ACT ONE
Alhaja selimat: Sekinat mother
Alhaji sulaiman: Sekinat father
Summayah: Sekinat elder sister
Suraj: summayah’s Husband
Sultan: the chief’s son
Shuaib: summayah’s and suraj’s son
Hajia Salimah: Alhaji, breakfast is ready.
Alhaji Sulaiman: Alright, honey, I'll join you soon.
Hajia Salimah reaches the dining table but finds the whole family already having breakfast.
Hajia Salimah: Assalamu alaykum, everyone.
Suraj and Summayah: Wa alaykum assalam, ma'am.
Hajia Salimah joins them.
Hajia Salimah: So, what's for breakfast? (She serves herself) Yummy... Alhamdulillah for the gift of life. Aww, look at my cute grandson! You look so handsome in that uniform.
Shuaib: Thanks, granny. You don't look bad either.
Suraj: (coughs)
Summayah: Sorry, dear. Here, have this water to cool down. And as for you, young man, you can't compliment your grandma like that, okay?
Suraj: (rushes to finish his glass of water) Shuaib!
Hajia Salimah: Come on, you two, it's just a compliment, and I love that. Besides, it reminds me that I'm young and beautiful to your father.
Summayah: (fake smile) Yeah.
Hajia Salimah: Eat up, my handsome grandson. (She pats his back)
Sultan: (enters the house) Assalamu alaykum, everyone. Good morning, Hajia.
How was your night, ma'am?
Summayah: (rolls her eyes)
Suraj: (focuses on his meal)
Hajia Salimah: Wa alaykum assalam, warahmatullah. Here comes my future sonin-law. Come here, my son. Please join us.
Sultan: Good morning, ma'am. No thank you, ma'am. I'm okay like this. You called for me; that's why I'm here.
Hajia Salimah: Oh, that reminds me! She isn't here yet! Sekinat! Breakfast is ready. Alhaji Sulaiman joins them at the dining table.
Alhaji Sulaiman: Who do we have here so early in the morning? (The family greets him.) You all have your seats and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere and blissful morning. Come on, let's dig in.
Sultan: (forced to join them while looking around)
Hajia Salimah: (staring at Sultan) I know who you must be waiting for... Where is this girl now? Sekinat!
Sekinat: (finally shows up, flaunting her colorful khimar, walks majestically to the dining table, taking the spotlight for a few seconds as everyone couldn't resist her appearance except Summayah)
Summayah: Oh, please! Why are you all so impressed by that? Don't you see how
she walks like an animal?
Sultan: (still admiring her)
Summayah: (snaps her fingers at Sultan) Mr. Man, wake up!
Sekinat: (bright smile on her face) Assalamu alaykum, everyone... Good morning, Mum and Dad! I hope your night was great?
Hajia Salimah: Wa alaykum assalam. Where have you been? I've been calling you for over 5 minutes now.
Sekinat: Sorry, Mum, I was getting dressed... (She notices Sultan) What is he doing here?
Alhaji Sulaiman: Manners, young woman!
Sultan: Good morning to you, Sekinat!
Sekinat: I'm off to work!
Hajia Salimah: Won't you at least say hi to him? Have you forgotten he is your husband-to-be?
Sekinat: Mum, please, don't bring this drama up again. And stop giving him hope. You better lower your expectations so you won't serve a bigger breakfast... (She glances at Summayah) Lawyer!
Summayah: Doctor!
Suraj: Good morning, Sister-in-law.
Summayah: (hits him) What's wrong with you? I've told you not to talk to her again.
Suraj: That's not a big deal... Son, hurry up! You'll be late for school.
Shuaib: (drops the spoon and walks out)
Hajia Salimah: So, as I was saying, my darling... Your father and I need to talk to you about your union with Sultan. He's such a gentle man, loving and caring... and most importantly, he's very religious, everything you need in a man is in him.
Alhaji Sulaiman: Absolutely!
Sultan: (adjusts his collar as he receives the compliment with pleasure)
Sekinat: (rolls her eyes) Look, Mum, I'm late for work. I don't have time for all this.
Have a lovely day. (She tries to leave)
Alhaja Salimat: Don't you dare take one more step. I'm your mother! When I'm talking with my gray hair, you listen. It means we're old enough to have more grandchildren, and death can come at any time. We need grandchildren.
