EPISODE 11
Scene: At the Parking Lot
M.K: (opens the car) Get in.
Hazeemah: (worried) Whatever you’re thinking right now is a very dumb idea.
M.K: I said get in! (raises his tone)
Hazeemah: (obeys and folds her arms angrily)
M.K: (closes the door for her, gets in, and starts the car) We’re moving out of this country faster than I thought.
Hazeemah: What? M.K!
M.K: No more questions.
Hazeemah: Well, I have a lot to say right now. Look, I know you’re upset, but you can’t make a decision while you’re angry. There are other solutions to this—better ones.
M.K: He almost hit you, Hazeemah.
Hazeemah: But he didn’t! You can’t keep running from your problems. You need to face them. This is your home.
M.K: Stay out of this. All I know is we’re leaving in two weeks.
Hazeemah: (gasps in disbelief) Why is it that all you care about is your feelings? What about me? What about my dreams, my career?
M.K: (glances at her) So you’re not coming with me, is that it?
Hazeemah: No, baby, why are you misunderstanding me? All I’m saying is you need to be considerate. I am your wife. And as for your family, I know you have every right to be mad, but family will always be family. You can’t just make decisions out of the blue. It’s annoying.
M.K.: (driving angrily, listens to her but remains silent)
Hazeemah: So you’re literally not going to say anything? You’ve made up your mind, huh? All I’ve ever wanted is to start a family here in Nigeria, achieve my dreams here, and raise my kids the way I’ve always envisioned. Abroad is not a place I feel welcome. I am a practicing Muslimah. I can’t adapt to their rules. I can’t discipline my kids the way I need to. Please, baby, think this through.
M.K.: So you believe you can raise my kids right in Nigeria? You think you can’t achieve your dreams abroad? You think you’ll not be welcome because you practice Islam? Where did you get these ideas? Who told you that? Maybe there are other reasons you don’t want to come with me.
Hazeemah: Yes, you’re right. My family! My mom, my brothers. I don’t want to leave them behind and start a new life somewhere I don’t even know. I need my family, even if you don’t need yours. So, you must settle with your family, whether you like it or not.
M.K.: Stay out of my family problems. This is my problem. So mind your business.
Hazeemah: Your problem is my problem now.
M.K.: (roars at her) I SAID MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS! (parks the car by the side of the road instantly)
Hazeemah: (panting heavily, in disbelief at his actions, then faces the window without uttering another word to him)
M.K.: (breathing heavily, rests his head on the steering wheel) I don’t want to have this same discussion again. We are going home. (starts the car and drives off)
*********************************
Scene: Later in the Night
At the Dining Table
Hazeemah: (quietly serving his meal)
M.K.: (admiring the meal) Damn, you’re getting good at making American dishes. Mac and cheese with chicken?
Hazeemah: Here’s the sauce in case you need it. (turns to leave)
M.K.: Where are you going?
Hazeemah: To freshen up and pray.
M.K.: Why aren’t you eating?
Hazeemah: I don’t have any appetite tonight. (walks away)
M.K.: (sighs for a while and begins eating)
(Curtain)
45 Minutes Later
In the Bedroom
Hazeemah is in the bedroom performing Solatul Ishai as messages keep popping up on her phone with sound alerts. After praying, she rests her head on the wall while on the prayer mat, gathering her thoughts. Another message pops up. She picks up her phone and goes through the notifications.
Message from Salamah: Hey babe, what happened today? You and your husband left just like that, and we found Mrs. Shola at the office. Did they have a fight?
Hazeemah: (ignores her message and opens the next one, which is from Abdullahi)
Abdullahi: As-Salamu Alaikum, Hajiya na. I came to your desk this afternoon, and you were not there. I heard a rumor that you left with your husband. I hope all is well. And about the stuff you asked me to do, the result is ready.
Hazeemah: (typing to reply) Wa Alaikum Salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh, sir. JazakAllahu Khairan for your concern. Everything is absolutely fine. Concerning the stuff, keep it for now. Don’t mention it again until I ask for details. Have a wonderful night rest, and my regards to your family. (clicks on the send button) Hmm, who’s next? (notices her brother’s annoying messages and ignores them as well. Suddenly, a message pops up from M.K. She looks around the room) Why is he texting me when we’re in the same house? (opens the message)
M.K.: Hey baby.
Hazeemah: (thinking of how to respond to his message, then types) Yes sir.
M.K.: I know I was wrong for what happened between us in the car. I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that, and I’m sorry. The silent treatment you’ve been giving me is frustrating. You know I love you, right?
Hazeemah: (sighs and types) I know. It’s fine. We’re cool.
M.K.: I know you’re still mad at me. Okay, tell me how I can make it up to you.
Hazeemah: Honestly, it’s fine.
M.K.: (typing) Can I come into the room now?
Hazeemah: It’s your house, for Allah’s sake. (another message pops up from Salamah)
Salamah: You better not ignore me this time. I can see you online.
Hazeemah: Salamah, free me, abeg. (resumes to her husband) Anyway, that’s in the past. There’s something I need to tell you. (sends the message) And it’s about… (suddenly the door opens, she looks up and smiles) So you’re already at the door.
M.K.: (walks up and sits next to her, kisses her forehead) I’m sorry. Don’t be mad at your baby.
Hazeemah: It’s okay, jor. Actually, I’m sorry too. I was poking my nose into what doesn’t concern me. So I’m sorry, and it will never happen again.
