FEW MONTHS LATER
Mustakeemah: (looking for a quiet place in the bushes) I don’t understand why, despite the size of the school building, they couldn’t construct a proper restroom for students. The mini toilets are all messed up. I don’t know why everything about Nigeria seems upside down. (Finally finding a suitable spot, she notices another girl bending down to put on socks and gloves. Mustakeemah wonders why she's dressed like that.) Hello, sister.
Habibah: (hurriedly putting on a khimar) Wa alaykum salaam. (Trying to hide her face, she quickly brings out a niqab. Mustakeemah hastily grabs her hand.) What do you want?
Mustakeemah: (still in disbelief) Please don’t tell me... Wait! You wear a niqab? And you... You know what? I don’t want to be judgmental, but to cut to the chase, why? Why do you do that?
Habibah: This is none of your business. Kindly go away. (Attempts to put on the niqab, but Mustakeemah holds her hand.) What? Can you let go of my hand?
Mustakeemah: I mean no harm, but please, can you tell me why you choose this path? It's 5:03 pm, and everyone is leaving school. Does that mean you come to school dressed like this, only to take it off and reveal your beauty to the world, putting it back on when leaving?
Habibah: Like I said earlier, this is none of your business. And get lost!
Mustakeemah: Subhanallah!
Habibah: Before you judge me, watch your mouth, okay? Don’t judge people based on appearances. Get out of my sight!
Mustakeemah: No! I’m not trying to judge you, but based on what I see, it seems like you don’t want to wear all of this. Do you only put it on to show off what Allah has given you?
Habibah: (she successfully puts on the niqab and pushes Mustakeemah away) If you don’t want trouble, act like you never saw anything. Wearing a khimar doesn’t make you holy. Disappear. (She picks up her bag and walks out of the bush, leaving Mustakeemah speechless.)
Mustakeemah: (still in disbelief) Sister! Please don’t go yet. Sister! At least, can I know your name? (panting heavily) Damn it! Can you imagine? I just met someone opposite of my life! Honestly, I would like to meet her again. (She goes deep into the bush and also takes off her khimar, socks, and hand gloves.) I better hurry up before someone finds me here as well.
*********************************************
At the office
Lawyer Kunle: So, Mr. Client, should I proceed with the prosecution?
Ridwan: Well... yeah! Also, send me your account details to sort out the transactions.
Lawyer Kunle: That's why I love handling your case. You don't waste time, jare. (They shake hands.)
Secretary: (knocks at the door) Can I come in, sir?
Ridwan: Yes, come in.
Secretary: Sorry for the interruption, sir, but you have a special guest.
Ridwan: Oh, really?
Secretary: Yes, sir.
Zainab: (enters the office) As-salamu alaykum, my king. (She smiles brightly.) Surprise!
Secretary: (smiles and takes his leave)
Ridwan: Well! Who do we have here? Officer Wife! (He stands to give her an embrace.)
Lawyer: (amazed) Sir, is this your wife?
Ridwan: Yes, that's my beautiful wife.
Lawyer: Wawu! You married a police officer?
Ridwan: Yes, what happened?
Lawyer: I hail you, sir! You be correct man! The real odogwu.
Zainab: (smiling) What was that supposed to mean?
Ridwan: Just ignore him.
Lawyer: Let me be on my way. I should leave the lovebirds to have their private moment. Engr. R.D, I hail you oo. (He exits the office.)
Zainab: (kisses the back of Ridwan's hand) I missed you so much, baby.
Ridwan: I miss you more. How was work today?
Zainab: I was about to ask about yours. So tell me, how is the office going? And guess what?
Ridwan: What? (He smiles.)
Zainab: I know you must be starving, so I stopped by my parents' house and prepared some swallow there. Have a seat while I feed you. Where's your restroom? (She rubs his head.)
Ridwan: See, don't start with this head rubbing. Don't turn me on in the office. The restroom is over there.
Zainab: You know I can't help it, my ori ade.
Ridwan: Na you sabi. Hurry up, please. I'm starving.
Zainab: If I didn't show up, what would you do?
Ridwan: Then I'd come home to eat you. Anyway, I hope you greeted your parents well? I should pay them a visit. It's been a while.
Zainab: You better do!
*******************
Later in the night
On the phone call
Mum: Is it until people start murmuring in your ears before you go for a check-up? It's been ten months already. I can see that you are obviously not bothered about it.
Zainab: Mum! Why won't I be bothered about it? I am, but I don’t know what is going on. I have gone to the hospital for a proper check-up personally, but I was diagnosed to be completely fine and healthy to have a baby. Even the doctor insisted that I persuade my husband to come for a check-up as well. But how will I face him on such issues? I'm also dying to have this baby because my husband can't wait to carry his child as well.
Mum: In that case, you will have to find all means to get him there so we can know what the issues might be. I will also make more research for you traditionally. OK?
Zainab: OK, Mum. Please don't stop putting me in your prayers. My biggest fear now is seeing my husband changing towards me for not bearing him a child. I have never imagined being delayed to this extent. Maami, help me.
Mum: I will see what I can do. Even your father was worried to see that your stomach isn’t big.
Zainab: Really?
