EPISODE TWENTY-FIVE
(The couple is in the compound, preparing for work.)
M.K: (Contemplating which car to take...)
Hazeemah: Just pick one already!
M.K: Alright then. (Touches the black car) I'll take you today, Black Beauty. (Opens the car door) Uhmm… Oyegbami was discharged yesterday, and my sister will be discharged in two days.
Hazeemah: Masha Allah! Finally! Now I can rest as well. (Stands on the other side of the car)
M.K: What are you waiting for?
Hazeemah: Open the door.
M.K: Hell no. Our workplaces aren’t the same anymore. Pick any of the other cars and drive yourself.
Hazeemah: I told you I don’t want to take any car to that company. I have my reasons. Please, open the door—it’s getting late.
M.K: (Sighs and unlocks the car) Trust me, next time, you’re going by yourself.
(As Hazeemah is about to enter the car, the security guard calls her. She quickly moves toward him.)
Security Guard: Good morning, ma’am.
Hazeemah: Good morning, sir.
Security Guard: Uhmm… I forgot to tell you. Your family has been coming here very often these days—especially your mother.
Hazeemah: My mom? But… she didn’t call me.
Security Guard: I’m sorry for informing you late.
M.K: Hazeemah, get in the car or drive yourself to work.
Security Guard: I’m sorry, ma’am.
Hazeemah: It’s alright. (Enters the car)
M.K: (Finally starts the car)
Hazeemah: I want to visit my mom.
M.K: (Says nothing as he drives through the gate.)
( Curtain)
12 Minutes LATER
(Hazeemah closes the car door.)
Hazeemah: Thanks, baby. Will you come to pick me up later?
M.K: (Tiredly looks at her through the car window) No. (Starts the car and drives off.)
(Hazeemah sighs heavily, brings out her phone, and dials her mother’s number.)
Customer Service: The MTN number you are trying to call is not reachable at the moment. Please try again later. Thank you.
(She dials her mother’s number several times until she gets to her office.)
Hazeemah: Ummu, what is going on?
Two Hours Later
(Hazeemah is busy working on her computer, designing a construction project.)
Hazeemah: This should do for now… Hmm, what else should I include? (Suddenly, the door opens.) Who is—
(Temitope stands by the door.)
Temitope: I’m not here to see you. I just wanted to check if you’re still breathing. Shall, shall. (Steps backward and shuts the door.)
Hazeemah: (Smirks) What’s with her? She must be spying on me. Anyway, I don’t have the mind to think about people like that. My brain and heart are occupied with too much right now.
*********************************
Hazeemah: Oh my God, I’m so thirsty. (Grabs a bottle of water and gulps it down. Suddenly, the door swings open furiously.)
Mr. Stan: Hey, you! What the heck?!
(Hazeemah quickly puts the bottle down and stands up.)
Hazeemah: Good morning, sir.
Mr. Stan: What is so good about the morning? Tell me!
Hazeemah: (Confused) Did I say something wrong, sir?
Mr. Stan: You’ve got to be kidding me! (Takes a deep breath) Listen to me, Hajia. I hired you for the sake of your husband, but that doesn’t give you the right to treat your colleagues disrespectfully. I instructed Temitope to call you for the conference meeting we just finished, and you insulted her before shutting the door in her face!
Hazeemah: (Gasps) Subhanallah!
Mr. Stan: Look, Mrs… I don’t want to be judgmental about your attitude, but you’re making it difficult not to. Consider this your final warning—ignore my calls or mistreat your colleagues again, and we’ll have a serious problem. Understood?
Hazeemah: Yes, sir… I’m sorry about that, but can I say something?
Mr. Stan: I’m not interested. (Shuts the door behind him.)
(Hazeemah remains frozen, still processing what just happened.)
Hazeemah: (Muttering to herself) What just happened? So, this is their plan? Well, they won’t break me. I didn’t come this far in my career to quit. (Picks up her phone and dials a number.)
