THE NEXT MORNING
Scene: Morning, in the Kitchen
Ummu: Habibah! Maryam, go and call Habibah for me. She’ll be late.
Maryam: Where is she going?
Ummu: She’s going to school for clearance. The last time she went, she complained about the crowd and delays. So, the earlier she goes, the better. Go and call her.
Maryam: Okay, Ummi. Iya Beji! (Runs out of the kitchen)
Ummu: (Jaw drops) Can you see the girl? Calling her sister 'Iya Beji'? You kids won't kill me.
Abu: (Enters the kitchen) As-salamu alaykum, my lovely wife. (Embraces her from behind)
Ummu: (A bright smile on her face) Abu Habibah, what are you doing? What if the kids see us like this?
Abu: What’s wrong with that? I'm hugging my wife, of course! By the way, you’re looking stunning and prettier these days. What are you using?
Ummu: (Chuckles) At my age? What would I be using? It's nothing but the blessings of Allah.
Abu: Masha Allah, I love that. And so shall the blessings of Allah increase. Just don’t blind my eyes with your beauty...
Ummu: Stop it, let me go. The kids shouldn’t see us like this.
Abu: I was thinking...
Ummu: Hmm?
Abu: What if we have another baby?
Ummu: (Quickly pushes his hands from her waist in shock) Abu Maryam! (Covers her mouth in disbelief, unable to hide the smile on her face) At our age? We are expecting our first grandchild soon.
Abu: That doesn’t mean anything. Children are blessings, and I’ve never been so eager to raise them with love as I am now. I’m craving more pious children from you. You’re so patient and a strong wife and mother. You gave me reasons to want to be a better version of myself, and I’m really indebted to you for that.
Ummu: Aww... (She embraces him warmly) You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to hear you say this. I am so grateful to Allah that my effort for my family was never in vain. I love you so much, my Usmano.
Abu: (Jaw drops in disbelief) You just called my nickname... You remembered?
Ummu: (Nods affirmatively with a bright smile on her face)
Abu: I love you more, and I pray to continue to love you till Jannah. (Embraces her tightly while their two adult daughters watch happily)
Habibah: (Clears her throat)
Ummu: (Quickly tries to let go of him, but he grabs her even tighter) What are you doing? In front of the kids?
Abu: I’m hugging my wife. If they want something, they should do so and excuse us. I am enjoying this moment.
Maryam: I want a love like this. Ya Allah, I pray for a spouse like my father.
Abu: (Surprised, he lets go of his wife and moves closer to Maryam, which at first scares her but then he embraces her as well) And I promise to continue being a better example of how your husband should treat you, like I treat your mother.
Habibah: (Smiles and approaches her mother with her heavy body) Ummi.
Ummu: Iya Beji! How are you feeling today?
Habibah: Please, Mom, don’t start this morning. I’m here to help with breakfast preparations.
Ummu: With which body?
Habibah: Mummy, don’t underestimate me. I am strong this morning. So, what should I do?
Ummu: (Smiling as she turns to serve the food) I know you must be starving. Breakfast is ready. Here is yours. (Hands over the food to Habibah)
Habibah: (Hurriedly grabs it) Thank you so much, Mum. It's as if you knew I was only pretending to be strong. You have no idea how hungry I am. (Begins eating standing up) You are the best mother in the world. I want to be a better wife and mother like you. You are a true example of a pious wife and mother. I am the luckiest lady to be birthed by you. Thank you so much, Mum.
Ummu: Don't make me cry, please. This too much love is overwhelming. You have no idea how long I have wanted my family to be this happy. I guess Allah is the best planner and answers prayers at the right time. When our prayers are delayed, we should have faith that they will be answered at the right time.
Abu: Exactly, alhamdulilah, ya Allah. Baby, please, my breakfast as well. I will be late for the shop.
Ummu: Alright, my Usmanu.
Abu: (Blushing as he walks away)
Habibah: (Whispers to her mother) I have never seen Dad so happy and excited like this, ever since I was born. So my Papa is this handsome when he smiles.
Ummu: Of course, my husband is the most handsome. But behind that smile was a man who had once lost his happiness to his family. He had been through a lot, but alhamdulilah, all his hardship is paying off now. I feel so blessed to see him finally smiling. It's been 20 years since he smiled happily like this. Anyway, go to the dining room and eat. Don't distract me from serving my man.
Habibah: God, when, oo... (Chuckles and walks away)
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Later that Morning
At the Police Station
Police Officer: (Unlocking the cell gate) Hey you! You have been bailed. Come out.
Rashidat: (Hurriedly gets up with her weak body) Who bailed him? What about me?
Police Officer: You better calm down or else you will spend an additional night here. Now, come out, or do you want to sleep here again?
Ridwan: (Comes out of the cell and turns to Rashidat) You are on your own now. Once you are out of here, go back to your family and never step foot in my house again. Oh, I forgot, you don't even have a family that will bail you out, you wayward daughter.
Police Officer: (Moves to the next cell) Oya! You too, come out. Both of you have been bailed out.
