EPISODE TWENTY- EIGHT
Hazeemah: (Her entire body stiffens as she struggles to breathe. Every organ in her body seems to freeze at the shocking news. She sits motionless, her eyes widening in disbelief.)
M.K: (Noticing her silence, he looks up and is startled by her state. He hurriedly taps her, his own breathing becoming uneven.) "Hazeemah!"
Hazeemah: (Snaps back to reality, gasping for air, her hands trembling.)
M.K: "I'm sorry. I know you weren’t expecting this… but I believe it's for the best."
Hazeemah: (Her eyes cloud with tears, but she composes herself. Struggling to stand, she grips the couch for support.)
M.K: "Aren’t you going to say anything?"
Hazeemah: (Focuses on steadying herself, avoiding eye contact.)
M.K: "Alright then... what were you trying to tell me—"
Hazeemah: (Suddenly loses her balance and collapses back onto the couch.)
M.K: (Alarmed, observing her closely.) "Are you okay? You don’t look fine at all."
Hazeemah: (Glances at him sadly, a storm of disappointment and unspoken questions swirling in her mind. She looks away, silent.)
M.K: "At least say something… your silence is making me anxious."
Hazeemah: (Lowers her gaze, staring at the floor, her sorrow evident.)
M.K: (Frustrated, he jumps to his feet.) "So, you’re seriously not going to say a word? Hazeemah!"
Hazeemah: (Finally meets his gaze, shaking her head as tears stream down her face.)
M.K: "I know this isn’t what you expected… but I believe it’s the best option we have left. We’re both unhappy in this marriage—it’s draining us. At least now, you can chase your dreams without worrying about giving me a child or following orders. You’ll be free."
Hazeemah: (Gathers her composure, stands up, and walks to the dining table. She sits, serves herself, and begins eating hurriedly, shoveling food into her mouth like someone starved.)
M.K: (Watches her, confused.) "What is wrong with her?" (Frustrated, he storms out of the house, slamming the door.)
Hazeemah: (The moment he leaves, she collapses onto the floor, breaking down in bitter sobs.) "This isn’t how it was supposed to end. No! This can’t be happening!"
*********************************************
The Next Morning
(M.K returns home late, exhausted. He climbs the stairs and heads straight to his man cave, overwhelmed by thoughts. He avoids seeing her, knowing he won't be able to handle her reaction.)
(The morning arrives. After completing his solat in the man cave, M.K takes a deep breath and prepares himself. With a heavy heart, he walks to their master bedroom, gently pushing the door open, expecting to find her there—but she’s gone.)
M.K: (His voice wavers as he calls out.) "H-Hazeemah?" (He frantically checks the dressing room, the bathroom—still no sign of her. His panic rises as he bursts out of the room, searching the entire house.) "Could she have left already?" (He rushes back to their room, opens the wardrobe—and finds it empty.)
(Staring in shock, he drops to the floor.)
M.K: "She left? Just like that? Without saying a word? Did she always plan to leave me?" (Lies on his back, staring blankly at the ceiling.) "Her silence is terrifying."
***********************************************
Hazeemah’s Family Home
Ummu Fatimah: (Pacing, worried.) "Zawj, what are we going to do? This is really scaring me. She hasn’t come out of that room since she arrived last night. She hasn’t eaten, and she won’t even let us in."
Abdulrahman: (Furious.) "I’m beyond disappointed in that guy! I thought men like him were supposed to be mentally stable and responsible. But no! Instead of working things out, he jumps straight to divorce? No real Yoruba man would make such a rash decision!" (Clenches his fists.) "This doesn’t even make sense! And she won’t tell us what really happened. I need to go see him."
Ummu Fatimah: "No, please don’t! You know she forbade you from confronting him about the divorce."
Abdulrahman: "So I should just sit here and do nothing? She won’t even let me tell Mum or her brothers. I can’t handle this alone!"
Ummu Fatimah: "Right now, my biggest concern is getting that door open. What if she tries to harm herself?"
Abdulrahman: "She won’t. She’s stronger than that… I think she just needs time."
Ummu Fatimah: "Time? She hasn’t eaten since yesterday!"
Abdulrahman: (Sighs, rubbing his forehead.) "I don’t know what to do… Just tell me what to do!" (Drops onto the couch.)
Ummu Fatimah: "Let’s try again to get her to open the door. Please. She wasn’t okay before, and she’s definitely worse now. Let’s go." (Pulls him up.)
(They walk to the door. Ummu Fatimah takes a deep breath, gathering her courage.)
Ummu Fatimah: (Gently.) "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Good morning, my sweet sister?"
(No response. She glances at Abdulrahman and signals for him to speak.)
Abdulrahman: (Clears his throat.) "Uh… As-salamu alaykum, Hazeemah. Good morning? Please, open the door so we can talk. I know you’re devastated, but isolating yourself won’t solve anything. Please let us in." (Pauses—still no response.) "If you don’t open this door, I’ll have to break it down. Your silence is scaring us. You haven’t eaten, and I won’t stand by and watch you suffer. You know I’ll always be here for you. I’ll never leave your side."
Ummu Fatimah: (Voice trembling.) "You are more than just my sister-in-law. You are fearless, strong, beautiful, and confident. There is no problem you can’t handle. Please, don’t let this break you. It’s not the end. Just open the door so we can talk, please..." (Looks into her husband’s eyes, pleading.)
