UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS - EPISODE SEVENTEEN

 ACTS SEVENTEEN

(Hazeemah returns home and finds her parents in a heated argument. At first, she thinks it's their usual bickering, but soon realizes it's more serious—and it's about her. She steps forward and watches quietly for a moment.)

Hajia Shukroh: All you do is complain about her! She is our daughter, for Allah's sake! Give her some space to breathe. We are a religious family, and we should understand that every delay in life has its purpose. Where is your imaan? You’re so desperate to send her away just because she hasn’t married yet. Let her breathe!

Alhaji Nurudeen: Watch how you talk to me in this house, woman! I know we joke around a lot, but know your place! She’s my daughter, and I know what’s best for her. If she doesn’t get married because she’s chasing this fleeting dream of hers, by the time she realizes her mistake, it’ll be too late. She’s our only daughter, and just because her brothers are all male doesn’t mean she needs to be raised like one! I know she’s determined, following in her brothers’ footsteps, but she’s still a girl. Look at her (pointing at Hazeemah)—she’s spent a whole month chasing this dream. Well, you both have two months left to do as I’ve commanded, or else… you’ll hate me in this house!

(Hazeemah, overwhelmed by their argument, breaks down in tears, causing her parents to pause and turn to her.)

Hazeemah: (falling to her knees) I’m sorry… I’m so sorry for causing you both so much trouble. This is the last thing I want—to be the reason my parents are fighting. I know you both want what’s best for me, but this is draining me emotionally. (crying harder) Abu, I want to get married, I really do, but I don’t have a suitor yet. Please… just give me more time. This constant arguing is wearing me down. Please… (her cries intensify)

Hajia Shukroh: You see what you’ve caused?

Alhaji Nurudeen: (furiously storms out of the house. Hazeemah runs after him, nearly falling at his feet, but he quickly lifts her up.)

Alhaji Nurudeen: What are you doing?

Hazeemah: Please, Abu! Please… just give me a little more time. I’m begging you, for Allah’s sake.

Hajia Shukroh: (runs outside to join them) Why are you punishing your own daughter like this? Why? (feeling sorry for Hazeemah)

Alhaji Nurudeen: You both don’t understand anything! If you knew the consequences of what you’re treating as a joke, you wouldn’t be standing here, begging me to let you rot under my roof!

Hazeemah: (suddenly realizing something, she gets to her feet) Abu! Have you forgotten? You’re the reason I’m not married yet!

Alhaji Nurudeen: (turning to her in disbelief) What did you say?

Hazeemah: Yes! I remember when I was in my late teens and early twenties. Anytime I was around male friends—even my coursemates—you’d lecture me and yell. I wasn’t allowed to speak to them, and they weren’t allowed to have my phone number. You were always overprotective. You even beat me because of men! And now, look how desperate you are for me to marry the same gender you nearly disowned me over. You never let any man approach me! Have you forgotten you rented a shop near my school just to monitor me?

Alhaji Nurudeen: I was trying to protect you from zina and getting pregnant out of wedlock!

Hazeemah: But do you know how desperate I was back then to get married, to complete my deen, to become a mother? But all you did was push me away from men because you wanted me to focus on my studies. You were so overprotective because I’m your only daughter, and you didn’t want to be a laughingstock in the community. And now, here we are—husbandless—and you rant every single day about me not bringing a man home. I’ve always tried to please you both, especially you, Abu! I’ve done nothing but make you proud, and yet, you’re still not satisfied. You have to be patient with me until I find the right man. I won’t go out and snatch someone’s husband or beg a bachelor to marry me. That’s not happening! You frustrated my life more than my brothers ever did. Do you have any idea how much I cried in those days when you wouldn’t let any man come near me? I met amazing men—men ready to marry me, take care of me and sponsor the rest of my education, but have you forgotten what your response use to be? That most men of now adays are nothing but a deceivers. You are the cause of my misery because men are happily married with two to three kids now. So you have to wait till the right man finds me. if only you have any idea of how angry I am with you for not making me to pick one man back then…

Alhaji nurudeen: (couldn’t control his temper as he landed a slap on her face) watch how you talk to me! I am still your father!.

