EPISODE NINETEEN
Ummu Fatimah: (heading towards the door) Hold on, I’m coming, please. (Opens the door and quickly steps back, making way for him to enter without saying a word.)
Abdulrahman: (surprised by her action) My queen... (With each step he takes forward, she takes a step back.) Why are you stepping away?
Ummu Fatimah: (removes her niqab, speaking sadly and with visible depression) Nothing, sir. (Sets a long distance between them.)
Abdulrahman: (worried) Why are you avoiding my presence? What is going on, my queen?
Ummu Fatimah: (eyes clouded with tears) Well... maybe you’ve forgotten when you told me that the next time I tried to say anything to you, you wouldn’t mind hitting me. And as you can see my condition, I’m struggling to keep myself alive for my kids and unborn child. So, any violence, I will avoid it.
Abdulrahman: (shocked) Wait, I said that? Subhanallah! (Rubs his head in disbelief.) I said that to you?
Ummu Fatimah: I wanted to tell you something, actually, before you leave and take another week to come back home. If you truly love that woman, please, you can marry her. I am fine with it because you are practicing Sunnah anyway. But please... sorry for what I’m about to say... stop hurting me because of her. (Suddenly steps away as tears gush down her eyes.)
Abdulrahman: (can’t believe his ears) I... I said all that? (Steps forward, trying to touch her, but she steps away again.) Please hear me out. I can explain... and I can’t even explain some part of what has been happening... Please, my love, please. It’s me... your husband. I would never, in my entire life, or even think of laying a finger on you. Why on earth would I even say that? I... I woke up this morning and found myself next to a lady I don’t even know. I thought she was you at first, but then I realized you are lighter-skinned than her.
Ummu Fatimah: (trying to understand the situation) So, are you saying you don’t remember saying all that? Are you telling me you weren’t in your right mind when you committed adultery? Are you saying you never intentionally said all you’ve said to me for the past two months?
Abdulrahman: Yes... I swear by Allah. Please, if I have ever hurt you in any way, forgive me. I am so mad at myself and hate myself for everything, for committing adultery—and that is the last thing on my list. Please don’t move. (Steps forward as tears roll down his face.) I am back to my full senses... I am back to my real self.
Ummu Fatimah: (tears streaming down her face as she steps closer to him and gently touches his face to wipe his tears) Is this really you?
Abdulrahman: Yes! (Rests his head in her hands and embraces her instantly.) I am so, so sorry for everything. I still need to figure out what has happened all this while, but first, please forgive me... Please. (Holds her tight.)
Ummu Fatimah: (welcomes his embrace as she smells him happily) I have missed you so badly.
Abdulrahman: You have no idea how much I have missed you... (Suddenly lets go of her.) Wait, if I recall... you said you are pregnant?
Ummu Fatimah: (nods happily) Yes... baby number five.
Abdulrahman: (happily performs sujud ash-shukr.)
Ummu Fatimah: (tears of joy as he returns into her arms.)
Abdulrahman: So tell me... how is this one this time around? How are you feeling? Any sickness? Oh! Why am I even asking? Let’s go to the hospital.
Ummu Fatimah: Wait...
Abdulrahman: (attentive) Yes, baby?
Ummu Fatimah: You need to see your mom, your sister, and your brothers...
Abdulrahman: (realizes he has some explaining to do to his family.)
***********************************
Two days later
At M.K.'s home
Hazeemah: (stands at the window, digesting her thoughts) Just like that, everything is about to change in two days. Just like that, we are leaving this country. Just like that, I’m leaving my family behind. Just like that, my dreams die in Nigeria... Just like that, I’m starting a new life somewhere I don’t belong, for the sake of my husband. Marriage will surely shape one’s dreams. (Exhales softly) Just like that... (Sadly rests her head on the window) I pray this decision won’t be something we will regret later. (Hears her phone ringing, then heads to pick the call) As-salamu alaykum, Mum?
Hajia Shukroh: Wa alaykumu as-salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh. My daughter, your brother is finally back to his senses... He came back to apologize.
Hazeemah: (smiles lightly) Alhamdulillah. Good to hear that.
Hajia Shukroh: Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alamin. He is next to me; should I give him the phone?
Hazeemah: No, Mum. There is no need for that. Please take good care of yourself and make sure you eat well. And if you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to call me.
Hajia Shukroh: (sighs heavily) So that means you are leaving tonight?
Hazeemah: Yes.
Hajia Shukroh: May Allah be with you two always. May Allah protect you and your marriage. May Allah continue to bless you, your husband, and your home.
Hazeemah: Ameen, Mum. I love you so much. I’ve got to go now, Mum. Salam. (Ends the call and breaks down in tears) I can’t believe this is goodbye... (Falls to her knees.)
M.K.: (sadly watches her from afar, then gently moves closer and embraces her) It’s okay. It is for the best. We will be fine, and I will never, for once, make you feel their absence.
