EPISODE EIGHTEEN
Hazeemah: (noticing) Baby... This is not the way home. Driver, what's going on?
M.K.: Chill, relax. He’s not going to kidnap us or anything.
Driver: (chuckles)
Hazeemah: Where are we going?
M.K.: Wait till you find out.
Hazeemah: It’s been a stressful day already. I’d appreciate it if we head home instead and leave the surprise for another time, please.
M.K.: (his mood changes to disappointment) Uhm... Driver, take us home.
Hazeemah: (noticing his reaction) Okay, wait... I guess the surprise must really mean a lot to you, then. Let’s go.
M.K.: (turning to her) Are you sure about that? Because I don’t want to stress you out since you said you’re tired.
Hazeemah: Yeah, I’m sure. Let’s go. (touches his muscles)
M.K.: Hmm... that reminds me. I’m ready.
Hazeemah: Ready for what now?
M.K.: To have a baby and to make a baby. So I was thinking maybe we need to see a doctor for a checkup and figure out what’s causing the delay.
Hazeemah: It’s about time...
M.K.: Great. So, I heard about this private hospital— (suddenly his phone rings). What an interruption. (He checks the name, pauses, and his eyes meet Hazeemah’s.) Uhmm...
Hazeemah: (folds her arms, waiting for his next move)
M.K.: (turns his head and picks up the call) Hello? (listens) I’m busy.
Hazeemah: No, he’s not! (glances at him)
M.K.: Okay... give me like 30 minutes, then. (ends the call) Happy now?
Hazeemah: Thank you. Driver, please take us to Chief Aregbeshola’s mansion.
Driver: Got it, ma’am.
Hazeemah: Thank you, sir. (turns to her husband) Whatever the problem or issues you’re having with your family, we should try to settle it today.
M.K.: I’ve told you not to interfere in this.
Hazeemah: Because I’m a stranger to you, right? Your dad is my dad too. Okay, I want to go see him. It’s been a while...
M.K.: (in a sad mood)
Hazeemah: (studying his reaction, then holding his hands) Whatever’s on your mind that you haven’t revealed to me yet, I respect that because you have every right to process your feelings. But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll never leave your side. We’re in this together. I got this.
M.K.: Damn, you’re good.
Hazeemah: At what?
M.K.: You should be a counselor... or my therapist. (smiles) Give me a kiss.
Hazeemah: (chuckles and complies) Happy now?
M.K.: Not enough.
Hazeemah: You’ll be fine, okay? (admires him) Sometimes you’re just so cute. (draws his cheek)
M.K.: Yohhh! How can you call a grown man cute? That’s unacceptable! (smiles)
Hazeemah: Come here. (draws his second cheek) Oh, my kids are going to be even cuter. (bursts into laughter)
Driver: (watches their romantic play through the mirror and smiles)
********************************************************
..
Hazeemah: (opens the door) As-salamu alaikum. Finally, back home...
M.K.: (with a depressed face as he follows her in)
Hazeemah: (turns on the light and is shocked at the view) Baby... (The entire living room is beautifully decorated with a banner reading "I am sorry, my queen." Hazeemah, still in shock, admires the decorations.)
M.K.: Oh... (sadly climbs the stairs) Surprise.
Hazeemah: (realizing the situation, then follows him) Babe... Baby...
M.K.: (opens the door and falls onto the bed)
Hazeemah: Baby... (shuts the door)
M.K.: (responds in a low tone) Yeah?
Hazeemah: Can we talk?
M.K.: Not in the mood.
Hazeemah: Well, I want to talk. Since you came out of that mansion, your mood has changed. What did your dad say?
M.K.: (turns his face away) Nothing...
Hazeemah: And you expect me to believe that?
M.K.: (sits up) I think it’s high time you learned to understand me. When I say I don’t like something or don’t want to do something, take it that way. You know I warned you about my so-called father, but there’s no point in saying anything because you’ll just stand your ground. Since you want to be the husband, so be it. (gets up and leaves the room)
Hazeemah: M.K.! Baby! (goes after him) Please wait... Baby, please.
M.K.: (pauses and turns around) Today was meant to be your happiest day. All I wanted was to make you happy. Yeah, fine, you have a lovely family, but I don’t. When I give instructions, you don’t listen, Hazeemah. But I finally found out the truth about my identity, so I should be grateful to you anyway.
Hazeemah: What are you talking about?
M.K.: Chief Aregbeshola is not my biological father. That explains a lot—why he kept sending his son to attack me. It makes so much sense now. (tears drip down his eyes) Now do you understand why I said I don’t belong here? Because this isn’t my home... (turns to leave, then pauses again) Don’t follow me. I’d really appreciate it if I’m left alone tonight because the last thing I want to do is hurt you again. (walks away)
Hazeemah: (still in shock at what she just heard) Wait, what did I just hear? Am I dreaming? Chief is not your father? Maybe I heard wrong... What is happening to us? From one problem to another... Why? (rests her head on the wall) What to do?
(Mancave)
M.K.: (tears stream down his face as he’s lost in thought) That explains a lot... A lot! So I was adopted. I cried like crazy when I lost a woman I called my mother because she cared for me when I was a child. What else is a lie? I don’t even know who my family is. So it was all a lie? I feel so stupid for believing my father was abducted... even Shola isn’t my biological sister. This is hard to believe. Like, seriously, it’s hard.
