UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS BOOK 2 - EPISODE TWENTY THREE

 

EPISODE TWENTY-THREE

(Hazeemah returns to her office and collapses into her chair.)

Hazeemah: (Muttering to herself) Everything is going to be alright... everything is going to be fine. If I could handle my past, then I can certainly handle the future, by the will of Allah. You got this, baby.

(Sits up, turns on her computer, and begins opening the bulky files on her desk.)

Hazeemah: Today isn’t going to be easy.

(Suddenly, the door swings open forcefully.)

Temitope: (Turning to her colleagues) There she is. I told you guys… or didn’t I?

Daniel: So, it’s true…

(Hazeemah stands up, adjusts her khimar, and calmly tries to identify them.)

Aisha: Look at her, just staring.

Hazeemah: How may I help you?

Temitope: Oh, please! Don’t test me. You still have the nerve to talk after everything you took from us?

Hazeemah: Pardon?

Daniel: Trust me, acting all classy doesn’t suit you because you don’t belong here.

Temitope: How could the boss do this to us? We’ve been working in this company for years, yet none of us has been promoted. But this thing? She gets a separate office while we struggle with desks and chairs in our department.

(Hazeemah finally understands the situation.)

Aisha: Listen, Hajia... (Steps forward) I don’t know how you got this job looking like that, but trust me, girl—you don’t belong here.

Hazeemah: Alright then. Thanks for your lovely advice.

(Stands confidently, waiting for them to say the rest of what’s on their minds.)

Temitope: (Grunts angrily) Oh, she’s driving me nuts!

Daniel: You are not welcome here, and you never will be.

Aisha: And we’ll make sure you get fired. Got that?

Hazeemah: Yes, ma’am. Yes, sir. (Flashes a bright smile.)

Aisha: (Still shocked by Hazeemah’s response) Gosh! Let’s go, guys—she’s making a fool of us.

Temitope: This isn’t over. In fact, this is just the beginning.

Temitope: Better watch out! (Slams the door.)

(Hazeemah smiles and retreats to her seat.)

Hazeemah: Very naïve.

THAT SAME DAY

(Mr. Oyegbami and his daughter, Najat, are having a heartfelt conversation while he recovers.)

Mr. Oyegbami: So, that’s your dream?

Najat: Yes! And I have another dream.

Mr. Oyegbami: Let’s hear it…

Najat: Promise you’ll fulfill it?

Mr. Oyegbami: I can’t make promises yet. What if I can’t fulfill it? Say it first.

Najat: Then never mind…

Mr. Oyegbami: Come on, my princess. You know I’ll do anything to put a smile on your face. Just say it first.

(A sudden noise comes from the door.)

Mr. Oyegbami: Who is it?

(Rhw enters, helping Miss Shola into the room as she struggles to walk.)

Rhw: Gentle!

Najat: Mom!!! You’re here! Dad, look at Mummy! (Excitedly)

Mr. Oyegbami: (Struggles to sit up) Adeshola! Why did you come here when you’re still recovering?

Miss Shola: It’s part of the exercise to recover faster. (Panting heavily with each step.)

Mr. Oyegbami: Gentle, please.

Rhw: (Finally helps her sit) Do you feel comfortable?

Miss Shola: Yes. Thank you. (Avoids eye contact with Mr. Oyegbami.)

Rhw: (Noticing the tension) Come on, princess, let’s give Mom and Dad some privacy.

Najat: (Smiling) Absolutely! It’s been a while since they talked like this.

(Happily takes Rhw’s hand and leaves the room.)

Miss Shola: (Admiring her daughter) She’s growing so fast, isn’t she?

Mr. Oyegbami: Yeah.

Miss Shola: You’ve taken good care of her.

Mr. Oyegbami: She’s my world, remember? So, how do you feel?

Miss Shola: Much better. Thank you.

Mr. Oyegbami: (Smiles brightly.)

Miss Shola: (Faint smile) So tell me, why?

Mr. Oyegbami: Why what?

Miss Shola: You know what I’m talking about.

Mr. Oyegbami: I did it for our daughter. She needs us in her life. I couldn’t just watch her grow up without her mother when I had the means to save you.

Miss Shola: That’s your only reason?

Mr. Oyegbami: Yes, of course.

Miss Shola: (Her mood shifts.) What if you hadn’t survived the surgery? How would she have lived without her father?

Mr. Oyegbami: Well… I’m fine now, and so are you. That’s what matters. Let’s stop worrying about the past and look at the bright side.

Miss Shola: (Exhales softly) There was no need for you to risk your life like that—not even for me. We are not together anymore.

Mr. Oyegbami: Yes, that’s true… but Najat needs you.

Miss Shola: (Getting angry) Would you just stop saying that?! Grace!! Get me out of here!

Rhw: Yes, ma’am? (Opens the door) You’re done talking already? That was fast.

Miss Shola: I said, get me out of here.

Mr. Oyegbami: Why? Why are you making a big deal out of this? Is this the thanks I get?

Miss Shola: Oh, is that what you want? Fine! Here’s your credit. (Raising her voice) THANK YOU! If you can’t help me, then I’ll help myself. (Struggles to stand.)

Rhw: Take it easy, ma’am. (Tries to assist her.)

Najat: Mommy? What’s wrong?