Hajia shukroh: (shocked and run to her rescue) what are you doing? ofcourse she is right!

Alhaji nurudeen: don’t test my patients woman.

Hajia shukroh: or you are going to hit me too over something that you caused in the first place?

Alhaji nurudeen: (roar at them) I did what what I had to do back then to protect you and nothing else! I was only trying to give you a righteous live. I know what this whole is all about, you and your mother want to put everything my head right? but so far you are under my roof and you eat my food. You must do as I say!

Hazeemah: (walks inside in full tears)

Hajia shukroh: (confront him) what exactly do you want from her? dead? She has a point! Is either you let her be for now till the right man comes or you chase her out of the house with your mean attitude towards her and I cant just sit and watch while my is filled with so much sorrow and pain because of you. if this case is about us then face me.. don’t pass your aggression on her. (walk out on him) Hazeemah, okomi! Where are you? Hazeemah!!

Hazeemah: (crying bitterly in the store room) ummi, I’m sorryyy!!! Please… help me to beg dad to give me more time.. today is just so frustrating for me.. how will I go to work since morning working like a machine, received lots of insult at work and still come back to this all the time. All I want is to make you two happy but whatever I do, dad is never pleased.. and I am sure even if I still get married… he will still find something to complain.. what else does he want from me? dead? I am just tired and weak.. I don’t even know what else to do.. why? why is all these happening to me? why me? all I want you to understand me. (crying out loud)

 Hajia shukroh: (embrace her in tears) it okay! From now on, what ever your father say in this house concerning your marriage, don’t listen to him.. I understand you very well and you are strong girl.. I am sorry we put you in so much pressure while you are out there trying to please us and provide for us.

Hazeemah: alhamdulilah I am able to take care of the two of you and you don’t need to be thankful for it because you were there for me when and you never for once make me lack anything.. so this is my duty and responsibilities to take good care of you two at your old age. I know my brothers are carrying out the duties but I also want to do my part.. I just hope you will understand me even if he doesn’t.

Hajia shukroh: it okay (hold her tight and wipe her tears) lets put that aside for now. So tell me, how was work today?

Hazeemah: (sigh heavily) work is undescribable… I don’t even know how to explain what really happened today but to cut the story short, my boss is my problem.. he strangles me without touching my neck.. like right here (desmonstrating) he called me a cheap thing because of the guest we had today, he is Arabian man and he was only joking that I should be his forth wife and we all chuckled right? then my boss have the guts to tell me that I am nothing but a cheap thing that I am just after people’s wealth.

Hajia shukroh: subhanallah! He said that to you?

Hazeemah: that’s not it oh.. he gives me so much work to do that I become weak to speak.. but that’s not the important part.. guess who I saw today at the company?

Hajia shukroh: you know I’m not good at guessing.. tell me, who?

Hazeemah: Khalid!

Hajia shukroh: which Khalid? (realise and her jaw drop) are you serious? Masha Allah! I hope you are not pulling my legs… (excited) my son in law finally comes to find you..

Hazeemah: (give her a weird stare) your son In law as how?

Hajia shukroh: Allah is really great! See how he came back to his loving country all because of you… ahh alhamdulilah.. so tell me, what did he said to you after you guys met?

Hazeemah: first of all, he is not my or your son in law… secondly, he doesn’t recognize me because.. back then when face time eachother, I always put on niqob so he wont see my face.. so he has never seen me before..

Hajia shukroh: but you are not a niqobi yet, so why do you cover your face?

Hazeemah: I was just trying to test him back then if he will still love me first without seeing my identity before we later separated.

Hajia shukroh: subhnallah! So you are telling me now that he did not recognize you at all.. or your voice or something else?

Hazeemah: (nodd) yes.

Hajia shukroh: (hit her shoulder) honestly you deserve cane, and I told you to be patient with him now see. He doesn’t even know who you are.

Hazeemah: (exhale softly) it such a great moment for me.. I thought this only happen in fairy tales but, I began to grow interest in him but I don’t know if he will ever accept me back, I’m just scared that what if he blast me and embarrass me in front of everyone.. especially, my boss..