Mum: Yes! I know you and your dad are not on good terms, but he really cares about you. He was even the one that called my attention to it.
Zainab: (worried) This is getting tougher than I thought. I have to go now before my husband catches me here. (hangs up) Ya Allah, help me. I don't want this to ruin my marriage. (She turns to leave and finds him resting against the wall.) Baby! (Startled) What are you doing here? (scratching her neck)
Ridwan: (stares at her for a few seconds then speaks) I was looking for you, and there you are.
Zainab: Sorry, I was making a call with my mom. Do you need anything?
Ridwan: Why do you have to come here just to make a call with your mom?
Zainab: Uhhmm, the service wasn’t okay in the house, that’s why.
Ridwan: Do you have to start lying?
Zainab: Sorry, sir. The truth is she was telling me.
Ridwan: No need to explain; I already heard everything. This Friday, we are going to the hospital together so I can be sure if I am the problem or you.
Zainab: (worried) Baby, please don’t take what you heard personally. The thing is, Allah is the producer of children. I don’t know why I’m yet to be pregnant. Please, we just need to be patient with Allah.
Ridwan: Did I question you? Huh? All I said was, we are going to the hospital this Friday.
Zainab: I'm sorry, sir.
Ridwan: I’m done having dinner, and I need a massage.
Zainab: Alright, sir. Let's go back inside.
Ridwan: (gives her a serious stare)
Zainab: (nervous)
***************************
Few days later
At the school premises
Mustakeem: Taiye!!!
Mustaekeemah: What! Kilode! Why are you repeating my names despite walking next to you? See, don’t provoke me this afternoon.
Mustakeem: Honestly, I don’t understand you again o... So, you put this long hijab of a thing in your bag? Dress like this in school and dress like a hookup girl at home? Who does that?
Mustakeemah: So you really think I owe you an explanation on this? Huh? When your two naked eyes can witness what happened to me 5 months ago.
Mustakeem: But what if Mum and Dad catch you like this again? It won’t end well, oh.
Mustakeemah: But I want this, Kenny! This is the life I wanted, not that! Please, I need you to support me on this and promise not to tell Mum and Dad.
Mustakeem: On one condition.
Mustakeemah: Seriously? Kenny? After all the meals and cleaning I do for you in the house? You can't grant me this favor? Sometimes I do wonder why I came to this world as a twin. Like, why? I was jejely in my mum’s stomach, and you came to join my tight room?
Mustakeem: Or you were the one that showed up in the womb. See, just because I let you come out first doesn’t mean you are the important one. I just do what my gender calls 'ladies first,' okay? Are you ready to cooperate or not?
Mustakeemah: Fine! Name it.
Mustakeem: You will continue to prepare my meal anytime I want it. Deal?
Mustakeemah: You know, I do think women are the weapon to use as a trap to kill or get a man, but yours proves to be different. Nothing but food! And it's not showing in your body. I just hope you won't go and insert this mouth where it is not wanted.
Mustakeem: Story for the gods, deal or no deal?
Mustakeemah: I will accept too on one condition.
Mustakeem: What the heck? Is this how deals work? Giving conditions after conditions?
Mustakeemah: Promise to cover up for me even when I almost get caught. Deal?
Mustakeem: See, I don’t have time for a lawyer's case here.
Mustakeemah: Deal or no deal?
Mustakeem: You just changed the whole scenario, as if I’m the one seeking for a favor.
Mustakeemah: Deal or no deal? (She stretches out her hand.)
Mustakeem: Fine! Deal! (They shake hands.)
Mustakeemah: (Hurriedly lets go of his hand) I don’t want people to think negatively of a pious sister like me, thinking I’m shaking a non-mahram.
Mustakeem: Who the hell is non-mahram? So you are having a boyfriend abi? And his name is non... non-mahram? Who the hell bears such a name anyway?
Mustakeemah: (Suddenly spots Habiba) Get out of my way, Mr. Man. I have unfinished business. (She pushes him out of the way and runs up to Habiba.)
Mustakeem: We go meet for us. Na today Mum and Dad go hear.
Mustakeemah: As-salamu alaykum, sister.
Habibah: Wa alaykum salam. (She is shocked to realize who she was) You again! What do you want this time?
Mustakeemah: Please, sister, I beg you in the name of Allah. I just want us to sit one on one and talk. Please, I mean no harm. In fact, I mean well. I just need you to share your knowledge on how you view this life. For Allah’s sake.
Habiba: Go find your knowledge elsewhere and get out of my sight. (Tries to leave.)
Mustakeemah: (Almost goes on her knees) Please, ejor ma.
Habibah: (Shocked) What exactly do you want to talk about, huh? See how you are creating a scene as if I know you. You too, please, for Allah’s sake, don’t ever approach me again. Got that?
Mustakeemah: (Realizes she can't get a chance) Alright, ma. Sorry for the inconveniences.
Habibah: Whatever. And by the way, you don’t kneel for your fellow human being just to beg them. That belongs to Allah. Have a nice day. (She walks out.)
Mustakeemah: (Amazed) Sister!! (Smiles) She just imparted knowledge to me. You just shared amazing knowledge with me just now. Sister!!!