Mustakeemah: (touches her shoulder) Are you ready to hear me out?
Habibah: There's nothing more to discuss, and I've made up my mind. So please, now that you know the whole story, I expect you to stay away from my life, for good this time.
Mustakeemah: (exhales softly) I understand this must be really hard for you. But trust me, there's more to Islam than this. Your father took something beautiful from you, but if you'll let me, I can show you the beauty. You'll begin to understand why your dad was so harsh. Though I'm not excusing his actions - hitting you and all - but I've been through similar things. Are you ready to listen to my life summary as well? (smiles) Our lives are complete opposites. Seriously. I come from the family you wish to have. We don't pray, barely fast during Ramadan, don't even attend Jumu'ah prayers. But during Eid celebrations, our family wins. I've always found that life boring and ungodly. In fact, I'm the type to regret my actions easily. When I commit a sin, I hate myself for it. But as time goes on, my eyes opened to see the beauty of what my parents avoid. Honestly, I wish I could describe Islam with my heart, but no words can meet the description.
Habibah: I know...
Mustakeemah: No, you don't! I mean, yes, you know everything about Islam, but with your brain, not with your heart. Your father caused all this, but the moment you learn to see the good in things, the better. But I have one question.
Habibah: Go ahead.
Mustakeemah: You... moving onto this new path of yours... are you trying to punish your father or yourself?
Habibah: What do you mean?
Mustakeemah: Don't get me wrong, but intentionally straying from the right path, willingly leaving Islam... is it to punish your dad? Or yourself?
Habibah: (speechless for a few seconds, then speaks) I'm not punishing myself. In fact, I finally found the freedom my father took from me.
Mustakeemah: I'll assume you're punishing your dad by taking these steps, but you're harming and destroying yourself instead. It will affect him, though not as much as it will shake you if you choose the path of going astray, all in the name of freedom. And you're still aware that this world is a prison for believers. Trying to turn it into your free home... that means a lot! Do you also know that through you, your mom can end up in Jahannam? Despite all her efforts to keep you on the right track, the same goes for your dad. And you're like a role model to your younger siblings... if you didn't know, now you do! They look up to you more than your parents. They'll stray as well through you. Also, the next generations that come from you will all go astray due to your decision, what you call freedom. You'll be responsible for many people going astray. And you call that freedom?
Habibah: What about those Muslims who do the same? You can't judge them just because of their current lifestyle.
Mustakeemah: (smiles) You are absolutely right! No Muslim has the right to judge anyone because we don't know what the future entails. The person you look down on today might be your boss tomorrow. And the prostitute you already judge to enter Jahannam with her current sins might be the one to guide other ummah to the right path tomorrow. Each and every one of those types of people can suddenly change with a few messages passed to them by Allah. Just like how I'm talking to you not to follow the wrong path, so will they get the same opportunity to change. And remember, death comes at any time. What if, as we are going home, we get hit by a car or sudden death? What will your excuse be? That your dad makes you hate Islam? When to your dad, he was only trying to help your Akirah, even when we both know he had taken it too far. But you can change your dad's mindset. You can make your dad see the real ways of making someone embrace Islam. Allah might use you to change thousands of people's mindsets, just like I am doing right now. I know the Shaytan is trying to use you because he sees how weak your heart is. But I am telling you this today: don't let him in. Chase him out! Please, lots of lives are looking up to you. I want you to go home and think well about all I said. You can even go home and express how you feel to your mom. I'm sure she will say the same thing I just said. You are my sister in Islam, and I will surely want the best for you because I suddenly love you for the sake of Allah. You know the amazing part? I can't even remember all I said just now, which means what you just heard is a message and maybe a warning from Allah SWT to you. Go home and think critically about this, Habibah.
Habibah: (takes a deep breath) I should get going now.
Mustakeemah: (smiles) My regards to your siblings and Mum. You are not the only one who is mad at your Dad. I have a mean Mom though. So take care. As-salamu alaykum.
Habibah: (forces a smile) Wa alaykum as-salam.
Mustakeemah: (waves at her until she disappears from her sight) What a day! But wait, did I just say all that to her? Like... where are the words coming from? (shakes her head in disbelief).
Later in the night (at the dining room)
Mustakeem: (enjoying his meal) Taiye, pass me that sauce.
Mustakeemah: (lost in thought)
Mum: Taiye!!
Mustakeemah: (startled) Ma!!
Mum: What are you thinking at this age?
Mustakeemah: N-nothing, ma!
Mustakeem: She is thinking about her sugar boy now. Just remember breakfast is real.
Mustakeemah: (stares at her family one after the other then speaks) Mum!
Mum: What? (gushing down the food with a soft drink)
Mustakeemah: You know I'm in my 400 level and I'm also going to be 22 years old, right?
Mum: (raises her eyebrows, wondering where she is going with the statement) Uh?
Mustakeemah: Can... can I have... can I have a boyfriend?
Mustakeem: (before their mother could respond, Mustakeem and their Father answer chorally)
Mustakeem and Dad: Hell no!
Mustakeemah and Mum: (surprised)
Mustakeemah: But... but... I was talking to Mum?
Mustakeem: No!!!
Mum: What's with you? And if you don't mind me asking, why can't she have a boyfriend? Besides, she is graduating next year.
Dad: When she graduates! She can have a boyfriend.
Mustakeem: Exactly! Even until you get a job!
