EPISODE FIVE
That same night
The couple returns to the mansion after spending two hours at their matrimonial home. Holding hands, they walk into the living room.
Hazeemah: This should help you stay strong overnight.
M.K: (Nods silently, his expression heavy.)
Hazeemah realizes nothing can cheer him up except his father’s safe return. Suddenly, a police officer bursts into the room, panting heavily.
Hazeemah: (Alarmed.) What’s going on?
M.K.: (Perking up, his mood shifting as he senses news.) Have you found their location?
Police Officer: You need to come with me immediately. The kidnappers are on a call with your sister. We're tracking their location as we speak. My boss sent me to find you.
M.K.: (Bolts towards the door, then stops abruptly.) Where are they? Lead the way!
Police Officer: This way. [He motions, and they follow him at a brisk pace.]
They arrive at the station, where Mrs. Shola is on the phone with the kidnappers. M.K. rushes toward her, motioning for the phone.
M.K.: Hand it over to me!
Mrs. Shola: (Gestures for him to calm down.) Please, just ask for your ransom. Take your money and return my father—please!
The police officer signals her to keep the kidnappers talking.
Mrs. Shola: (Desperate.) Don’t hang up! Please!
Suddenly, the call drops. She lowers the phone slowly, her face pale. M.K. crouches beside her, gripping her knees, his eyes searching hers for answers.
M.K.: What did they say? Please, talk to me!
All eyes in the room are on Mrs. Shola as she gathers herself.
Mrs. Shola: (Finally speaks.) They said... they don’t want money—not yet. Instead, they want one of Dad’s sons to come to their hideout alone. And they know we’re trying to track them. They said it won’t work.
She hesitates, her voice trembling.
Mrs. Shola: What confuses me most is... they said “one of Dad’s sons.” *[Her eyes lock on M.K.] You’re his only son.
M.K.: I’ll go!
Hazeemah: What? No! (Steps forward, shaking her head.)
Mrs. Shola: Absolutely not! This is a trap, M.K.!
M.K.: Of course, I know it’s a trap. But I won’t go alone.
Mrs. Shola: They said no police involvement. If you bring them, we might lose two lives instead of one. I... I can’t risk losing anyone. *[Pauses.] And I still don’t understand why they said “one of Dad’s sons.”
M.K.: Because they don’t know I’m the only one. *[Turns to the police officer.] There has to be another way.
The tracker walks in, holding a tablet, his expression grim.
Tracker: You won’t believe where they are.
Police Officer: Let me guess... Sambisa Forest?
M.K.: The desert?
Mrs. Shola: The northern part of Nigeria?
Hazeemah: Just tell us already!
Tracker: Ghana.
The room falls silent.
Everyone: (In unison, shocked.) What?!
*********************************
The family disperses after hours of brainstorming about how to rescue their father. Police and soldiers arrive to guard the mansion through the night. In an empty room, Hazeemah and M.K. prepare to rest.)
Hazeemah: What I know is you are not going!
M.K.: Well, I can't decide yet. But if it comes down to it, I'll do whatever it takes to get my father back.
Hazeemah: Then I'm coming with you.
M.K.: (sits up abruptly) No! You’re not!
Hazeemah: That depends on your next steps.
M.K.: I wish they’d just ask for ransom. They know we can pay, but they want something we can’t easily give. These people... When I get my hands on them, they’ll regret ever crossing me.
Hazeemah: Less cursing, more praying. Let’s wake up for Tahajud and pray to Allah.
M.K.: You pray; I’ll focus on action.
Hazeemah: Please, Ayo, let’s do this together.
M.K.: (roars) Can’t you see what’s happening right now? This isn’t some romantic drama! Pull yourself together. Do your part as a daughter-in-law, and I’ll do mine as a son!
Hazeemah: (stunned and hurt, she silently gets down from the bed, puts on her khimar, and leaves the room)
M.K.: (sighs heavily) I guess I’m taking this too far... (gets off the bed and calls after her) Babe!
Two Days Later
(Mrs. Shola paces the mansion, lost in thought.)
Mrs. Shola: (to herself) Is there something Dad isn’t telling us? Is he hiding something? Could this be part of his plan? He’s unpredictable, but he wouldn’t joke with his life… would he? (exhales deeply) And what if Abdulmalik goes to that spot and something happens to him? I’ll never forgive myself. He’s just starting his family, and I can’t lose him too. I’ve already lost my marriage and my daughter to that monster… And now Dad’s disappearance has left me with no time to fight back. (breaks down in tears) I’m a total failure.
(A police officer approaches her.)
Police Officer: Ma’am, your attention is needed. Someone would like to meet you.
Mrs. Shola: (quickly wipes her tears) I’m not expecting anyone.
Police Officer: You should see for yourself.
Mrs. Shola: Okay… (follows him)
(Curtain rises on a tense scene with M.K. glaring at the visitor.)
M.K.: This better be a prank.
Mrs. Shola: (joins them) What’s going on? Who is this?
Mubarak: (extends a hand for a handshake) My name is Mubarak Aregbeshola. I’m Chef’s first son.
Mrs. Shola: (laughs hysterically without realizing it) You’re joking, right?
