I stepped out of the jet and onto the embassy grounds, the scorching Sadam sun hitting me like a wall. I squinted, scanning our surroundings. My team fanned out around me, their eyes scanning the perimeter, alert for any signs of trouble.
As we entered the meeting room, Tyler, the CIA station chief, stood up. "Gentlemen, welcome to Sadam. I'm Tyler."
We took our seats, and Tyler's expression turned serious. "We have a situation. Ambassador Arjun who is Indian prime minister son has been kidnapped at a location 89 kilometers from the Embassy. He is here on U.S affairs. We need to extract him immediately."
He handed me a tablet with a Google map of the area. I gave a sharp nod to my team. "Let's gear up and go. We'll assess the situation when we arrive."
Scorpion raised a concern, "Sir, shouldn't we get more information about the hostage-takers? Numbers, positions, demands?"
Tyler's face was set. "You don't have time. Every minute counts. Get Ambassador Arjun out, and get him out alive."
With that, he turned and left. I nodded to my team. "Let's move. We've got a man to rescue."
We swiftly headed to our vehicles, Benz GLE 350s, and prepared to depart. Our mission was clear: extract Ambassador Arjun.
As we approached the extraction point, our convoy came under heavy fire. We returned fire, fighting to reach Ambassador Stevens. Unfortunately, we arrived too late. The ambassador had been killed.
Our priority shifted to extraction, getting out alive. We fought our way back to the embassy, taking heavy fire. "Let's move, team!" I yelled. "We need to get out of here, NOW!"
During the intense firefight, Jeff and Burrows were hit. I secured them, shouting orders to get them to safety. Tragically, Jeff was killed in the crossfire.
The ride back to the embassy was somber, our team shaken by the loss. Rodrigo mentioned the challenges of following orders without full context.
Upon returning to the embassy, we faced another attack. We fought to secure the area, and I took position on the rooftop, scanning for threats.
Scorpion's thoughts turned our conversation to his family own, and I reflected on the sacrifices we're making. My resolve hardened. We would fight on, driven by our duty to protect.
Scorpion was hit by the RPG, I felt a rush of adrenaline and fear. "Scorpion, no!" I shouted, rushing to his side. Scofield and I tried to move closer, but another RPG was launched, forcing us to take cover.
The blast shook the ground beneath our feet, and I assessed the damage. Scorpion's condition was critical. I knew he would not make it.
"We need to get out of here, now!" I yelled to my team. "We can't hold this position much longer."
We fought our way back to inside the embassy, taking heavy fire. Once we were secure, we rushed Scorpion to the medical team. The outcome was uncertain, and my concern for Scorpion's well-being weighed heavily on me.
The mission had gone terribly wrong, and I couldn't process the loss. Scofield's words cut deep: "I thought about my family; what would they say about me, he is in a place where he isn't supposed to be, he died in a cause of something he knew nothing about." We wept, mourning Scorpion's death.
"I thought of my loved one too, Wendy". I said "Six months of silence weighed on me. I wonder how she's doing," my voice barely above a whisper.
Suddenly, another RPG blast shook us. "Incoming!" someone yelled. "Gboooooooooom..."
I woke up, gasping for breath. The vivid dream lingered, images of soldiers and chaos still fresh in my mind. "Oh my God, it's just a dream," I whispered, relief washing over me.
My thoughts turned to Bryan, who's been away for six months. I tried calling him again, but his number wasn't going through. The silence was deafening. I prayed, "God, please protect him and bring him back to me safely."
Tears streamed down my face as I knelt, my voice shaking with emotion. "Please, God, keep him safe."
Just then, my Gmail chimed in with an unexpected message. I hesitated, wondering who it could be from.
When I opened it, it's all about planning Amira Nuhu Sule's wedding in Mali. Coincidence or fate? I quickly messaged my PA to set up a meeting and book our flight.
As we headed to Mali, thoughts of Bryan consumed me. Is he dead or alive? The distance felt like an eternity. I yearned for closeness, for his touch, his voice.
Upon arrival, a luxury car picked us up. We drove through Bamako's dusty streets, witnessing poverty. The contrast was stark as we reached the affluent area.
At the politician's residence, Aisha Lawal led me to a designated seating area. The opulent decor was a far cry from the poverty we'd seen. I waited for Amira, ready to discuss the wedding plans.
My mind still lingered on Bryan, hoping for news. The wedding planning would be a distraction, but my heart remained heavy with worry.
As I planned Amira's wedding, I couldn't help but think of Bryan. "Would we ever get to experience the joy of planning our own wedding, surrounded by loved ones, and starting a new life together?" I wondered.
The wedding was a success, with Amira looking stunning in her Bazin boubou attire. "The newlyweds were showered with gifts and well-wishes," I noted.
After the wedding, I decided to use some of my earnings to make a positive impact on Bamako. "You have shown us that true leadership is not about seeking power or worship, but about serving others and making a positive difference in their lives," the mayor said, praising my selflessness.
The village elders added, "Your efforts have brought hope and prosperity to our community. We will never forget your kindness and generosity."
As I left Bamako, the mayor invited me to return with Bryan. "Please come back next time with your husband, Bryan. We would love to meet him and celebrate your union." I smiled wistfully, hoping that someday I'd be reunited with Bryan and could return to Bamako with him by my side.
I stood frozen, watching the little boy and girl cry, I presented the sweet and biscuit to them and they laugh. As they laughed, I felt a pang of sadness. "You're crying," one of them said, giggling. I woke up with a start, realizing it was just a dream.
