Zainab: ( told her arms watching him passing his aggression on the towel and resume back to her chores)
Ridwan: you know what? This isn't even about you but you caused all this? You caused it. Assuming you got pregnant I wouldn't have taken this steps now.
Zainab: you've been blamed me several times for not giving you a child because I'm the maker abi? And I have accept my fate... And you find yourself a solution to it so why blaming me?
Ridwan: there is no point talking to you ( angrily walk away)
Zainab: ( shake her head) jejely wahala dey on it own and you confidently awake it.. you get served what you order, and nothing concern me with your baby mama.
********************
2 hours later
In the compound, ridwan sit alone by the door step thinking about his life and how his future will be, as he relax his mind and muscles over the heated argument he had with Rashidat. Suddenly his silent moment was interrupted by zainab.
Zainab: ( in a calm tone) hey...
Ridwan: ( look up) hey ( look down back)
Zainab: ( sit next to him and present his food in a big tray) here is your dinner, I know today but be so stressful for you.. so you need to eat so you can have enough stress to face the rest.
Ridwan: are you mocking me now?
Zainab: hell no! Why would I do that? Anyway enjoy your dinner ( ready to go back inside when he grab her hand)
Ridwan: stay with me.
Zainab: ( exhale softly as she stares at him for a while)
Ridwan: please.
Zainab: ( smile then sit next to him without saying a word)
Ridwan: ( inhale deeply) fresh air isn't?.
Zainab: ( nodded in affirmation without uttering a word).
Ridwan: ( sigh heavily) so you are not gonna ask what happened truly?
Zainab: no, no I dont want to.
Ridwan: ( glance at her) why?
Zainab: whatever happened is between you two, it none of my business. May Allah help you both out. But don't include me in it. So I don't care to know.
Ridwan: ( stares at her with so much compassion) I am sorry...
Zainab: ( raise her eye balls at him)
Ridwan: for everything, for every pain I have caused you, and you are right.. this is my mess and I will face it myself.
Zainab: (folds her arms, observing him as he vents his frustration on the towel before returning to her chores)
Ridwan: You know what? This isn't even about you, but you've somehow become entangled in all of this. If you hadn't caused this, I wouldn't be in this mess now.
Zainab: You've blamed me countless times for not giving you a child, as if I'm solely responsible. I've accepted my fate. And yet, you sought out your own solution. So why continue to blame me?
Ridwan: There's no point in talking to you. (He angrily walks away)
Zainab: (shakes her head) Trouble just finds its way, and you willingly invite it. You reap what you sow, and your baby mama drama is none of my concern.
Two hours later, in the compound, Ridwan sits alone on the doorstep, contemplating his life and future amidst the aftermath of his heated argument with Rashidat. His silent reverie is interrupted by Zainab.
Zainab: (in a calm tone) Hey...
Ridwan: (looks up) Hey. (He looks back down)
Zainab: (sits next to him and presents his dinner on a large tray) Here's your dinner. I know today must have been stressful for you. You need to eat so you can gather the strength to face what lies ahead.
Ridwan: Are you mocking me now?
Zainab: Hell no! Why would I do that? Anyway, enjoy your dinner. (She starts to go back inside when he grabs her hand)
Ridwan: Stay with me.
Zainab: (exhales softly, then looks at him for a moment)
Ridwan: Please.
Zainab: (smiles, then sits next to him without speaking)
Ridwan: (inhales deeply) Fresh air, isn't it?
Zainab: (nods in agreement without saying a word)
Ridwan: (sighs heavily) So, you're not going to ask what really happened?
Zainab: No, I don't want to.
Ridwan: (glances at her) Why not?
Zainab: Whatever happened is between you two. It's none of my business. May Allah help you both out. But don't involve me. I don't care to know.
Ridwan: (looks at her with compassion) I'm sorry...
Zainab: (raises her eyebrows at him)
Ridwan: For everything. For every pain I've caused you. And you're right. This is my mess, and I'll deal with it myself.
Zainab: (responds with a forced smile)
Ridwan: (begins to dig in) Your meals always taste amazingly different. Can I go a day without tasting your cooking?
Zainab: Do you need any drinks? Soft drinks? Malt or yogurt? I can get it for you.
Ridwan: Bring any one of your choice. (Bright smile on his face)
Zainab: Alright, sir. (About to go inside when he grabs her hand once more) I'll get the drink now.
Ridwan: Thank you... Thank you for everything.
Zainab smiles and heads inside. But as she returns to him, she finds Rashidat ranting at him. She doesn't want to interfere, so she gently drops the drinks and tries to head back inside.
Rashidat: And as for you, madam! You know, you're very stupid, right? Oh, you think I don't know that the misunderstandings between my man and me are because of you? I'm not unaware! I don't have time for you yet... Let me push this baby out first, then see how I deal with you, rubbish! Now, claiming to be a good wife to him... I know your plan, so stop faking it! (Claps towards Zainab's face).
Zainab: (glances at Ridwan furiously, but he touches his chest as a signal for her to be patient. She looks away and faces Rashidat) It's such a pity... A big pity. Don't you have family? Your parents? Especially your mother, because if you had one... I'm sure she should be worried about you and where you've been for the past seven months. And if I'm wrong, why hasn't your mother come here to witness the wayward life you're living? I guess she also feels relieved, finally leaving her house for good. (Takes more steps closer to her) I don't want to abuse my power, so I will continue to endure for his sake and the sake of his child. But dare me after you give birth! You'll see a different side of me! And I don't really blame you though... I blame him. (Glances at Ridwan) But let me make one more thing clear as well. The next time you speak to me disrespectfully in this house, despite my patience with your attitude and bad manners... I swear to God, maybe that day you'll push that baby out by force. (Walks back into the house and slams the door).
