Two days after
At the hospital
Doc: Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Nurudeen. Please, have a seat. (extends a hand for a handshake)
Ridwan: (courteously opens the chair for his wife) Thank you, sir.
Zainab: (offers a light smile) Thank you, sir.
Ridwan: So, how did the test go?
Doc: Well, we've conducted the necessary tests, and the results are more than promising. Mr. Ridwan, Mrs. Nurudeen, you are both perfectly healthy. Her body and hormone levels are optimal for carrying a child. It seems you just need to fine-tune the timing of your attempts and, of course, add a touch of prayer.
Ridwan: (glances at his wife and looks back at the doctor) But, Doctor, if everything is fine, why are we struggling to conceive? We've been trying regularly, more than ten times a month. Are you sure I am okay? Perhaps another test?
Zainab: (pleadingly) Yes, Doctor, please. If there are medications or advice you can provide, we would really appreciate it. We've been married for a year, and the absence of a child is becoming disheartening. Please help us.
Ridwan: (urgently) We'll do anything, Doctor. Please, if there's anything you can do or suggest, let us know.
Doc: (smiles) As I mentioned earlier, the test results indicate that you both are in excellent health. Your wife is not just fine; she's healthier than some pregnant women. It's a matter of pinpointing the right time during her ovulation. You need to sit down and discuss it together. With time, dedication, and prayer, I believe you'll soon be blessed with a child.
Zainab: (worried) Doctor, please, we've been trying so hard. Can't you do anything more?
Ridwan: (grateful) Thank you, Doctor. (shakes his hand) We appreciate your guidance. We'll see you next time.
Zainab: (whispering) His tone has changed. Why is he now calling me 'madam'? Allah, please help us. I don't want to lose my marriage.
Ridwan: (encouragingly) Let's go home now.
Zainab: (softly) I'm coming, dear.
**********************
Few hours later
Zainab: (alone in the room) Hey! Since we got home, his expression has changed. I'm even scared to approach him. I never thought I'd experience this side of marriage because I stayed true. Allah, what's happening to me? (breaks down in tears) My husband is changing towards me. He even said I shouldn't disturb him. He left me all alone in the room and went to the living room. Should I go and talk to him? What if he yells at me? No, I won't go! (checks the time on her phone) It's 5:53 pm, and he didn't even have the lunch I prepared. Ah! Should I call him? (notices he's online on social media) He's on his phone. Maybe I should chat him up. No, what if he ignores me? But he's mine, and I need him. I want to be in his arms right now. (picks up her phone to type) I know you're upset because I haven't gotten pregnant, and you have every right to be mad. But I am not Allah, and you're using that to get upset. I love you, Ridwan, and I never imagined this would be our first problem together. I can't intentionally hurt you. Now you're asking me to leave you alone when I need you the most. I want to feel you on me, to feel your touch on my body, but you don't even want me. I want to be inside of you, Ayomi. I wish you could leave that phone and come grab me, grab what belongs to you forever, and stop giving me the silent treatment because I know you're too kind to behave this way. We need to work on this together as a couple. Please. (clicks the send button and sighs heavily) I just hope this message won't make him angrier because I can't bear to see the look on his kind face. Allah, help me! Answer my prayers, please. I don't want to lose my husba— (Ridwan suddenly bursts into the room, panting heavily) Baby? I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. (He walks up to her, climbs onto the bed, and starts kissing her, making her reciprocate.
***********************
Few days after (sunday)
Mustakeem: (knocks at the door) Taiye!!! Open the door, please.
Mustakeemah: Hold on! (she opens the door) Why is your body always at boiling point? Always hot like water.
Mustakeem: That's your problem. (he enters the room and notices she's wearing a bum short) Can you go and cover up? Stop dressing like a hook-up girl with that expired boxer or whatever you people call it.
Mustakeemah: Isn't that what Mum and Dad want? So I am one of them now. (sits on her bed and uses one of her clothes to cover her thighs) What do you want, Kenny? In fact, what brought you to my room?
Mustakeem: I'm bored jare, and I was looking for someone to disturb. I realized I didn't come to this world alone.
Mustakeemah: Excuse me?
Mustakeem: (mimicking her) Abegi! Wetin sup? Gist me. Mustakeemah: (exhales softly and gives him a deadly stare) Get out of my room.
Mustakeem: You see me and your case, na baba God go fit understand us. (suddenly rests his head on her lap and opens his book) Now I can read for the exam.
Mustakeemah: (gasp) Hey! If you use hot slap throw you comot for my room, you never recognize yourself again. Now get lost.
Mustakeem: You know you can't do that, and I'm going nowhere, so kindly shut up and let me read.
Mustakeemah: (still in disbelief) Ya Allah! Why did you bring me to this world with this idiot? Ehn? I can't have my privacy as the only female child in this house. I can't have my own moment. Why are you doing this now, Kenny?
Mustakeem: I said shut up, I want to read, or you want me to shut you up?
Mustakeemah: (she suddenly hits his head) Are you alright? (She pushes his head away and gets on her feet) Now leave.
Mustakeem: Ahh! Taiye! You want to injure me? A whole head of the crown? If I don't do the same to you, call me a bastard. (he moves forward)
Mustakeemah: (running around the room while he chases her) Sorry, naa! Okay, I'm sorry. No vex now. My mummy oooo, Mummy!! Kenny wants to beat me.
Mustakeem: You sabi find trouble, but you cant face it.. stay right there. If you move again? I will attack you.
Mum: (barge into the room) What the hell is going on with you two?
Mustakeemah: (run up to her) Mum, he want to beat me ni.. without doing anything to him.. he also came to my room to look for my trouble,
Mum: Ngbo? Is that true?
