EPISODE FOURTEEN
[Later that evening, Hazeemah and M.K return home after a long day. While they prepare to unwind for the weekend, M.K notices Hazeemah’s unusually quiet demeanor. Deciding to give her space, he hopes she’ll feel better by morning. But as nothing changes, he finally approaches her after spending time in his man cave.]
M.K: (opening the door) Hey, babe.
Hazeemah: (lying on the bed, turning gently to face him) You’re back.
M.K: Yeah. Uhm... Can we talk for a bit?
Hazeemah: Sure. (sits up)
M.K: (sitting beside her) How are you feeling, baby?
Hazeemah: (confused expression) I’m fine. Why?
M.K: Are you sure about that?
Hazeemah: Yeah... What’s wrong?
M.K: Have you noticed yourself lately? You’ve been distant. What’s going on?
Hazeemah: It’s nothing, really. I’ve just been thinking about our future—your plans made in worry and frustration, my plans... How life will turn out for us. That’s all.
M.K: (stands up, raising his voice slightly) Just like that? That’s all you’ve been thinking about while acting like I don’t exist?
Hazeemah: Where are you going?
M.K: Back to my man cave. I’ve got work to do.
Hazeemah: I’m sorry if my words upset you, but I’m just feeling down. I didn’t mean to ignore you.
M.K: (pauses, staring into her eyes for a moment before sitting back down and pulling her gently into his arms) Everything will be fine, okay?
Hazeemah: (nods sadly and looks up at him) You’re a good man, M.K. You have such a rare heart, and you’re an amazing husband. I’ve never regretted marrying you, and I never want to find reasons to regret it. You’re so caring and loving—not just to me, but to my family too. I’m truly grateful for you. I love you so, so much. I wish there was another word to describe it because "love" doesn’t feel big enough. And I pray you never change. (tears well up and roll down her cheeks)
M.K: (moved, gently wiping her tears) I know I don’t tell you every day, but you’re my world. You’re my home. You’ve made me a better man, something no one else has ever done. (leans closer and whispers) Want to know a little secret?
Hazeemah: (nods happily, wiping her tears)
M.K: You... (softly) are my greatest weakness. If anything ever happened to you—no, nothing will, Insha’Allah. Let’s not even think about it.
Hazeemah: (smiling, admiring him, then pulling him closer for a gentle kiss) Do you know how handsome you are?
M.K.: And do you have any idea how much I admired you back then—even when we couldn’t stand each other? Sometimes, you just took my breath away.
Hazeemah: (jaw drops in surprise) Really? When was that? Tell me! C’mon, baby...
M.K.: (thinking) The first time you wore that suit. It fit you so perfectly, even with your hijab. I was so obsessed with how elegant you looked that I started liking the hijab itself.
Hazeemah: (still in disbelief) So... What you’re saying is, you had feelings for me even back then?
M.K.: I never said that.
Hazeemah: Just admit it—you liked me long before you expressed your feelings. Masha’Allah. I love you so much. (caresses his face)
M.K.: (smiling) You’re my queen. Do you know something? You have two sides—two completely different appearances.
Hazeemah: Really?
M.K.: Yeah. Like now, without your hijab, you look... softer, different. But when you wear it, there’s something majestic about you. It’s like—
Hazeemah: (cutting in with a smile) Like a crown. 👑
M.K.: Yeah, exactly! There’s just something about the hijab—it carries a kind of majesty, like a crown. It makes me respect you even more when you wear it. I can’t fully explain it, but it feels like Allah places a unique honor on every woman who puts on the hijab.
Hazeemah: (suddenly climbs onto him) For a man like you to recognize this... You have no idea how much joy this brings me right now. Hearing these words from my husband validates my entire existence. I only wish that what you see—what you respect—could be seen by others, especially men like you. (gently caresses his body) I feel like giving all of me to you tonight.
M.K.: (surprised) Just because of what I said?
Hazeemah: You have no idea...
M.K.: Aww, now I’m blushing! Tonight might just be my best night ever—after our wedding night, of course.
Hazeemah: I’m all yours, baby... (leans in to kiss him deeply when suddenly her phone rings. She sighs and hurriedly gets off to answer it.) As-salamu alaikum warahmatullah, Mum?
Hajia Shukroh: Wa alaikum salam warahmatullah wabarakatuh! Hazeemah! Ahhh, Abdulrahman wants to see the other side of me o! Can you believe he threatened to divorce his wife just because he wants to marry a second wife? He almost hit her tonight!
Hazeemah: (shocked) Subhanallah!
Hajia Shukroh: Now she’s here with me, shedding tears despite her condition. If I curse Abdulrahman—
Hazeemah: Ummu, please don’t... But what’s wrong with him?
