UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS - EPISODE TWO

ACTS TWO

Hazeemah: I don’t like this at all! Why are you intruding on my privacy?

Hajia Shukroh: (chuckles) So you want privacy while you’re under my roof?

Hazeemah: I’m under my father’s roof, not yours.

Hajia Shukroh: Well, you’re under my matrimonial home! If you’re sick and tired of it, then move to his house! Go and get married, stop chasing companies up and down! Get a life.

Hazeemah: (sadly stares at her for a few seconds) Ummi, why are you being mean to me? I am your child, your only daughter, and your last born for that matter! Or did you adopt me?

Hajia Shukroh: Something like that. Remember, we don’t own our souls; they belong to Allah. I don’t own you, but Allah does. Even if you weren’t my biological child, I would treat you the same. I just want you to be happy. (sits next to her) My baby, you’re turning 26. Age is not on your side anymore, and before you know it, suitors will be scarce. You need to choose one. That’s the struggle of a woman. You can continue dreaming once you’re in your husband’s house.

Hazeemah: (exhales softly) Mum, I remember when brother Fauzan was 27, about five years ago. I saw how you almost drained the life out of him for not being hardworking enough. He always told you he wanted to be a soldier, which you and Abu disapproved of. He applied multiple times and was rejected because you were afraid of losing him. Despite being a graduate, he never gave up. Wasn't it two years ago that he got a job at the federal fire service? Both your dream and his dream came true—a uniform job and safer. Just like he never gave up on his dream, why should I?

Hajia Shukroh: Because you’re a female! He has a family to feed, but someone will feed you. Your duty isn’t to provide for the family but to take care of your husband and kids, just like I do. You can still earn your own income by selling provisions; business is more profitable than a salary. Listen to me; don’t compare yourself to your brothers.

Hazeemah: Just because I am to be fed, should you not be rewarded for your hard labor in sending me to school? Do you remember when Abu was stranded and had no means to pay my school fees? You sold your jewelry and household items to make sure I never lacked anything. I remember when I almost lost both of you because you wanted me to have everything I needed. You taught me not to take things from strangers; you bought everything for me, even my underwear. Dad even bought pads and bras for me. What else do I want? All I ever wanted was to repay you for your hard work. I want you to enjoy the fruits of your labor before any man can. Why must you two go through all that for me to be successful, only for my husband to send you little money? Why can't it be from me first? Please, Mum. (holds her hands) I wish I could open my heart for you to feel how I am feeling. I have seen you cry several times just to make sure I never lacked anything. So please, let me repay you for all your good deeds before my husband does.

Hajia Shukroh: (eyes clouded with tears) Hazeemah... Don’t make me break down. (draws her closer and kisses her forehead) You are the biggest blessing of my life. I never once regretted the day I had you.

Alhaji Nurudeen: (barges into the room) And I never once regretted the day I made love to your mother to have you.

Hazeemah: (jaw drops) Abu!

Hajia Shukroh: (gets up to meet him and covers his mouth) Why do you say things like this in front of our children? Your mind is so full of dark tunnels.

Alhaji Nurudeen: I couldn’t be prouder. I didn’t even realize when that burst out of my mouth.

Hazeemah: (gets up to meet him) Abu, please, for once, let me repay you for all your sweat before sending me to a man’s house, and I promise never to commit zina.

Alhaji Nurudeen: This will be hard for you. What if time goes by, and when you finally get your dream job, you never find any suitors?

Hazeemah: Remember, you once told me that all that is happening has been written down. I know my spouse will never pass me by.

Hajia Shukroh: What about that guy you were on the phone with? You need to give him your final response.

Hazeemah: I will handle that myself. Just leave it to me. All I need is your blessings, and that will be enough to speed up my blessing.

Hajia Shukroh: Come here. (she gives her a warm hug) I couldn’t be prouder.

HAZEEMAH: Remember this? (She lifts her mother’s hand and kisses the back of her hand, then moves to her father and does the same.)

HAJIA SHUKROH and ALHAJI NURUDEEN: (In disbelief)

HAZEEMAH: Yes! I noticed that you and Mum would have divorced a long time ago, but this expression of love you built between each other gives me hope to never give up. No matter how much you fight, she always kisses the back of your hand. That gesture alone gives me joy. I know you never let me do the same, but I want to. I want to always kiss the hand that suffered to make me happy—the hand that struggles to provide for me.

