ACT TWENTY-SIX
At the Police Station:
Sultan: (Rushes down from his car, heading inside the police station)
Alhaja Selimat: (Sits on a half-broken chair while her grandson rests on her shoulder) Everything will be fine, my boy. Don't worry.
Sultan: As-salam alaykum, Hajia. Good morning. I didn't understand you well on the phone. Why was she arrested?
Alhaja Selimat: Walaykum salam. Sorry, I had to call you because I was helpless. I didn't know who to call.
Sultan: It's okay, ma. She is going home today, so that's one hundred percent guaranteed. But why was she arrested?
Alhaja Selimat: After her husband's death, we found out her husband's true identity as a Mafia. I didn't even know what that meant until I searched it on Google. This news broke our family so much that my daughter couldn't forgive herself for settling her life with a Mafia. He kept it hidden from us all. This morning, the police arrested her because the victims' families demanded justice for the hundreds of victims he had killed and kidnapped. We later heard the reason behind his death was an attack from his enemy, and they were all killed.
Sultan: This is serious! I will need all the documents to help locate the rest of the Mafia's den. Maybe that means your daughter was also kidnapped. Even if she was killed, we will find the killer by all means. Just leave that to us. But I will need to work with these policemen. Please give me a few minutes while I go settle things up. Your daughter will join you soon.
Alhaja Selimat: Thank you so much. (Tears roll down again) I really appreciate it! Jazakallahu khairan. (Turns to Shuaib) Look, my boy, your mother will soon come join us. Don't worry again. She is coming home with us.
AT THE D.P.O’S OFFICE:
Sultan: Alright, listen y'all! She is innocent, okay? Her husband is the Mafia, not her. If you want to fight this case properly, there are thousands of victims out there kidnapped by the other Mafia. What you should work on is knowing their hideout and getting them all arrested. That should be your aim, not hurting the dead Mafia's family. Do your work properly and stop going sideways.
D.P.O: And who are you? How dare you barge into my office and tell us how to do our job?
Sultan: You better find that out by yourself before you lose your job! Because I'm not going to help you answer that. Here! (Throws down a huge stack of cash) Let her go, then you and I work together to find the enemies that attacked her Mafia husband and killed the victims. That's what you should be working on.
D.P.O: (Picks up the cash and slides it into his pocket) Go and release the lady.
Police Man: Yes, sir!
Sultan: (Moves closer to him) Get up! And let me sit in your chair. That's where I want to sit.
D.P.O: Are you out of your damn mind? Do you want me to arrest you too? Sultan: Go ahead! Because I'm going to hound you until your last breath. Now, get up!
Summayah: (Wipes her tears as she moves closer to her family) Mom.
Shuaib: Mummy! (He embraces her)
Alhaja Selimat: Aww, my child. (A big warm hug) I hope they didn't touch you?
Summayah: No, Mom. But how did you bail me?
Alhaja Selimat: Sultan did!
Summayah: Sultan? How did he find out?
Alhaja Selimat: He was the only one I could think of since I thought this is beyond my power.
Summayah: Let's just go home. I don't feel so good.
Alhaja Selimat: Eeyaa, sorry, my dear, but we need to wait for Sultan and thank him better. You go into the car with Shuaib while I wait. (Sights him) Here he is.
Sultan: (Majestically walks out of the office while the D.P.O almost bows to him as he accompanies him out) Next time! Don't make me come to your expired station before my needs are being attended to. D.P.O: Y-yes, sir. We are really sorry, sir.
Summayah and Alhaja Selimat are short of words seeing the scene.
Policeman: Let me help you take the files to your car, sir.
Sultan: (Hands the file to him)
Alhaja Selimat: Thank you so much, Sultan! Allah is the only one that can reward you for this. We really appreciate it, ma'am.
Sultan: It's okay, ma, and Hajia Summayah, so sorry for the inconvenience, okay?
Come on, let me drop you off.
Summayah: Jazakallahu khairan, sir. We also brought our car. Thank you so much,
sir.
Sultan: Please, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me, and for Sekinat's case, we are working on it, and we must find the hideout of those Mafias. Alhaja Selimat: Thank you so much, my dear. This is why I wanted to unite the two of you in the first place. But if this really works out, I promise she is all yours.
Sultan: (Smiles) Let's get going, ma'am. D.P.O: Thank you, sir!!!
Sultan: (Ignores and walks away)
_________________________________________________________________ The atmosphere seems so beautiful on the day of the union of Hat Man and his bride-to-be Sekinat. Their guests happen to still be the subordinates of Hat Man, and the presence of the emperor and his wife guides the ceremony, along with three scholars in charge of joining the union. Sekinat is still under Hat Man’s roof, nervous and scared about her decision to get married to Hat Man. She is being dressed up by three old women and a few young makeup artists. Sadly, Sekinat complies with the instructions, trying not to make a scene and ruin Hat Man's plan. While on the other hand, Hat Man is happily in his car, fully dressed and ready with his suitcase filled with money. His subordinates look out for him, ensuring everything goes according to plan.
After hours of time-wasting, the groom is finally present in the hall. Everyone is anxiously waiting for the bride, but her grand entrance hasn’t been witnessed yet. The emperor isn't bothered because he knows Sekinat is capable of bringing an unexpected scene to the wedding, while his wife stays quiet throughout.
Hat Man: (Getting worried) Hey you!
One of his subordinates: Yes, sir. (Drops his ears)
Hat Man: Go check my mansion and find out what is going on. Why is my bride not here yet? I sent your mate there five minutes ago, and they are yet to give me feedback. Make sure you didn't go alone.
