Adekunle: Relax, babe… come on. It’s just for tomorrow, I promise. Can’t you do this for me? For us?
Khadijah: I thought you said your mother is a Muslim.
Adekunle: Yeah… she is.
Khadijah: Then why is she against my hijab?
Adekunle: Well… it’s not like that—
Khadijah: No. Tell me why first.
Adekunle: (sighs) I just don’t want you and my mom clashing the first day you meet. I’m trying to make things easier… for you, for us. I want her to accept you.
Khadijah: But why should I change how I dress just to be liked? That’s not right.
Adekunle: It’s my mom we’re talking about… you know how she is. Please, just for tomorrow.
Khadijah: I don’t know… it doesn’t sit right with me. I… I’ll think about it.
Adekunle: Think about what? Tomorrow is already Saturday. Please, do this for me. You know how much I love you… I don’t want to lose you.
Khadijah: You promised that after marriage, you wouldn’t stop me from wearing my hijab.
Adekunle: I promise. By then, nothing can separate us. That’s the plan.
Khadijah: (hesitates) Hmm… my parents must not know about this.
Adekunle: Don’t worry. I’ll even get you beautiful veils before I come pick you up.
Khadijah: I’m still not comfortable with this…
Adekunle: Please… just this once.
Khadijah: (softly) Alright… since it’s temporary, I’ll do it for you.
Adekunle: That’s why I love you so much… I wish I could hold you right now.
Khadijah: (smiles faintly) You and your sweet words… I’m glad we’re getting married soon. It’s getting harder to resist you.
Adekunle: I love you so much.
Khadijah: I love you too. What time are you coming tomorrow?
Adekunle: By 10. Please be ready before I arrive—I don’t want stories this time.
Khadijah: Don’t worry, I will be.
(Curtain)
THE NEXT MORNING (7:00 AM)
Adekunle: (half-asleep, picks up phone) Hello…
Kelvin: Yo, what’s up?
Adekunle: I’m good… why are you calling so early?
Kelvin: Are you busy today?
Adekunle: I’m taking my girl out.
Kelvin: That same babe? So it worked out and you didn’t even update me?
Adekunle: Sorry, bro… I’ve just been caught up.
Kelvin: Hmm. Anyway, when will you be free?
Adekunle: Maybe tomorrow. I’m taking her to meet my mom, then I’ll take her out after.
Kelvin: Someone is in love. Alright, no problem—we’ll get everything ready for tomorrow.
Adekunle: Thanks, man.
(Call ends — Curtain)
AT MOM’S HOUSE
Khadijah: (nervous, adjusting her scarf) Where’s your mom?
Adekunle: She’s in the kitchen. Can’t you smell the food?
Khadijah: Why didn’t you tell me? (stands quickly) Let me go help her.
Adekunle: (surprised) Really?
Khadijah: Of course. Where’s the kitchen?
Adekunle: That way. (points)
Khadijah: I’ll be right back.
(She enters the kitchen)
Khadijah: Ma, please let me help you.
Mom: No, my dear, you’re a guest.
Khadijah: Please, Ma… how can I sit while you cook for me?
Mom: (smiles, relents) Alright then… thank you.
Khadijah: I should be the one thanking you. What soup are we having?
Mom: It’s already prepared.
Khadijah: Okay, Ma.
(10 minutes later — living room)
Adekunle: (looks up, surprised to see them laughing together) Hey, Mama…
Mom: My handsome boy.
Adekunle: I hope you’re happy now?
Mom: Very happy. I already like her.
Khadijah: Thank you, Ma.
Mom: Come, let’s eat.
(At the dining table)
Mom: I hope you like the food.
Adekunle: Mom, this is amazing.
Mom: (to Khadijah) Tell me about yourself, my dear.
Khadijah: I’m a practicing Muslimah, a graduate… and an entrepreneur. I love my religion deeply… and I love your son.
Mom: That’s good. I must say, I like your outfit—the scarf suits you.
