EPISODE TWO
Scene: An Hour Later
Hazeemah wakes from her nap, surprised to find herself alone in the moving car. She quickly sits up, looking around.
Hazeemah: Driver! Where are you going? Where is my husband? And why are you taking me without him in the car?
M.K: (smiling as he turns to the back seat) Hey, relax, baby! I’m right here. (chuckles) You looked so scared… He's not going to kidnap you. (laughs)
Hazeemah: (touches her chest, trying to calm down) You scared me! And why are you laughing? This isn’t funny.
M.K: I'm sorry, but I couldn’t help it. Did you see your face? I almost took a picture.
Hazeemah: And what did we say about pictures? (still trying to steady herself)
M.K: I didn’t take any, alright?
Hazeemah: Then why are you sitting in the front?
M.K: Because you were sleeping. Your colleagues came by to say hi, but you were out cold.
Hazeemah: (gasps) They saw me sleeping? That’s so embarrassing!
M.K: Embarrassing? For sleeping?
Hazeemah: Was my mouth open?
The driver tries to hide a smile.
M.K: (noticing) You better not laugh at my wife.
Hazeemah: (blushing) I love it when you call me your wife. It makes me feel like I’ve won. Driver, please stop the car.
Driver: Yes, ma'am.
M.K: Stop for what?
Hazeemah: So you can come sit with your wife in the back seat. I don’t want to be left alone here—we’re attached to each other now, forever.
M.K: (chuckles) So this is what beautiful marriage feels like? I thought it was a prison. (gets out and joins her in the back seat)
Hazeemah: Well, marriage is only beautiful when you’re with the right person.
M.K: That’s true…
Driver: Almost at your destination, sir.
M.K: Great! (hurriedly pulls out a long veil)
Hazeemah: What’s that for?
M.K: Now, listen carefully. Remember I told you I had a surprise? I'm going to blindfold you.
Hazeemah: Now you’re scaring me. Is the blindfold really necessary?
M.K: Do you trust me?
Hazeemah: Of course I do!
He blindfolds her as the driver pulls into the driveway, the gates opening automatically.
Hazeemah: Wait! Are we at my parents' house? Or... is our house next to theirs?
M.K.: (grins, watching her as she makes wild guesses) Come on. (takes her hand, helping her out of the car and adjusting her khimar) Are you ready, baby?
Hazeemah: (breathing heavily) I’m not sure… I’m getting emotional. Why do I feel like I’m going to cry?
M.K.: Come on! On the count of three, I’ll take it off. One… two… three! (removes the blindfold) Surprise!
Hazeemah stands still, stunned by the sight of a large, beautiful house painted in white.
Hazeemah: Is… is this where we’ll live from now on?
M.K.: Yes! Do you like it?
Hazeemah: (moves closer, still in shock) This house is huge… just for us?
M.K.: It won’t be too big once you make it a home for us. (holds her waist) I want to spend the rest of my life with you. This house will feel small when our kids arrive.
The driver is busy unloading their bags.
Hazeemah: (eyes filling with tears, overcome with emotion)
M.K.: Wait! Don’t you notice something familiar about the design?
Hazeemah: (looks around, scanning the house) Well… it does look familiar…
M.K.: (shows her a photo on his phone) Who drew this?
Hazeemah: (jaw drops in disbelief) Don’t tell me… This is the design from my first assignment you gave me!
M.K.: (smiling happily) Yep, it is. When you submitted that design, I was obsessed with it. I never imagined it would actually become our home.
Hazeemah breaks down in tears, performing a sujud ash-shukr (prostration of gratitude).
M.K.: (joins her, while the driver looks on, slightly bewildered)
Hazeemah: (lifts her head and embraces him as they both kneel) Thank you so much! Barakallahu feekum.
M.K.: (holds her tightly) Ameen.
A Few Minutes Later
M.K.: (talking to the driver) Make sure to hurry with the furniture and the other items I ordered—they’ve arrived. Get everything here quickly.
Driver: Okay, sir. (gets into the car and drives off)
Hazeemah: (still admiring the house)
M.K.: (noticing) You’re still admiring it, huh? Come on, let’s go inside.
Hazeemah: (stops him) Wait. We need to say a dua before entering a new house. Just give me a second. (pulls out her phone, searching for the prayer)
M.K.: (watching her) Is that really necessary?
Hazeemah: More than necessary. I’ll explain its benefits later. Now, let’s read this together.
