ACTS NINE
Abigail: What did he say to you? Please, say something.
Titilayo: Is it true that my parents weren’t supposed to have me? That if getting pregnant by mistake was a crime, my parents would be in jail?
Abigail: (Jaw drops in disbelief) What? He said that to you?
Titilayo: That’s not all… I don’t think I can work in this company anymore… I can’t! (Breaks down in tears again)
Abigail: (Hears her name being called suddenly) Yes! I’m coming! (Runs off, waving at Titilayo) I’m coming, dear.
Titilayo: (Resting her head on the desk as she resumes crying) Oh God…
(Abigail reaches the queue, trying to rejoin the others, but they don’t let her in, murmuring among themselves.)
Abigail: What’s going on? I only went to console Titilayo. Let me in.
Racheal: You don’t have a spot here anymore. Did you see your friends in the queue? Your name was called several times, and since you didn’t show up, he said you’re fired.
Abigail: What? (In shock) Wait! My name is Abigail. You must be mistaken.
Racheal: Can you please move out of the way so we can move forward?
Abigail: (Still in disbelief, rubbing her head, suddenly spots Salamah) Salamah! (Runs toward her) What’s going on?
Salamah: Where were you? He was calling your name, but you were nowhere to be found.
Abigail: I only went to console Titi. I wasn’t gone for more than five minutes, and someone in the queue told me I was fired.
Salamah: Yes, that’s what the jerk said. I was right behind you. I’m confused too. In the blink of an eye, five workers were fired—for incompetence.
Abigail: (Laughing, as if in disbelief) This feels like a dream… Are you saying he fired me without even testing my knowledge?
Salamah: He said if you can’t show up when your presence is needed, how could you show up for the company during an emergency?
Abigail: (Suddenly falls to her knees, screaming) Nooo! This can’t be happening… I have a family to feed!
Salamah: I’m sorry. Even as I stand here, my salary has been cut. I don’t think I can manage on this money.
(Abigail runs into M.K.’s office and falls on her knees.)
Abigail: Please, sir! I’m a single mother of two. I have a family to feed—please don’t fire me!
M.K.: (Calmly seated) Why do you people lack basic manners? You have the audacity to barge into my office? Were you raised in a forest? This is another reason you need to be fired. Now, get out of my office!
Abigail: (Rolling on the floor) Please! Just one last chance, sir. Don’t fire me. My entire family depends on me. If you fire me, my life will be over!
M.K.: Security! Get her out of here before I call them to throw you out!
(Salamah and Titilayo come to her rescue, helping her out of the office as she pleads and weeps bitterly.)
M.K.: See them? A bunch of illiterates! You know what? Get out of my office—all of you! (The employees obey and exit.)
Later that night
(M.K. comes out of the bathroom to pick up a call.)
M.K.: Hey, sis! What’s up?
Mrs. Shola: (Roaring angrily) M.K.! What the hell is wrong with you? I heard what you did! What exactly is your problem?
M.K.: I don’t get it. Why are you yelling?
Mrs. Shola: Oh, now you’re going to play dumb? You fired almost all my employees! For what reason?
M.K.: Is that why you’re yelling? I was only trying to advance the company! 90% of your employees are nothing but empty drums, so I had to fire some of them. Don’t worry—I’ll replace them in no time. Just chill. Everything will be back to normal in no time.
Mrs. Shola: M.K.! YOU ARE PISSING ME OFF! What’s the point of my vacations if all you give me is a headache? If you can’t manage my company properly, then just say so! Don’t make me report you to Dad. This is your final warning.
M.K.: That’s enough! You can’t keep yelling at me while I’m sitting here quietly.
Mrs. Shola: No! Go ahead, insult me! I thought you’d changed, but you’re still the same spoiled brat! And if you continue like this, no woman will ever want to settle down with you. You know you can’t marry a white woman because you’d lose all your property to her. Learn to tolerate people.
M.K.: (Hangs up on her) How dare she talk to me like that? Has she forgotten I also own a company abroad? Dad must hear about this. (Picks up his phone and dials) Pick up, bro!
Chief Aregbeshola: Hello, son!
M.K.: (Ranting) What the hell, Dad! I came all the way from abroad, and Shola has the guts to yell at me over your company? Telling me what to do? Why on earth did you call me in the first place if she could run the company by herself? Warn her, Dad!
