EPISODE FOUR
Middle of the Night (1:06 a.m.)
Hazeemah woke up abruptly, realizing she had fallen asleep while waiting for her husband. She glanced around the room but found no sign of him. Concerned, she hurried downstairs and spotted him in the living room, engrossed in a movie. Placing her hand over her chest in relief, she walked up to him.
Hazeemah: (rests her head on his thigh) I’ve been waiting for you.
M.K.: (says nothing, eyes still on the screen)
Hazeemah: (noticing his silence) Why are you acting like this?
M.K.: (glances at her briefly) Should that even be a question?
Hazeemah: I never imagined we’d have our first misunderstanding so soon.
M.K.: (dryly) Congratulations, mission accomplished.
Hazeemah: (softly) Come on, stop being so grumpy. I’m sorry, okay? I wasn’t thinking straight, and I let other people’s opinions cloud my judgment. Please forgive me.
M.K.: (exhales deeply) It’s fine. I’m just surprised at how quickly you decided to leave the company that brought us together. Now, you’re giving people a real reason to believe their assumptions about you—like you came here with one goal in mind, and now that it’s done, you’re leaving.
Hazeemah: No! I swear, I didn’t think it through properly. I never intended for it to look this way.
M.K.: Look, we’re different. We don’t see things the same way. But I’m not someone who thrives on drama. Yeah, we had our share of disagreements and harsh words before—but back then, I was your arrogant boss, not your husband. This—(gestures to himself)—is your husband speaking. And I won’t sit here while people disrespect my wife. The most they can do is talk behind your back, where they belong. So, why should their opinions matter?
Hazeemah: (her eyes well up with emotion; she embraces him tightly) Masha Allah! You have no idea how often I’ve prayed for a husband like you—someone to protect me, motivate me, and guide me the right way. You’re my answered prayer. I’m so sorry for hurting you.
M.K.: It’s fine. Do you want to stay up and watch Netflix with me, or head back to bed?
Hazeemah: I’m not good at watching movies—you know I’ll doze off in no time. Besides, shouldn’t we be sleeping instead of watching TV?
M.K.: I’m just trying to clear my head.
Hazeemah: (runs her fingers through his hair) Are you still upset? Be honest.
M.K.: (sighs) No, I’m not. Trust me.
Hazeemah: Prove it.
M.K.: (stands up and grabs her waist) This is my weak spot—anytime I’m stressed by the people I love.
Hazeemah: (smiling) I’m really sorry for upsetting you. Okay, tell me—how can I make it up to you?
M.K.: (smirks) Now you’re talking. (leans in for a kiss, but she playfully pulls away)
Hazeemah: Seriously? There’s no other way to make it up to you? Men!
M.K.: (grinning) Well, you’re mine, so… (scoops her up effortlessly)
Hazeemah: (laughing) Put me down! I’m too tired for this. Don’t forget, we have work tomorrow, and we need to wake up early!
M.K.: (carries her into the bedroom and shuts the door behind them)
*****************************
Scene: Dining Room – The Next Morning (7:48 a.m.)
(M.K is seated at the dining table, enjoying his breakfast.)
M.K: (enjoying his meal) Babe! Isn’t this meal a little too heavy for breakfast?
Hazeemah: (responding from the living room) Just enjoy it, sweetheart!
M.K: Well, I don’t want to get fat! And if I do, then we’re getting fat together. Come and join me, please.
Hazeemah: I’m coming. I’m just looking for the car keys.
M.K: I have them.
Hazeemah: Oh! In that case... (enters the dining room and sits beside him) Did you enjoy the meal?
M.K: I’m scared.
Hazeemah: Oh, please. You won’t get fat... as long as you hit the gym frequently.
M.K: (pushes the plate aside dramatically) I’m done with this! (suddenly dips his hand into the bowl of stew and grabs a piece of meat, tossing it into his mouth)
Hazeemah: You’re definitely going to get fat for real!