Hazeemah: As-salamu alaikum?
Abdullahi: Wa alaikum salam warahmatullah. Hajia na, how have you been? I’m so sorry, I’ve barely checked on you. How is boss’s health?
Hazeemah: Alhamdulillah, she’s a lot better now. I called to inform you that we can resume from where we stopped.
Abdullahi: Alright then… I’ll send the next expense list to you soon.
Hazeemah: Alright, sir. Have a great day. My regards to the family. (Hangs up and sighs heavily.) This should do for now. (Falls back into her chair.)
*****************************************************
Few DAYS LATER – BACK HOME
(After a stressful day, Hazeemah enters the house, slipping off her shoes. The sound of men’s laughter fills the air.)
Hazeemah: As-salamu alaikum? (Pauses, listening to the familiar voices.) Are my brothers here?
(She walks into the living room and, to her surprise, sees her brothers—Abdulrahman, Abdulsalam, and Abdulhakeem. But what shocks her the most is seeing Khalid sitting among them. Lastly, her husband, M.K, is also there, watching a movie and laughing along. They haven’t noticed her yet.)
Hazeemah: (Thinking to herself) What is going on? Is this some kind of family reunion? And why is Khalid here? How did he become friends with my husband of all people? What should I do? Maybe I should sneak in through the back. The last thing I want is to find them all in one place… (Gently turns to leave.)
M.K: Babe!
(Hazeemah freezes, then turns back with a forced smile.)
Hazeemah: Heyyy… I didn’t see you there…
(Her brothers get up and approach her.)
Abdulsalam: Masha Allah, see my little sis! You’re looking so plump!
(Hazeemah watches him, irritated.)
Abdulhakeem: (Gives her a warm hug and whispers in her ear) I wish you a safe delivery.
Hazeemah: Wait, what? I’m not preg—
Abdulrahman: (With an innocent expression) I know you’re mad at me. I’ve been trying to see you all this while, but you’ve been so occupied. When are you going to take a break?
Hazeemah: I will, I just—
Abdulsalam: Honestly, you need to watch your weight. You’re getting super plump… but cuter, though.
(Hazeemah gives him a sharp side-eye.)
(M.K and Khalid watch the interaction, amused, while her brothers interrogate her.)
Khalid: This is actually cute, though. I remember when she used to tell me stories about her brothers, but I never imagined this is what she endured—growing up with three soldiers. (Turns to M.K, realizing he’s already giving him a side-eye.) What? Did I say something wrong?
(Hazeemah finally snaps.)
Hazeemah: Fine! I’ve heard enough! This is exactly why I wanted to leave in the first place! I just came back from work, it’s been a stressful day. The best you could do for me is let me be, please! For Allah’s sake, I am tired!
Abdulhakeem: You still haven’t given up on this dream of yours? You’re already successful… (Turns to M.K.) How could you let her work in her condition?
Hazeemah: (Raises her voice) I SAID I’M NOT PREGNANT!
(She pants heavily, suddenly noticing her husband’s sad reaction. Realizing she may have overreacted, she moves past her brothers and approaches M.K, wrapping him in a warm embrace.)
As-salamu alaikum warahmatullah.
Khalid: (Warm smile) Wa alaikum salam warahmatullah wabarakatuh.
Abdulrahman: Hey, my brother, it’s time for us to go. It was nice spending time with you and your friend. (They all start stepping out of the house.)
M.K: (Waves back with a smile) My regards to your wives and kids. (Then, gently shifts his gaze to Khalid, giving him a long, unreadable stare.)
Khalid: Alright then. (Gets up) It’s time for me to leave as well. It was nice seeing you again, Hazeemah. (Exchanges a handshake with M.K and finally exits the house.)
(Hazeemah watches him leave, then turns sharply to M.K.)
Hazeemah: What in the world is going on? Why would you let Khalid into our house?