Abdulrahman: (Firmly.) "Step back." (He takes a deep breath, gathers his strength, and prepares to kick the door down—just as it suddenly creaks open on its own.)
Ummu Fatimah: (Leads the way inside, finding Hazeemah seated on the bed, looking utterly miserable.) "Sister Hazeemah…" (Sits beside her.) "Please don’t harm yourself. You mean the world to us, more than you could ever imagine. Crying won’t change what happened."
Abdulrahman: (Kneels beside her and pulls her into a comforting embrace.) "It’s okay to cry… but this isn’t the end. We’ll get through this together." (He lets go, but she remains unresponsive.) "Hazeemah, please… You’re scaring us."
Hazeemah: (Finally speaks, her voice weak.) "I’ll be fine. I just need some time alone. I promise I’ll get back on my feet soon… Insha’Allah. But right now, I just want to be alone."
Ummu Fatimah: (Tears well up in her eyes.) "I swear, I want to give him a piece of my mind!"
Hazeemah: (Silently stares at her brother.)
Abdulrahman: (Sighs, standing.) "Make sure she eats something."
Ummu Fatimah: "I will."
(Abdulrahman walks over, presses a kiss to Hazeemah’s forehead, then leaves the room.)
Ummu Fatimah: "Wallahi, you deserve all the happiness in this world and the next. He let a rare gem slip through his hands… and he’s going to regret it."
************************************
M&S Company – Afternoon
(M.K. is sitting at his desk, lost in thought. The day feels like an endless dark tunnel. He keeps replaying his conversation with Hazeemah, her reaction filling him with anxiety and regret. He rests his head on his desk, unable to focus on work. He doesn’t notice the door opening or the person standing before him.)
Khalid: (sitting down after a while, directly in front of M.K.) Bro, enough of this. You look exhausted. What's going on?
M.K.: (startled, lifting his head) When... when did you get here?
Khalid: About ten minutes ago. You've been mumbling to yourself the whole time. What's wrong?
M.K.: Uhm… Nothing. Nothing, actually.
Khalid: Care to share?
M.K.: Absolutely not.
Khalid: Whatever it is, may Allah ease your affairs. Anyway, how's the trip planning going? Just like old times, right?
M.K.: (clears throat, hesitates) Oh… yeah, the trip. I... I don’t think it’s happening anymore. We might have to cancel it.
Khalid: (shocked) What? Why? This is a huge project completion. The least you can do is appreciate your team for their effort. Plus, it’s your anniversary with Hazeemah. You confessed your feelings to her during the last trip. Wouldn't this be the perfect moment to make it special again?
M.K.: (lowers his gaze sadly) Hazeemah is no longer with the company.
Khalid: But she’s your wife, bro! Everyone is bringing a guest—are you saying you’ll come with your sister instead of her?
M.K.: No! She’s not coming, and that’s final.
Khalid: Something doesn’t feel right. Are you protecting her from something? Or someone? From me? I already told you—I’ve let go.
M.K.: That’s not the point, Khalid. Let’s just drop the topic, okay?
Khalid: Alright then. (falls silent)
(M.K. drifts back into deep thought. Suddenly, the office door swings open forcefully. The three team managers rush in, their faces filled with questions.)
M.K.: What is it?
Mrs. Fashola: Sir! Is it true? We just heard a rumor that you filed for a divorce. Is that true?
M.K.: (shocked) Where did you hear that?
Reem: That doesn’t matter. We need the truth, sir.
M.K.: And how does my personal life concern any of you?
Abdullahi: I’ll be so disappointed if this turns out to be true, sir.
Khalid: (confused) Wait, what’s going on? M.K., did you really divorce your wife?
M.K.: (guilt washing over him) Everyone, leave my office. Now.
Mrs. Fashola: So it’s true? You really did it?
Reem: (glares at M.K. with rage)
Abdullahi: Subhanallah…
M.K.: I said leave, or you can kiss your positions goodbye!
Mrs. Fashola: Let’s go. So much for a leader… so much for the head of this company.
M.K.: I said get the hell out before I show you my other side!
Reem: (furiously) I am highly disappointed in you, sir. (storms out, followed by the others.)
(M.K. clenches his fists and drops into his chair.)
Khalid: What they said… is it true?
M.K.: Khalid, if you’re going to be like them, just leave too. Stop mentioning her name!
Khalid: Just answer me, M.K.! Did you really file for a divorce?
M.K.: And how does that concern you? Stay out of my business!
Khalid: (in disbelief) What could she have done that made divorce the only solution?
M.K.: I said stay out of this!
Khalid: Wait… is it because she hasn’t given you a child yet? Because I saw how you treated her last time I visited.
M.K.: (roars angrily) Stay out of my marital life!
Khalid: (roars back) I always respect boundaries, but this time, you’ve crossed the line! Do you think divorce will solve your problems? I thought you were mature enough to know that some things are only in Allah’s hands!
M.K.: (stepping forward, ready to confront him) Watch your mouth!
Khalid: (steps forward as well) And what are you going to do about it? You have no idea what you've done… but this time, you’ve lost her for good.
(Silence. M.K. stares at him, breathing heavily.)
Khalid: There’s no point in being your friend anymore. You’re blinded by ignorance, and it’s infuriating. I expected better from you, man. This is your loss. You have lost her. (furiously storms out, slamming the door behind him.)
(Instead of getting angry, M.K. collapses weakly into his chair, staring blankly ahead, consumed by guilt.)
To Be Continued…