Hazeemah: Leave me, abeg. That’s the sweet mouth all the time. I will always feel their absence so, so much.
M.K.: I will try my best then. C’mon, let’s start packing. (Holds her hands to lift her up) I promise to make it adventurous.
Hazeemah: (sighs heavily and follows him)
Later in the evening
(The couple watches their luggage being placed in the car by their security guards. Hazeemah couldn’t help but admire the house.)
Hazeemah: It’s such an honor to live under this roof, but too bad it was never meant to last. I actually thought, like you once told me, that we were going to raise our kids here. You called this our home. (Exhales softly) But it’s fine...
M.K.: (sighs heavily and says nothing)
Driver: (closes the car boot) Ready to go, sir? (Opens the door)
M.K.: (holds her hands and enters the car, but she stops by the door and admires the house one last time, then joins him)
Driver: (closes the door and starts the car)
*************************************
That same day (at a hotel room)
Salamah: (laying in bed, lost in thought) It is what it is... Now I’m back to square one of my life. No job, no family, no money, no love... (Chuckles bitterly) Where am I gonna start from? But I deserve it anyway... I deserve it. (Tears stream down to her ears) I guess this is my punishment. Ya Allah, forgive me... But how am I gonna survive? How? All I ever wanted is to be loved... (Suddenly a message pops up on her phone. She picks it up and drops it, then picks it up again in curiosity) An email from M&S? (She opens it and gasps.)
**************************************
At the Airport
M.k: (loading their luggages on the conveyor)
Hazeemah: (stands behind him, looking around nervously, waiting for their seat number)
M.k: (grabs her hand) C'mon, let's go, baby.
Hazeemah: (smiles lightly and follows him, looking around)
M.k: (ready to board the plane)
Hazeemah: (still looking around)
M.k: (notices her) Baby, what's wrong?
Hazeemah: Uh? Nothing! I'm just admiring the whole place, that's all. It's so huge.
M.k: (chuckles and holds her hand tighter) Yeah, it is huge indeed. (puts on his sunglasses)
Hazeemah: (sadly rests her head on his shoulder)
M.k: I think it's time... Let's join them. (suddenly hears his name being called from far away) Did someone just...
Hazeemah: (also hears her name being called and hurriedly turns around) I guess I heard our names being called... Wait...
M.k: C'mon, let's go... There are lots of people at the airport bearing our names.
Hazeemah: (suddenly the voices get louder and clearer, then she turns again and sights them) Babe...
M.k: (turns around and sees them) What are they doing here?
Hazeemah: (covers her mouth in disbelief)
[Thirty employees from the M&S company hold a long banner that says, "Please don't go, please don't leave us, we want you to stay because we love you, sir."]
Hazeemah: (eyes clouded with tears, then turns to her husband)
M.k: You know we've discussed this... So please... Unless you’re not coming with me—which you must—let's go, it's time to board the plane. (as he drags her, the employees run after them till they reach the final checking point, drawing lots of attention; the officers stop them)
Hazeemah: (tears roll down her face)
M.k: I don't know why you’re like this. So, you’re having a change of mind because of them? Because of your colleagues? (suddenly hears his name again but from a familiar voice)
Hazeemah: (turns around again) It... it’s your sister.
M.k.: Not anymore, remember?
Ms. Shola: (screams with all her strength) What you heard about your identity is wrong! You are Chief Aregbeshola’s son and only son. The adopted one is the other M.k.! He made a mistake. Please... don't go...
Hazeemah: (gasps) Did you hear that?
M.k: (rolls his eyes) C'mon! She is just trying all means to prevent us from leaving, but nothing can change my mind.
Ms. Shola: Please listen to me, M.k.! I have the full evidence here. Please... I’m begging you! M.k!!! (breaks down in tears) You are his true heir, please... Don’t leave me here all alone. I am your biological sister, don’t you see the resemblance? Don’t you see?
M.k: (pauses)
Ms. Shola: Hazeemah, please talk to your husband... Please, don’t go ooo... (falls to her knees as she watches them climb the stairs) M.k!!!!
Hazeemah: (tears gush down her eyes) Didn’t you hear what she said? (hijacks her hands from his hand) I love you... and I will do anything in my power to be with you always. I know you are hurt badly by your dad, and you have every right to be mad at them. But for the sake of your sister, hear her out.
M.k: So what are you trying to say? You’re not coming?
Ms. Shola: Dad is dead! He passed away this morning... Please come home...
M.k: (turns, surprised by the news)
Hazeemah: (still in shock, then hurriedly climbs down) She said your dad has passed away... Your biological father is dead.
[The passengers and flight attendants signal them to hurry on; it’s time to fly.]
M.k: (continues to climb the stairs as tears drop from his eyes, then pauses again)
Hazeemah: Abdulmalik!!
[Watch out for the next episode!!!]
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