M.K: He’s more than just a client now.
Hazeemah: Why? Khalid, of all people?
M.K: He’s a nice guy, and I couldn’t help it. Besides, he’ll be returning to his country soon, so there’s nothing to worry about. (Turns and walks away.)
Hazeemah: (Following him, concerned) Babe… is everything alright? You’ve been acting so different these days.
M.K: (Without turning back) It’s nothing. There’s nothing to be worried about. (Leaves her sight.)
*******************************************************
SATURDAY MORNING
(Knock on the door. A voice calls out from inside.)
Fatimah: I’m coming! Hold on a second. (Opens the door and gasps in excitement.) Aunty!! (Jumps on Hazeemah, hugging her tightly.) This is really you?! It’s been a while, Ma!
Hazeemah: (Smiling, hugging her back.) Yeah… how are you and your parents?
(They walk inside together, still holding onto each other.)
Fatimah: Alhamdulillah, Ma.
Hazeemah: (Calls out) Mum! I’m home!
Fatimah: She’s in her room, resting. Come, I’ll take you there.
(Hazeemah follows Fatimah to her mother’s room. As soon as she sees Hajia Shukroh, her heart sinks. She melts into her mother’s arms, her face filled with sadness and disappointment.)
Hazeemah: (Softly, almost in a whisper) As-salamu alaikum warahmatullah, Ummu.
Hajia Shukroh: (In a weak tone) Wa alaikum salam warahmatullah wabarakatuh… Good morning, my child. How are you and your family? (Her eyes scan Hazeemah’s stomach.)
Hazeemah: Alhamdulillah, Mum. How are you?
(Hajia Shukroh gently places a hand on Hazeemah’s stomach, feeling it for a moment. Then, she looks into her daughter’s eyes, her face serious.)
Hajia Shukroh: What is going on, Hazeemah?
(Hazeemah lowers her head, her voice breaking.)
Hazeemah: I know… I know… but I don’t know why…
Hajia Shukroh: (Sighs deeply.) It’s been more than 20 months since your marriage, and you are yet to conceive? And you’re not worried?
Hazeemah: (Softly, with sadness) I am… I really am…
Hajia Shukroh: (Scans her daughter’s face again, her tone growing sharper.) Are you denying your husband his rights? Because I know you, Hazeemah…
Hazeemah: No, Ma.
(Hajia Shukroh suddenly slams her palm on the table, her patience running thin.)
Hajia Shukroh: Then what exactly is the reason behind this delay?!
Hazeemah: (Voice cracking) Wallahi, I don’t know, Mum… I don’t know…
Hajia Shukroh: Do you even realize the seriousness of your situation? Is your husband okay with this?
Hazeemah: No… we’ve tried everything. We’ve visited different hospitals, and the doctors keep saying there’s nothing wrong—that we are both fine…
Hajia Shukroh: (Shakes her head in disbelief.) Are you still working? Still chasing your so-called dream?
Hazeemah: Of course, Mum. I even quit my last job and got another one.
Hajia Shukroh: (Eyes widen in frustration.) Hazeemah!! Are you even mentally stable?! Is your brain melting?! At your age, you’re yet to conceive, and you don’t even care?! Instead, you keep prioritizing this stupid dream of yours?! How could you be so selfish?! Tell me, why?!
Hazeemah: (Tears welling up, her voice trembling.) But Mum… I didn’t do anything wrong. It’s not my fault…
Hajia Shukroh: (Furious) Will you shut your mouth?! Ahhh! I am highly disappointed in you! So disappointed! (Shakes her head in anger.) If your father were alive, I swear he would have slapped sense into you by now! I don’t know what kind of foolish dreams you keep chasing while ignoring the most important thing—your next generation! Ahhh, Hazeemah, you are selfish! You are wicked!
Hazeemah: (Jaw drops, eyes wide in shock.) Mum?! Why are you saying all these?!
Watch out for the next episode!!!
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