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20 minutes later
IScene: The Master Bedroom
In the master bedroom, M.K. is directing the housekeeper, who places items around the room.
M.K.: (demonstrating to the housekeeper) Just put this one here… yes, thank you. You can leave now. (closes the door) Now, we’re finally alone… again. (runs to join her)
Hazeemah: (giggles, taking his hand) Come here, baby. Sit with me. (They sit together on the bed.) Let’s have our first real couple’s talk.
M.K.: What’s this about? I’m eager to hear it.
Hazeemah: (exhales softly) I don’t know where to start, but I’ll begin by glorifying Allah, for He is worthy of praise. Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alamin—thank God for bringing you into my life. I still can’t believe you’re my husband now, my crown. Thank you so much for choosing me, even though it’s hard to believe. I mean, how am I even going to tell our kids about how we met… and how you were so mean to me in the beginning!
M.K.: (smiling) Let’s skip that part, shall we?
Hazeemah: Nice try! Anyway, back to what I was saying… I promise, every day, I’ll strive to be the best wife to you and to take care of you with all my heart. You have every right over me now, though I’ll object to a few things here and there… (laughs softly) If I ever upset you, please, sit me down and talk to me calmly, like a father would. I promise, I’ll take correction. And if you ever do anything to upset me, I’ll sit you down, too. I can see how much you love me; it’s in your eyes. I just wish you’d look at me this way forever.
M.K.: I love you deeply, baby. Just focus on making me a happy man, and I’ll make you feel like more than a queen.
Hazeemah: I know… just promise me one thing. No matter what arguments or fights we have in the future, let’s never say hateful things or put our marriage at risk. Promise me we’ll always find a way to work things out, even if we irritate each other sometimes.
M.K.: I promise.
Hazeemah: (smiling) Remember, a promise is a debt.
M.K.: I know. (removes her khimar) This… this is how I love to see you—so beautiful, Hazeemah.
Hazeemah: What if one day I’m not so attractive to you anymore… you know, after bearing your children?
M.K.: I didn’t fall in love with just your appearance. Before I even saw you, I fell for the person you are inside. Even if things change, I’ll do my best to stay committed. And if ever I feel distant or frustrated, I might just need a moment to clear my head, but I promise I’ll always come back to you.
Hazeemah pauses, thinking to herself about whether to bring up the topic of cheating or a second wife.
Hazeemah: (to herself) Should I ask about it now? Maybe I should just expect that someday… (smiles and shifts the topic) Anyway, baby, you’re okay with me working, right?
M.K.: Of course! You have your money; I earn ours. You have your dreams, too, and I’d never be so controlling as to keep you from them. You deserve to chase those dreams, especially before our children arrive.
Hazeemah: Jazakallahu Khairan. (embraces him warmly)
M.K.: Waiyakum. I love you so much, Hazeemah.
Hazeemah: I love you too, my king. (lets go of him) So, when are we starting back at the office?
M.K.: Now, don’t freak out, but… we’re resuming tomorrow.
Hazeemah: (shocked) Tomorrow? But tomorrow’s Friday! Can’t we just wait until Monday, please? I want a few more days to have you all to myself before we get swamped with work.
M.K.: (looks at her fondly) I love it when you act cute. Alright, I’ll talk to my sister about it. Happy now?
Hazeemah: (grabs his shirt, pulling him closer) Come here, my prince charming.
M.K. begins to unbutton his shirt.
Hazeemah: (surprised) Hey! What are you trying to do?
M.K.: (smirking) I thought you wanted us to…
Hazeemah: After all the love-making we just had? Are you trying to kill me, you mad man?
M.K.: (laughs, putting his shirt back on) I was just kidding. I just wanted to see your reaction.
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Scene: The Next Morning
(Mrs. Shola hurries around the room, putting on her clothes.)
Mrs. Shola: (calling out) Princess? Are you ready for school?
Najat: (enters the room, looking sad) Yes, Mum.
Mrs. Shola: Great, my love. Mummy will be ready in no time.
Najat: (responds sadly, sitting on the bed) Yes, Mum.
Mrs. Shola: All set! (picks up Najat's lunch bag) Now let’s get going. Where’s your backpack?
Najat: I don’t know, Mummy.
(Mrs. Shola notices Najat’s downcast expression and kneels down to her level.)
Mrs. Shola: What’s wrong, baby? Talk to me.