Mustakeem: Mum.. is it a bad thing to come keep my twin’s company? I was bored and I decided to come spend some time with my twin.. but she almost break my head because of that.. help me ask her what my offence for being her partner to this world?
Mum: When will you two grow up? For goodness sake? Taiye! Your mates are in their husband’s house with kids.. and as for you! your mates are out there hustling to pursue their career, but all you’re doing is disturb me in this house abi? Now you to the kitchen right this instant! And as for you.. get inside your room and read for your exam.
Mustakeemah: But mum! I have exams also.
Mum: So because you have exams, I should be the one to prepare dinner uh? After all my stress to brought you up to this stage? I shouldn’t rest. Before I open my eyes, you have disappeared..
Mustakeemah: (murmuring into the kitchen) All the time me.. person will not rest in this house.
Mum: Am I the one you are talking back at?
Mustakeem: Sorry about that mum, she didn’t mean that.
Mum: Will you shut up? Iruron borun! Will you disappear!
************************
Later in the night
Ridwan: (coming out of the bathroom with a towel tied around his waist) Babe! Where are the night wears? I thought you’ve picked one out for me.
Zainab: I’m coming, baby! Give me a sec, I will be right there. I’m setting the dining table?
Ridwan: Bring the food in, I’m really tired tonight. I can't even walk further.
Zainab: Alright, baby. Give me a sec.
Ridwan: You should pick the nightwear now. Now I’m left under this cold weather shirtless. (He turns to the mirror, rubbing cream over his body) Make sure you come with paracetamol.
Zainab: I’m inside already. (She turns her backside to her husband as she sets the meal on their mini table in the room when suddenly the cream falls from her husband’s hand) What happened? (Startled)
Ridwan: (jaw drops) What? What are you wearing? (Scans her from head to toe) Turn around one more time. (His jaw drops again when he realizes she only put on an apron with transparent wear) What in the world? Do you want to kill me?
Zainab: (chuckles) What? You are scaring me now.
Ridwan: Please do the 360 one more time.
Zainab: No jor. Here is your dinner; let me pick out your wears.
Ridwan: (decides to have a seat and admires her to his satisfaction) Wawwuuu! Baby, come here first.
Zainab: See, leave me alone. I’m also tired.
Ridwan: If you won’t come, I will come. (He grabs her waist and whispers in her ear) Why do you want to kill me before my time, huh?
Zainab: (laughs) As how? What did I do now? See, let me go jor. I’m tired too.
Ridwan: (steps back a little and admires how she walks) First, take off that apron. Let me see everything in full.
Zainab: You know what? I will change the dress. I only put it on for my body to receive fresh air after wearing that thick uniform all day, but you won't let my body breathe in peace.
Ridwan: My friend, remove the apron jor! (moves closer to her and pulls off the apron, then screams) Hey!!! My enemy has succeeded!
Zainab: (can't control her laughter) What? What now?
Ridwan: Ahhhh!!!! Come here, baby... come jor!
Zainab: See, leave me alone. I’m tired.
Ridwan: Tonight go bad! Since you know you don’t want this, why did you put this on? For goodness sake. And I’m tired too now. Why are you doing this to me, huh? (grabs her waist once again) Tonight is about to get messy.
Zainab: Okay, at least have your dinner first.
Ridwan: Let me eat before I eat, abeg!
Zainab: Baby, stop now.
****************************
Few months later
Crowd gathers at the center of the school road...
Mustakeemah: (stretching her neck) What is going on over there? Did someone have an accident? Let me check. (She moves closer to the crowd) Please, what happened? (She suddenly recognizes the face of the victim) What happened? Why are you guys beating her? (She rushes to her rescue) What did she do now? People should leave her alone.
Crowd answers in chorus: She is a prostitute, using hijab to cover up her tracks.
Mustakeemah: What the? Please, enough! Don't touch her again. Leave her alone.
Stranger: Who are you to interfere?
Mustakeemah: And who are you guys to judge and touch her? As if you guys are holy?
The atmosphere around the crowd keeps boiling as they all roar at Mustakeemah, ready to beat her along with Habibah. One of the crowd pushes her away, and she lands on her face.
Mustakeemah: Did you just push me? Are you okay? Where is even the school security watching all this happening to her?
Mustakeem: (walking down the road with his friends when he sights his sister as the crowd begins to hit her) Isn’t that my sister? (He runs to her rescue while his friends join him) What the hell are you guys doing? Are you crazy? It's my sister you're beating? Do you want to die?
Mustakeemah: (already crying)
Habibah: (covering her face so people could stop taking pictures)
Mustakeem: (he covers for his sister as he holds her hand tight) If any of you dare touch her again, we will throw punches right here right now. I don’t care if you be a man or a woman. Una dey craze?
Immediately they sight the security men running towards them; everyone picks a race while Mustakeemah helps Habibah up and runs away as well.
Mustakeem: (panting heavily) Are you okay? I hope they didn’t hurt you?
Mustakeemah: (nods her head) Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.
Mustakeem: Are you sure? Mustakeemah: Yes, I’m fine.
Mustakeem: (suddenly hits her head) What in the world were you thinking in the first place? Interfering in what doesn’t even concern you?
Mustakeemah: I was only trying to help a sister in Islam. Mustakeem: It's like you are sick... guys, let's go abeg.
Mustakeemah:are you now mad at me?
Mustakeem: (ignore and walk away)
Mustakeemah: (turn to Habibah) are you ok? I hope you arent hurt anywhere?
Habibah: (wipe her tears) I’m fine.. thank you so much…
Mustakeemah: (notice some injuries on her skin) you are bleeding.
Habibah: I’m fine please. You have done enough already.. I’m sorry I put you in this mess.
Mustakeemah: its ok. atleast you are now free from them.. but what really happened?