EPISODE THIRTY
Abdulsalam: There’s no way I’m letting Mum go to that man’s house. He doesn’t even deserve it. The fact that he refuses to open up means he’s already sick of her, and I won’t stand by and watch Mum bring more disgrace to our family.
Abdulhakeem: I guess this is why Hazeemah insisted we shouldn’t inform Mum about it.
Abdulrahman: Then who told her?
Abdulsalam: I know Ummu well—anything related to a broken marriage, she’s always against it.
Abdulhakeem: Everyone knows Mum. I’m sure she didn’t find out from our family. I’m certain of that.
Abdulrahman: Get in the car. We need to find her before she gets there.
(They all get into the car and reverse slowly.)
Few minutes later
Abdulsalam: Stop! That’s her car coming our way.
Abdulrahman: Block the road. (They park the car and step out.)
(Hajia Shukroh steps out, recognizing them.)
Hajia Shukroh: There you are! I’ve been trying to call you. I want you to accompany me to Abdulmalik’s house. As for not telling me everything, we’ll discuss that later.
Abdulrahman (standing firm): Ummu, we need to talk.
Hajia Shukroh: Whatever it is can wait, okay? I have her boxes with me, but she refused to follow. We need to plead on her behalf so he can take her back.
Abdulsalam: And why should we do that, Mum?
Hajia Shukroh: Can’t you see? She’s at fault. I’m still surprised Abdulrahman accommodated her instead of throwing her out. How could you?
Abdulhakeem: Mum, have you forgotten? This is your daughter—your only daughter—we’re talking about!
Hajia Shukroh: Just because she’s my daughter, does that give her the right to be selfish? I didn’t raise her this way, so she must learn her lesson the hard way. Now, get in the car and follow me to Abdulmalik’s house. Let’s do the needful.
Abdulrahman: I’m afraid we can’t do that. We need to go home and discuss this as a family.
Abdulhakeem: Absolutely. I will not return to that spoiled brat’s house and allow him to downgrade and look down on me and my family.
Abdulsalam: Very senseless guy. I thought he was mature, but he proved me wrong. We are not going to that house.
Hajia Shukroh: I see you all planned this well. But I am speaking to you as your mother. If you truly believe I gave birth to the three of you, get in the car and follow me to his house.
Abdulrahman (stepping forward, saddened): And if you truly gave birth to us—if you truly gave birth to Hazeemah—no real mother would put the entire family to shame just to please her son-in-law. We must uphold our values. Yes, I know Hazeemah made mistakes, but we can scold her privately instead of making a spectacle out of everything. Mum, we are not coming with you. And not only that—you are coming with us. We are all going back to my house to discuss this as a family. I will not let the same mistakes Abu once made happen again.
Abdulsalam: For the record, do you remember how you and Abu were the ones pressuring her to bring home a husband? Let’s listen to her for once.
Abdulhakeem: Mum, as a wise and religious woman, I expect you to handle this matter with wisdom rather than sacrificing our family values over a rich, spoiled brat. Unless, of course, you’re respecting his money. No offense.
Hajia Shukroh: How dare you?!
Abdulsalam: Then let’s go home.
(Hajia Shukroh, shocked by their confidence, hesitates.)
Hajia Shukroh: Hazeemah is controlling your minds.
Abdulrahman: We would rather be influenced by our sister than allow a stranger to destroy our family’s dignity.
(Hajia Shukroh realizes she has lost the argument.)
**********************************
At the Cemetery Gate (Later in the Day)
(Hazeemah sits quietly by the wall, resting her head. Lost in deep thought, her mind wanders through her small universe. She stares at the sky, her heart heavy with pain and disappointment. Unbeknownst to her, someone is watching from afar. After a long silence, she finally breaks down, resting her head on her knees as silent tears fall.)
(From inside his car, Khalid watches her intently.)
Khalid (to himself): I know she’ll be furious to see me here. I always seem to be the only one who knows her secret hideouts. But there’s no harm in trying… (He gently steps out of the car and approaches her.)
(Hazeemah continues sobbing silently.)
Khalid (calmly): As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.
Hazeemah (recognizing his voice, without looking up): Wa alaikum salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh. I know it’s you. Can you please stop following me here? Your presence makes me sick. Just go away. And don’t think I’m saying this so you’ll sympathize with me. Just leave before I lose it.
Khalid: Alright. I know my presence can be pretty annoying. And I know we don’t share any bond. But no matter what decisions you make in life—good or bad—it’s all for the best. I heard what happened between you and—
Hazeemah (cutting him off): Save it! I don’t need your counseling, and I definitely don’t need your sweet talk about how you’ll take good care of me. I am perfectly fine on my own. None of your gender is worth being loved anyway.
Khalid (smirks): This is exactly what I love about you. You read minds, and you’re way too smart to fall for just words. Yes, fine—I came here to say all that. But, Hazeemah—
Hazeemah (interrupting, her voice rising): Can you just stop talking and leave?! You’re making things worse.
Khalid (sighs): Okay, fine… But I have one question—when are you going to tell him about your pregnancy?
(Hazeemah’s head snaps up in shock. Her breath catches in her throat. Then, quickly composing herself, she looks away.)
Hazeemah: How did you…? (She pauses, then shakes her head.) You know what? Never mind. There’s no use anyway.
