EPISODE FIFTEEN
M.K. is trying to get hold of himself as he gives the client a deadly glance while everyone else is standing with a round of applause. He suddenly realizes he is the only one seated, so he gently gets up as the client exchanges handshakes with the people at the high table. When the client reaches M.K., their eyes meet sharply.
Khalid: (stretches out his hand) Hey, man...
M.K.: (clears his throat) Heyyy...
Khalid: Uhmm, I can't keep my hand up for long, so...
M.K.: Oh, I'm sorry. (They exchange a handshake) You are welcome, sir.
Khalid: Thank you. (Decides to have a seat next to him as they proceed with the conference. He whispers.) It's been a while, man.
M.K.: (Still searching with his eyes for his wife but hasn’t found her yet.)
Khalid: This project is gonna be fun, isn't it?
M.K.: (Ignores him, then speaks up.) How about we focus on the proposal to avoid missing out on some valid points, sir?
Khalid: Sure... (He focuses on the presentation for a few minutes, then speaks up again.) Where is Hazeemah? Did you guys later get married? I bet she rejected you anyway.
M.K.: (Tightens his fist, then stands up, leaving everyone stunned by his actions. He whispers to the CEO of Foxland and takes his leave, with all eyes on him.)
Hazeemah: (Also watches him leave, then sighs softly and bows her head sadly.) Why did he come back? And even if he had to come back, why does he... (Pauses as a message pops up on her phone. She opens it.)
M.K.: "Meet me in the car."
Hazeemah: What? Is he leaving in the middle of this? (Typing) "Are you leaving already?"
M.K.: (Replies) "Not yet, but I need you to come right now."
Hazeemah: (Exhales softly as she replies.) This is gonna look awkward, leaving too. It’s just gonna cause distraction and gossip. Please, let’s stay and have our discussion later. Please, baby. (Awaits his response but notices he has gone offline.) Now he’s angry... I don’t know why he does this. But why is Khalid in the picture again? (She can barely pay attention to the presentations and proposals.)
M.K. returns and resumes his seat, realizing they have gone far.
Khalid: (Smiles as he sights M.K.)
M.K.: (Keeps a stern expression throughout the conference meeting. M&S staff line up as they board the staff bus, ready to leave.)
Hazeemah: (Sadly waits for her husband to come out of the company.)
Reem: Hey, dear... Why don’t you join us on the bus instead? No offense, but I noticed some clashes between you and your husband, and I hate to see him embarrass you. So come join us.
Hazeemah: (Sadly replies) No, thank you. I’d rather wait for him...
Reem: Alright then, take care. (Sights Mariam and moves to her.) Hey, sweet lady...
Mariam: (Scans him from head to toe, then climbs the bus.)
Reem: (Disappointed smile) So much ego everywhere... except for her. (Admires her as he enters the bus.)
M.K.: (Furiously comes out, heading to his car as his driver opens the door for him. Then he sights his wife.) You! How could you ignore me when I asked you to come out? How could you?
Hazeemah: Baby, please... (Whispers) Don’t make a scene here. Let’s just get into the car, then we’ll talk.
M.K.: First of all, answer my damn question. How could you have left me alone out there waiting for you?
Hazeemah: (Moves closer) Baby, pleaseee... When we get home, we’ll talk about this... (Suddenly they sight Khalid coming out with his bouncers as they open his exclusive car. He pauses and turns in their direction.)
M.K.: (Grabs his wife’s hand) Let’s go!
Hazeemah: (Obeys and lowers her gaze until they get into the car.)
Khalid: (Watches them for a while, then gets into his car. He knows deep inside that M.K. took what is rightfully his.)
*************************************************************
M.K. and Hazeemah are returning to the office, the car enveloped in a tense silence. The driver glances through his rearview mirror, checking if everything is alright as he drives.
Hazeemah: (Finally speaks) I'm sorry... for what I said to you.
