ACTS TEN
LATER IN THE EVENING
(KNOCKING AT THE DOOR)
Abdulsalam: [From inside] I'm coming! Hold on, please! (Opens the door) oh! look who we have here?
Hazeemah: Is that how you welcome your baby? As-salamu alaikum.
Abdulsalam: Oh, sorry. Wa alaikum salam wa rahmatullah. Where are you coming from?
Hazeemah: Is this how you treat your guests?
Abdulsalam: (Noticing her luggage) Wait… Where are you going with that bag?
Hazeemah: What’s your problem? Move out of the way!
Abdulsalam: Wait! Before I let you in, let me notify the owner of the house. Bro!!
Hazeemah: Brother Abdulsalam! Stop it now!
Abdulsalam: Wait! Madam! Bro!! You’ve got a guest!
Hazeemah: (Tiredly stares at him) This is exactly why I can’t stand your annoying face.
Abdulhakeem: (Shows up) Who is it? (Sees Hazeemah and immediately shuts the door in her face)
Hazeemah: Big brother! (Stomps her foot on the floor) Why are you guys treating me like this? So, Abu reported me to you, abi?
Abdulsalam: (Responding from inside) Wait… did you do something wrong?
A.K.’s Wife: (Finally opens the door and welcomes her) As-salamu alaikum, Iya Okomi. Come in. Don’t mind them, you know they love teasing you. (Helps her carry her luggage)
Hazeemah: (Shakes her head) I don’t know why they always treat me this way.
Abdulsalam: Look at my little baby, (pinches her cheeks) all grown up!
Hazeemah: What’s that supposed to mean? (Glares angrily at Abdulhakeem as she sits down) You always piss me off!
Abdulhakeem: (Busy with his laptop) Just know you're not welcome here. Go back to your parents’ house.
A.K.’s Wife: (Returning to the living room) You're highly welcome. What would you like to eat or drink?
Hazeemah: Oh please, stop it. I’ve told you several times to treat me like your younger sister. There’s no need for you to cook for me.
Abdulhakeem: You two are the same age. And she's happily married with two kids. What about you?
Hazeemah: That’s none of your business.
A.K.’s Wife: Leave her alone. When the time is right, she’ll get married. All hands are not equal.
Abdulsalam and Abdulhakeem: (In unison) Does she have to be the youngest one?
Abdulsalam: Always job hunting… Anyway, did Mum send you to me?
Hazeemah: (Hisses) If you miss your parents, go see them yourself. I’m not your errand girl. And by the way, what are you doing here?
Abdulsalam: Unlike you, A.K. and I have business to work on.
Abdulhakeem: So, tell me, how’s Abu and Ummu? And what brings you to my house? I remember you once said this would be the last place you’d stay. What’s up?
Hazeemah: Actually, it’s not your house but Abdulsalam’s.
Abdulsalam: Who would even open the door for you?
Hazeemah: Well… I just wanted to let you know this will be my last time coming here as a single woman.
Abdulhakeem and Abdulsalam: Pele! (Both are shocked by her statement, then burst into laughter)
Hazeemah: (Annoyed, walks out on them) Please, our wife, kindly show me to my room. And by the way, I noticed your kids are absent.
A.K.’s Wife: Yes, they’re still at madrasah. Here’s your room, ma'am.
Hazeemah: That’s good. Jazakumullahu khairan. Uh, one more thing, I’d like to ask you for a favor.
A.K.’s Wife: What is it, ma'am?
Hazeemah: Please, for the sake of Allah, I want you to be free with me. Treat me like your sister. I hate this Yoruba tradition—or should I say Africa’s tradition—about in-laws. This is your home, your matrimonial home, and I have no right to cross my limits. Forget that I’m your husband’s younger sister. Don’t prepare my breakfast; I’ll do it myself. Don’t make yourself uncomfortable because of me. If I need anything, I’ll get it myself. Do you understand?
A.K.’s Wife: (Nods with a bright smile) Absolutely, ma’am. This is why I like you… You’re breaking these old rules already. Thank you so much, and have a wonderful night.
Hazeemah: You too, my love. As-salamu alaykum.