Khadijah: (hesitates) Ma… I need to be honest. This is not how I usually dress. I only wore this for today. I wear full hijab… and I can’t start a relationship with lies.
Adekunle: (low voice) Khadijah…
Mom: (face hardens) Adekunle… is this what you brought to me?
Adekunle: But you liked her just now! Why does her dressing change everything?
Mom: You don’t understand. I want a daughter-in-law I can proudly go out with… not this—
Khadijah: (quiet, hurt)
Mom: Choose. Me or her.
Adekunle: Mom, please…
Mom: Choose now.
Adekunle: (after a pause) Every time I look at her… I see you. Strength. Dignity. This is who I love. Please… love her for who she is.
(Silence)
Mom: (softens, sits back down) You’ve answered me… better than I expected.
(turns to Khadijah) I’m sorry, my dear… and thank you for your honesty.
Khadijah: Thank you, Ma.
Mom: When should we visit your parents?
Khadijah: Anytime you’re ready.
Mom: Next weekend, then.
TWO WEEKS LATER — HOTEL
Kelvin: What took you so long?
Adekunle: I’ve been busy.
Oyetunde: You’ve been avoiding us.
Dayo: We heard you’re settling down.
Adekunle: Yeah… life moves on.
Kelvin: Room 105. Your surprise is waiting.
Adekunle: I didn’t order anything.
Kelvin: It’s from us. Go enjoy yourself.
Adekunle: (realizes) Oh… I see. Thanks, but I’m not interested.
All: (shocked) What?
Adekunle: I’m getting married. I’m done with all that.
Kelvin: Come on, man…
Adekunle: No. I mean it.
(The tension builds as the women approach… he freezes.)
(Curtain)
AT KHADIJAH’S SHOP
Apprentice: Ma, you’ve been smiling all morning…
Khadijah: Should I be frowning instead?
Apprentice: No, Ma… we’re just happy for you.
Khadijah: Go and finish your work.
(Another apprentice enters)
Apprentice: Ma… your man is outside.
Khadijah: (laughs) My man? All of you, back to work!
(Outside)
Adekunle: Hey, babe. (opens arms)
Khadijah: (steps closer, sniffs) Why do you smell like a woman’s perfume?
Adekunle: I… tried the one I bought for you.
Khadijah: You know I don’t use perfume.
Adekunle: Yeah… I remember.
Khadijah: What’s wrong with you? You look weak.
Adekunle: I’m just tired. I came to check on you.
Khadijah: Are you sure you’re okay?
Adekunle: I will be. Take this. (hands her something)
Khadijah: Thank you…
Adekunle: I love you.
Khadijah: I love you too… (watches him leave) What’s wrong with him?
(Curtain)
NIGHT — 8:34 PM
Adekunle: Don’t ever call me for that again.
Kelvin: What’s wrong with you?
Adekunle: I’m done. I mean it.
(Call ends. Another call comes in.)
Oyetunde: Why are you acting like this?
Adekunle: (weakly) Something isn’t right… I feel drained.
Oyetunde: Then they did their job well.
Adekunle: We’ll talk tomorrow. (hangs up)
(Phone rings again)
Khadijah: What’s wrong?
Adekunle: I’m just tired…
Khadijah: No. Tell me.
Adekunle: Can we talk tomorrow?
Khadijah: I’m outside your gate.
Adekunle: What?
(At the gate)
Khadijah: Open up.
Adekunle: (struggles, weak) I can’t believe you’re here…
(He almost collapses. She catches him.)
Khadijah: Adekunle! You’re burning… what happened to you?
(She helps him inside with difficulty.)
Khadijah: Sit… please. Don’t move.
Adekunle: You should go…
Khadijah: I’m not leaving you like this. Do you have anything—glucose, juice?
Adekunle: (nods weakly)
(She rushes to the kitchen, returns, helps him drink.)
Khadijah: Easy… I’m here.
Adekunle: (faint) I’m sorry… for everything…
Khadijah: Don’t say that. You’re scaring me…
(He slumps back.)
Khadijah: Adekunle!!