EPISODE NINE
The scene opens with M.K. sitting in his man cave, focused on his laptop. The room is quiet except for the tapping of keys.
M.K.: (busy on his laptop, muttering to himself) This is harder than I thought. (sighs heavily) Which design will fit? (Suddenly, his phone rings.) Hey, baby?
Hazeemah: (on the phone) Where are you? Did you leave the house at this time, leaving me all alone?
M.K.: (chuckles) Yeah, I went to chill with my friends.
Hazeemah: Is this a joke? At this hour? Wait, do you even have Nigerian friends yet?
M.K.: You caught me. Anyway, I’m in my man cave.
Hazeemah: Man cave? Babe! How could you leave me all alone in this huge house?
M.K.: Relax, I’m inside the house.
Hazeemah: Uh? Please stop pulling my leg.
M.K.: I’m serious. Come downstairs, go left past the kitchen. You’ll see a door labeled "Privacy."
Hazeemah: Seriously? How could you have a house with multiple rooms without telling me? I’d better find you there, or else... (hangs up.)
M.K.: (chuckles as he puts his phone down) Very worrisome. I just hope she finds the room without...
Before he can finish, Hazeemah barges into the room, stunned by the decor. She steps out, looks around, and comes back in.
Hazeemah: (amazed) Am I lost?
M.K.: (admiring her in her nightdress) You found the room so fast. Uhm... baby?
Hazeemah: How on earth do you have a place like this? It’s amazing! (admiring the room) Can we design our master bedroom like this? (moves closer to him while he’s still seated) Why do you need privacy? Is it because I’m disturbing you in the bedroom or what?
M.K.: That’s not the point! Don’t take it personally, please. Men often have rooms like this for peaceful and fun alone time.
Hazeemah: (still admiring the room) Well... am I giving you a hard time?
M.K.: I never said that! C’mon, babe.
Hazeemah: (sighs softly, then sits on his lap) I’m tired and sleepy, but I need you. Or are you busy?
M.K.: (hurriedly closes the laptop) Never! I can never be too busy for my wife.
Hazeemah: (rubbing his chest) I was thinking...
M.K.: Hmm? Hmm? (attentive) Yes, baby?
Hazeemah: (whispers in his ear) I’m ovulating.
M.K.: (excited) Really? (jumps up and lifts her immediately) Let’s go to the bedroom!
Hazeemah: (bursting into laughter) Put me down, baby... I can walk, you know.
M.K.: I’m trying to be romantic, baby. (carries her to their master bedroom)
Hazeemah: Baby, put me down... I have something to talk to you about.
M.K.: Leave that till tomorrow. I can’t hear anything else right now.
Hazeemah: I was joking... I’m not ovulating. It was a joke!
M.K. stops abruptly and puts her down, looking at her in disbelief.
M.K.: Are you serious?
Hazeemah: (adjusting her dress) It was a joke. (grinning) You’re too fast, jor.
M.K.: And you just made me imagine paradise. Gosh, you’re so annoying. But never mind... you started this, and I’m finishing it. (grabs her waist) You have no idea how much I’ve been yearning for you these past two months.
Hazeemah: (chuckles, caressing his head) I’ve missed you too.
The lights fade as they embrace.
**********************************
Scene: The Next Day at M & S Company
The scene opens with Hazeemah at her desk, focused on her laptop. She seems engrossed in her work.
Hazeemah: (on her seat, busy with the laptop) Hmm... this should do.
Mariam: (approaching her desk) Hello, Hajia... What’s your name again?
Hazeemah: (glances at her and hibernates the system) How may I help you, ma’am?
Mariam: Not much, I just wanted to say hi before heading to the boss’s office. (gives her a charming smile and walks into M.K.'s office)
Hazeemah: (watches Mariam enter the office, chuckles, then resumes her work)
Salamah: (appearing behind her) She’s annoying, isn’t she?
Hazeemah: (startled) When will you guys stop sneaking up on me like that?
Salamah: Sorry... but that girl, ever since she was hired by your husband, I feel something’s going on between them.
Hazeemah: Really? Good to hear that. (resumes her work)
Salamah: That’s all you’re going to say? You’re going to let her snatch your husband?
Hazeemah: (hurriedly covers Salamah’s mouth) I thought I told you not to address the boss as my husband at the office! (finally drops her hand)
Salamah: I’m sorry. But why? Everyone is dreaming of being in your shoes just to show the world he chose you over them, and you just want to keep it lowkey?
Hazeemah: (tiredly stares at her) Salamah, I’m sure you aren’t getting any younger either. When are you going to invite us to your nikkah?
Salamah: Hmm... (smiling) Very soon. But I just hope you will accept me.
Hazeemah: Oh! You also have interest in him? Go ahead! Compete with Mariam; let’s see who wins.
