Habibah: (still panting heavily) It's nothing. Thank you for coming to my rescue. I really appreciate it. (about to run away)
Mustakeemah: Seriously? Are you still going to run away from me? How long will you keep this up? You think I don’t have something important to do with my life other than just chasing you around? I put my life on the line just to save you, and you're just going to run away again? Seriously?
Habibah: I’m sorry, but just because you saved me doesn’t mean I have to be your friend. May Allah accept what you did as an act of ibadah.
Mustakeemah: Oh, really? You're unbelievable! Just like everyone judges you, I choose not to. I hear you out, and you're running away again?
Habibah: Go ahead, judge me. That's not new.
Mustakeemah: (takes a deep breath) You're getting on my nerves, seriously. But I'll let that slide. Go ahead, and I don’t ever want to see your face again. (as she tries to walk away, Habibah holds her hand) Let go of my hand before you see my true colors as well.
Habibah: (exhales softly) I didn’t mean to upset you, but I’m just battling with lots of emotional challenges right now. I even feel like committing suicide.
Mustakeemah: (takes some steps forward) You're not the only one going through shit! We all are. But a problem shared is a problem solved. And you know the consequences of committing suicide because we've all wanted to take that step. But it's like trying to leave the prison by force, a real hell. And I won't beg you to open up to me again because I've had enough of your attitude already. It's your choice to open up. Have a nice day.
Habibah: So, are you just gonna leave when I'm about to open up?
Mustakeemah: I'm not the only one with patience. Behaving like I'm trying to woo you won't solve your problem. I'm sick and tired of chasing you around. I'm going to focus on my life as well.
Habibah: (sighs heavily) Fine! Let's find a place to sit and talk.
Mustakeemah: (in her mind) So, this is what it takes to make you talk.
Habibah: (finally gets seated) So? What do you want to know about me?
Mustakeemah: Everything.
Habibah: Excuse me? My whole story?
Mustakeemah: Okay, tell me why you leave home like a pious Muslimah and when you get to school, you become the street girl?
Habibah: It's not about being a "street girl," but about seeking freedom. I come from a Sunni family. My father is incredibly strict and uncompromising about his religious beliefs. He has five daughters, and I happen to be the first child. They never gave me the freedom to choose the life I wanted. Only Allah knows the hell I went through under their control. Ever since I turned 18, he's been adamant that I should not commit zina (adultery). If I find a pious man, I should introduce him to the family. He even swore to curse us if I commit zina or bring home an unwanted pregnancy.
Mustakeemah: Wait... so you don’t like the niqab and khimar?
Habibah: Hell no! This isn’t the life I wanted. I want to be free like those girls out there. They dress however they please, and their parents never complain. To be honest, I regret being born into that family.
Mustakeemah: Is that all?
Habibah: Not all, but that's just the summary of it.
Mustakeemah: If wishes were granted tonight, I would wish we could switch bodies or families. Seriously, you are the most blessed and luckiest girl I have ever seen.
Habibah: What do you mean?
Mustakeemah: Look at me. I'm in full khimar, but look at you, in an exposed dress. You wanted a family that accepts you for this, right? And I wanted a family like yours. I guess we don’t appreciate what we have until we lose it. Such is life. But do you want to hear the bitter truth?
Habibah: What's that?
Mustakeemah: You are very beautiful. I understand why your parents want you to use niqab to avoid fitnah in society. Secondly, I can see that you are very knowledgeable about Islam. But you don’t realize the blessing behind you. I want to use this opportunity to tell you that I will try my best to guide you back to the right path.
Habibah: There is nothing you can do about it. I have already made up my mind. Besides, it's not like those of us who cover our bodies aren't sinners. We are no different from them. We are not saints. In fact, many hijabi sisters use hijab to conceal their sins. Since I was little, I faced a lot of criticism in society for wearing the hijab. I was bullied by my classmates and neighbors, called all sorts of names. They said ours is worse than theirs because we do it openly. Honestly, I see nothing good in Islam. Sometimes I wonder why I was born into a Muslim family.
Mustakeemah: subhnallah! Take it back!!
Habibah: Why?
Mustakeemah: I said take it back!