M.K.: It's fine. I have rules now. Rule number one: I don't want to see you around or with Khalid, no matter how important the discussion might be. Is that clear?
Hazeemah: Okay, sir. Are we cool now?
M.K.: (Glances at her.)
Hazeemah: I'm sorry now. (Caresses his chest.) How could you even be mad at your wife for that long?
M.K.: Just stick to the rules, and we won't have any problems again.
Hazeemah: (Pecks him.) Okay, sir. Thank you for forgiving me. (Stylishly looks at him since the car is quiet again, then speaks.) Baby...
M.K.: What?
Hazeemah: Can you just stop being so aggressive? I am your wife, not just one of your employees. Everyone can see how you've been acting toward me, and you’re giving them something to talk about. I know I messed up, but I would never intentionally hurt you. I'm sorry for what I said, and I promise never to say it again.
M.K.: (Exhales softly.) It's fine... I'm sorry too. I’m not focused on the past; I’m worried about the future. Seeing Khalid today as our client wrecked my heart. Why do I feel like his return is to destroy things? This is enough to occupy my mind.
Hazeemah: He’s here for the contract given to us. All you guys need to do is keep it professional. I don’t see any reason to be worried.
M.K.: (Faces her.) So you’re telling me that deep inside, you don’t feel any reason to be worried about seeing him? Tell me.
Hazeemah: Well... we are married, so? Unless you want to give the devil a chance to use him, I have no business with him, only with you. So it lies in your hands. (Touches her stomach.) I’m starving...
M.K.: Driver, take us to a Chinese restaurant.
Hazeemah: What? Chinese bitibo? Kai... baby...
M.K.: I’m starving too.
Hazeemah: (Shakes her head and faces the window.)
M.K.: Fine... take us to any nearby eatery.
Hazeemah: Baby... can you please reemploy Salamah?
M.K.: (Straight face) No! She will be replaced today.
Hazeemah: I thought firing her was the best decision, but it turns out to be worse. Now I can’t get to know what’s on her mind or her plans. I couldn’t even figure out why she’s doing this...
M.K.: All I know is she can’t come back into that company. I disliked her from the beginning.
Hazeemah: Just like me...
M.K.: (Turns to her.) What?
Hazeemah: It’s nothing. Since you can’t reemploy her, it’s fine. I’ll find another solution myself.
****************************************************************
A few days later
At Chicken Republic
Abdulrahman and Salamah are having their meal and discussing.
Salamah: (Uses her handkerchief to clean his stained mouth.) There you go.
Abdulrahman: Thanks, my queen. So, I’ve been trying to help you get another job, but the salary isn’t as much as M&S. Would you take it?
Salamah: No, it’s fine. I think it’s high time I rest from working under unfortunate people who treat me like shit.
Abdulrahman: (Admires her.) You are so beautiful. I love everything about you.
Salamah: (Forces a smile and eats.) I love you too. So, how far have you gone with talking to your family about visiting mine?
Abdulrahman: I’m still working on that. I just found out that my wife is pregnant, so... I need to take it easy.
Salamah: What? You impregnated your wife despite being in a relationship with me?
Abdulrahman: But she is my wife... and I got her pregnant even before I realized I’m in love with you.
Salamah: (Bones face.) You know what? I think I’ve lost my appetite. How could you, Rahman? How could you do this to me? Am I not good enough for you?
Abdulrahman: (Worried.) C'mon, baby... Don’t say that. You mean the world to me, and I would never hurt you. But she’s pregnant already, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
Salamah: Okay then... fine. Then there’s one solution to allow your family to approve our union.
Abdulrahman: Just say it, baby. I’ll do anything.
Salamah: Get me pregnant too.
Abdulrahman: What?
Salamah: You can’t do that?
Abdulrahman: (Still confused.) Yes... uhmm, I mean no... I can... but baby...
Salamah: (Folds her hands and looks away angrily.)
Abdulrahman: Baby... we can think of other solutions. We just need to convince them because what you’re asking is not permissible in Islam. I can’t bring our child into this world in a haram way. In fact, my family will forever hate me for this.
