out of there alive.
Sultan: So, you are scared to die, huh? Then we are going with full armies and soldiers. We are going with weapons.
Akeem: (Shakes his head) Sir! Don't bother yourself. You can't fight this. This isn't rescuing but war! You are creating a big war that, even after finding out the bitter truth behind all these, in fact, will you even be alive to know the real truth? Let's just forget about this girl and close her case. None of us will make it out of there alive.
Sultan: (Thinking) Well, in that case, we will involve the government.
Akeem: Not even the government will support this! Because (looks around him first then moves closer to whisper) they are the ones protecting his territory.
Sultan: (Raises his eyebrows) Oh really? I guess this is harder than I imagined. Hmmm, but I must rescue her.
Akeem: Then let's do that secretly as a minor mission. If we raise an alarm on the attack, you have no idea what is waiting for you. I shouldn't be telling you all these, but because you are a good man, and if you listen to me, then I will join hands with you, and let it be a minor attack, and coming back alive is 50/50.
Sultan: This is tougher than I thought! I was so excited not quite long, but I guess
I shouldn't be. So, I am the first to figure out their hideout.
Akeem: No, you are not, sir! In fact, maybe you are the 20th person. No one dares to go into the lion's den and come out alive. And for the record, he has more than 10 territories in different states! The one we could figure out is in Lagos.
Sultan: (Takes a deep breath and sighs heavily) This is way harder than I imagined. Akeem: Exactly, sir! Don't be surprised if their informants are among us. Trust no one.
Sultan: (Raises his eyebrow) That one! You are right! I guess we better watch out.
Akeem: Absolutely, sir!
Sultan: (Shakes him) Thanks, bro! I really appreciate that.
Akeem: You see? That's the reason why I like you, despite being my senior. You still treat me like we are on the same level and like a brother. That's why it's good to be humble.
Sultan: Thanks so much. (Smiles) Wanna have dinner with me while we discuss the plan?
Akeem: Absolutely! 'Cause I'm starving.
Sultan: (Chuckles) C'mon, let's go!
Late in the night, 10:29 pm
Hat Man: (Searching for Sekinat) Sekinat, where are you again? Please don't take a stupid move by running away again, please. I am so sorry I've been giving you my time, but I was busy with the preparation. (Shouts her name) Sekinat!!! Subordinate: (Passing by then stops to talk to him) Sir! Are you looking for your wife?
Hat Man: Yes! Have you seen her?
Subordinate: I saw her entering the Empire's mansion this evening. I even thought she was looking for you.
Hat Man: What? Oh my God! (He picks up a race) Oh my God! I hope the Empire hasn't done anything stupid to her? (He increases the pace until he gets to the mansion before stopping to catch his breath and walk into the mansion) Hey you!
Did you see my wife?
One of the Guards: (Points in a direction) Hat Man: Did you lock her up?
Guards: (All decline in demonstration)
Hat Man: (Walks in the direction and begins to scream her name until he reaches so many doors, making him overly worried and panicking) Sekinat, where are you, please? I can't just run to meet the Empire like that! Please, let me see you. (Suddenly, he walks past a room, but the door was slightly open when he heard the laughter of women. He reverses back a little and peeps by the door) What in the world? (His jaw drops to find his wife with the Empress laughing together. He has to rub his eyes twice) Am I dreaming? (He rubs it again) Ahah! I'm not dreaming, oh! This is really true. Baby! (His rangy voice startles them) What are you doing here? With the Empress?
Sekinat: Uhmmm! So sorry, I didn't realize it was late. (Gets on her feet to meet him)
Hat Man: (Bows at the Empress for the first time, leaving the Empress speechless too) Thank you, ma, for watching over her. I shall take her home now. (He grabs her hand) Goodnight, ma.
Sekinat: Wait! Let me say goodbye.
Hat Man: (He didn't listen to her, while she hurriedly waves at the Empress with a bright smile on her face)
Empress: (Waves back with a smile) Goodnight.
Hat Man: (He doesn't say a word to her until they get to his mansion) What were you thinking going to her?
Sekinat: Why are you getting mad?
Hat Man: (Finally enters their bedroom and locks the door) You could have landed yourself in bigger troubles. What were you thinking?
Sekinat: But I didn't! Besides, you didn't see her killing me. We were having so much fun.
Hat Man: (Still can't believe his eyes) With the Empress who tried to kill you the other day?
Sekinat: That's in the past! She is actually not a bad person.
Hat Man: Oh really? Have you forgotten what I said concerning my parents? She killed them.
Sekinat: (Looks down sadly) I'm sorry, but I just needed someone to keep me company.
Hat Man: (Didn't realize he is raising his voice) By going to her?
Sekinat: But you've been busy, and I don't want to trouble you or distract you while you are working on how we could escape.
Hat Man: Can you hear yourself?
Sekinat: You are shouting at me? I didn't cause any trouble besides.
Hat Man: (Panting heavily as he realizes his voice is high) You are unbelievable.
Sekinat: I'm sorry, but I...
Hat Man: But you what? Huh? What were you thinking?
