DAY BREAK (6:34 AM)
HANEEFAH’S POV
It was my second day in this beautiful mansion, and I awaited the discoveries and memories ahead with curiosity. The house was already busy. Each wife moved up and down, preparing breakfast for her family and getting the children ready for school. They barely noticed my movements as I prepared breakfast for my husband too.
I was amazed by how small yet elegant the kitchen reserved for me was. Everything was intact. Nothing was missing.
I smiled to myself. This old man truly knows how to take care of a family.
Suddenly, I heard my husband calling me from upstairs. I responded cheerfully, turned off the cooker, and climbed the stairs, lifting my khimar. On the way, I bumped into my senior wife. To make it easier, let us call her the second to the last wife.
I greeted her with teslim. She answered warmly as she dragged her children downstairs. I offered to help, but she declined happily. I heard my husband call again and hurried to the room.
Haneefah: Yes, love. Sorry I am late.
Anas: It is alright. I cannot find my navy blue trousers.
Haneefah: Already misplacing things? I barely recognise all your clothes yet, so I am not sure which one.
Anas: I know. I was just asking if you could help me check.
Haneefah: (Stares at the wardrobe) We will find it, naani. (Moves closer, scans carefully without touching the clothes) Hmm.
Anas: (Watches her patiently)
Haneefah: (Pulls out a folded trouser) Is it this one?
Anas: (Surprised) Did you just… (Takes it from her gently) Today I admit that women have superpowers when it comes to finding things. How did you even know?
Haneefah: (Chuckles) I guess that is true. Is that all you called me for?
Anas: Yes. Is breakfast ready?
Haneefah: Almost. Where should I serve it? Should I bring it upstairs?
Anas: No. We eat at the dining table. All of us men do, unless you insist on eating in the room.
Haneefah: Even if you feel like eating inside, you cannot?
Anas: Not really. That is what bonds us. It is the only time we all sit together, except when we watch movies with our father.
Haneefah: Alright then. (Exits the room)
Anas: Please hurry.
(LIGHT FADE)
AT THE DINING TABLE
Haneefah: (Approaches with a glass of juice) Oh. I overfilled this cup. Please do not stain my khimar. (Places the glass) Here you go.
Anas: Thank you, my love. Join me.
Haneefah: I need to shower and brush first. I hope you are enjoying it.
Anas: Absolutely.
Jamil: (Joins them) As salam alaykum to the latest couple.
Haneefah and Anas: Walaykum salam warahmatullah.
Anas: (Shakes hands) How far, bro?
Jamil: I am good. And you? Our wife, I hope you are enjoying the house already.
Haneefah: (Lowers her gaze) Yes, sir.
Jamil: Where is this woman now? Iya Nusaybah, where is my food? I am running late.
Maryam: (Approaches with a tray) I am sorry, dear. I did not realise the gas was almost finished. (Serves him)
Jamil: And you know I have a client to meet this morning.
Maryam: I said I am sorry now. Oya, eat.
Haneefah: (Turns to her husband) Dear, I am going upstairs.
Anas: Alright.
Maryam: Is the food okay, or should I add more?
Jamil: It is fine.
Maryam: About the children’s transport… (A loud scream echoes) What was that?
Haneefah: (Pauses on the staircase, and turns back)
Anas and Jamil exchange glances, jump up, and rush toward the first couple’s room.
Anas: Bro, what is going on?
Haneefah joins Maryam downstairs.
Maryam: (Rolls her eyes and sits) Another daily problem.
Haneefah: (Thinking) Early morning marital problem again.
Zainab storms out of the room in tears, shouting angrily.
Zainab: You unfortunate man. You have given me nothing but pain in this marriage after all I went through for you. I am tired. Very tired.
Aishat runs out with her husband.
Junaid: (Shouting from upstairs) What is going on?
Maryam: We do not know, sir.
Junaid: (Rushing down) This is too early for this.
Haneefah: (Thinking) I better mind my business. (Quietly turns to leave)
Aishat: Where are you going in the middle of all this?
Haneefah: Ma, I thought we should not interfere.
Aishat: If you go inside, it means disrespect.
Haneefah: But we are not solving anything.
Aishat: True, but our duty is to watch.
Haneefah: I am sorry, what?
Aishat: You heard me. It is not new. Marriage has good days and bad days. You will get used to it. But you cannot leave.
Haneefah: Will it not look like we are mocking her?
Aishat: No. So just stay.
Haneefah: Okay. (Stands beside her, thinking) This is a real Indian movie.
Kehinde, the eldest daughter, stands nearby sadly, watching. Aishat moves closer.
Aishat: That is their daughter, Kehinde. These issues affect children deeply. No matter my misunderstandings with my husband, I keep my children away. (Rubs her back) Dont be sad. Everything will be fine. Are you ready for school?
Kehinde: Yes, ma. We were waiting for transport money.
Haneefah: How much is it?
Kehinde: Two thousand naira, ma.
Haneefah: (Brings out money) Here. Do not be late.