Hajia shukroh: don’t think that way my dear. There is no harm in trying… just make sure he recognizes you before he return to abroad, please I’m begging you for Allah’s sake.. atleast I will use this good news to hold your father’s aggression for a while.. so do your part and I will do mine, you must be starving, I already made dinner. Come with me (lift her up and lead the way out of the store )

(CURTAIN)

THE NEXT DAY

Hazeemah: (sadly stand close to the door as she lower her gaze)

m.k: (focus on his system but notices her sad mood but looks away and pick up his phone) you can speak now.

Hazeemah: sir?

m.k: I wasn’t talking to you?

Hazeemah: okay sir (look down again)

Mrs. Shola: hello Hazeemah, how have you been?

Hazeemah: (surprisenly look up wondering her eyes around the office) yes ma!

Mrs. Shola: I know you must be wondering where that voice is coming from? Well… I have access to CCTV, so I monitor everyone and everything in the company. So tell me, how is it being my brother’s P.A for a month?

Hazeemah: (take a deep breath and glance at m.k then look away) well… we thank for every situation we find ourselves.

m.k: what was that suppose to mean?

Mrs. Shola: okay!! Take it easy red boy…. Since she has answered my questions. So now tell me, how is it being her boss for a month now?

m.k: it been hell of talking, repeating myself, frustrating me… gives me so much headache that sometimes infact right now! I want to fire her.

Hazeemah: the feelings is mutual sir.

m.k: (glance at her) what did you say?

Mrs. Shola: (chuckles) take is easy with her, don’t be mad… this is exactly what I want to hear from her. her deep expression of how she feels working with you and I like honesty. Don’t be upset okay? she will adapt in no time.. as you can see, she is now good at making coffee. That’s a good start. Anyway, gonna go! Byee Hazeemah, be a good P.A

Hazeemah: thank you ma’am.

m.k: (gives her a deadly stare) you have got so much nerve uh? If you don’t watch your mouth, you will…

Hazeemah: (cut in) be fired? Yeah! I got it sir. but the moment you… (suddenly the door opens)

Khalid: hey! Good morning.

Hazeemah: (heart skips for a seconds as she sight him and step backward to make way for him) good morning sir.

Khalid: (bright smile on his face) as salam alaykum hajia.

Hazeemah: (bright smile ) walaykum salam waramatuh.

m.k: (feels irritated as he glance at her and change his face with a smile as he exchange greetings with khalid) good morning sir.

Khalid: good morning sir, how was your night rest sir?

m.k: it was great and yours?

Hazeemah: (couldn’t stop staring at her khalid)

Khalid: alhamdulilah..

Hazeemah: (in her mind) masha Allah! he respond with Alhamdulilah.. (heart panting heavily) wait? Am I in love with him?

m.K: (Notice she wouldn’t stop staring at khalid) A.Z!!!

Hazeemah: (snap back to reality) sir!

m.k: why wont you stop staring at him? Does he attract you?

Khalid: (turn around) who? Me?

Hazeemah: (angrily glance at him) please excuse (leave the office and slam the door)

M.k: did she just? Okay (get hold of himself) you are welcome sir.

Khalid: my boss instructed me to show you something and I want it to be included in the project (brings out his ipad)

(light fade)

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

CLOSING HOUR

Hazeemah: (signing out) hmmm (stomach grumbling) aww…. (lost in thought) should I get home first or branch the restaurant?

Abdullahi: Hajia naa (my hajia) if you don’t mind, can I drop you off?

Hazeemah: (thinking) you this man! You are looking for nothing but more troubles for me. (turn to him) nagode (thank you).

Abdullahi: but I insist.

Hazeemah: and I insist too.

Abdullahi: the weather isn’t good, the rain might start at anytime.

In the midst of their conversation, the rain start falling.

Abdullahi: I told you… you are a little bit stubborn… now lets go.

Hazeemah: (give him a side eye then turn around and find a place to sit) I will wait till the rain stops.

Abdullahi: hajia!! I will not harm you.

Reem: (appear from nowhere) she said she isn’t going with you, na by force?

Abdullahi: (shakes his head) anyway.. bye! (takes his leave and rush into parking lot)

Hazeemah: (smile) thank you sir.