Habibah: Look, you won't understand. Since you said you are hungry for my lifestyle, go ahead. Your eyes will soon open, and you will come back to tell me I was right. I promise you that.
Mustakeemah: (light smile) Allahu akbar kebirah. You think opposite of what I think. You see nothing but problems in Islam, but I see nothing but peace and the hereafter. I’m sure you have more Islamic knowledge than I do because my parents never put us in Islamic school. But here I am, hungry for Islamic knowledge. You don’t want challenges in life by running away from Islam. The new life you are embracing, does that mean you won't encounter bigger problems? Or have you forgotten what happened to you recently?
Habibah: That’s because they knew I used to cover up before. At first, it will be hard, but they will get used to the real me soon.
Mustakeemah: You are just leaving me speechless. I don’t even know where to start from.
Habibah: Look, don’t even bother about that. Since our lives are different, let everyone face it. I’m sure now that you will let me be and stop chasing me around.
Mustakeemah: Uh-uh! We are not done yet! In fact, this is just the beginning. Because you are only attracted to worldly affairs, but you see nothing. You don’t see what your parents see.
Habibah: How will I see it when they are forcing me to get married early while my peers are pursuing their careers? My peers are becoming doctors, lawyers, engineers, but they want me to be a full housewife? Never.
Mustakeemah: I guess you have made up your mind so well. May Allah guide us all. But can I have your number? Because we must see each other every single day. My promise to you today is that I will try my possible best to help you get your life back. Hell no, I'm not going to watch you go astray. One more thing, I have an explanation to make based on intention. The phone you are holding... do you know there are thousands of people out there who use this phone to defraud others? Download blue films and many other nasty things, right?
Habibah: Yes, of course.
Mustakeemah: But you are still using the phone. Why didn’t you think that because others are using it for bad things, you wouldn't use a phone again? Our intentions and how we use it are what matters. Do you also know that the school bag we bring to school... some have used it to bomb whole villages by putting bombs inside? Some have put head and body parts of humans in bags just to use them to carry out their bad deeds. But here you are, packing your bag. Does that mean we shouldn’t use bags again?
Habibah: No.
Mustakeemah: What we use the bag for and our intentions, that's what matters, right?
Habibah: Yes.
Mustakeemah: The same goes for the hijab. Just because others use the hijab to commit zina, or even some people of other religions wear it, some Muslims still wear it for hookups and to ruin Islam.
Habibah: Absolutely!
Mustakeemah: Does that mean we should stop wearing the hijab? What matters is what we wear it for and our intentions, right? Then who are you to judge yourself based on how others view things? Look, I don’t have much time. It's getting late already. But I will not relent until I chase the Shaytan out of your life because we all know that’s his handiwork. Give me your number.
Habibah: (quiet for a while) Well, that can't change my mind, but it is already made up. Grow up and stop the emotional trauma. Wake up! The earlier you leave it, the better.
Mustakeemah: You know, that’s exactly what I wanted to say, but you’ve spoken to yourself. Work on yourself because there is more to this life than you could imagine. You are just being carried away by worldly affairs, but it is temporary. We shall meet next time, insha Allah, and trust me, I’m coming fully prepared for you. And as for those tight dresses, they will attract nothing but men who are here today and gone tomorrow, okay? As-salamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Habibah: (murmuring)
Mustakeemah: What did you say?
Habibah: I said wa'alaykumu s-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
Mustakeemah: Good! Take care of yourself. My regards to your amazing parents, and please tell them about me. If they want to adopt a child, please, I’m available.
5:36 PM
Ridwan: (enters the house with a heavy sigh) I’m home. (notices his wife asleep on the couch) What are you doing here?
Zainab: (raises her head and then rests it back) Welcome, dear. How was work today?
Ridwan: Is that how you're going to welcome me? Is this how you do it?
Zainab: I’m sorry, honey, but I’m really tired today. I can barely move my legs. Today's operations almost took my life.
Ridwan: I never forced you to choose a career in the police force. So, get your leg down and welcome me properly.
Zainab: (forces herself up and moves to him) Welcome, sir. (she kisses the back of his hand and takes the bag from him) How was your work today?