ALHAJI NURUDEEN: (Unable to hold back tears, embraces her) You deserve all the happiness in this world.

HAJIA SHUKROH: (Pats her back) Come on! Let’s have dinner.

(CURTAIN)

FEW DAYS LATER, LATE AT NIGHT 9:20 PM

MR. OYEGBAMI: (Barges into the house) Najat, my love. (No response. He notices no one is in the living room except the maid who came to welcome him.) Where is my daughter?

MAID: She is in your room, sir.

MR. OYEGBAMI: You may leave. (Barges into their master bedroom. He finds his wife petting their daughter to sleep.) Najat, my love. (Moves closer to her and kisses her forehead, then heads into the bathroom to shower.)

MRS. SHOLA: (Furiously accompanies him with a deadly look to the bathroom and hisses)

20 MINUTES LATER

MRS. SHOLA: (On a phone call) So after that, we will sign the contract, and the deal is closed. Isn’t that great, Daddy?

CHIEF AREGBESHOLA: Amazing work, my dear. I am so proud of you. The way I see where this is heading, you will make a great leader. You are doing absolutely great.

MRS. SHOLA: Thank you, Daddy.

CHIEF AREGBESHOLA: That reminds me. So, your personal assistant is now based in London. I can’t believe he left without full notice, after spending my money.

MRS. SHOLA: Honestly, Dad, I was so pissed off when I saw his resignation letter. But I had no choice but to let him go, and he was such a hardworking guy. I don’t think I can ever get anyone to replace him.

CHIEF AREGBESHOLA: Well, you need to employ someone else. I’m sure they will adapt. By the way, I sent 10 million naira into your account. Just use it to take care of yourself for me.

MRS. SHOLA: Aww, Daddy! Thank you so much. That’s why I love you so much.

MR. OYEGBAMI: (Enters the room and tries to carry Najat, but Shola pushes his hand away) Are we doing this again tonight?

MRS. SHOLA: Where are you taking her?

MR. OYEGBAMI: (Roars at her) What kind of stupid question is that? Is she going to spend the night here? Doesn’t she have her own room?

MRS. SHOLA: Don’t you dare touch my daughter. She is spending the night here, and that’s final.

CHIEF AREGBESHOLA: What is going on between you two? Why are you raising your voices at each other?

MRS. SHOLA: This is the shit I deal with every single day, Dad! After such a long day at work, I come home to problems. He gives me nothing but pain.

MR. OYEGBAMI: Any man that wastes time replying to you is a total fool. (About to lift Najat again when she pushes him in the chest) See! Don’t try me tonight.

MRS. SHOLA: Dad, please, we shall talk better tomorrow. (Ends call and confronts him) I said she is sleeping here tonight. What is your problem with that? I want her next to me.

MR. OYEGBAMI: Useless thing! (Furiously retreats to bed, angrily covers himself, and turns his back on them)

MRS. SHOLA: Rubbish man! Mtttwwww! (Picks up her laptop) Biggest mistake of my life.

MR. OYEGBAMI: The feeling is mutual.

(CURTAIN)

THE NEXT DAY, AT 12 PM

HAZEEMAH: (Rushes to the door as she puts on her niqob) Who is there? (No response, then she opens it) I said who is…

SALAMAH: As-salam alaykum. (A bright smile on her face)

HAZEEMAH: (Instantly shuts the door in her face) Walaykum salam, go away!

SALAMAH: (Happily opens the door and follows her in) How are you, my lovely baby?

HAZEEMAH: Please! And please... I know you are here to make fun of me because I know my mom must have told your mom about my job failure again. So don’t bother and swallow your discouraging quotes as well.

SALAMAH: (Takes off her niqob) So you’re not even going to take a good look at me!

HAZEEMAH: (Scans her from head to toe) There’s nothing different about you. Now you can leave.

SALAMAH: (Demonstrating) Don’t you see my baby bump?

HAZEEMAH: Yeah, I know it is now obvious that you are pregnant. And let me guess! You are going to tell me I should hurry up and get married as well, yeah?

SALAMAH: (Drags her to the couch) How are you?

HAZEEMAH: What’s with being nice?

SALAMAH: Answer my damn question, be a good girl as I’m being good to you as well before everything changes now.

HAZEEMAH: See! Leave me alone! I’m not in a good mood either.

