ONE BRIGHT MORNING
Mrs. Rabiu: (knocks at the door) Zainab! Are you awake? If yes, can we talk?
Zinat: (embraces her mother from behind) Good morning, Mama!
Mrs. Rabiu: (startled) I have told you several times to stop your surprise hugging. I just pray you won't be the reason behind my heart failure soon.
Zinat: (chuckles) Nothing bad will happen to you; you are mine, Mama! All mine!
Mrs. Rabiu: (smiles and tries to knock at the door again, when the door opens by itself and she enters with Zinat) Look at the latest bride. (notices she isn't moving) Zainab!
Zinat: Are you playing a prank again? Come on, get up! We need to gist! (as she tries to tap her, she suddenly realizes she is struggling to breathe) Oh no!
Mrs. Rabiu: Subhanallah! Where is her inhaler? Find her inhaler!! (she roars at Zinat, who also panics as she searches for it)
Zinat: I can't find it! Oh my goodness! Where did she keep it?
Mr. Rabiu: (bursts into the room) What is going on here? And why the screaming?
Mrs. Rabiu: Her inhaler!!!
Mr. Rabiu: (also hurriedly joins them in searching for it) Where did she kept it?
Zinat: Found it! (she hurriedly inserts it into her mouth as she finally inhales, returning to her normal state, and they all sigh heavily) What were you thinking, sis? Do you want to kill yourself when your wedding is in 5 days?
Mrs. Rabiu: I have warned you several times never to hide your inhaler! What were you thinking? Do you want to burn me alive? Please, oh! Anyway, how are you feeling now?
Zainab: (responds with a nod as she stylishly glances at her father, who is also giving her a deadly gaze from his spot) Baba, I'm... I'm sorry, sir. (she sadly lowers her gaze)
Mr. Rabiu: I have warned you several times about this same issue! If you want to die, please kindly do it silently and stop making a scene! (he furiously walks out of her room and slams the door)
Mrs. Rabiu: Baba Zainab!!! That's too harsh now! Haven't we discussed this issue? (she follows him)
Zainab: (suddenly breaks down in tears)
Zinat: (sits next to her and places her head on her shoulder) Don't let what Baba said break you! We all know he doesn't mean all that, okay? So don't take it to heart. We all love you, and you should be the happiest woman right now because finally, you are getting married to your dream man. So smile for me, jor!
Zainab: (unable to help it, but the tone of her screams becomes louder)
Zinat: Come on! Please stop crying! Don't add to your condition, please. You know I love you so much. Or should I call your husband-to-be? To perform his magic again?
Zainab: No! Don't call him. (she finally wipes her tears) But why does Dad keep treating me this way? Ever since I was a child. Does that mean he doesn't love me at all? And I have asked him several times if he isn't my biological father, then he should just say it.
Zinat: Of course, you are his first daughter! Don't you see your resemblance? So please don't bother your mind unnecessarily over what Baba said. Maybe he isn't in a good mood this morning, and we all know how he is. So please (she wipes her tears), you deserve nothing but happiness! This is your moment to shine! So be happy. I love you so much, big sis! (she embraces her)
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Rashidat: Here comes the latest groom in town! My guy!! (she embraces him) How far now? And how is the preparation for your wedding?
Ridwan: My Gee! The latest bride in town as well...
Rashidat: Stop the banter jare! So how far?
Ridwan: Nothing much! But look at you, getting fresh and plump these days. Are you sure your wedding gown will fit you again?
Rashidat: You want to make me punch you abi? What about you? Are you sure your suit won't be too large for you? You are losing so much weight! I just hope your wife can take care of you like I once did.
Ridwan: She sure will... And I hope your guy will treat your attitude because you are fire!
Rashidat: Whatever! So what did you call me for? You sounded like it's urgent.
Ridwan: Well, umm, it's about us... about our friendship.
Rashidat: Okay? I’m all ears.
Ridwan: You know we are both getting married soon, and I was thinking if we could call this friendship quits. We are both getting what we lack in our lives soon, so we just need to limit the friendship thing because it isn't right. I love my wife so much, and I know this might sound hard to believe, but I don’t want to hurt her with this closeness of ours, so I really want us to quit.
Rashidat: Just like that? A friendship of over 7 years? You are just gonna end it because of your wife-to-be?
Ridwan: That’s a huge reason enough why we need to put an end to it. I don’t want to hurt her feelings because I have finally gotten the woman I have always prayed for. I expect you to be happy for me if you truly love me as a friend...
Rashidat: You are unbelievable! A girl you met six months ago? How sure are you she is definitely the woman of your dreams? And even if she is, you just want to trade our bond because of her?
Ridwan: She is not just her! She is everything to me, and I never want to hurt her. Never! Besides, you also have your man too. I expect you to understand better than all these questions. How would your husband feel if he found out about our friendship even after your marriage?
Rashidat: Of course, he is aware of you, and I never hide anything from him. He is cool with it, so I expect your girl too should also be cool with it. This is seven years of friendship we are talking about, oh! R.D!
Ridwan: I'm sorry, but I can't do this anymore. Please try and understand me. This is hard for me too, but I had to.
Rashidat: Okay, no problem! (She angrily picks up her bag and leaves)
Ridwan: Rash!!! Come on! It doesn’t have to end with violence! Rash! (exhales softly) This turns out to be harder than I thought. (Suddenly, his phone rings) As-salamu alaykum, my Queen. I have missed you a billion times as well. Where are you?
*************************
Two days to the wedding, at the office:
Zainab: Call Temitope for me.
Hassan: Yes, boss! (Exits from her office)
Zainab: (Exhales softly and sits back in the chair) This is way harder than I thought.