M.K.: Alright then. Since we’re cool with each other, what do you want to tell me?
Hazeemah: (drops her phone as she takes a deep breath) Don’t you notice anything weird about us?
M.K.: (wondering) Like what, baby?
Hazeemah: Think, boss, think!
M.K.: Just say it already.
Hazeemah: Actually, it’s been almost five months now since we got married, and I’m yet to take in. And you don’t even feel bothered about it.
M.K.: Ohhh!
Hazeemah: You don’t seem surprised.
M.K.: How can I be? I thought maybe you’re not ready to be a mom, and I can’t force you to get pregnant when you’re not ready. You’re the one carrying the baby, not me.
Hazeemah: Subhanallah! Then why did we get married if I’m not ready to start a family?
M.K.: We got married because we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. I thought maybe you weren’t ready. I thought maybe you took pills after our love-making. But anytime you’re ready, I’m ready too.
Hazeemah: (confused, shaking her head) In Nigeria, uhh? Once a couple makes it halal, I am expected to have taken in.
M.K.: Even if you’re not ready?
Hazeemah: Yeah, even if I’m not ready. And for your information, I never took any pills.
M.K.: (exhales softly) Alright then, are you ready this time?
Hazeemah: Yeah.
M.K.: (smiling) So should we start tonight? You know what I’m saying.
Hazeemah: I thought you have a lot on your mind right now.
M.K.: Yeah, that reminds me. How about we plan to get pregnant after we get to the U.K.?
Hazeemah: (her mood changes to sadness immediately, replying in a low tone) Okay, sir.
M.K.: (noticing her mood) Listen to me, baby. I really want to…
Hazeemah: (cuts in) I got it... I just don’t want to talk about it either. (gets up and climbs onto the bed)
M.K.: Babyyyyy! This is going to be an adventure for you, and we’ll surely be coming home every year to spend time with family. Trust me, no one can criticize you for your hijab. And as for my kids, we’ll raise them right.
Hazeemah: Come to bed and sleep. You must be tired. (covers herself and turns to the other side)
M.K.: We are not done having this conversation. (climbs onto the bed) And I love you so, so much. (kisses her neck) Or how about we...
Hazeemah: Don’t touch me. I’m tired.
M.K.: Uhhhhhhh...
(Curtain)
Scene: The Next Morning, 7:59 AM
M.K.: (slowly enjoying his breakfast)
Hazeemah: (approaches him) I’m ready, baby. We’re getting late.
M.K.: Where are you going?
Hazeemah: Work, of course. Aren’t you going?
M.K.: We are not going anywhere, so go take off your big suit jacket and join me here.
Hazeemah: So you really mean this thing? Babe!
M.K.: It’s too early for arguments. All I’m trying to do is have a healthy breakfast in peace.
Hazeemah: (takes off her suit and heads inside the bedroom, then comes out again with a handbag)
M.K.: I thought I made myself clear?
Hazeemah: I want to visit my mom. Can I go? I haven’t heard from her ever since I got back.
M.K.: You just don’t want to spend quality time with me, uh? Anyway, it’s fine. You can go. Send my regards.
Hazeemah: Alright, sir. As-Salamu Alaikum.
M.K.: Wa Alaikum Salam. (admires her)
Hazeemah: (opens the door and bumps into)
Mrs. Shola: Oh, there you are. Where is your husband?
Hazeemah: (surprised) Uhm, good morning, ma.
Mrs. Shola: About what happened yesterday, you couldn’t stop him from leaving? Are you poisoning his mind?
Hazeemah: What? No, ma. Why would I ever do that?
M.K.: (appears) What brings you here? (strict face)
Mrs. Shola: What is wrong with you? You just left the company like that?
M.K.: Well, you are there.
Mrs. Shola: (takes a deep breath) We can settle this. Leaving your family behind once again isn’t the solution.
Hazeemah: (unintentionally speaks up) Exactly!
M.K.: (glances at her)
Hazeemah: (covers her mouth) Sorry, sir.
Mrs. Shola: I thought she was in support of your decision? Finally getting her green card.
Hazeemah: I should be on my way. Bye. (takes her leave)
M.K.: (waves at her) My wife has nothing to do with it, so don’t put the blame on her. She is totally against my decision. We even had a heated argument yesterday about it. This is my decision alone, and it’s final. (heads back to the dining table)
Mrs. Shola: Listen to me. (follows him) Let’s go and meet Dad. Let’s have a family meeting and settle this. You barely visit him despite his health condition. Put that jerk aside, and let’s focus on Dad. I heard he is returning to NYC soon.
M.K.: (sips his drink)
Mrs. Shola: At least say something.
Hazeemah: (barges into the house)
M.K.: (gets up to check who it was) Babe... what brings you back?
Hazeemah: (stands with a heavy heart, making way for someone to enter the house)
(Two bouncers and three bodyguards enter the house with Chief Aregbeshola in his automatic wheelchair.)
Hazeemah: (her eyes meet M.K.'s)
M.K.: (becomes more furious)
Mrs. Shola: (runs to approach him) Dad... you didn’t have to stress yourself coming over. We were going to come together.
Chief Aregbeshola: (signals for her to shut up and furiously glances at M.K., who glances back)
Hazeemah: (surprised as she watches the scene between father and son, whispers to herself) Wahala dey oo...
(Curtain)