Mustakeemah: What is with you?
Mustakeem: No is no! And that's final!
Dad: (chuckles and smiles) That's my son! I can testify you are my son. (shakes hands)
Mustakeemah: (scans them all as she begins to think) Mum doesn't mind having a boyfriend, while Dad is against it, and this... let me ask them this question. Dad! What if I want to get married instead?
Dad: (furiously hits the table) Where is all this rubbish coming from? You think you are matured enough to get married?
Mum: Young lady! Know your limit! You must be a graduate before thinking of that. You still have a long way to go! I won't say you shouldn't have a boyfriend, but as for marriage, it's a no for now.
Mustakeemah: (scans them all and smiles) What if I get pregnant? (instantly, all of them hit the table furiously, leaving her in shock)
Dad, Mum, Mustakeem, and Munir: Mustakeemah!
Mustakeemah: I was just kidding! It's a joke! Please continue eating. It's just a joke.
Dad: Both a boyfriend and husband, you are not allowed to have either.
Mum: I don’t blame your dad for objecting in the first place.
Mustakeem: (pushes out his chair and takes his leave, heading to his room)
Mustakeemah: What is with you? Why are you all so worked up about this? Whether you like it or not, I will get married, so why overreacting? (Immediately her father raises his hand, ready to slap her when he stops himself) Dad...
Dad: (rinses his hand and takes his leave as well)
Mum: (draws her ears) This is why I don’t like seeing you eat here because you will bring chaos to the table. Now get lost!
Mustakeemah: (takes a deep breath) What is wrong with everything I said, Mum? Is it wrong to ask questions? My peers are out there having a man in their life, but I can't! You just take away everything from me... Sometimes I wonder if truly I'm your daughter... You never listen to me! You hit me, yell at me, insult me all the time! My decisions are never right.
Mum: Are you talking back to me? (She gets up to pick up her slippers when Mustakeemah races to her room) Stupid girl! Bring pregnancy into my house and see how you'll end up sleeping on the street... Ungrateful idiot!
Midnight
Phone ringing
Zainab: (picks up the call in her deep sleep) Hello? Yes? What? (sits up) Right now? God damn it!
Ridwan: (worried) What happened?
Zainab: (ends the call and hurriedly gets on her feet) Armed robbers attacked Mr. Olowolayemo’s house, and the police are calling for backup. They've killed two of their daughters. (opens a drawer and picks up a gun)
Ridwan: So you're leaving the house? By this time? It's... (checks the time) 3:10 am.
Zainab: Yes, I am going! (puts on her bulletproof vest and wears her uniform trousers alone)
Ridwan: What if the police try to attack you as well?
Zainab: We fire back! That's why we are called police... We need to protect life and property... Look, I'm getting late... I'll be back in the morning.
Ridwan: What the hell? Hell no! You aren't going anywhere.
Zainab: Please don't start this again... Please. (searches for her inhaler) I am doing my job! I will be back in the morning. Bye! (heads out)
Ridwan: Zainab!!! (Looks through the window as she starts her car) Zainab!!
Zainab: I will be back! I promise! (She drives away)
Ridwan: (furiously hits the table) How will she be able to conceive when her job is so deadly? Always putting her life on the line! I need to do something about this... It's either she leaves her job! I can't take this anymore... She isn't even scared of death! I guess Zainab must be tougher than I thought. She will come back and meet me right here.
Daybreak
Ridwan: (dozing off on the couch when he hears the sound of the door)
Zainab: I'm home!
Ridwan: (furiously gets up and faces her) You are quitting this job! Right now!
Zainab: Excuse me?
Ridwan: You are NOT excused! How could you be so selfish, Zainab? Huh? How do you expect yourself to conceive when you do this type of work?
Zainab: (exhales softly and murmurs) Here we go again.
Ridwan: Yes! Here we go again! And you know what? I have made up my mind... you are quitting this job... I will find you another job but not a dangerous one, putting your life on the line all the time... on how much?
Zainab: (takes a deep breath and moves closer to him) I am so sorry I put you in this stress... You must be so tired... Let me go and prepare breakfast, okay? (forces a smile and walks away)
Ridwan: Get back here! I'm not done talking... You are not going to use food to change my mind this time around! It's either you choose your job or your marriage. Choose one! (follows her into the kitchen)
Zainab: (turns to him and smiles) I never knew you were so tired of me now, to the extent you want a divorce so quickly.
Ridwan: That's not it! Don’t twist this on me! I am only doing this for your and our children’s well-being.
Zainab: That's why you had to put our marriage on the line? If I choose my job and you divorce me... does that mean I won't bear you a child?
Ridwan: Then quit your job!
Zainab: There is something you don't understand about us... and most importantly... about you! You don’t even know who you are anymore... and you can go to any extent to have a child now... which I understand that you are desperate to be a father... but do you want to know a bitter truth?
Ridwan: What?
Zainab: Thank you for asking. The bitter truth is... even if I bear you a child since last year... we are still going to be having issues... this same issue of you asking me to choose between my marriage or my job... if one problem is solved, another one will arise! That’s marriage... but the moment you start putting our marriage on the line for you to get what you want really means you are so sick of me and you want to start another family.
Ridwan: No!!! That's not what I meant! Why are you saying this?
Zainab: It is what it is.
Ridwan: (stammering) You know what, just forget it! (walks out of the kitchen)
Zainab: I will quickly make breakfast, sir.