EPISODE TWELVE
Hajia Shukroh: (Heading to the door) Hold on, I’m coming. (Opens the door.)
Hazeemah: (Tiredly enters) As-salam alaikum warahmatullah, Mum. (Falls onto the couch.)
Hajia Shukroh: (Confused) Wa alaikum salam warahmatullah wabarakatuh. What happened? (Joins her on the couch.)
Hazeemah: You didn’t tell me marriage was like this!
Hajia Shukroh: What is the problem? I was about to call you to thank your husband. My store is filled with foodstuffs, he bought me a bigger fridge, and he sent ₦500,000 to my account.
Hazeemah: (Sitting up) When was that?
Hajia Shukroh: Last night. So, tell me, what happened?
Hazeemah: (Takes out her phone, about to dial his number, then pauses) Maybe I’ll wait until I get home. Only Allah knows how the house will be shaking right now.
Hajia Shukroh: What is going on? Can’t you talk?
Hazeemah: The thing is, my husband wants us to relocate abroad because of his family issues. (Interrupted.)
Ummu Fatimah: (Comes out of the kitchen) Ummu, here’s the tea you asked for. (Surprised) Masha Allah! Iya Okomi! (Drops the tea and embraces her.) As-salam alaikum.
Hazeemah: Wa alaikum salam warahmatullah. (Smiles and welcomes her embrace.) How have you been? How are my babies?
Ummu Fatimah: Alhamdulillah, they’re fine. And how is your husband? He’s surely taking good care of you. Look at you—you’re glowing!
Hazeemah: (Smiles) Stop teasing me. Well, alhamdulillah, we’re fine. Jazakumullahu khairan for taking such good care of my mum. I’m very grateful.
Ummu Fatimah: Wa iyakum. She’s my mother too.
Hajia Shukroh: (Sipping her tea) So, as you were saying...
Ummu Fatimah: Please excuse me. (About to leave.)
Hazeemah: Come on! Where are you going? You don’t need to leave; we’re family.
Hajia Shukroh: (Smiling) Have a seat.
Ummu Fatimah: (Smiles and obeys.)
Hajia Shukroh: I’ll start with yours, then we’ll continue where we left off. Her husband has been acting weird for over three weeks now. He barely comes home and doesn’t check on his family. He’s changed completely.
Hazeemah: Just like that? Did you offend him, or did you have an argument?
Ummu Fatimah: Wallahi, no. In fact, the night before he changed, we made love, and he even bought me a gift, thanking me for being the best wife ever. Then he just changed toward me, and it’s killing me. Even if he wants to marry a second wife, he doesn’t need to hurt me like this.
Hazeemah: (Surprised) My brother? Isn’t this Abdulrahman’s wife?
Hajia Shukroh: Yes. I was shocked too. Even if he’s going through hard times, he has no right to hurt his wife and kids. My son, sleeping outside? He better not be committing adultery. He knows the kind of mother he has.
Ummu Fatimah: (Breaks down in tears) I don’t know what else to do. That’s why I came here. I love my husband so much, but my marriage is breaking, and I’m scared.
Hazeemah: (Embraces her) It’s okay. Allah will guide us all. Don’t cry. It’s good I came at the right time. His reasons for this behavior had better be good. You just don’t worry too much. Eat good food, sleep, and take care of your kids. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me.
Ummu Fatimah: The shocking part is, he sends us money every day but doesn’t come home.
Hazeemah: (Sighs in disbelief) Which means he’s definitely doing something fishy. Don’t hurt yourself. Your kids need you. (Turns to her mother.) Maami, do you see the nonsense men are doing? If I speak now... Anyway, I know what to do. If he keeps hurting you like this, then my home will also be bitter, as I’ll face the karma.
Hajia Shukroh: (Thinking) I wish your father were still alive. He’d know how to handle all of them. None of them was more stubborn than he was. But now that he’s gone, they’re misbehaving. He’ll get what’s coming to him. As long as I’m alive, he must do as I want. Don’t worry, my dear; you’re a good wife and mother. May Allah continue to bless your home and ease your affairs.
Ummu Fatimah: Amin, Ma. (Wipes her tears) Jazakumullahu khairan for your love and support. You’ve never made me feel the absence of my parents. Thank you so much.
Hazeemah: Don’t worry. Just keep praying for him; he’ll turn over a new leaf.
Hajia Shukroh: So, as you were saying about your own situation...
Hazeemah: (Narrates everything) Now my “foreign” husband doesn’t listen to anyone but himself. I don’t want to leave my family behind, but he needs family love too. I think he still finds it hard to heal from his childhood trauma. I don’t know how to convince him to stay.
Hajia Shukroh: So you’re saying your father-in-law is currently at your house?
Hazeemah: Yes, and now he’s prevented me from going to work as well.
Hajia Shukroh: Your case is still minor. You need patience and soft talks. Show him the advantages of staying, and give him time. Since he said you should stay out of his family issues, then obey him. Is that clear?
Hazeemah: Okay, Ma.
Hajia Shukroh: But to be honest, your husband is a good man. Don’t take advantage of that. Be a supportive wife. If his decision still stands, then you’ll have no choice but to follow him to the UK. May Allah ease your affairs.
Hazeemah: (Sighs heavily) Amin, Ma. (Turns to Ummu Fatimah) So, my sister, what advice do you have for me?
Ummu Fatimah: Ummu has said it all. Your husband truly loves you. He’s become a better version of himself because of you. Your love story at first was discouraging, but now look at him. Just be patient. It feels weird being in your midst, but this means the world to me. You’ve made me feel so welcome that… (Breaks down in tears again.)