Kehinde: Thank you, ma. Taiye. Rofiah. Let us go. (Runs off)
Aishat: Sorry you had to witness this as a new wife. You will adjust.
Haneefah: (Smiles faintly, sighs)
Aishat: (Returns to her room)
Haneefah: May Allah ease their affairs.
Chief Olakunle: (Descends slowly with his staff) What is going on here?
Maryam: (Supports him) Careful, Chief.
Chief Olakunle: Thank you, my daughter. Jamiu. Junaid. Anas.
Anas: (Approaches) As salam alaykum, dad.
Chief Olakunle: Walaykum salam. What is happening?
Anas: It is the twins’ parents. We tried to settle it, but they would not stop yelling.
Chief Olakunle: Is that so? Call them to me. This is too early. Are the children out?
Maryam: Nusaybah, hurry for school. You are late.
Haneefah quietly excuses herself and runs upstairs.
Chief Olakunle: (storm out as everyone paused.....To Jamiu and Zainab) My room. Do I make myself clear?
Jamiu and Zainab: Yes, sir.
THIRTY MINUTES LATER
Anas: (Enters the room quietly) As salam alaykum, babe. (Finds her asleep and smiles) She does not joke with sleep. (Kisses her)
Haneefah: (Wakes) My king. I hope it has been settled?
Anas: Yes. I did not want to wake you. I am running late. We will talk later.
Haneefah: Take care. I love you.
Anas: I love you more. (Leaves)
Haneefah: (Smiles, lies back) Ya Allah, ease my marriage and this home. Let there be peace.
-------------------
Later in the evening
Haneefah: (preparing dinner) hmmmm (taste the soup) hmm need more salt (suddenly her phone ring) oh! bad timing!! Kai.. (turn off the gas and move to the mini living room where she drop her phone) oh! this girl… already missing me? (pick the call) walaykum salam trouble one… missing me already?
Naheemah: me? miss you? never! How are you doing at your new extended family?
Haneefah: just admit you miss me and stop this question.
Naheemah: I already told you, my heart is not fragile.. just answer the question.
Haneefah: well.. alhamdulilah.. been a drama house though.
Naheemah: we all expect that anyways.. sorry.. by the way, that new family of yours is more famous than we thought.
Haneefah: what do you mean?
Naheemah: I will send you a short video of your nikkah that went viral on tictok.
Haneefah: subhanallah! How come? I only got married like everybody else… so why the drama?
Naheemah: I thought you will never ask.. you and I know that such family tradition never exist in Nigeria right? even in your neighborhood, that particular mansion is famous and guess the name given?
Haneefah: (touch her forehead and sigh) oh please… all I want is a private life.. now you said viral? I’m dead..
Naheemah: “the house of four sons”. That’s the name.. I will keep you updated for more news. So when can you have visitors?
Haneefah: what do you mean?
Naheemah: I mean… even mum cant wait to pay you a visit at your family mansion? A lot of people are eager than you think, it remains a mystery because we couldn’t know how chaotic life will be in that house. More like they should be a documentary about your daily activities in the house.
Haneefah: (tired of her) Naheemah! Naheemah!!
Naheemah: even your neighbours cant wait to have access in. it going to be so entertaining.. I just cant imagine,
Haneefah: naheemah!!!
Naheemah: ma! What?
Haneefah: please don’t tell me this is the same mouth you will use to settle down and start your own family in the nearest future?
Naheemah: what do you mean by that?
Haneefah: your mouth no dey pain you? here is a piece of advise.. the moment you learn to stop gossips and control that running mouth of yours. a lot of doors will open for you and your life problem will reduced for sure.. you cant continue like this o.. an hijabian sister with a running mouth. Ehn?
Naheemah: if I knew is an insult I will get at the end of the day, I wouldn’t have bother calling you.
Haneefah: I am your sister and I am telling you what outsiders couldn’t. you need to control your mouth, this same mouth has led a lot into their doom… please! may Allah make it easy for you.
Naheemah: is not your fault (hang up)
Haneefah: (sigh) the truth is bitter (drop the phone and head back to the kitchen) the house of four sons kor..
Zainab: (watches her standing by the corner and follow her.
Haneefah: (enter the kitchen) so where was I before mrs parrot interrupted? (Put on the gas)
Zainab: (ente her kitchen) Haneefah or what do you call yourself.
Haneefah: (turn around) yes ma.. do you need anything.
Zainab: were you the one that gave my children transport fare this morning??
Haneefah: yes ma..
Zainab: this should be the last time you interfere in my family matters, do you hear me? face your marriage before you land yourself into troubles.
Haneefah: (shocked) but ma.. I don’t think I did anything wrong.. I was just trying to help.
Zainab: and who ask for your help? Answer me! let this be the first and last time you ever interfere in my marital affairs and that include my kids.. stay away from them. Do you hear me? (hiss and walk away) abori ma bowa.
Haneefah: (couldn’t believe her ears) me? subhanallah!