M.K: Yoh! It’s just beef! It’s protein.
Hazeemah: Sure... I hear you.
(As M.K prepares to leave, his phone rings.)
M.K: (checking the caller ID) Oh! Mr. Dad. (answers the call) Hello, Dad? (listens to the response, his face dropping in shock) What?!
(Hazeemah, alarmed, instinctively gets up.)
Hazeemah: Baby, what is it?
M.K: (weakly drops the phone and slumps back into his chair)
Hazeemah: (rushing to him) Baby, you’re scaring me! What happened?
M.K: (staring blankly, trying to gather his thoughts)
Hazeemah: (grabs the phone from his hand, panicked) Hello? Dad? Are you there? (listens to the reply, her face twists in anguish as she screams) Inalilahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un!
Scene: Chief Aregbeshola’s Mansion
(In a flash, the couple arrives at Chief Aregbeshola’s grand mansion, now a scene of chaos. An investigation is underway.)
Mrs. Shola: (storming into the house) What exactly happened?
M.K: (roaring at the bodyguards) You’re all useless! How could you let my father get kidnapped under your watch? What’s the point of your job? Mark my words—you’ll all pay for this! If you don’t bring him back, I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your miserable lives!
Mrs. Shola: (furiously approaching the nearest bodyguard and delivering a sharp slap) You’ll pay for this incompetence! If anything happens to my father, I promise you—you’ll regret the day you were born.
(Hazeemah stands at a distance, sobbing quietly.)
(Suddenly, ten police officers and five soldiers march into the mansion, their presence heightening the tension.)
Scene: Chief Aregbeshola’s Mansion
(The living room is tense as police and soldiers begin their operation.)
Lead Soldier: (to M.K.) Good morning, Mr. M.K. Where are they? (briefly exchanges greetings and glances at the bodyguards) Oh, there they are—huge for nothing! Well, guess what? Today’s your lucky day—you’re going to prove your size. Now, move!
Lead Police Officer: (stepping forward) Good morning, sir. We need to arrest all the workers in your father’s mansion to carry out a full investigation. This was a clean operation—too clean—and we’ll also need to ask you a few questions. From there, we’ll start tracking the kidnappers and await their ransom call.
M.K.: Fine. Do your job while I do mine. Arrest them all.
(The officers summon all the workers, who are escorted out of the mansion and loaded into a waiting bus. Hazeemah sits silently in a corner, still processing the incident, her face pale with shock.)
Scene: Chief Aregbeshola’s Master Bedroom
(M.K. enters his father’s spacious bedroom. He paces slowly, his eyes scanning the room. His expression is heavy with sorrow.)
M.K.: (to himself) Dad... I know we haven’t been close because of the past, but I never wanted you in harm’s way. I swear, I’ll make those criminals pay. This is exactly why I prefer foreign countries—how could anyone have the audacity to kidnap you in your own home? With all the security and CCTV cameras? This is beyond disheartening... (picks up a framed photo of his father) I just hope you’re okay, wherever you are.
(Mrs. Shola bursts into the room, out of breath.)
Mrs. Shola: (panting) I’ve been looking for you everywhere! You know how big this mansion is. Hazeemah was also searching... (pauses, noticing M.K.’s tear-filled eyes as he turns to face her) Abdulmalik... come here.
(She moves closer and embraces him tightly, her own tears falling.)
Mrs. Shola: Don’t worry. We’ll bring Dad back alive—I promise.
(M.K. lets his tears flow freely as he hugs her.)
(Hazeemah stands silently by the door, surprised to see her husband crying for the first time.)
Mrs. Shola: (releasing M.K. and wiping his tears) I know your biggest fear is losing loved ones. I know losing Mom still haunts you. I hate seeing you like this. But you need to see something.
M.K.: (staring at her, confused) What is it?
Scene: Security Room
(Minutes later, M.K., Mrs. Shola, Hazeemah, and a police officer watch the CCTV footage on a monitor.)