Hazeemah: Why are you crying again? These hormones of yours! Are you acting like a pregnant woman, or what?
Hajia Shukroh: Honestly speaking...
Ummu Fatimah: (Suddenly gasps.)
Hazeemah: What? What happened?!
*********************************************************
Later in the evening
Hazeemah: (opens the door) As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh. I'm home. (looks around) Babe! (climbs the stairs) Mr. M.K.?
After several minutes with no appearance of M.K.
Hazeemah: Did he also go out? I just hope this father and son seeing eye to eye ended well. Let me call his phone then. (about to dial his number, then pauses) Oh... he must be in that room. (heads downstairs and peeps through the door, finding him working on his laptop; she smiles and opens the door) As-salamu alaykum?
M.K.: (puts down his headphones) Wa alaykum salam. What’s up, babe?
Hazeemah: (embraces him tightly) How was your day?
M.K.: Boring without you. But what took you so long?
Hazeemah: (sighs) Lots of family issues to deal with over there too.
M.K.: Care to share?
Hazeemah: Hell no. Face yours while I face mine... it’s your rules.
M.K.: Nice one. Anyway, we’re resuming back to the office tomorrow, insha'Allah, so our relocation will be next year as well.
Hazeemah: Ehn?
M.K.: What? I thought you’d be happy to hear that.
Hazeemah: (takes a deep breath and moves to the door) What do you want to have for dinner?
M.K.: I’m sure we’re having a serious conversation, and you’re just going to walk out on me?
Hazeemah: No, I’m not. I just don’t want to continue the conversation before it leads to another argument, and that’s the last thing I want right now. So, what should I make for dinner?
M.K.: You just made me lose my appetite. You just came back from your mom’s, left me all alone to deal with my problems, and now I’m trying to explain things to you, and you’re just going to shun me? You couldn’t even ask how my day went with Dad coming over?
Hazeemah: Baby... (in a low tone) we’ll talk better, and I’m sorry if my reaction sounded rude, but I thought maybe you might be hungry, and it’s 4:30 PM.
M.K.: You know what? It’s fine. (He gets up and leaves.)
Hazeemah: (tries to stop him) Babe... you don’t always have to be so upset all the time. Baby... okay, I’m sorry... (follows him).
A few days later
At M&S Company
Survey Department
Abdullahi: (demonstrating) You see over here... it’s sloppy, but it’s also a good thing. So when you view it from this angle, you’ll see why I said... (shows her)
Hazeemah: Hmm, interesting...
Abdullahi: Great. So, do you like it? (happily waiting for her response when they hear a knock) Yes, come in?
Mariam: (opens the door) Hey, hello, Aboki.
Abdullahi: Hey, Mariam.
Mariam: (notices Hazeemah) Good morning, P.A.
Abdullahi: (surprised)
Hazeemah: Good morning, ma’am.
Mariam: (drops the flash drive) Here is the flash, the copy of my designs.
Abdullahi: Okay... but Mariam... baki da hankali fa (you don’t have sense).
Hazeemah: (signals to him)
Mariam: What did you say?
Abdullahi: I said you look good today.
Mariam: Are you sure it’s not an insult?
Abdullahi: Why would I insult you?
Mariam: (scans Hazeemah) What are you still doing here when the boss is searching for you to come and clear his desk?
Hazeemah: Alright then. (stands up) Later, sir. (exits the office)
Abdullahi: (jaw drops)
Mariam: Alright then... later, Aboki.
Abdullahi: Heyyyy keh!
Mariam: What is it?
Abdullahi: I have one piece of advice for you.
Mariam: Actually, you need that advice more than I do, so keep it to yourself.
Abdullahi: Humble yourself just like she did. I dey talk my own oo.
Mariam: I don’t have time for this, please. (exits his office)
***************************************
Few hours later
Hazeemah: (pressing her phone)
Salamah: (approaches her desk) You want some? (stretches out a leather bag)
Hazeemah: What’s that?
Salamah: Shawarma.
Hazeemah: Uhnmm, no thanks. I don’t like sausage.
Salamah: Really? You surprise me every day. I just like everything about you, honestly.
Hazeemah: (fake smile and focuses on her phone)
Salamah: (hits her desk) Madam, I dey talk to you now. Why are you always ignoring me? Despite all my efforts, why do you hate me so much?
Hazeemah: Noooo!!! Don’t say that. I don’t hate you oh. I just don’t like pep talks. I value my time. I’m sorry, but you are a good friend, and I like that about you.
Salamah: Free me, abeg. (walks away)
Hazeemah: Salamah!!! I said I’m sorry. (about to return her attention to the phone when she sights the entrance and sees Abdulrahman majestically walking into the company, coming in her direction) What is he doing here? (gets on her feet with an upset face)
Abdulrahman: Heyyy, as-salamu alaykum, baby sis.
Hazeemah: Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatullah. Who is your baby sis? I called you several times to see you in person, and you failed to show up.
Abdulrahman: I said I’m sorry. There is a lot on my plate right now. And as for my wife... don’t mind her, jare. She’s just overreacting.
Hazeemah: Overreacting? Coming out of your mouth? Please! If you suddenly turn into a monster in your own home, how will the men after you treat their wives? Abdulhakeem and Abdulsalam are there. What you’re doing is unfair oo. Fear Allah oo.
Abdulrahman: Alright! I have heard you! I will turn a new leaf, okay?
Hazeemah: Not convincing enough, but seeing you leave everything you are doing to see me proves you have changed for good.
Abdulrahman: That reminds me... where is Salamah?
Hazeemah: She’s in her office.
Abdulrahman: Can you direct me to her office, please?
Hazeemah: (curious) Why?
Watch out for the next episode!!!