Yesterday Rahmat and I had a very long conversation in her hotel room where she'd been hiding ever since she disappeared.
One funny thing was that, I was glad I found her even though I was angry with her running away from me. Why would she runaway?
She kept weeping as I bombarded her with questions, series of questions. When I was done, she started answering them one after the other.
She didn't finish when someone pushed the door open with a Salam. It was a very beautiful woman, "Sorry for intruding" the woman said about leaving when Rahmat told her not to.
"It's okay, Barrister Khadija" She sniffed and quickly wiped off her tears. "Come inside please and make yourself comfortable" She added.
That moment, I couldn't help but stare at them. "Is it Hamid?" I heard the woman said in what seemed like a whisper to Rahmat.
"Yeah" Rahmat sniffed again. "So, were you able to track them... the guys?" She asked and continued. "Please Khadija tell me you got them arrested already"
"One thing at a time, Rahmat. Yes I got their address and I've told the police about it already, they will go and arrest them soon" The woman said.
"How soon, please?" Rahmat asked.
"Just calm down, okay? After arresting them I will make sure they confess to their crime and then go to prison directly without setting their feet in the court. I've done that to many rapists before!" The woman said laying emphasis on her last few words.
"Thank you Khadija, I really appreciate it" Rahmat shook hands with her before walking to her drawer and bringing out an envelope. "Here please, it's the N100,000 I promised you last week. Manage it, I am already running low I would have added more to it"
"I understand, Rahmat" The woman smiled broadly and collected the envelope. "You don't need to give me anything again, just wait for the good result of our long time battle. Victory is ours, In Shaa Allah"
*
Fastforward to finishing their conversation, the woman left biding Rahmat goodbye. She was chubby, fair, and had a Fulani accent. By the look in her face and how she spoke, she probably was a no nonsense lawyer.
"I am sorry, Hamid" Rahmat pulled me out of my trance. "I had to...let her in because she's a busy person"
"Mind telling me what you guys are planning?" I asked out of curiosity.
"It's about the guys that raped me, she helped me tracked them... she's a Barrister" She replied and continued. "I really can't let those guys go scot free, they stole my life from me and they have to pay!" Her words made my heart to sink, she looked so depressed and sad. "Hamid I will never forgive them" She added.
"You don't have to, but after arresting them what next? The whole world won't care what exactly happened that night, whether it was a rape or not" I said folding my arms across my chest.
"It doesn't matter, as long as my name is cleared it's left for the masses to believe what they wish to believe. I had also filed several lawsuits against sites and platforms spreading the video, and they stopped and some even paid for damages with the help of Khadijah. I just pray no one is individually sharing it out there right now" She said making me to sigh. She had really tried, I never knew she was battling to clear her name. I thought she was just hiding.
*
After a prolonged conversation, I told her I would be going home. She thanked me for believing in her and also for supporting her. Actually, I had transferred N500,000 to her account so she could take care of some of her basic needs. I also promised to see her the following day.
While on my way home, I turned off my phone's flight mode. I had activated it to avoid calls from not only Amani but other people while conversing with Rahmat in her hotel room.
Upon reaching home, Amani welcomed me warmly. She expressed how much she missed me and I told her I missed her too. Thus, she started asking questions where I went to and why my phone was unreasonable, she was obviously worried.
I never intend to let her know I met Rahmat, hence I lied to her that the reason she couldn't reach me and why I was late home was because my car developed problem on my way to a friend's house and the network there was bad.
"No problem, miji na (my husband)" She pecked me on my lips. "But next time," she continued. "Tell me where you are going to please" She deadpanned.
"I will, my love" I pecked her forehead.
*
As soon as I was done expiating my prayers, we ate dinner in the dining table. She was so happy that her exams would be ending soon, I was happy for her too. She would be on a semester break.
While on the bed, I watched as she began going through her handouts while in a sitting position with her back leaning on the bed's headboard and her legs stretched. If it was on a normal day, I would've started running my hands over her body... looking for her trouble or trying to turn her on.
But today, my mind was just filled with Rahmat's thoughts. I never really knew the poor girl was battling to nail her rapists, I would have supported her financially right from the beginning. But now that the battle was almost over, I felt like my support was unneedful.
She was really strong, isolating herself all alone and crying causally... regretting the mistake she made by not obeying me. Well I believed she would win the battle, but after winning the battle what next? Would she be able to marry and settle down with someone?
She had told me many men had made advances to her, all they wanted was to spend a moment with her that's all. And they used to offer her lots of money but she would reject. In anger, they would leave... telling her they are only doing her a favor because no man would ever wish to marry a whore like her.
I had to convince her that I could marry her but my parents would never agree to that, they would curse me if I even bring up the issue to them. And my wife, Amani, would she ever agree? I could convince her though but trust me, I wouldn't forgive myself if things went wrong because...
"Today no disturbance ne?" A voice pulled me out of my trance, bringing me back to reality. It was Amani and she was smiling at me. "Can't believe I will finally rest today" She sarcastically added.
"Hmm" I sighed moving my hand to her thigh. "Don't be so excited, not just yet" I smiled running the hand over her body while she laugh.