Ridwan: I don’t owe you an explanation on that. Is my shower ready?
Zainab: Not yet! I will go and do that now. But wallahi, I am really tired. Why don’t you do it today, please?
Ridwan: So you're saying I should do your chores, huh? After a stressful day? Zainab! What has gotten into you these days?
Zainab: What do you mean? You know I don’t get this tired usually, but today's operation was different. And I expect you to understand me.
Ridwan: (hisses and walks out on her)
Zainab: Babe!!! (follows him) Why are you getting upset for no reason?
Ridwan: Did you just say "for no reason"? Like I'm being dramatic? Do you know what happened at my work? And it's your duty to relieve my stressful day. Can't you see how I met you?
Zainab: You know I don’t usually do this, and the fact that I told you that I’m weak and tired, I expect you to understand.
Ridwan: You see, this job of yours, you need to quit! Maybe that’s what is preventing your body from getting pregnant! Too much stress can never make a woman pregnant. I need a child, Zainab! And you are pissing me off. You know nothing but turning me on all the time, and despite all the effort, nothing came out of it.
Zainab: (exhales softly) I’m sorry, please... let me prepare the shower.
Ridwan: Whatever!
Zainab: (thinking) I guess he has started to change a little, as I predicted. I will start becoming irritating to his eyes. I expected this anyway. But the amazing part is, he never knew he is changing. I expect this anyway.
Later in the night
Zainab: Baby, I’m about to sleep... do you need anything else?
Ridwan: If I need anything, I will let you know.
Zainab: Please kindly tell me so I don’t have to wake up again. I want to take my medications and sleep.
Ridwan: (raises his voice without realizing) I said I will let you know when I need anything!
Zainab: (calmly stares at him as she expected his reaction, then climbs the bed and moves closer to him) Baby, I know you are upset with me for not getting pregnant, and I’m sorry. I know I hurt you, and I’m so sorry for everything. You gave me your love, but I'm yet to give you a child. I just need you to be patient with me, please.
Ridwan: For how long, huh? For decades?
Zainab: Soon, insha Allah! But your attitude towards me is hurting me as well. I thought you promised not to behave this way.
Ridwan: And you promised to give me a child.
Zainab: (nods her head) Anyway, I’m sorry. (she turns to her side and adjusts her pillow) Goodnight, dear.
Ridwan: (hisses)
Zainab: (closes her eyes, feeling bitter) You don’t have to hiss. The point is just that you are doing this to frustrate me, but you are changing, Ridwan. You are changing already. But it's fine! (sobs silently)
Ridwan: (takes a deep breath) Anyway, I’m sorry. (moves closer to her) I didn’t mean that.
Zainab: It's okay.
*************************
The next morning, in the kitchen:
Mustakeem: Is breakfast not ready?
Najat: Almost, sir.
Mustakeemah: Yes, almost ready. Do you need anything else? (they glance at each other, then she hurriedly looks away as he gives her a deadly stare) Are you still upset with me?
Mustakeem: You know I didn’t say anything. All I asked for is food.
Mustakeemah: (leaves what she is doing and moves closer to him) Thank you so much for yesterday. Having you by my side gave me more hope to live. Thank you so much, Kenny. From the bottom of my heart, I say a big thank you.
Mustakeem: Ogbeni, move and give me food jor. That’s your problem.
Mustakeemah: (playfully hits his head) I was being nice to you, and see how you talk back at me? Why don't you have respect like this, huh?
Mustakeem: (smiles) This is the side of you I know. So, don’t ever thank me for such silly things and get me my breakfast. Make sure it's plenty, and stop!! Stop wearing those short trousers! Go and tie a wrapper. For the last time. In fact, go inside and do so right now.
Mustakeemah: But this is what Mum and Dad want.
Mustakeem: I don’t care, but I don’t want it! Now move! (demonstrating)
Mustakeemah: Fine! Move, jor. (leaves the kitchen)
Mustakeem: And you too? Where did you get those pants you are wearing? Are you okay? You are following her steps, abi? Oya, you too, move!
Najat: (smiles) Sorry, sir.
Mustakeem: Sorry for yourselves. (he smiles) Now I’m the boss in this house.