THE NEXT MORNING 5:40AM
[The living room of a modest home. Zainab opens the door, startled by her husband Ridwan, who stands there, tired but smiling weakly, holding a tray of food.]
Zainab: (Startled) Subhanallah!
Ridwan: Good morning, my angel. How was your night? (Forcing a smile)
Zainab: What are you doing?
Ridwan: I've been awake since 4 AM trying to give you breakfast in bed, my love.
Zainab: I never asked for it. I need to pray.
Ridwan: Baby, baby— (Quickly sets the tray on the nearest table) I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you, please.
Zainab: Look, Mr. Ridwan, it’s too early for another talk. Aren’t you tired? For the past two years, you haven't stopped talking. Haba! (Heads to the living room to get her prayer mat) Move out of my way.
Ridwan: Baby, please. Will you at least eat what I prepared with so much love?
[Zainab enters her room and slams the door.]
Ridwan: (Swallows his saliva, regretful) Zainab, nowww! I don’t even have enough strength anymore... I won’t relent until I win your heart again. But I want you to know I’m not signing any divorce papers. Just give me one last chance to prove my love and appreciation. Please, my angel.
Scene 2: Hours Later
[Five hours later, Zainab comes out of her room, heading to the kitchen. Ridwan, seeing her, jumps up and approaches, causing her to retreat and lock herself in her room again.]
Ridwan: Ifemi, please. I said I’m sorry... I know you must be starving. Just give me another chance, please. I don’t want to lose you, Zainab. I know I’ve been the most foolish husband and I deserve every punishment, but just don’t hate me. Please, stop starving yourself because of me. Although I haven’t eaten anything since yesterday either, I miss everything about you. Your touch, your calm voice, your beautiful smile. Please, I don’t want to lose you, baby. Please, jor! (After several minutes of waiting, he retreats to the couch) What am I going to do? Ridwan, think!!!
Scene 3: At the Police Headquarters
[Two hours later, at the police headquarters. Zainab is at her desk, talking to her colleague, Bisola.]
Bisola: But ma'am, this case isn’t as critical as it seems. So, I don’t think we need to go to court.
Zainab: You're still as naive as the first day you got here. That man bribed most of these girls' families. She needs justice. Trust me. Mr. Usman or whatever he calls himself doesn't know what's coming. (Signs some papers and hands them to Bisola) Take this to the D.P.O. Once he sees this, he’ll know what’s next. (Knock at the door) Yes! One minute, please. (Focuses back on Bisola) Did you understand all I said?
Bisola: Yes, ma. (Salutes)
Zainab: And what about that guy who was locked up last night? Has he been bailed out?
Bisola: No, ma. Actually, he—
Zainab: Why? He’s innocent.
Bisola: Actually, he’s not. I’ll bring some evidence to you later. (Knock at the door again) Can you just be quiet? She said give us a minute.
Ridwan: Baby, it’s me.
Zainab: (Whispers to herself, alerted) What is he doing here? (To Bisola) I didn't know it's your husband at the door. Should I open the door?
Zainab: No! Let’s continue.
Bisola: (Surprised) I hope all is well at home, ma'am.
Zainab: Can we focus now?
Bisola: Yes, ma'am. Sorry.
[A few minutes later, Bisola finally leaves, opening the door to find Ridwan still standing there. She greets him and leaves the door open as she exits. Ridwan looks sadly at Zainab, who is forcing herself to look down at her documents.]
Ridwan: Can I come in? I didn’t know when you left for work. Please, can we talk?
Zainab: (Furiously gets up, moves to the door, and slams it in his face)
Ridwan: I’m not going anywhere, no matter how angry you are. I’m not leaving until you forgive me today. I want my wife back!
[Zainab returns to her seat and resumes her work.]
Ridwan: Baby, please... I’m begging you for the sake of Allah. This is getting harder and harder. Please. I promise I’ll never try such a thing again.
[After several minutes of talking without a response from Zainab, Ridwan finally keeps silent. Zainab thinks he has left and sighs heavily to relieve her sadness.]
Zainab: There’s nothing you can do to win my heart again. You can’t hurt me twice and expect to win me back. I need to move forward. Since I’m a barren woman, as he said, what’s the point of remarrying? They will all treat me the same. I guess I wasn’t destined to have a child in this world. But it’s fine. Alhamdulilah, I’m still grateful to my Creator.
[Suddenly, she hears voices ranting aggressively. Initially, she ignores it, but as it intensifies, she heads out to check. She finds two police officers ranting and shouting at Ridwan to leave the station.]
Zainab: What’s going on here?
Ridwan: (Upon seeing her, he almost falls to his knees) Baby, please. I’m enduring all this because of you... Please, just say you’ve forgiven me, and I’ll leave.
Police Officer: Are you saying that if not for her, you would have fought us? See this man? Do you want to get beaten?
Zainab: (Enters the scene) That’s enough!
[The police officers salute her and instantly keep quiet.]
Police Officer: Sorry, ma.
Zainab: Do you have any idea that he is my husband? How dare you speak to him like that?
Police Officer: (Jaw drops) So sorry, ma. I didn’t know he is your husband. I thought...
Zainab: The next time you try such with my husband, you will see my wrath! Disappear!
Police Officer: I’m sorry, ma. (Salutes and walks away while their colleagues stare)
Ridwan: (Amazed to see her defend him) Baby... (About to hold her hand when she turns to face him)
Zainab: Come with me, please. (She grabs his hand and they head out) What is your problem? Why are you causing me pain? Why? You follow me everywhere I go and bring your problems with you? What is it?