Temitope: (Enters her office) You called for me, ma.
Zainab: Yes! Where are the documents and files I said you should work on?
Temitope: Almost done, ma. That’s what I’m doing.
Zainab: So you are not done? And we need to carry out the investigations starting now! I can see how weak you are in this job. I will get you replaced soon.
Temitope: (Bows her head) I’m sorry, ma. I wasn’t feeling too well. I’m sorry.
Zainab: Say that to the victims' family. My friend, will you get lost? And you have less than 30 minutes to round up or else!
Temitope: (Salutes her and takes her leave)
Zainab: (Hisses) Now I have to stay behind, and my family won't stop calling! (Suddenly, her phone rings) Who is it this time? (It turns out to be a video call) This man will not let me rest with FaceTime all the time! (She smiles and accepts the call) Husband-to-be!
Ridwan: My Queen! My world! My hereafter!
Zainab: (Chuckles) Nikini!
Ridwan: C’mon! Say yours, don’t keep me waiting.
Zainab: Okay o! My king-to-be! My crown-to-be! And my husband-to-be. How are you doing, sir?
Ridwan: Alhamdulillah, and you? Are you still at the office?
Zainab: Yeah! Delayed by one of my junior colleagues. Always pissing me off.
Ridwan: Awww, well, here I am stuck with my family as they won't let me breathe because I’m getting married. They have almost drained me.
Zainab: (Chuckles) Na you wan marry oh!
Ridwan: At least it's worth it! (Smiles and begins to admire her) My Queen.
Zainab: What? You have started with that seducing eyes of yours.
Ridwan: (Can't say anything but smiles)
Zainab: Is everything okay? Because anytime I see you oversmiling, something might be bothering your mind. Do you mind sharing?
Ridwan: Whatever it is, you're worth it. Because... I love you so much, Zainab.
Zainab: (Shy) Thank you, but you know, anytime I see that sincerity in you, I feel sad and happy at the same time, wondering what if you change after marriage. Because men! Hmm, men! Adam!
Ridwan: Baby! I've told you several times that I promise I will never break your heart! And I will forever love and cherish you, if you keep to your promise to be the best wife to me.
Zainab: Hmmmmm! Well, I believe in actions more than words. So, my actions will speak for me.
Ridwan: Same here... (takes a deep breath) Should I come and pick you up?
Zainab: Hell no! When our nikah is in two days? In fact, no more video calls.
Ridwan: Baby, please... don’t do that, unless you want to kill me.
Zainab: Nothing will happen to you, Mr. Sweet Mouth!
Ridwan: Two days feel like two years...
Zainab: You will be fine. (Sadly looks down)
Ridwan: What is it? Come on! Talk to me. I’m all yours.
Zainab: I’m just scared.
Ridwan: Of what? Our wedding night?
Zainab: What? No! Well, yes, but I’m scared of seeing your bad side after marriage... You are my prince charming now. My concern is you not turning into Prince Wicked.
Ridwan: You are in safe hands, my love. If I ever intentionally hurt you, then I will gladly accept the wrath of Allah.
Zainab: Thank you for loving me.
Ridwan: Thank you for accepting me for me. I love you so much.
Zainab: (Sigh) Why do I keep feeling bad anytime you say you love me? Save them until after marriage. It's just so hard to believe if this whole thing is real. Lots of marriages are breaking.
Ridwan: How on earth should I prove to you that I’m not like the rest? I know my gender's sense is draining day by day, but I don’t think like they do. Please believe me.
Zainab: (Bright smile) Thanks for the reassurance. I love you too.
Ridwan: Yes!! She finally responded.
Zainab: (Laughs) Bye.
Ridwan: Later, my Queen. (Hangs up)
Zainab: (Takes a deep breath) I hope my own marriage story will be different from others in a good way, because that has been my special prayer point since I was a teenager. Ya Allah, make this easier for me.
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Edris: You failed to open up ever since you got here! Talk to me now. Did I offend you? C’mon, baby! (Tries to draw her closer, but she pushes his hand away) This is the problem I have with you. Anytime you are upset, you chase me away.
Rashidat: Just leave me alone! Is that hard for you to do?
Edris: Okay then! I’m sorry. (Gets up and tries to head to the living room)
Rashidat: So you're just gonna leave me here all alone? So you don’t even love me, abi?
Edris: (Opens his mouth in disbelief) Are you being serious right now? Why are you like this, for God’s sake? Ever since you got here, you’ve been acting weird, and when I tried to give you my attention, you pushed me away. And now, I’m leaving, and you're mad again? What exactly is your problem? Is this how you'll be acting after we get married?
Rashidat: You don’t even know how to take care of your woman. Is this what your fellow men are doing to please their wives? You're not romantic, caring is zero. Why? Sometimes you make me wonder why I accepted your proposal.
Edris: Oh, so now you're putting our marriage at stake over your anger? You know what? You have a big problem! A bigger problem! And I’m also wondering why I proposed to you?
Rashidat: Then you know what? We are done! (She gets up and tries to leave while he couldn’t get his eyes off her backside)
Edris: C’mon, baby! I didn’t mean to say all I said! You know I love you so much, and I can't do without you. Please! I’m sorry. Oya, talk to me! What happened, and why are you sad?
Rashidat: Now you're talking like a man! (She gets seated) You know that bestie I used to tell you about?
Edris: Who would forget such a person! You wouldn’t let my ears rest talking about him all day. What happened to him? Did he have an accident?
Rashidat: What? No! He is absolutely fine. But unfortunately, he ended our seven years of friendship. Can you believe that? Because of his stupid wife?
Edris: (Gasp and ends it with a bright smile on his face) Well, tell me more on how it goes!