Sekinat: (Getting pissed too) You know what? Forget it! (She tries to take her leave)
Hat Man: (Blocks her way) Where are you going?
Sekinat: Back to my room.
Hat Man: Well, guess what! This is where you are sleeping tonight! This is our matrimonial bed, and you are sleeping with me tonight.
Sekinat: (Confronts him and speaks in a low tone) We are not married for real! This is all fake! And you have no right to tell me what to do. You called this a matrimonial home? A matrimonial bed? Can you hear yourself? This isn't real! Wake up! This isn't a real world. (She pushes him out of her way and tries to leave when he grabs her waist and pushes her to the wall and begins to kiss her deeply while she tries to free herself)
Hat Man: (Kissing her nonstop for two minutes)
Sekinat: (Panting heavily as he lets her go, she tries to hit him in the face when he grabs her from behind and embraces her) Let go of me!! (Furious with anger) I have told you multiple times not to touch me. How dare you kiss me? That was how you stole a kiss from me. Let me go!
Hat Man: Shhhhh! Please, let's stay like this for a while, please. (He place his head on her shoulder Sekinat: (panting heavily and finally calms down) I hate it when you touch me.
Hat Man: I'm sorry, but I can't help it. I don't want to lose you because I'm madly in love with you that I can't even think straight anymore. I have never felt like this in my entire life. You changed me. I really love you, Sekinat. Please open your heart and let me in.
Sekinat: (breaks down in tears)
Hat Man: Why are you crying? Did I hurt you somewhere?
Sekinat: This isn't the life I wanted. This isn't the fairy tale life I wanted. I don't even know why you love me this much. I really don't want you to love me because I will break your heart. I don't love you.
Hat Man: (closes his eyes bitterly) Please stop saying that. You are just going to kill me with your bitter words. Please. It's this love that keeps me going and gives me hope to live a better life.
Sekinat: But it is the truth. I don't love you. I just want to go back home.
Hat Man: (lets go of her) It's okay. If that's what you want, so shall it be. (steps back one after the other) I'm sorry for kissing you. I will never do that again. Never.
(touches his chest and exits from the living room) Sekinat: Where are you going?
Hat Man: Out of your life. For good this time. Sekinat: (wipes her tears for good and sits on the floor)
The Next Morning:
Sekinat stands by the window, watching the Hat Man from afar, and suddenly notices he's staring at her. Sekinat looks away, trying to avoid eye contact, and immediately, the Hat Man enters his building.
Sekinat: What again? What is he trying to do again?
Hat Man: (breaks the door open)
Sekinat: You should have knocked now.
Hat Man: Get ready! Right now! We are moving.
Sekinat: Wait, what? Just like that?
Hat Man: Yes! We are moving tonight.
Sekinat: But... Just like that? I didn't even get notified based on how we escape out of here...
Hat Man: Leave that to me. I'm finally granting your wish tonight.
Sekinat: But what if the empire finds out? He is going to kill us.
Hat Man: That shouldn't be your problem. My priority is getting you out of here alive.
Sekinat: But... What about you?
Hat Man: And since when do you care about me? Just get ready. We are moving tonight.
Sekinat: (speechless)
Hat Man: Is that clear?
Sekinat: (gasping for breath, then calming down) I despise it when you touch me.
Hat Man: I apologize, but I can't help it. I don’t want to lose you. I'm consumed by love for you, to the point where my thoughts are a chaotic mess. You've changed me, Sekinat. I truly love you. Please, open your heart and let me in.
Sekinat: (breaking down in tears)
Hat Man: Why are you crying? Did I hurt you?
Sekinat: This isn’t the life I envisioned. It’s not the fairy tale I wanted. I can't fathom why you love me so much. I don’t want your love because I'll only break your heart. I don’t love you.
Hat Man: (closes his eyes with bitterness) Please stop saying that. Your words are like daggers. This love keeps me going, gives me hope for a better life.
Sekinat: But it's the truth. I don’t love you. I just want to go back home.
Hat Man: (lets go of her) Fine. If that’s what you want, so be it. (steps back) I'm sorry for kissing you. I won't do it again, ever. (touches his chest and exits the living room)
Sekinat: Where are you going?
Hat Man: Out of your life, for good this time.
Sekinat: (wipes her tears and sits on the floor)
The Next Morning:
Sekinat stands by the window, observing the Hat Man from afar. She notices him staring at her, but she looks away, avoiding eye contact as he enters his building.
Sekinat: What now? What is he planning?
The Hat Man breaks the door open.
Sekinat: You should have knocked.
Hat Man: Get ready! We're moving.
Sekinat: Just like that?
Hat Man: Yes. We're leaving tonight.
Sekinat: But... I didn't even get a heads-up on how we're escaping.
Hat Man: Leave that to me. Tonight, I'm granting your wish.
Sekinat: What if the empire finds out? He'll kill us.
Hat Man: That's not your concern. My priority is getting you out alive.
Sekinat: And what about you?
Hat Man: Since when do you care about me? Just get ready. We're moving tonight.
Sekinat: (speechless)
Hat Man: Is that clear?