A.K.’s Wife: Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatullah. (Waves at her and heads back to the living room, still smiling, to speak with her husband) Dear?
Abdulhakeem: Yes, baby? (Focused on the laptop with Abdulsalam as they discuss something)
A.K.’s Wife: I’d like to say something. Should I proceed?
Abdulhakeem: Yeah, go on. (Still not fully paying attention)
A.K.’s Wife: Please, for Allah’s sake, sister Hazeemah is your blood sister, and she needs your support and love. She might be facing some trials from Abu and Ummu, and she just needs space. I’m sure she could’ve gone to your elder brother’s house, but she chose yours. I want you to welcome her well and make her feel at home. I don’t like how you and Abu Maryam are treating her. It’s not fair.
Abdulhakeem: (Smiling as he exchanges a glance with Abdulsalam) Thank you for your concern, my lovely wife. But as for Hazeemah, I swear by Allah, we love her more than anything. She’s a blessing in our lives, even if we don’t show it. This is just how we’ve always been, even when we lived under our parents’ roof. She’s used to us, and I’m sure she knows how much we love her. Don’t worry. We brothers can be annoying to our sisters because she’s the only one we can tease without being questioned. We can freely disturb her without being interrogated. But trust me, I’d lay down my life for her.
Abdulsalam: I’d kill for her… I don’t know how to explain it, but if we show too much affection, she might misuse it. That’s why men love to annoy their younger sisters rather than show them love. You’ll never know how troublesome a man can be until you see him with his sister. So, Ummu Aisha, don’t worry. Make her feel at home because I’m sure she’ll be here longer than you think. Ummu called me earlier today before Hazeemah arrived, and she said Abu has been pressuring her to bring a suitor home. She’s trying to escape from him. I thought she was coming to my place, but she chose your husband’s, which is still a good thing.
A.K.’s Wife: Alright then. Since you’ve told me to relax, I won’t worry. Do you need anything?
Abdulhakeem: No, thank you. You can go and rest if you want, before the kids come back and start disturbing you.
Abdulsalam: I even ran away from mine.
(They all chuckle)
(CURTAIN)
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LATER THAT NIGHT
(Hazeemah is sitting on her bed, lost in thought as she scrolls through her phone, searching for job vacancies)
Hazeemah: (Talking to herself) None of these jobs are good enough… They’ll just give me stress and probably never hire me anyway. What am I going to do? That guy, M.K., or whatever his name is—only Allah knows the chaos his entire company is going through because of him. I can’t even go back there; it would be such a slap in the face. I should just forget about that spoiled brat. But where else can I go? One side is the pressure to get married, and the other side is unemployment. How am I ever going to achieve my dreams? (Suddenly, one job vacancy grabs her attention)
(LIGHTS FADE)
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THAT SAME NIGHT
(M.K.’s phone is ringing repeatedly)
M.K.: Pick up, woman. (Phone continues to ring) So, this is how she wants to end things, huh?
Mrs. Shola: (Finally picks up the call) What is it?
M.K.: I’m not calling to be nice to you either. I just want to make things clear. I spoke with Dad a few days ago about your ranting over firing the employees, and we’ve come to a conclusion.
Mrs. Shola: And what is that? (Harshly)
M.K.: You better lower your tone if you want this conversation to end well, okay? And believe me, this is the calmest I can be with you, so stop acting like me and get your head straight.
Mrs. Shola: Whatever! Get to the point.
M.K.: I’m going to hire new employees, and I’m aware of your damn rules and preferences, so I’ll stick to that.
Mrs. Shola: Is that all?
M.K.: If you’ve got a problem, speak up! (Raises his voice)
Mrs. Shola: You better not raise your voice at me. I’m still your elder sister, whether you like it or not. Get that into your head. All this mess wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t fired them. We almost lost that multi-million-dollar contract because you haven’t submitted the proposal and work plan. Those employees you fired knew the company inside out. Hiring new people is going to be a nightmare—it’ll take ages for them to adapt to the company's operations. And despite my plea not to fire that girl in the hijab, you still did. Hiring her could have been an advantage. No one else employs people like her, but I’ve always believed that how we treat our employees will boost the company and bring us recognition on a global scale. Imagine if our next client is from Saudi Arabia, and we gain their favor because we hired her. You need to start looking at the bigger picture. Open your mind for once.