Ridwan: I am so sorry. I didn’t know when you left for work, so I decided to bring food for you. I stopped at a restaurant and ordered your favorite. In fact, it’s inside my car. Let me get it. (About to turn)
Zainab: I don’t need you, I don’t need your food or your orders. I don’t need you! You’ve proven to me that you don’t need me, that you could live and enjoy your life with or without me. So hear me too... With or without you, life will go on. (Turns to leave)
Ridwan: Zainab, please... Jor now, I’m begging you. Okay, fine. Tell me, how can I win your heart back?
Zainab: Really?
Ridwan: Yes!! I will do anything, I promise.
Zainab: (Smiles and takes a few steps closer to him) The moment you don’t even know how to win me back says it all. You are not man enough to know how to win me back. So you want me to list them for you? You just keep giving me more reasons... more and more... (Walks back into the station)
Ridwan: (Calmly digests what she said and returns to his car)
Scene 5: Back at the Police Headquarters
[Zainab is about to enter her office when she sees a rose on the floor. She sighs, picks it up, and enters her office, where she finds her subordinate, Tunji.]
Zainab: Did I summon you?
Tunji: No, ma'am. I just want to apologize...
Zainab: That’s okay. I just hope this isn’t how you treat others. Forget the fact that he is my husband—is this really how you treat visitors?
Tunji: No, ma. Please forgive me.
Zainab: You better change for good. Until you actually do the same thing to our superior in disguise without knowing, that will be the end of your career. Be humble and treat people the way you want to be treated.
Tunji: I’m sorry, ma'am.
Zainab: You may leave.
Tunji: (Salutes, then pauses) The rose is lovely, by the way.
Zainab: (Glances at him) Excuse me?
Tunji: Oh! Sorry, ma'am. (Takes his leave)
Zainab: I don’t even know why I picked it up. (Throws the rose out the window when her phone rings) Now who is it this time? (Sees it’s her husband) Hell no! (She focuses on her work while her phone keeps ringing continuously) Does he think he can just win me over by all this? (She picks up the phone, about to turn it off, but changes her mind and answers) Yes?
Ridwan: Babyyy... I... I don’t feel so good. Please come right away. Please...
Zainab: What happened?
Ridwan: Just come home, please...
Zainab: You think I’m going to fall for that?
Ridwan: I’m serious. I think I’m dying, Zainab. I can’t even drive to the hospital.
Zainab: Didn’t you just leave?
Ridwan: Y-yes! (Gasping for air) Please, I don’t have strength anymore... pleeease. (Phone falls from his hand)
Zainab: Hello!!! Ridwan!!! (Ends the call) What kind of joke is he pulling on me? Hmmmmm, I know where this is going. Trying to make me come home to surprise me? Because I know he’s doing everything to make me happy with him... but I’m not gonna fall for that. (She drops her phone and resumes her work)
[An hour later]
Zainab: Wait, oh! Why isn’t he calling back? (She picks up her phone and dials his number) Please pick up!! (No response) Ridwan! What are you planning this time around? To give me hypertension?
[Twenty minutes later]
Zainab: Now I feel uneasy. (She keeps dialing his number while she rushes home) This better make sense, Ridwan. You better make sense out of this! (As she gets home, she finds one of her husband's workers in their room) Who are you?
Scene 6: Zainab's Home
[Zainab rushes into her home to find Abdulmalik, one of Ridwan's workers, in their room.]
Abdulmalik: Good afternoon, ma. Your husband sent me to get some of his clothes.
Zainab: And where is he?
Abdulmalik: According to the doctor, your husband is dying, and you need to come quickly. He wouldn't stop calling your name despite his condition.
Zainab: (Unable to digest what he said) My husband? You mean Ridwan who came to my workplace two hours ago?
Abdulmalik: Yes, ma. In fact, you need to go there right now. The doctor needs to see you.
Zainab: (Knees shaking) Are you sure?
Abdulmalik: Yes, ma. I came home with his car. Let's go to the hospital then.
Zainab: (Panicking) Please... Please let's go!! Hurry!
Scene 7: At the Hospital
[Zainab runs into the hospital reception, visibly distressed.]
Zainab: (Runs into the reception) Please, I'm looking for my husband!! Please...
Nurse: His name?
Abdulmalik: Madam, come with me. I will show you where he was admitted.
Zainab: (Runs after him) Ehnnn!! Subhanallah!! (As she sees Ridwan, she almost collapses) Rrridwan!! (Realizes he has lost so much weight) What happened?
Abdulmalik: He is still unconscious, and the doctor wouldn't tell me his condition until he sees you.
Doctor: Good afternoon, madam. Are you his wife?
Zainab: Yes!!
Doctor: As a police officer, kindly follow me to my office.
[Zainab, her heart pounding, follows the doctor into his office.]
Zainab: Doctor, what happened to my husband?
Doctor: I'm sorry to say this, but your husband is suffering from liver cancer, and he is in stage 3.
Zainab: Innalillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un... What? (Tears gush out her eyes) How come?
Doctor: Unfortunately for your husband, the symptoms showed very late. I'm sure he was aware of it but never took it seriously
Zainab: (Wipes her tears) Please, what's the solution? Any surgery? Or anything...
Doctor: I'm sorry, but it's too late for any treatment. Assuming his body showed early symptoms, there would have been a solution. But now, there isn't.
Zainab: (Breaks down in tears) What exactly are you saying? Doctor!!!!
Doctor: I'm so sorry, madam. We will try our best. We care, but God cures.
Zainab: No!!!!!!!!!!! Innalillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un... La ilaha illallah... This should be a dream, please, ya Allah!! No! (She falls to her knees, crying bitterly)