Hajia Shukroh: I don’t know! He’s just changed. It’s like he’s been waiting for his father to pass away before showing his real self. I don’t understand what’s come over him. Why destroy his own sweet home for another wife? Even his father used to pressure me to let him marry a second wife, but Allah didn’t will it. If you value him as your brother, you better talk some sense into him. Why does he keep troubling me like this after I lost your father? Why? (breaks down in tears and ends the call)
Hazeemah: (worried) Mum, wait! You don’t have to cry... (tearing up)
M.K.: (frowning, disappointed) Damn it... I guess tonight isn’t happening. (gets up to approach her) What’s wrong, babe?
Hazeemah: It’s Abdulrahman. He’s destroying his marriage for Salamah. He’s causing so much pain to our entire family—all because of her. (tears roll down her cheeks)
M.K.: What kind of love is that? Love really is blind. And honestly... this is all my fault. If I hadn’t organized that trip, they wouldn’t have met.
Hazeemah: Now my mother is crying, and she’s being reminded of Dad. (falls onto the bed, sobbing bitterly)
M.K.: Damn it, Salamah... Babe, instead of crying, let’s focus on finding a way to unite the family again.
Hazeemah: (snaps) Have you reunited with your dad? How do you expect to fix my family when yours is still broken?
M.K.: (taken aback) What did you just say?
Hazeemah: (realizing her words, wipes her tears) I didn’t mean—
M.K.: It’s fine. (gets up, walks out of the room, and slams the door)
Hazeemah: (staring after him, realizing the gravity of her words, whispers to herself) What have I done?
********************************************
Few Days Later (Monday Morning)
Setting: M&S Company's parking lot. Staff and the boss are preparing to attend a conference meeting with Fox Land. The staff are busy loading the bus, while some stand around discussing, awaiting M.K.'s arrival to lead the way.
Hazeemah: (standing close to Mrs. Folashade's car)
Chioma: (walks past with her gossip mates) Look at her... (bursts into laughter) She even got Salamah fired. Can you believe that?
Hazeemah: (turns away, focusing on her phone, ignoring Chioma's comments as they all await her husband's arrival)
Reem: (admiring Hazeemah from afar, finally gathers the courage to approach her) Hey, Hajia.
Hazeemah: (looks up) Hello, sir. Good to see you again. You're back from your leave?
Reem: Yeah... I've been looking for you since I got here. How have you been?
Hazeemah: Alhamdulillah. (forces a smile)
Reem: (notices her mood) What's wrong?
Hazeemah: Nothing. (looks around and locks eyes with her husband, M.K., who approaches his car with a furious expression while the security guard opens the door for him) Uhmm... the boss is here. (hurriedly leaves Reem's side and moves toward M.K. as the staff begin entering the bus, ready to leave)
Hazeemah: Yes, sir...
M.K.: What?
Hazeemah: Uhmm... I thought you said I was coming with you?
M.K.: I changed my mind. (slams the car door in her face)
Hazeemah: (startled)
Mariam: (watching through the bus window) What’s going on with them? So she also wants to ride with him? I don’t think this lady knows her position in this company. Even those in higher positions stay behind.
Hazeemah: (with a sad face) I’m sorry, baby...
M.K.: What were you discussing with that guy?
Hazeemah: Nothing... he just came to say hi. Look, dear, I know you’re still mad at me for what I said, and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. You can’t keep hurting me like this. I’m deeply sorry. (getting emotional)
M.K.: (signals for the security guard to open the car door) Get in.
Hazeemah: Uh? (hurriedly gets in while the security guard closes the door) Baby, I’m sorry.
Mariam: (frowning) Why did he let her in?
An hour later, they arrive at Fox Land. Everyone disembarks and gathers as M.K. gives instructions. Hazeemah stands at the back, listening sadly. Afterward, the group uniformly enters the renowned construction company, excited to collaborate on this prestigious project. They are warmly welcomed by Fox Land and directed to the conference room to begin discussions.
Hazeemah sits at the back of the room to avoid being noticed or embarrassed by her husband, who is seated at the high table as the meeting begins.
M.K.: (focused on the presentation being given by Fox Land while typing notes on his laptop) This is great, but let’s present our own proposal and see how it pleases our client. By the way, why hasn’t our client shown up yet?
Engr. Frank: (General Manager of Fox Land) Well, he’s almost here. You know he’s coming from abroad, so we’ll have to endure the delay.
Suddenly, the doors swing open as the speaker announces the client’s arrival. The client strides in majestically, accompanied by two bouncers and two security guards. Everyone claps, except M.K. and Hazeemah, who are both stunned.
Hazeemah: (covers her mouth in disbelief)
M.K.: (clenches his fists, his eyes scanning the crowd for his wife)
Watch out for the next episode!!!