Salamah: Why would you even say that? Why would I ever do that? That’s disgusting. Please excuse me, you’re so annoying. (takes her leave)
Hazeemah: (watches her leave) Is that the worst you can do to me? (touches her abdomen) I haven’t recovered from last night. (resumes typing on the laptop)
Mariam: (coming out of M.K.’s office, adjusting her skirt and biting her lip as she walks past Hazeemah) He is so hot!
Hazeemah: (smiles and focuses on her work) Oponu. (She turns to see someone approaching with fierce steps. A well-dressed man, looking furious, strides toward M.K.’s office. She wonders who he is, then he bursts into the office.) So many annoying clients these days. Is that the latest way to look charming to ladies? (Suddenly, she hears a commotion from M.K.’s office. She hurriedly drops what she’s doing and barges in.) Stop it! (runs to stand between them) Please! (turns to her husband in shock as she notices his lips bleeding)
Mubarak: Stay out of my way, you rag!
M.K.: (immediately punches him back, causing Mubarak to fall to the ground) Don’t ever address my wife as a rag.
Suddenly, Mrs. Fashola and other staff members enter the office, ordering security to intervene. Workers try to catch a glimpse of the action, but security prevents them.
Hazeemah: (roars at her husband) Why did you punch him back? (panicking, she turns to Mubarak, who is getting back on his feet, ready to attack again) Please! He’s sorry, please! (stands between them)
M.K.: Hazeemah! Stay out of this! (grabs her hands as four security guards confront Mubarak and try to drag him out of the office)
Mubarak: Get your filthy hands off me! (roars at the security guards, trying to fight them, but they overpower him) This is just the beginning between us, you bastard! This company is mine!
Hazeemah: (panting heavily, scared and worried, she touches her husband’s face) Are you okay?
M.K.: (panting heavily as he watches the security guards drag Mubarak out of his office)
Mrs. Fashola orders the workers to return to their stations and slams the door, leaving the couple in privacy.
Mariam: (unable to enter the office, notices Hazeemah's khimar as she turns back toward her desk. Frustrated, she furiously stomps her foot on the ground.)
Hazeemah: (already shedding tears) What were you thinking? Fighting? Since when?
M.K.: (returns to his seat, frustrated, as Hazeemah cautiously follows him) Just stay out of this! You could have gotten hurt. How could you step between us like that? What were you thinking?
Hazeemah: Should I have just stood by and watched you two fight? Should I have watched you get injured? (searches the office, finds the first-aid box, and moves toward him) Stay still.
M.K.: I’m fine. Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you?
Hazeemah: I should be asking you that! (wipes her tears) You scared the hell out of me.
M.K.: (sees her tears, pulls her close, and embraces her) I’m fine. You don’t have to cry.
Hazeemah: (breaking down) You got me so worried... Who is he?
M.K.: (pauses, then sighs) That’s my father’s son.
Hazeemah: (quickly pulls away) What?
One Hour Later
M.K. is on a phone call with his sister, pacing the office.
Mrs. Shola: Please, I’m begging you. Just hang on for my sake. I’m sorry you had to go through all of this.
M.K.: You know what? I’m leaving this country. I thought this was my home, but I was wrong. The only reason I’m still standing here, in this office, is because of you. But I can’t hold on anymore. This fight is between you and him. I don’t want any of it—I’m not here to claim any property. My instincts were right...
Mrs. Shola: (breaking down in tears) Yes, you’re right. But please, stay a little longer, at least until I’m back. Please! I’m going through the toughest time of my life. I’ve already lost everything I ever loved. I lost my daughter to the beast that calls himself her father. I’m doing everything I can to get her back. She’s all I’ve got. Please, just hold on a little longer.
M.K.: (clenches his fists, pauses, and ends the call without another word.)
Meanwhile, in the Company
The atmosphere is tense. Workers move around, whispering and gossiping about the incident. Mariam walks into the cafeteria, and the room grows silent. Workers quickly disperse as they see her approaching.
Mariam: (moves to the chef) A plate of rice, please. (looks around, notices a small group whispering, and joins them.)
Chioma: Who could have imagined Chief Aregbeshola had another son?
Clara: I was shocked too. He’s bold, but... honestly, he’s kind of cool.
Mariam: What’s cool about that? I feel bad for the boss—such a calm and gentle man.
Chioma: I also heard Hazeemah was inside the office while everything was happening.
Asmau: Yeah, but what could she have done? It’s not like she could stop them. She’s too nosy for her own good, though.
Mariam: (listening intently) How does this even concern her? She’s just his P.A.
Chioma: Yeah... Honestly, sometimes I wonder how on earth the boss (suddenly gets pinched by Clara) ...I mean, how he hired her? She’s so full of herself.
Mariam: (thinking) I guess I’m not the only one wondering about that. She’s hiding behind that hijab, but don’t worry—I’ll expose her. Just wait. (finally speaks aloud) I’ve always wondered how she got so close to him. She’s so local! Imagine wearing that attire to work—it’s unprofessional. I think she’s using something on the boss.
Her comment makes the others uncomfortable. One by one, they start walking away, leaving Mariam alone at the table.