Rashidat: (Hurriedly gets up) Really? (Furiously turns to Ridwan and gives him a deadly stare)
Police Officer: Now follow me to get your belongings.
FEW MINUTES AFTER
Zainab: (Stands up when she sees her husband and Rashidat) Dear, good morning.
Ridwan: And what is good about the morning? You intentionally left me here to suffer, right? Now I know your true colors. I don't blame you; I blame this rag.
Zainab: (Doesn't respond to Ridwan, turns to Rashidat) Good morning, dear. I am so sorry I couldn't bail you out last night. There were some processes that needed to be carried out first, and that's what I was busy with. I am deeply sorry for the loss of your baby. May Allah bless us with better and pious children. I know how much pain you must be in right now. Come with me so you can get enough rest.
Rashidat: (Breaks down in tears)
Ridwan: (Furiously rolls his eyes) Pretender...
Zainab: Come on, let's go back home.
Ridwan: What? Which home? Not my house.
Zainab: So now you're rejecting her after all her sacrifices for you? That's not how you should treat her. Remember how you brought her into your home as the Queen. Kindly settle your case when we get home.
Ridwan: And who are you to tell me what to do? Ever since I brought her into our house, you've been acting like a saint. You are the cause of all this mess. If you had given me a child, none of this would have happened.
Zainab: (Nods her head) Now I see that you haven't learned your lesson, despite all you've been through for the past year. Look, Rashidat, like I once said, I really mean you well, okay? Whatever happened between the three of us was meant to happen.
Ridwan: (Cuts in) Even with the fact that you were cheating behind my back? Do you think I would trust you again?
Zainab: (Takes a deep breath and exhales softly, trying to calm her temper, then walks up to him) I am not a prostitute, nor am I a woman without dignity. Despite the fact that you are hurting me, it doesn't mean I have to stoop so low as to cheat. Normally, I am supposed to fight you and her for betraying my trust and destroying our home, and even choose to leave you. But guess what? Everything would have been blamed on me, and there would be nothing I could do to clear my name. I was hurt, and I believe that's what many women do to assert their rights as a wife. But they are wrong, and I proved them wrong. Keeping quiet doesn't mean I'm stupid; it shows how strong and powerful a woman's silence can be in fighting for her dignity. So kindly settle your misunderstanding and let everyone live in harmony.
Zainab: (Continues, with a determined tone) Also, Ridwan, after settling with her, there are billions of beautiful, sexy, and powerful women out there. You are still free to go for another one, or even a hundred, who will surely bear thousands of children. On the other hand, there is a home filled with peace and harmony, with your abandoned wife who has not yet had a child. The choice is yours. (Walks out of the police station with determination)
Ridwan: (Panting heavily, lost in thought)
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Later that Night at Habibah's House
Habibah's family is in the living room, having their dinner on the floor while watching a family movie together. They are enjoying a lovely time when suddenly there is a knock at the door.
Maryam: I'll get it. (Gets up and moves to the door) Who is there?
Mustakeem: It's me, Mustakeem.
Maryam: (Happily opens the door) Well, who do we have here? Daddy-to-be! Please come in.
Mustakeem: (Enters with a bright smile on his face) Where is...?
Maryam: (Cuts in) Yes, I know. Habibah! Come with me. We are all in the living room having a family dinner.
Mustakeem: (Follows her) Oh really? As-Salaam-Alaikum Waramatullah.
Everyone: Wa-Alaikum-Salaam Waramatullah Wabarakatuh.
Abu: Ahhah! Abu to be...
Mustakeem: (Chuckles) Good evening, sir.
Ummu: Abu to be indeed.. How are you doing? And how are your parents?
Mustakeem: Alhamdulilah, they are fine, ma'am.
Abu: Come join us. You came at the right time, let's dig in.
Mustakeem: Shukran, sir. I already had something on my way here. I just came to give her something (holding a poly bag).
Habibah: (hurriedly moves to him) Really? Is it something eatable?
Mustakeem: (chuckles) Yeah.. I know how much you've been craving for this.. so (hands over the bag to her).
Habibah: (happily opens the bag and gasps in surprise) Masha Allah, as if you know how much I've been craving for catfish pepper soup. You're the best! I hope there is enough pepper, sha?
Mustakeem: (shy) Yes...
Ummu: (smiles) You and this your craving, pity him oo.
Abu: At least join us now..
Mustakeem: Maybe next time, sir. But I need to get going now. I actually have a night shift, so I need to get back to work. As-salamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (waves at them while they wave back)
Everyone: Wa alaikum salam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Habibah: (happily opens the takeaway and suddenly her siblings surround her) Nikini? Who is pregnant amongst us?
Maryam: At least we are also taking care of the baby today. Every night massage is not easy now, so it's time to pay us.
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Scene: Later That Night, 9 PM
(Ridwan suddenly barges into the living room where he finds his wife, Zainab, calmly reading a book. He closes the door behind him, unable to stop staring at her as he feels the peace around her. Zainab raises her eyes briefly to look at him, then resumes reading.)