Najat: (hesitantly) Is it true that you and Daddy are… getting a divorce?
Mrs. Shola: (startled) Where did you hear that? And do you even know what “divorce” means?
Najat: (sadly) Yes… it means you and Daddy don’t want to be married anymore. But I want us to be together—all of us. My classmates were teasing me yesterday, saying Daddy’s going to leave us.
Mrs. Shola: (frowns) Where did they hear that?
Najat: I don’t know… but I’m not happy, Mummy. I miss Daddy. I don’t want you two to separate. I love you both.
Mrs. Shola: (embraces Najat, deeply moved) Oh, my princess… (thinking, visibly worried) So, the rumors are spreading? I need to do something about this—right away.
.
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Scene: That Same Morning
(M.K. heads toward the door.)
M.K.: (calling) Hold on, I’m coming! (opens the door)
Abdulsalam, Abdulhakeem, and Abdulrahman: As-salam alaikum wa rahmatullah! (They all embrace him.)
M.K.: (surprised, catching his breath) Wa alaikum salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh. Good morning, sirs... I—uh—I wasn’t expecting you all so soon or so early.
Abdulsalam: Where is she? (enters the house) Last born!!
Abdulrahman: Sorry for barging in, but we need to see her. (follows inside)
Abdulhakeem: Welcome to the family, bro! (shakes hands with M.K. and steps in) Masha Allah, this house is beautiful! So, this is where our little troublemaker will start her own family, huh?
M.K.: (still surprised, standing by the door)
Abdulsalam: Come on, brother, go get our sister for us.
M.K.: (snaps out of it) Oh! Right, I’ll get her. Please, make yourselves comfortable. (heads upstairs)
Abdulsalam: This place is huge! And the living room—it’s amazing.
Abdulrahman: (says nothing, just admires the house)
A Few Minutes Later
(M.K. leads Hazeemah down the stairs.)
Abdulsalam: Here comes the bride!!
Abdulrahman: Look at her—our little sister, all grown up!
M.K.: (smiling as he steps aside for her)
Hazeemah: (rolls her eyes with a smile) As-salam alaikum wa rahmatullah. (kisses the backs of their hands, one by one)
The Three Brothers: Wa alaikum salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.
Abdulsalam: (rubs her head) So, you think you’re all grown now, huh? Hazeemah, who was running around the house in just her underwear like yesterday.
Hazeemah: Oh, please! So what brings you here so early on Yaomul Jumm’ah?
Abdulrahman: (moves closer and kisses her forehead) I’m just so glad to see you in good health. May Allah bless your new home.
Hazeemah: (embraces him) You’re the one I miss the most. Our bond is special, unlike with these two—especially Abdulsalam! I wish I were your elder sister; I’d have thrown a few slippers at him.
Abdulsalam: Well, guess what? You’re not! (bursts into laughter)
M.K.: (smiles, watching from afar)
Hazeemah: I wonder how your wife puts up with you all.
Abdulhakeem: (rubs her head and then moves closer to M.K. with the others, making M.K. a bit nervous as they approach him) My brother! (shakes hands with M.K.) We know you’re a great guy. Now, our sister is in your care. We don’t joke about her, and we treat our wives well—so we expect her to be treated even better. Next time we visit, we hope it’s to welcome a blessed child. Whatever challenges come your way, handle them together. Don’t let Shaytan into your home. Stay blessed, brother. (shakes hands again and steps back)
Abdulrahman: I sense you’re a good man. I don’t want to imagine you mistreating my baby sister. As my brother said, we don’t joke about her. She’s our heart; she was born after us so we could protect her, and we’d give our last breath for her. Take care of her for us. (shakes hands and steps back for Abdulsalam)
Abdulsalam: I don’t have much to say. Just know, Hazeemah can be a handful sometimes, but that’s how women are. She might act out or seem stubborn, but remember, that’s just her nature. My wife and our wives are the same. If she ever upsets you, treat her like your little sister—talk it out. And if she still doesn’t listen, I’m just a call away. But I trust her. She’s wise and knows how to handle things. Treat her like a princess, for she’ll be the queen who raises your sons and daughters. Whatever you do to her, they’ll see and learn from it. Lead well, brother. I wish you all the blessings and happiness in your home. We’ll be on our way now. Ma salam.
(They all turn to leave, but Hazeemah rushes to embrace them tearfully.)
M.K.: (steps back, wiping the sweat from his brow)
Watch out for the next episode!