Subordinate: Yes, sir… (Signals to his fellow seated at the guest seat)
Hat Man: Sekinat, please don’t do this today. Don’t think like a female today but as a man. Please! Use your head and show up already. Don’t destroy my plans.
Suddenly, the bride finally shows up, accompanied by three old women and two young ladies. Everyone gets up for her.
Hat Man: (Sign of relief) Thank God!
Everyone admires her beautiful dress, despite her wearing a lovely and moderate hijab that makes lots of men whisper. Even the emperor smiles as he sees her, leaving the empress to groan underneath.
Sekinat: (Stands next to him) Sorry I took so long.
Hat Man: That doesn’t matter anymore since you are here now. (They face the
scholars as they begin to unite them together)
Later in the evening at 5:24 pm, the union is finally over, and everyone returns to their various houses. Hat Man couldn’t make time for his bride as he was busy with a sudden news of an unexpected mission and arrangements for the emperor’s outing.
Sekinat: (Finally back to her normal dress in Hat Man’s new room, decorated with lots of flowers. She opens the window and inhales the air) The air smells different today. What is going on again? Why are they running up and down? I thought they were partying an hour ago. But wait! I felt different, and they treat me even better than they used to. Is that how brides feel? If that’s a yes, no wonder the victims love it here. But still, I don’t belong here.
Hat Man: (Barges into the room) Baby! Something came up?
Sekinat: Who are you calling that?
Hat Man: This is not the time for chit-chat. Something came up. You need to sit down and hear this. I know you will be so fused with anger, but I will take the blame and the hit.
Sekinat: (Worried) What happened?
Hat Man: (Sits her down) I know tonight was supposed to be our most beautiful
night, but...
Sekinat: Hang on first! We are not having whatever you were thinking of, okay?
This marriage is a contract marriage, okay? And we had a deal, so don’t ruin everything.
Hat Man: Can you just let me land?
Sekinat: Go on.
Hat Man: Well, uhm. Something came up, and you need to follow the Empire. You are traveling to Abuja together. Tonight.
Sekinat: Wait, what? Wait, let me check something. (She gets up and sniffs his mouth) Are you drunk or something?
Hat Man: Have you ever seen me drink? So you need to get ready. I will help you pack things you will need for the trip. It's just a 2-day trip.
Sekinat: Hell no! Wait… are you saying I get to leave this den? Willingly?
Yes! But that’s not the point. We are going to make use of this
opportunity and plan our own attack.
Sekinat: Wait, I am confused here.
Hat Man: I know you are confused. That’s why you need to listen attentively. You have just an hour left.
Sekinat: But… okay, I am listening.
Hat Man: You are following him to Abuja because he wants you to represent him as his medical personnel and his personal surgeon. There is someone you need to operate on there.
Sekinat: Whaaat!
Hat Man: I know that’s a lot to take in, but do you believe me on this? And for a mission like this, you will be protected by all means. But you will leave no trace behind for the security agency in Lagos and Abuja to help you notify your family that you are still alive and not dead. Then I am gonna give you a flash; you are gonna keep it and make sure the Empire never sees it. If he does, it will be over for both of us.
Sekinat: This is a lot to take in.
Hat Man: Just breathe in!! Okay? Calm down. When you get there, someone will approach you secretly, then you hand over the flash to him.
Sekinat: But how am I supposed to know if the person isn’t fake?
You will know. Please don’t say no! Even if you can't, still say no to
this, because it is an order. And it is an emergency trip, that's why. So please, promise me this mission will be successful.
Sekinat: Well, I can't assure that yet. This is a lot to take in.
Hat Man: I know, my Queen.
Sekinat: Don’t call me that… but you are coming with us, right?
Hat Man: No, I need to take charge here and also work on our plans even better since he won't be around.
Sekinat: Then in that case, I am not going.
Hat Man: I have told you several times. Over here, you have no right to decide.
The ones in power are to decide for you. You must do it whether you like it or not. You think if I had the power to say no, I wouldn't? In fact, I would have replaced you on the mission. But I am not a medical personnel.
Sekinat: On our wedding night, huh.
Hat Man: That’s the point, baby. That’s the only thing that upsets me the most.
Sekinat: (Side-eye) You are not serious. But I don’t know why I have good feelings about this because I'm gonna make sure I leave a trace to be seen. This will give my parents hope, and they will trace this den.
Hat Man: You got it, baby! C’mon, give me a hug! Now you are getting wiser.
Sekinat: What was that supposed to mean?
Oh, sorry about that. Now, let's get packing. Don’t worry; everything
has been taken care of.
Sekinat: I don’t even have my own clothes here. You guys just bring what I wear every day.
Hat Man: That’s why I said it has been taken care of. Now, let's get back to us… Sekinat: We are not done talking.
Hat Man: I know. That’s why I can't get my eyes off you tonight. Can't believe the night I've been dreaming of all these years will be taken away from me. (Admires her) But, to be honest, you look so amazingly beautiful today.
Sekinat: Whatever! (Looks away)
Hat Man: And the room is beautifully decorated for us.
Sekinat: You know what? (About to get up when he drags her hands and she sits on his lap) What are you doing? (Tries to free herself)
Hat Man: Please, just stay like this for ten minutes.
Sekinat: (Uses her elbow to hit his chest) Let go of me!!!
Hat Man: I'm gonna miss you so badly.
Sekinat: And I won't.
Hat Man: Well, that’s hard to believe.
Sekinat: (Finally frees herself) Don’t you ever try that with me again. (Gently gives him a light slap on the face) You know I'm not joking. Because by the time I'm done with you, this face will later bleed.
Hat Man: If that will make me get what I want, then I won't mind... bleeding to death.
Sekinat: (Gasps) You are unbelievable!