I am Neena
Synopsis
1st Extract from a video interview by Miss N. Guha, Dar es Salaam.
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In this emotional, uncanny thriller: Neena's rocky ride and rollercoaster existence as a Jihadist in Tanzania play centre stage like a fairground attraction. Neena’s pain and silent suffering hang invisibly in the air, paralysing those close to her.
Neena, born in Pakistan, travelled at a young age to Tanzania, Eastern Africa, under the influence of Al-Shabab. Her ice-cold emotions lie cocooned within the depths of her soul. Her tumultuous upbringing and the strict, cruel regime of the Al-Shabab have scarred her for life. All this changes when she meets people she finally learns to trust; Anna, the President of Tanzania, Jack, the American pilot and a friendly vet; all contribute to the fading of her steely armour. Neena becomes as fragile as an eggshell.
Untold dramas take place in Dar es Salaam and at the Ngorongoro crater in the beautiful country of Tanzania as Neena wrestles with her roots and childhood experiences. Self-pity combines two things that may seem incompatible: a deep sense of grievance and a high sense of superiority.
Drawn into an impossible situation, both the President of Tanzania, the cabinet members and the chief of staff are oblivious to Neena’s dilemmas. Equally, they fail to grasp her weird explanations and flighty movements.
As the story unravels, Neena becomes tormented by a dedicated killer sent from London, a gruesomely cruel colonel, head of Secret Services and a bullterrier Chief of Police.
Intimate conversations with the President take place – their relationship is an underlying factor gripping every page. The settings are diverse and take the reader on a journey to a state visit in Paris, a fascinating insight into the Jane Goodall chimpanzee camp, and Gombe Stream Research Centre on Lake Tanganyika; all help disguise the tension in this unique relationship.
Blackmail rears its ugly head – the reality becomes too close for comfort.
Extract from a video interview by Miss Neena Guha, Dar es Salaam;
‘Hi, Siku Njema!, I am Neena; Neena Guha, of Indian origin. I am 33 years old and have shiny black hair. Some say I look like a model, but my height fails me – I’m only a mere 1.68m.’ Okay, cut, cut.
Start again: ‘I am Neena and I am a Jihadist. Seriously - my real name is Aarti Gujjar, Pakistani – this is confidential - I have told no one ‘til now. Not even those I love who are very close to me. Oh yes, I have a big ugly scar on my left cheek. Some say it's sexy, but they need their eyes tested.
Even worse still; - my second secret is that I am the President of Tanzania’s girlfriend.
Did you get that? - I am the girlfriend of the female President of Tanzania!
I’m not joking… this is the truth and puts me in a particularly tricky position right now.
How will this End?
Did you get that? - I am the girlfriend of the female President of Tanzania!
I’m not joking… this is the truth and puts me in a particularly tricky position right now.
“More emotional than ever.”
“A fascinating twist to the Ajeka & Fox trilogy”.