Mubarak: (smiles calmly) I heard Dad was kidnapped and that I’m needed to help free him. So, what’s the plan?
M.K.: (in disbelief) Hey! You’ve got the wrong house or the wrong story. What are you talking about? You’re claiming to be Dad’s son? This isn’t some TV drama, man.
Mrs. Shola: Exactly!
Mubarak: (chuckles) You two are funny. But I’m not here to argue. Abdulmalik, I heard you volunteered to handle things. Relax. Big brother’s got this. So, what’s the plan?
M.K.: (tightens his fists in anger)
Mubarak: (notices and smirks) What? You wanna fight? C’mon, be a man.
Mrs. Shola: (realizing the tension and pulling M.K. aside) Come with me.
M.K.: (shakes off her hand) I’m not going anywhere! Tomorrow’s the deadline, right? I’ll handle this. (turns to a soldier) I’ll need your assistance for this mission. Let’s prepare. (storms off)
Mrs. Shola: M.K.!! (turns to Mubarak angrily) Who do you think you are?
Mubarak: (steps closer, unbothered) Oh, Adeshola, always bossy. Listen, I know everything about you. I live in NYC, but I came back because of Dad. And until he’s safe, stay out of my way. Also, I’m your elder stepbrother, so mind your tone when addressing me. As for M.K., I like him. Do you know why? He’s just like me—a younger version. But let’s be clear: no one outshines me.
Mrs. Shola: Oh, I see what this is. You’re trying to win Dad over with your little act. Well, newsflash: you’re not my brother, and we’re not related. Also, keep your filthy hands off me! Lastly, no one is your copy. You’re just your own pathetic self. Stay out of this!
Mubarak: Suit yourself, old lady. But we’re not done talking. (walks out confidently as the guards let him pass)
Mrs. Shola: (screams in frustration, panting heavily) How could Dad do this to us? Hiding a son all this time? He betrayed my trust!
Police Officer: Uh… I think he might say the same about you.
Mrs. Shola: (glares at him) What did you just say?
Police Officer: My bad. (turns away quickly)
Mrs. Shola: (storms off, dialing M.K.’s number) Don’t do anything stupid! Pick up the phone, M.K.!
*********************************
Late in the night.
Under the cold night sky at Mr. Aregbeshola’s mansion, officers are bustling around, preparing weapons and planning the mission for the following morning. M.K., having been absent for most of the day, finally checks in with the team. At 11 PM, weary and ready to call it a day, he returns home, expecting to find his wife, Hazeemah. To his surprise, she is nowhere to be found. The realization that she hasn’t been present at the mansion or the house all day jolts him into action.)
M.K.: (dialing her number repeatedly) Not reachable? Again? What’s going on, Hazeemah? (paces the compound anxiously)
(He heads to the security post.)
M.K.: (calls out) Yo, man! Ade, come out!
Ade: (steps out) Yes, sir!
M.K.: Where’s my wife?
Ade: Uh… I thought you both left for the mansion this morning, sir.
M.K.: What nonsense are you talking about? Did you see us leave together? I left her here!
Ade: Oh… That’s true, sir. But, uh, after you left, she ran out too. I thought she was trying to catch up with you. She hasn’t returned since then.
M.K.: What? Oh my God! Please don’t let this be what I’m thinking... (rushes back inside, frantically calling out) HAZEEMAH!! Where are you? I know I was a bit harsh on you last night, but… (rubs his face in frustration, still dialing her number repeatedly)
(1:30 AM the same night)
(M.K. is seated in the living room, visibly distressed. After hours of trying to reach her with no success, he is lost in thought, his face heavy with worry and regret.)
M.K.: (murmuring to himself) I just hope you’re okay… Hazeemah, you better not have left because of our little argument. I swear, your reasons better be good enough. (sighs and picks up his phone) Let me try one last time. (he dials again and, to his relief, hears the phone ringing) It’s ringing!
Hazeemah: (answers tiredly) As-salamu alaikum.
M.K.: Wa alaikum salam. Hazeemah, what the hell? Why has your line been unreachable for hours? And where are you?
Hazeemah: Are you going to yell at me, or will you stay calm and listen carefully?
M.K.: (softens, sensing the seriousness in her tone) What’s going on? Are you okay? Where exactly are you? I’m coming over right now—I haven’t been able to sleep!
Hazeemah: (sighs deeply) My dad was admitted to the hospital this morning. He had a heart attack.
M.K.: (shocked) What?
(Inverse of the scene, before M.K.’s call.)
(Hazeemah sits in the hospital reception area, leaning against the wall, her face pale and exhausted. She stares into space, her thoughts racing.)
Hazeemah: (to herself) Just two weeks after my honeymoon, and everything has fallen apart. One problem after another. I was so focused on chasing my dreams, and now it feels like those dreams are slipping away. My father is fighting for his life, my husband’s family is in chaos, and he’s risking his life out there. Everything has turned upside down in a blink. I just pray that both our fathers come home safely and we can find happiness again. (her phone buzzes, breaking her thoughts) Finally, he’s calling. Took him long enough to remember he has a wife. Men can be so infuriating. (answers the call) As-salamu alaikum.
Watch out for the next episode