Sekinat: You already have one. The mighty Shuaib, born by your favorite daughter.
So, you have all you need, Mom... Also, I never asked you to find a suitor for me.
This is a violation of my rights... I'm not single and searching. I want to be found, Mum! So, stay out of my love life.
Sultan: (in a low tone) Hey, dear, come on! You know my love for you is genuine. Don't reject my feelings, please.
Sekinat: Eeyyaa! Pele! Mr. Genuine! When you're done, you will leave. If you're
actually after my parents' wealth, please go straight to the point rather than using
me as cover. I'm not ready for marriage, and that is final.
Alhaji: Will you shut up! Just because you're independent doesn't mean you don't need a man. You're getting old in this house if that's what you need to hear. We need to see our grandchildren, okay?
Sekinat: Dad, why are you always after me with dangerous weapons over marriage all the time? Fine, I accept I'm old at the age of 27. If you want me out of this house, just say it rather than beating around the bush... Besides, you already have a grandchild! From your favorite daughter...
Summayah: You better watch it! I won't sit here and watch you talk to me in that manner... or else!
Sekinat: Or else what? You want to take me to court again?
Summayah: (hits the table and furiously stands up) Sekinat!
Suraj: (holds Summayah's hand) Baby, please calm down.
Summayah: Don't tell me to calm down. Do you expect me to sit and watch how rude she is to me? Must I always have to keep calm for her?
Alhaji Sulaiman: That's enough from you two! Fuji House of Commotion! Kilode!
When will you two grow up and stop fighting?
Sekinat: (faces Sultan) You better get up and leave! This is a family matter, and you are not welcome here!
Hajia Selimat: Sekinat! What has come over you? You are sending my guest away?
Where are your manners? Your dad is talking and you interrupted?
Sekinat: I'm sorry, Mum, but I'm late for work... I have lots of work scheduled for
me... I have 4 surgeries today!
Summayah: No one is holding you! Not like you are the only busy one here... You know what? I'm out of here. (She gets up and grabs her bag) Are you coming, or do you want to watch the rest of the drama? (Walks out) I'm out of here.
Sultan: Oh, yes! I'm coming with you. Have a nice day, sir and ma'am. Babe, your khimar is stained. (Runs after his wife)
Sekinat: (feels disgusted) Look at them, she turned her husband into her puppet! (She turns to Sultan and gives him a deadly look) What else are you waiting for? Why are you still here?
Sultan: Oh, I'm sorry... I think I should go! Have a lovely day, ma'am. Bye, sir. (He walks out and waves at them) Goodbye, my Sekinat!
Sekinat: (rolls her eyes and finally turns to her parents, but their looks weren't friendly) What?
Alhaji Sulaiman: You know! Sometimes I do wonder why we never had many children? Especially male children.
Hajia Salimat: Oh, now we are bringing this up again?
Sekinat: I'm out of here. (She gives them a peck) Bye, Mum. Bye, Dad... I still love you guys, no matter your weirdness. (She majestically walks out)
Alhaji Sulaiman: You haven't answered my questions.
Hajia Salimat: Oh, now we are going to talk about this? Maybe we should go in and make more babies with our gray hair, huh? Come on!
Alhaji Sulaiman: That's not what I meant.
Hajia Salimat: Then what? (She roars at him)
Alhaji Sulaiman: Okay, fine! (He gets up and moves inside)
******************************
Sekinat was on her way to work when she noticed her car malfunctioning. Frustration surged through her as the car came to a sudden halt in the middle of the road. She began hitting the wheel in irritation, looking around for help. There was nobody in sight except passing cars and motorcycles. She decided to inspect the engine but found everything perplexing, not knowing where to start. Her frustration grew as she closed the engine aggressively and reentered the car, exhaling deeply.
Sekinat: What am I going to do? I have surgery at 9:30. How am I supposed to make it when this stupid car won't start? (She remained silent for a few moments, then attempted to start the car again, and it miraculously worked.) It worked! Then why on earth did you stop for no reason? Did you need some fresh air for your brain? (She rolled her eyes and drove away.) Annoying car!
As she drove on, she noticed a crowd gathered around an accident up ahead. Curious, she slowed down to check if it was a severe accident. To her shock, it was the same car she had seen immediately before hers had malfunctioned. Her heart sank as she saw the injured occupants, some with severed body parts. Tears welled up in her eyes.