M.K.: Whatever! One more thing—did you and Dad plan this whole scheme to get me back to Nigeria just to find a suitor? Are you serious? How could you do that?
Mrs. Shola: Whatever! If you’re that pissed off, then leave the country. But let me make one thing clear—you will never marry a white woman, that one is certain. Dad wants you to lead the company for six months and get to know your country better. You left Nigeria when you were a teenager. Haven’t you ever thought of coming back home?
M.K.: That is none of your business, okay? Stay out of my life! It’s not like you’re happy in your marriage either. I can’t even count how many times I’ve caught your dear husband cheating on you.
Mrs. Shola: (Tightens her fists) You better watch your mouth. You know nothing about my marriage, so stay out of it.
M.K.: The feeling is mutual.
Mrs. Shola: Back to business. Make sure you hire a hijab-wearing sister among the new employees, and not just anyone—someone serious. One last thing: if you don’t learn to tolerate them, you’ll fire the next batch, too. That’s when you’ll realize the problem isn’t them, it’s you. Have a good life. (Ends the call)
M.K.: (Exhales softly) I don’t know when she became this way. I don’t even know how to describe her. If that’s what she wants, then fine.
(Curtain)
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A WEEK LATER
In the morning (6:40 am)
(Hazeemah is moving around the house, doing chores and getting ready to leave. Her movement catches A.K.’s wife’s attention, who calls her husband's attention to it)
Abdulhakeem: (Enters the kitchen) What are you doing?
Hazeemah: (Startled) You scared me! (She moves closer and kisses the back of his hand) As-salam alaykum.
Abdulhakeem: (Surprised) What was that? Where did that come from?
Hazeemah: Well, you know, that’s Abu and Ummu’s tradition.
Abdulhakeem: So, since when did you start practicing that?
Hazeemah: Get used to it and start practicing it in your own home.
Abdulhakeem: So, where are you going this early in the morning, making noise all over the house?
Hazeemah: I have a job interview, and I need to leave before seven. By the way, I’ve already prepared breakfast for everyone... I just need to go get ready. (She starts to leave)
Abdulhakeem: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Where do you think you’re going?
Hazeemah: To get ready, of course.
Abdulhakeem: Let me get this straight—despite all the pressure on you to get married, you’re still applying for jobs? Hazeemah, what is your problem, for Allah’s sake? Why are you like this? You’re a woman, for crying out loud. It’s not your job to provide for the family—that’s your husband’s responsibility. So why are you prioritizing your career over marriage?
Hazeemah: Well... I see where this is going. So only you, the men, have the right to dream, and not me? Only men have the right to pursue their ambitions, and women have to sacrifice their homes, bodies, and lives just to build a family? And all we want in return is to be allowed to dream, just like everyone else. I am your sister. Getting a job doesn’t mean I want to compete with my husband. No! It doesn’t mean I won’t have time for my family. If people are saying that outside, must you repeat it too?
Abdulhakeem: You know, Islamically, this isn’t right.
Hazeemah: So, what I’m doing is a sin?
Abdulhakeem: (Confidently) Yes.
Hazeemah: (Becoming emotional) Please stop saying that… Don’t make me lose this job interview. I have my reasons. There are successful married Muslim women abroad who are living their dream lives.
Abdulhakeem: Don’t compare yourself to them. That’s their destiny—that’s their life. (Raising his voice without realizing it)
(A.K.’s wife, eavesdropping, notices their children coming out of the room)
A.K.’s Wife: Aisha, Muhammed! Oya! Let’s go inside.
Hazeemah: Please don’t stop me... You’re just going to chase me out of here too. I will get married, very soon. I just need time to be found. I can’t go on the radio to announce I’m looking for a spouse! So while I wait, I want to use my time wisely. I just want to go to this interview. I know I’ll probably be rejected again, but there’s no harm in trying.
Abdulhakeem: My decision is final! You are not going to that interview. I don’t care what you say or think. And you are not leaving my house! Period!
Hazeemah: (Breaking down in tears) Please… don’t do this too…