Salamah: Okay then... it’s fine. (Picks up her bag and leaves the eatery.)
Abdulrahman: Salamah!!! (Runs after her.) Please wait... don’t go!!! What have I done?
Later that night, 8:30 PM
M.K. enters the bedroom with a laptop in his hand.
M.K.: (Hearing water dropping from the bathroom.) Babe... should I join you? (No response. He drops his laptop and begins to take off his clothes. He takes out a towel and ties it around his waist.)
Hazeemah: What are you doing?
M.K.: Uh? I was about to come and join you now...
Hazeemah: I thought you’ve taken your shower.
M.K.: Yeah, but I just wanted to... you know...
Hazeemah: (Shakes her head and sits at her makeover mirror, cleaning herself.)
M.K.: You’re annoying, man... (Puts his clothes back on.)
Hazeemah: (Sadly puts on her nighties and retreats to bed.) Goodnight.
M.K.: Just like that? Okay, get up, let’s watch a romantic movie together.
Hazeemah: I’m not in the mood, please. (Covers herself.)
M.K.: Are you rejecting me?
Hazeemah: (Forced to speak.) Do you think everything is always about you? You!!! All the time. Do you ever, for once, ask for my opinion, my thoughts? No! All you care about is you alone. You always get what you want. You’ve been treating me like trash for the past few days, and now you just want me? Do you even care about me, M.K.? Do you? (Emotional.) Don’t disturb me and let me have my sleep. (Covers herself.)
M.K.: (Takes a deep breath.) Hazeemah... come on, let’s talk.
Hazeemah: There is nothing to talk about because you never listen to anything I say. You never care about my opinion. So it’s fine. Let’s keep it that way. I’d really appreciate it if you don’t touch me.
**********************************************************
The Next Day at the Office
At M.K.'s office, he is having a serious discussion with his subordinates about their collaboration project and plans to keep up. His office is filled with them as he speaks while seated, demonstrating and explaining to them. Hazeemah interrupts their discussion.
M.K.: (Suddenly pauses as he notices her.) Do you need anything?
Hazeemah: (Replies sadly as she drops a document on his desk.) No, sir, carry on. (Turns to leave and realizes all eyes are on her.) I’m sorry for the interruption, everyone. (Takes her leave.)
Reem: As you were saying, sir...
M.K.: Yeah... so sorry for the interruption. As I was saying... (Suddenly, the door opens.) Who is it again? (Shocked to see who it was.)
Khalid: Oh! So sorry, everyone... (Enters the office and shuts the door. One of the subordinates offers him a seat.) Thank you for your kind gesture.
M.K.: (Gives him a deadly glance.) Let’s call it a day for now. Just make sure each department starts working on their tasks, okay?
Subordinates: Yes, sir.
M.K.: Thanks. You may leave.
The crowded room finally becomes empty, leaving M.K. and Khalid having a staring competition for more than a minute. They are interrupted by Hazeemah, who enters the office without a clue.
Hazeemah: Yes, sir... This file is from the construction manager. He said... (Suddenly pauses, stunned to be in the same room with the two of them. She gently steps backward, about to run out.)
Khalid: (Gets on his feet immediately.) Wait, please, Hazeemah.
Hazeemah: (Pauses as she is about to open the door.)
M.K.: (Gets up too.) And why should she listen to you? Hazeemah, you may leave.
Khalid: Please wait, there is something I need to tell you...
M.K.: I said leave! (Roars at her angrily.)
Hazeemah: (Furiously glances at M.K., unable to bear his yelling.) M.K.! You don’t have to always...
M.K.: (Cuts her off and yells at her again.) I said leave us alone for now!
Khalid: (Faces M.K.) Yo! Chill! She’s a woman. You can’t yell at her like that.
Hazeemah: (Emotional.) You know what? I quit! I quit this job! (Runs out of the office in tears.)
Watch out for the next episode!!!