Sekinat: Subhanallah! Ya Salam! (She quickly drove away as her courage vanished instantly.) Ya Allah, have mercy on us. This accident is fatal. That could have been me, and I was so angry at my car for stopping. Little did I know it was trying to protect me. Alhamdulillah, Ya Allah, I'm grateful for your mercy.
************************
Later, at the hospital:
Nurse: Ma'am, our next surgery is in two hours, and you arrived late. Today is going to be a very busy one.
Sekinat: Yeah, I know. Now, move the equipment. I'll join you soon.
Nurse: Alright, ma'am.
Sekinat sighed heavily, realizing that today was going to be a long day.
********************
After a long day at work
Sekinat: Nurse Titi, can you help me with my phone? I left it in my office. Please hurry up; I'm starving.
Nurse Titi: Alright, ma'am.
Sekinat rested in her car, reflecting on the day:
Sekinat: Gosh, it's been such a stressful day. I'm so hungry.
Nurse Titi: (returns with the phone) Here it is, ma'am.
Sekinat: Thank you so much. Have a lovely day.
She drove away, thinking about returning to her family and their chaos:
Sekinat: Going back home to face more family chaos... I just want a quiet life. Is that too much to ask? Even today wasn't quiet at the hospital either... lost two patients. May Allah grant them Aljanat Firdaus. We care; Allah cures. (Suddenly, her car stopped again.) Subhanallah! What is it this time? (She tried to restart the car, but it didn't respond.) Let me guess, another accident up ahead? Alright, let's open your hood again. (She tried to fix it, but it still didn't respond.) Today is my worst day ever, and I'm starving. What am I going to do? (She called her mechanic, Mr. Tunde.)
Sekinat: As-Salamu Alaykum, Mr. Tunde. What kind of alcohol did you put in my car's engine?
Mr. Tunde: Wa-Alaykum Salam, ma'am. I don't understand.
Sekinat: Anyway, come and get my car. I'll give you the address of where it's stuck.
I'll take a cab or a bus. Please hurry up.
Mr. Tunde: Alright, ma'am...
Sekinat: Good! (She hung up.) Oh, my God! (She sighed heavily.) When was the last time I took a bus? (She got out of the car and tried to stop a passing bus, but none of them stopped.) What's wrong with these people? (After waiting for 10 minutes, she finally hailed one.) Finally... Badagry!
Sekinat: (noticing that there were few people in the bus as they silently opened the door for her) Thank you, sir. (A man offered his hand to help her, but she declined.) No, thank you; I can get in myself.
As she settled in, she observed the passengers' silence:
Sekinat: Good evening? (No one responded.) Oh, okay. Silent passengers?
A few minutes later:
Man in a Black Hat: (checking his watch) Hey, beautiful, want to go for a ride?
Sekinat: (weirdly stares at him as he hides his face with his black hat) Excuse me?
Man in a Black Hat: (counting in his mind) Do you want to live?
Sekinat: (confused) Excuse me again? (She noticed he was handcuffed.) What's going on here? You know what, let me get off. I'm not going anymore.
Driver: You better shut your mouth! Bullet, delete her right now!
Bullet: (trying to bring out his gun)
Man in a Black Hat: (punches Bullet's neck and forcefully pushes him out of the bus with his legs)
Sekinat: (screams for her life as they jump out of the bus, rolling on the road, immediately the bus exploded ) Help me! Somebody help me!!!
Man in a Black Hat: (picks up the pace after Sekinat, catching up with her and stopping her with his feet, panting heavily as his shirt is shredded and covered in blood) Easy peasy... I've got you now. Relax. (Still covering his face with his hat) Are you okay?
Sekinat: (crying and shivering) Let me go, please! Somebody help me!
Suddenly, a group of men in black suits, armed with AK47s, surrounded them, led
by their boss:
Raphael: (wicked laugh as he approaches the injured man groaning in pain) Well... well... well... who do we have here? My long-lost friend? (Squatting next to him) Oh, were you hit by my bullet? So sorry. (Noticing Sekinat) And who is this masquerade you brought with you? Now you can't run away from me again. I should terminate you right now, but I need you as a key to my success. So, we'll have to terminate this masquerade.
Sekinat: (cries out bitterly) No!!! Please!!! I don't know him... Please...