Rashidat: (ears and brain boiling with fire, but the only way to quench it is to scream out furiously) Ahhhh! Ridwan! You see, right? You see, right? The doctor said none of you should stress me, but you see, right?
Ridwan: (tiredly stares at her, then carries his tray of food and also heads back inside)
Rashidat: Ridwan!!!! We're not done talking! (also follows him back in) As for you, Zainab! You must take back your reply!
********************************************
Late in the night, outside the house
Mustakeemah: You really disappointed me, Kenny! So you were eyeing her when she was with me? Why are men like this? Look at the sorrow you've brought to that girl's family. Look at how wrecked her mother looks. If someone did that to me or Najat, how would you feel? Tell me!
Mustakeem: I'm sorry, it was a mistake. I swear I never knew it was going to end like this, but I promise to stand by her side and fulfill my responsibilities.
Mustakeemah: We should be doing our NYSC right now, but because of all this family commotion, we can't even further our careers. Instead of you wise up... this is the path you choose? Kenny? I swear I feel like slapping the hell out of you.
Mustakeem: I know!!! And I deserve more than that.
Mustakeemah: (exhales softly) But why? Mustakeem, why? Of all the problems we're facing, why can't you control yourself? Despite noticing all the clashes between me and Habibah... Why? (Begins to hit him)
Mustakeem: (stays still) Can you at least not be against me as well? Taiye, stop! (He drags her and embraces her) Please, I want you to be with me... Stand by me just like I did. I know I messed up, but if others hate me for my actions, please don't! I want you by my side too.
Mustakeemah: But you know you've committed such a great sin...
Mustakeem: I know! But it wasn't intentional... It was a mistake! Mistakes happen, and I'm sorry I disappointed you of all people... I messed up, alright! I know, and I'm sorry. (Tears roll down from his eyes)
Mustakeemah: (wipes his tears) It's okay! We will go through this together, okay? Everything will be fine. Don't cry... I'm here now.
Their mother stands by the door, witnessing her children's emotional moment. She feels sorry for them and regrets not being a better mother. She shakes her head and heads back inside.
Mother: Baba beji!! (She enters the room) I think we need to take it easy with our children... It's high time we listened to them.
Father: Which stupid listening ears? How could Mustakeem do this? After all I spent to send them to school, this is how he repays me for my labor? Tell me? And you know this is totally your fault! If you had carried out your responsibility properly, none of this would have happened.
Mother: Ehhh! Don't even go there... He's not a child anymore, and he's a man. It's your responsibility to guide him and talk to him about these matters, not mine. Mustakeemah never led a wayward life, and I trained her well... In fact, I'm so proud of her. Maybe it's time we accept her for who she is... At least she didn't get pregnant out of wedlock... So the fault is yours for not having a fatherly conversation with him...
Father: Are you the one who trained Mustakeemah to be who she is today? Or are you proud of what's not your doing? She maintained and preserved herself for her husband... We were both wrong for not listening to her.
Mother: For the first time, I finally want to agree with you. I heard her scolding her brother outside for taking such foolish steps... I was proud to see her carrying out our duty to him... I think it's high time we have a family meeting and find a solution to all this mess.
Father: I think you're right.
*********************************************
At Habibah's house
Ummu: (stands by the door) Assalamu alaikum, Abu Maryam.
Abu: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah.
Ummu: Can I come in?
Abu: If you wish.
Ummu: (gently opens the door and joins him on the mat) Dear, I know how much you're hurt and disappointed right now about everything that's going on. You truly did your best, but she let you down. She's deeply regretful now. In fact, she couldn't even say anything despite her condition... She wishes she could make things right. I'm so sorry for the pain our children are causing you. I am truly sorry, dear. (She rubs his shoulder and waits for his response, but he remains silent, staring at the ground) I suppose this isn't the right time to talk... I'll come back later, I promise. But you can direct your frustration at me as much as you need to, just please don't disown her. Your blood runs through her veins, and I just want you to show her the mercy of Allah. So please, at least listen to me this once. (She waits for his reaction, but he remains quiet) Very well then... I'll come back later. (As she's about to leave, he grabs her khimar and embraces her, tears streaming down his face) I have failed as a father, Aisha. I have failed. All I ever wanted was Jannah for my children, but look at me now... Now she's brought me to tears... Where did I go wrong as a father? Where??? (He sobs bitterly) All I ever wanted was the best for them, in this life and the Hereafter.
Ummu: (gets emotional and joins him in tears) Please don't cry. You're still the best father in the world. You just need some time to make amends, and everything will be fine. We all just need to repent for our sins... Please don't cry.
Late in the night
Zainab: (heading toward the door) Wait, I'm coming! (Finally opens it) What do you— (He doesn't let her finish as he grabs her waist and begins to kiss her deeply, but she quickly pushes him away) What are you doing? Is that why you made me open the door?
Ridwan: (panting heavily) I want you, Zainab. I want all of you. I want to make love to you like never before... (He steps closer) It's an order!
Zainab: You're unbelievable!