Chief Aregbeshola: (Chuckles) It’s been a while since I heard you rant like this. You remind me of when you were just a boy. But this isn’t a conversation we should have over the phone. I want us to discuss this in person.
M.K.: Hell no! I don’t even want to see your face! Just warn her! (About to hang up)
Chief Aregbeshola: Don’t you dare try to cut that call! I can sense it. Since you don’t want to see my face, then we’ll discuss this on the phone. The main reason I wanted you to come back to Nigeria wasn’t just for Folashade’s sake. I wanted you to find yourself a wife here in Nigeria. Those white girls you’re dating out there—I’m never going to approve of them. They’ll do nothing but harm and destroy you.
M.K.: Now I see where this is going. I remember Shola said something similar. So, you two planned this?
Chief Aregbeshola: Listen, son, we want the best for you. That’s why I wanted this to be a face-to-face conversation.
M.K.: I don’t want to see you right now. So, you guys tricked me!
Chief Aregbeshola: No, son! You need to calm down.
M.K.: How could you? Dad, I’m returning to the U.K. first thing tomorrow morning.
Chief Aregbeshola: I knew that would be your next decision, but if not for your stubbornness, you know this should be a face-to-face conversation. But the truth is, I’m dying, and I want to see you get married and give me a grandchild. I want your children to come from your origin. I am dying, Abdulmalik.
M.K.: (Takes a deep breath) Why didn’t you tell me all this sooner? Why now?
Chief Aregbeshola: Because I didn’t want to seem selfish. You didn’t even bother to come see me since you got here. Whatever I might have done to hurt you, please forgive me. I just want to see you happy because it’s obvious you’re not. You’re hiding your pain behind that attitude of yours. And I know if your mother were alive, she would’ve made sure you never went to bed in sorrow. But we all miss her.
M.K.: Don’t! (Panting heavily) Don’t mention her name… Fine! I’ll come see you tomorrow. Happy now?
Chief Aregbeshola: That’s my son! And from there, we’ll find a solution to those illiterates your sister employed.
M.K.: (Smiles) Now you see what I see. Anyway… take care. Goodnight.
Chief Aregbeshola: Goodnight, son. (Hangs up)
M.K.: (Falls on the bed with a towel around his waist) Damn it! Why didn’t he tell me all this sooner?
(Curtain )
A FEW DAYS LATER — MORNING (9:01 AM)
Hazeemah: (Runs to catch up with her father) Abu!!
Alhaji Nurudeen: (Doesn’t respond but turns around)
Hazeemah: Abu! I know you’ve been upset with me for weeks now, and I’m sorry. But please don’t treat me this way. Just give me one last chance—I promise I’ll bring a man home.
Alhaji Nurudeen: When?
Hazeemah: (Scratching the back of her neck) I just need more time… I promise..
Alhaji Nurudeen: When?
Hazeemah: Abu, please now.
Alhaji Nurudeen: I said, when?
Hazeemah: Dad, please. I don’t like this attitude you’re giving me. It’s not fair.
Alhaji Nurudeen: Do you think this is a joke? You haven’t seen anything yet. If I were you, I’d prioritize finding a partner right now. Put that job aside and focus on completing your deen. If you fail to do as I say, this house won’t be able to contain us. Sit down and think about your life. (About to leave when she grabs his hand)
Hazeemah: Abu, please! Don’t treat me this way… please, sir. Okay… I want to visit my brother, and I’m planning to stay there for a month. I need your permission.
Alhaji Nurudeen: Of course, you’re free… Since you’re single, you’re free to move from one house to another now. (Takes his leave)
Hazeemah: (Sighs heavily) Abu! Stop this now… please don’t do this.
Hajia Shukroh: (Pushes her out of the way) Move, madam of the house… (Follows her husband)
Hazeemah: (Sighs) Uhhhhhhhhhh! You guys should stop this now. (Thinking) What am I going to do about my family? I don’t even have any guy… or should I text Khalid? (Shakes her head) No! I can’t do that… I can’t read my book backward. (Looks up at the ceiling) This is getting tougher than I thought… Yaa Allah, help me.
(LIGHT FADE)
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