Khalid: Well, I’ll tell you how. I saw you at the hospital last week. I was dealing with stress, so I went there for a checkup. I was about to see the doctor when I overheard everything. I was happy to hear the news, but you—
Hazeemah (taking a deep breath): So you were sneaking up on me? Anyway, thanks, and I’d really appreciate it if you kept this to yourself. Please—for Allah’s sake.
Khalid (smiling): You can trust me on that.
Hazeemah (rolling her eyes): That’s the last thing I’d ever do. (She takes a deep breath.)
Khalid (grinning): Soooo… You and M.K. are really done for good?
Hazeemah: So you can step in, huh?
Khalid (chuckles): You’re smart. But if I ever get even the slightest chance, I’ll take it.
Hazeemah (facing him, firm and unwavering): I thought you knew me better. But clearly, you don’t. I don’t read my books backward. Once I’m done with a chapter, I close it for good. So I’d advise you to remove that thought from your mind. I don’t mind raising my child alone.
(Khalid looks at Hazeemah with a sad expression, his heart heavy as he watches her struggle with her emotions.)
Hazeemah (frustrated, shaking her head): I just can’t get my head around this whole scenario. Just like that? Just like that, I lost my marriage without a genuine reason? Is this how insensible your gender is? Who the hell makes decisions like that?!
Khalid (softly): Well… not all men, though.
Hazeemah (snaps): Please, shut up!
Khalid (raising his hands in surrender): Alright! But I was shocked by the news too. You are the smartest, most beautiful, intelligent, and religious woman I have ever known. That’s why I respect you so much. I’ve always prayed for a chance to be in M.K.’s position. No woman out there thinks the way you do. No woman talks the way you do. No woman is as committed to chasing meaningful dreams as you are.
(He takes a deep breath before continuing.)
Khalid: Most women are just after marrying a rich man, living in a mansion, and showcasing it all over social media. But you… It’s been years since you even went online. I check your profile every single day. I’ve sent you multiple messages, but you never once bothered to check in. That shows how private your life is, and I respect you even more for that.
Hazeemah (softly, skeptical): Are you saying all this just to make me feel better?
Khalid (smiles slightly): If it works, I’ll be happy. But even if I never get the chance I want, that doesn’t mean I’ll leave you in pain. I believe every decision you make next is for the best. You are wiser than this little test.
(He pauses, then looks at her seriously.)
Khalid: But I have one question—do you think M.K. is really the right man for you? I know you’re carrying his child, but if he keeps behaving like this, there’s no chance he’ll ever lead the right way. And even if you do get back together, how will you change him for the better?
(He sighs, then shakes his head.)
Khalid: But then again, I remember you said you don’t read your books backward…
Hazeemah (looking up at the sky, taking a deep breath): Let Allah decide my qadar. What will be, will be.
(She glances at Khalid before continuing.)
Hazeemah: I came here to clear my mind, to heal, and to find peace—not to dwell on my failed marriage. At the end of the day, we all end up here, alone, being questioned about how we lived our lives. Right now, I feel more at peace than ever. And now, I’m ready to face my fears.
(She looks at Khalid with gratitude.)
Hazeemah: Thank you for coming. You’re a good man with a kind heart. I pray Allah grants you a woman even better than I am—one who will love you for His sake, cherish every moment with you, and bear you pious children.
Khalid (smiles, softly whispering): Amin.
(His face brightens as he stands up.)
Khalid: I feel better now. And I’ve learned something from you today. Thank you, Hazeemah. If only M.K. knew the diamond—the gem—he’s about to lose, he wouldn’t want to spend even a minute without you.
(He stretches out his hand as if to help her up.)
Khalid: How about I take you home, wise queen?
Hazeemah (smiling, shaking her head): You don’t have to do that. I still want to spend some extra time here. I’ll be fine.
Khalid (hesitant): But I can’t just leave you like this…
Hazeemah (raises an eyebrow, amused): Wow, really?
(She gets up, walks forward, stops a passing motorbike, and climbs onto it.)
Hazeemah (smirking): As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh. I would never enter a non-mahram’s car. It won’t just land me in trouble—it’ll add to my sins.
(She turns to the bike rider.)
Hazeemah: Let’s go.
(Khalid watches her disappear into the distance, a bright smile on his face.)
Khalid (softly, to himself): Hazeemah… The unstoppable.
**********************************
Later in the day
(Hazeemah enters the house, exhausted, but freezes when she sees her entire family gathered in the living room.)
Hazeemah (hesitant, softly): As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah?
Everyone (in unison): Wa alaikum salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.
(Hazeemah straightens her posture, lifts her chin, and walks past them, heading toward her room without a word.)
Hajia Shukroh (exasperated, shaking her head): You see what I’ve been saying? Because you three won’t stop attacking me, look at the child I raised—walking past us all like we are invisible!
(Hazeemah stops, sighs, then slowly turns around. She meets her mother’s gaze, holds it for a moment, then walks up to her and quietly sits beside her.)
Abdulrahman (clearing his throat, serious tone): We’re glad you’re getting better. But let’s not drag this any longer. What really happened between you and your husband?
Hajia Shukroh (firmly): And I want nothing but the truth.
(Hazeemah’s lips curve into a faint smile as she looks her mother straight in the eyes.)
Hazeemah (calmly, with quiet strength): What you should have asked first as a mother… is what you are asking now.
Watch out for the next episode!