M.K.: (horrified as the footage shows the intruders destroying cameras) So these fools allowed themselves to be drugged? Who’s the chef?
Mrs. Shola: The chef was part of it. This was a carefully planned operation. (turning to the police officer) Please, do your job thoroughly. Bring my father back alive, and you’ll be greatly rewarded.
Police Officer: Understood, ma’am. We’re already on it. The chef wasn’t among those we arrested. She’s the key—we need to find her first.
(M.K. leaves the room quietly, his head heavy with despair. He bumps into Hazeemah in the hallway.)
M.K.: (his voice breaking) Baby...
Hazeemah: (moves closer and hugs him warmly) Everything will be fine, insha’Allah. Have faith. I’m so sorry you’re going through this, but we’ll face it together. (gently rubs his head)
M.K.: (grabs her tightly, sighing deeply) I just hope he’s okay...
*******************************
Scene: Late Night at Chief Aregbeshola’s Mansion
(The mansion is bustling with activity. Friends, relatives, and well-wishers flood the home, offering support and anxiously awaiting news. M.K. and Hazeemah, exhausted from the day’s chaos, move through the crowded space in silence. Hazeemah avoids the visitors, needing a moment to herself. She finds a quiet spot to rest but grows increasingly worried about M.K., who hasn’t eaten or rested properly since the news broke.)
Hazeemah: (approaches a police officer writing notes) Excuse me, sir. Have you seen my husband?
Police Officer: Who is your husband, ma’am?
Hazeemah: Mr. M.K., Chief Aregbeshola’s son.
Police Officer: (stands and salutes) My apologies, ma’am, for not recognizing you sooner. Please follow me; I’ll take you to him.
Hazeemah: Thank you. (follows him)
(A few minutes later, they stop in front of a room.)
Police Officer: (pointing) He’s in there, ma’am. He said he didn’t want to be disturbed, but since you’re his wife, you might be able to comfort him.
Hazeemah: (offers a faint smile) Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.
(She approaches the door, opens it gently, and is surprised to see M.K. sitting on the floor, leaning back, eyes closed in exhaustion.)
Hazeemah: (hurrying to him) Baby... Are you okay?
M.K.: (forces a weak smile) Yeah... and you? (his voice low and strained)
Hazeemah: (sighs deeply) Obviously, you’re not fine. Have you performed your five daily prayers?
M.K.: Yes, I just finished. That’s why I’m still here. What about you?
Hazeemah: I have too. But it’s late, and you haven’t eaten anything since morning. You need strength to work with the officers. Baby, you’re making me worried—wallahi.
M.K.: (still in a low tone) I’m fine. It’s just... I’ve never missed my father like I do now. I didn’t take him seriously, barely visited him... Since I got back to Nigeria, I’ve only visited him once. Isn’t this guilt enough? I was a bad son... I wasn’t there for him when he needed me.
Hazeemah: (pulls him into a warm embrace) Don’t think like that. I believe, insha’Allah, that he will be brought back alive. Please, don’t be sad.
M.K.: (grabs her khimar tightly, tears streaming down his face)
Hazeemah: I’ve never seen you cry this much before. You really have a soft heart... I’m so sorry for everything. (embraces him again) Let’s go outside for some fresh air. I’ll head home to prepare dinner for us, and then we’ll return here.
M.K.: I’m not hungry.
Hazeemah: Nikini? Okay, fine—you might not feel your appetite now, but as your wife, I need you to eat. Now get up. Let’s go.
M.K.: (reluctantly rises, sighing)
Hazeemah: (holding his hand tightly) I love you so much.
M.K.: (offers a faint smile) Hmm... trying to cheer me up, but I can’t feel okay until he’s back.
Hazeemah: I didn’t say it to get a response. I just want you to know that I’m here for you—by your side, no matter what we’re going through.
(They walk out of the room, hand in hand, heading outside for fresh air.)
Watch out for the next episode!!!