The next morning, 5:48 AM
Hazeemah: (gently opens the door and finds him on the floor in a deep sleep. She gently closes it and lies next to him without saying a word, thinking to herself) You are a soft man. I once called you a spoiled brat because you were raised with a silver spoon, not knowing you were mentally drained by them. (caresses his face) You don’t deserve this. You deserve to be the happiest man on earth. I just hope you’ll be fine.
M.K.: (opens his eyes and groans) When did you get here? (whispers)
Hazeemah: (whispers back) Not too long ago. How are you feeling?
M.K.: (sighs heavily) I’m fine. (sits up) Is it time to pray?
Hazeemah: (sits up too) Almost... (can’t stop staring at him sadly)
M.K.: (notices her) What is it?
Hazeemah: (moves closer and gives him an embrace) We’ll get through this together. Whatever decisions you make from now on, I promise never to go against them.
M.K.: (surrenders into her arms as he sobs silently)
Hazeemah: (rubs his head) It’s okay, baby.
*****************************
An Hour Later (Daybreak)
M.K: (Hears footsteps growing louder as they approach. He quickly lets go of her and stands up.) Who’s there? (Opens the door and scans his surroundings.)
Hazeemah: Who is it?
M.K: Stay behind me. (Gently steps outside and bumps into Mrs. Shola.)
Mrs. Shola: Good morning. (Sadly)
M.K: Good morning, ma’am.
Hazeemah: Good morning, ma’am.
Mrs. Shola: (Moves closer.) M.K., can I talk to you for a second? Privately.
M.K: There’s no point. The company is yours, and I’m never stepping foot there again. So save your talk. (Turns to leave.)
Mrs. Shola: (Furious.) What the hell is your problem? Do you have any idea what I’m going through right now? You didn’t even bother to call or check on me! I never thought you could be this heartless. If you don’t care about Dad, what about me? Your sister?
M.K: (Coldly.) You are not my sister.
Mrs. Shola: I know, but… wait, what? What did you just say? (Steps closer.)
Hazeemah: Ma’am, please…
Mrs. Shola: Was I talking to you? I think I need to put you in your place. When I’m talking to my brother, don’t you dare interfere again! Is that clear?
Hazeemah: I’m sorry, ma’am. (Excuses herself.)
Mrs. Shola: Sorry for yourself. (Turns back to M.K.) Now, back to you—
M.K: I guess you’re deaf. I said I’m not your brother and never was. The only family I have left is my wife. So please leave my house this instant.
Mrs. Shola: You’re joking, right? M.K., this isn’t funny. What kind of expensive joke is this?
M.K: You’re not the only one going through something. Deal with your family, and I’ll deal with mine. I don’t ever want to see your face again. (Tries to walk away, but she grabs his hand and slaps him.)
Mrs. Shola: Don’t you ever talk to me like that! I am your elder. If you lack manners, I’ll teach you.
M.K.: (Roars.) I’ll let this slide because you’re blind to the truth. I said GET OUT!
Mrs. Shola: (Startled.)
M.K.: LEAVE! Or I’ll call security to throw you out!
Mrs. Shola: (Hurries out in shock.)
Hazeemah: (Approaches her as she’s leaving.) Please, ma’am, I’m sorry on his behalf.
Mrs. Shola: (Eyes filled with bitterness.) What is going on? What happened?
Hazeemah: He just found out that… that… (Exhales softly.) That you’re not his real family.
Mrs. Shola: What? From whom?
Hazeemah: From Chief Aregbeshola.
Mrs. Shola: (Shocked.) What?
M.K.: (Watching from upstairs.) Hazeemah!
Hazeemah: Yes, sir?
M.K.: Master bedroom, now! (Walks away.)
Hazeemah: Uhmm, I need to attend to him. But, ma’am, you will always be his sister. He’s just upset and heartbroken at the moment. Please excuse me. (Climbs the stairs.)
Mrs. Shola: (Tears flow as she struggles to process everything.)
M.K.: Hazeemah!
Hazeemah: I’m coming. (Enters the room and shuts the door.) Baby?
M.K.: (Taps the bed.) Come here.
Hazeemah: (Obeys.) Yes, sir? (Sits closer to him.)
M.K.: Are you coming with me or not, this time?
Hazeemah: Are you… are you talking about moving abroad?
M.K.: Yes. And we’re leaving in two days. Nothing can stop this trip. Not even you. So, are you coming or not?
Hazeemah: (Her mind races as she tries to find the right answer.)
***********************
That Same Morning
Abdulrahman: (Wakes up, lifts his head, and stretches his arms. He turns to greet his wife but jumps out of bed in shock.) Subhanallah! Who are you?
Salamah: (Wakes up, hurriedly sits up, and bows her head sadly.)
Abdulrahman: I said, who are you? (Realizes he’s only in his boxers and quickly grabs the blanket to cover himself.) Are you deaf or something? Wait… I know you… Aren’t you—
Salamah: Yes. I’m leaving anyway. (Gets up and starts dressing.) This doesn’t feel right. I’m sorry for everything.
Abdulrahman: Wait, what? How did I even get here?
Salamah: I’m so sorry, once again. (Packs her things and drags them out of the room.)
Abdulrahman: Wait! How did we end up here? Hey, wait! (Quickly puts on his clothes.) I said wait!
Watch out for the next episode!