I prayed for guidance, seeking to understand the message hidden in the dream. "Dear God, please reveal to me the meaning behind this dream," I prayed.
After the prayer, I decided to focus on the present. "Let's explore Dubai, and find some joy in its beauty and luxury," I said to myself.
As I got out of the salon, my eyes landed on a lady resting near my car. "Hey," I said, tapping her on the shoulder. She didn't respond. I pressed the horn on my car remote key, startling her.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said, looking embarrassed. "Can you talk to me?" I asked gently. "I can see you're brooding." She began to weep, and I reached out to wipe away her tears. "Get inside the car," I said softly. "What's wrong?" I asked as she sat down beside me.
As I looked at her, tears streaming down her face, I recalled my dream. "Maybe when I'm done with her, I'll find the little boy too," I thought to myself.
Nnena's words poured out like a dam had burst. "My name is Nnena, and I'm a Nigerian. My father sold me off for prostitution telling me I was coming here to work as a salesgirl in a supermarket." Her words hung in the air, heavy with pain and betrayal.
"Hold on," I said gently. "Let's drive to a nearby serene spot with a water view. We can talk more there." I started the car, and we drove in silence, the only sound being the soft hum of the engine.
We reached the spot, the breathtaking view of the water seemed to match the depth of her sorrow. "Tell me more, Nnena, I am a good listenner and I do not judge."
"My mom got married to another man, and I used to think my grandmother was my mom and my biological mom was my aunt, i didn't find out until I was 15, and I was angry and hated her for it." Tears streamed down her face as she continued. "Later, I was told she was a victim of rape by my biological father, so I'm a child of rape."
I listened intently, my expression empathetic. "How did you connect with your dad, and how was he able to sell you off?" I asked gently. Nnena's words poured out like a river. "My Nnenne (Grandmother) died just as I was about to write senior secondary school class 3 exams. There was no one to continue sponsoring me, and my mom asked me to come live with her and her new husband. But I'd seen a different life, one beyond just surviving. My grandmother didn't raise me like that."
"What happened after your grandmother passed away?" I asked softly. Nnena took a deep breath. "I went to live with my mom, but it wasn't easy. And then...I was raped by the junior brother of the woman whose child I taught for free." She recounted the horrific incident, her voice barely above a whisper. "I returned from school that day, tired, and lay on the little boy's bed. His uncle, who had just returned from the village too, walked in, chat with me briefly and cover my face with pillow then he raped me."
I am a good listenner please go on dear and fast forward to when your dad sold you here to Dubai. How old were you then ? She respond in a sober tone, "19."
I nodded and she continue " i was sent to Cotonou first and from Cotonu flew to Dubai. There in Cotonou, in Bangii alot of girls are in there willing to fly to Dubai. The agents in Cotonou lies to the Embassy that we are going to study and they will tell us what to say. But in actual sence they are sending us to Madam's who had bought us.
When we landed in Dubai. The madam came to pick us". I asked her how many were you ? she responded, "upto 30". I nodded, holding her hands and she continued. "From Benin Republic. It was during COVID 19, some are unable to go and to those of us whose Visa was approved we are mocking them. That they don't have luck and glory not knowing we are the dump ones.
I am thankful that they are unable to go. One lady in Benin got pregnant by her boyfriend but her Madam told the Agency to abort it for her because she can't bring it to Dubai.
I also got pregnant when I got to Dubai because I think the condom burst but it was terminated for me. She dealt with me severely and tore the book record of the money I've being paying her and compel me to start paying again".
"haha, eh em What payment is that I ask ?" I think the money she gave to my dad when she bought me, and the money have no specific amount. She instructed me to keep paying.
I paid her 30thousand Dirhams per night and even when I am on my period she do put cotton wool inside my vagina to block the blood. The men having sex with us won't know but I do feel pain. The pains is still affecting me till today.
When I got to Dubai, Dubai police catch me and wanted to deport me that night but my Madam did some jazz and they forget about my matter the next day".
I remain flabbergasted because I had no idea of this Dark side of Dubai. I listened up while she moves on "The most painful aspect of it is that we take on more than six men per day and there was a day we discovered some of the men use to release blood inside of us instead of sperm. my eyes open widely and I said how do you know ? she said "one of our co wake up one morning with her client and turn on the light. She saw that it was blood inside of the condom in place of sperm. she became very angry and the client ran away"
i said its alright. 'Do you hear from your father and parents?' She responded, "Yes, and I do send my mom money when I have the chance." I became more and more shocked and had cold feet about this side of Dubai, but I'm trying not to show it.
what did you come to do when I met you resting on my car? I 've been thinking of going to hang myself...
Three Weeks later, i asked Nnena's therapist; "it's been 3weeks now, how well is she recovering ?" and she said with a warm smile, "Oh, she's responding very well. I'm surprised at how far she's come in just three weeks. call her for me I said.
A hard knock on the door and I said "hold on, I'm coming" I opened the door, and my heart skipped a beat. There he was, standing with a warm smile. "Brayan!" I exclaimed, launching myself into his arms.
We kissed deeply, the months apart melting away. Tears of joy streamed down my face as I held him tight. "I've missed you so much," I whispered.
Brayan wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. "I've missed you too," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
As we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world seemed to fade away. Nothing else mattered but the two of us, reunited at last.
Without a word, Brayan scooped me up and carried me to the couch, our lips never parting. We sank into the cushions, lost in the moment, our love burning brighter than ever.
In the silence that followed, our hearts spoke volumes, beating as one. The wait was over, and we were together again.