Mr. Oyegbami: (Still confused by her sudden change in attitude) Just take it easy…

Miss Shola: (Shouting) DON’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO! (Finally leaves the room.)

Najat: (Her face clouds with tears.)

Miss Shola: (Turning to her daughter) Come on, my princess, let’s go to my place.

Najat: (Tears roll down her cheeks.)

Miss Shola: (Softens) Come on, sweetie.

Najat: I want to talk to Daddy.

Miss Shola: Alright then. You have her for now… but not for long. I’m getting my daughter back. (Slams the door.)

Najat: (Glances at her father sadly.)

Mr. Oyegbami: What? I didn’t do anything.

Najat: (Moves closer, holding his hand) My second dream is for you and Mom to get back together, to live under the same roof with love surrounding us—like the old times. (Runs out of the room, crying.)

Mr. Oyegbami: Najat! Wait! (Exhales softly) She’s just like her mother…

*************************************************

LATER IN THE EVENING

(Hazeemah yawns as she enters the hospital, tiredly reaching the elevator. Just as the door is about to close, a hand stops it, and it opens again. She steps aside for the next passenger, looking at the ground. Then, suddenly, she looks up—it's them. The couple stands in the same spot, reacting in the same way.)

Hazeemah: Babe... I didn’t know it was you.

M.K: Me neither. (Yawns) How was work today?

 Hazeemah: I’d rather not talk about it.

M.K: As expected… It’s been a heck of a busy day for me.

 Hazeemah: (Rests her head on his shoulder) Tell me about it.

(The elevator opens, but they remain inside for a while. Other passengers enter and begin to murmur, seeing a religious woman mingling with a man.)

Hazeemah: (Taps her husband) Let’s go. (Notices the three passengers murmuring and glancing at her) We are married, okay? He is my husband! (Shuns them and drags him out of the elevator) People can be so judgmental.

M.K: You really have time to care about what people think, don’t you? (Reaches the VIP room and pauses) I hope she’s feeling better.

Hazeemah: Me too. (Opens the door with a fake smile) As-salam alaykum, everyone! How is my sister-in-law feeling now?

 Miss Shola: Save it! (Frowns)

M.K: This is evidence you’re recovering faster… Alhamdulilah. (Finds a place to sit)

Hazeemah: Do you need anything, ma’am?

 Rhw: That’s why I’m here, actually…

Hazeemah: I know! Mrs. Right-hand woman. (Notices Shola’s bad mood) What is wrong? You don’t look happy to see us. Did we do anything wrong, ma’am?

Miss Shola: No, not you.

Hazeemah: (Sighs in relief) I hope she’s allowed to eat something now?

Rhw: Yes, but only a light meal.

Hazeemah: That’s a good start anyway. That’s a relief as well. (Stares at her for a while, then speaks) Can you tell me who upset her?

Miss Shola: I’d rather not.

Hazeemah: (Also finds a place to sit) Where is Najat?

Miss Shola: Can you just be quiet for a second? Maybe you should just go home and rest… Look at your husband already. (Points to his direction) Just go home. I’ll be fine. I just want to be left alone anyway.

Hazeemah: (Exhales softly) How could he sleep so comfortably in that chair? (Gets up and taps him) Babe! Wake up!

M.K: Uh? What?

Hazeemah: Let’s go home.

M.K: How is my sister feeling now? (Dozing off again)

Miss Shola: (Chuckles) He’s so adorable when he sleeps. Glad to hear him address me as his sister. It’s been decades since I heard him call me that.

Hazeemah: (Smiles) He truly loves you, even if he doesn’t say it.

Miss Shola: Yeah, that’s true… Anyway, time to leave. Visiting hours are over.

Hazeemah: Baby! Let’s go, jor!

M.K: (Finally gets on his feet, moves closer to his sister, and kisses her forehead) Promise me you’ll be fine.

Miss Shola: I promise. (Smiles) Goodnight.

M.K: (Waves at them as he is dragged out of the room by his wife)

Miss Shola: (Waves back) Hmmm… They really suit each other. A match made in heaven.

AT THE HOSPITAL PARKING LOT

M.K: (Opens the driver’s seat)

Hazeemah: (Blocks the car door with her leg) I’ll drive.

M.K: What?

Hazeemah: I said I’ll drive us home. You can’t drive while you’re sleepy.

M.K: Hell no! In fact, the sleep has vanished.

Hazeemah: You can’t be serious.

M.K: Where’s your car?

Hazeemah: I work under a company. Why would I drive such an exclusive car to work? It’ll cause a scene at the company. Let’s just stop this—give me the car key.

M.K: I said I’m awake. Get into the car; let’s go home.

Hazeemah: (Tiredly stares at him) I’m not going to get us killed, and you know deep inside that I’m a great driver. Just let me, please…

 M.K: Still no.

Hazeemah: Babe!

M.K: Still a no!

(Two minutes later…)

M.K: You’re the worst! (Tightly holds his seat belt, focusing on the road as she drives them home)

Hazeemah: Relax! We won’t die unless our time is up.

M.K: What are you saying? Watch out for that car!

Hazeemah: (Presses the brake) I have a feeling your blood pressure will rise until we get home tonight.

 M.K: Not just my blood pressure—my whole mental health is under pressure right now.

Hazeemah: (Chuckles)

M.K: Just stop laughing and stay focused.

Watch out for the next episode!!!