SALAMAH: So tell me, how is Khalid?

HAZEEMAH: Salamah, please! Don’t go there. I have a very important job appointment on Monday, so I need to be very prepared this time.

SALAMAH: (Sighs heavily) What am I going to do with this dreamer? Uh? I just can’t get mad at you for long because you are just too innocent for this country. Lots of dreams have been killed by the government in this country, and here you are not ready to give up. To get a good job, you need connections.

HAZEEMAH: And my connection is Allah! Because I’m never ever going to…

SALAMAH: (Cuts in) Give up. Yeah right, I know your lyrics. I just want you to finally rest and be happy. But none of it is working out.

HAZEEMAH: (Exhales softly) Even if my parents object to this, why must you join them? I thought you were my friend.

SALAMAH: Look, beauty, I understand you better. Sometimes I just always worry for you. You stress yourself too much, and I do wonder when you are finally going to rest. Even my husband had to give up when he realized this job thing is nothing but a waste of time.

HAZEEMAH: Are you done?

SALAMAH: Stop telling me that! I’m only looking out for you.

HAZEEMAH: Thank you. (She picks up her niqob and heads inside) Shut the door behind you.

SALAMAH: You will not give me that attitude! (Follows her)

HAZEEMAH: Watch me!

 (LIGHT FADE

LATER IN THE NIGHT

HAZEEMAH: (Stands by the window and sighs heavily) It’s funny how life is so unfair to people like us all because we want to practice Islam better. But nothing good comes easily, as they say. To think of it, my family and friends are right about this. I have received so much insult upon insult just to fit in where I don’t belong, or maybe they were the ones who don’t belong with me. I know I am precious in my way because I always keep positive thoughts. But time is going, and I just want to achieve this one dream in this dunya before I die. (Rubs her forehead) After every hardship comes ease, right? When the rope is hard and hard and super hard, it means it’s ready to loosen and relieve. (Looks up at the sky) Ya Zaljalali Wal Ikram, you know better than I do, which means you know best. Tonight’s tahajjud is going to be special between me and my Allah, and I know you hear me, but I’m getting tired of this silly dream of mine. Please... hear my pains. (Sadly closes the window and retreats to bed, setting her alarm for tahajjud) Ya Allah, I know this alarm can’t wake me up except if you really want to call me for tahajjud. So please wake me up.

(CURTAIN)

THE DAY OF THE JOB INTERVIEW AT AN EXCLUSIVE COMPANY WITH HIGH RANK IN THE COUNTRY

6:02 AM

HAZEEMAH: (Folds her prayer mat and hurriedly rushes out of her room to the kitchen) Put water on the fire and iron my khimar. Yes!! That reminds me. (She barges into her parents' room but only finds her mother reading the Quran) May Allah accept it as an act of Ibadah. (She sits next to her mother, placing her head on her lap while her mother continues reading and smiles) When you are done praying, I need your morning blessings.

HAJIA SHUKROH: (Smiles but says nothing and continues with her readings)

FEW MINUTES LATER

HAJIA SHUKROH: (Blows a cool air from her mouth onto Hazeemah’s head and whispers some dua to her)

HAZEEMAH: (Noticing her mother is done with the recitations, she holds her hands and kisses the back of her mother’s hand with a bright smile on her face) As-salam alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

HAJIA SHUKROH: Walaykum salam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

HAZEEMAH: (Sits up and embraces her tightly) Thanks for the blessings. Today is another job interview, and this one is way bigger than the ones that have rejected me. I know I may be rejected once again, but I still need to go because of my positive thoughts. So please pray for me. May I never encounter a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

HAJIA SHUKROH: So far, I gave birth to you, and Allah sees your mind and mine. Despite everything, you always put a bright smile on our faces. And so far, I worship no one but Allah SWT. I know this will be your last job interview for the best, Insha Allah.

HAZEEMAH: Ameen!!! (Kisses her hands once more) Let me get ready; I’m running late already. (Gets up to leave)

HAJIA SHUKROH: Alright, my dear.

HAZEEMAH: (Turns to her again) I love you, Mum.

HAJIA SHUKROH: (Bright smile and chuckles) I love you too. Just go! You will be late.

HAZEEMAH: Okay, Ma. (Runs out of the room)

HAJIA SHUKROH: (Shakes her head happily) My baby girl.