FEW WEEKS AFTER
Scene 1: On the Road
Mustakeemah walks down the road and spots Habibah with her friends, laughing and chatting. She looks at her from afar, hoping their eyes will meet. Luckily, Habibah also notices her, but Mustakeemah gives her a disapproving glance, disappointed by Habibah's deteriorating dress sense. Mustakeemah shakes her head sadly and continues on her way.
Mustakeemah: It is well... She failed to return my calls and chooses this pathetic lifestyle? What if her parents catch her one day? And what if mine catch me as well? That day would surely be my downfall too... I wish we could switch lives. It's very unfortunate.
(Curtain)
At the Office
Secretary: Sir, you have a guest.
Ridwan: I'm not expecting anyone today. Is it my wife?
Secretary: No, sir. It's your old-time friend, sir.
Ridwan: Old-time friend? Tell them to come in.
Secretary: Come in, ma'am.
Ridwan: Ma'am? (confused)
Rasheedat: Thank you, gentleman. (enters his office confidently) We meet again! (Doesn't sit down)
Ridwan: (speechless) Uhm... how... ah...
Rasheedat: Exactly as I expected! You're shocked to see me? Alive or what?
Ridwan: (exhales softly) Rasheedat! I'm so sorry. You've caught me off guard. I know we didn't part on good terms, and I was ashamed of myself. I didn't even bother to give you a call.
Rasheedat: You should be! As you can see, I'm not here for pleasantries but to address something serious.
Ridwan: Address what? Look, I know you're angry with me. I wish I could make it up to you.
Rasheedat: Of course you should! Do you want me to speak here, or do you prefer somewhere more private? We have unfinished business.
Ridwan: Unfinished business?
Rasheedat: Yes! So get up, and let's go somewhere we can talk.
Ridwan: I'm sorry, but there's nothing to discuss. I thought I made it clear that our friendship is over. I don't want to continue it. Anyway, sorry for my manners. How's your family? Your husband? Kids?
Rasheedat: (takes a few steps towards him) Oh, now you're interested in my personal life after what you did?
Ridwan: (confused) What are you saying? What did I do? Besides, we both got married to our partners last year, nearly two years now.
Rasheedat: That's what you think. You never considered the damage you've done to my life, and I'm here to take revenge.
Ridwan: Revenge? You're confusing me. I know I made a mistake by not attending your wedding, but how did I ruin your life?
Rasheedat: (takes more steps closer to him, making him uncomfortable) You came into my life nine years ago like an angel, wiping away all my sorrows. You gave me joy, love, care, and happiness, even financially assisting me. You made me fall for you so hard that I couldn't give any other man a chance. You loved me like no one else could hurt me. Do you remember that night we made love?
Ridwan: (interrupts) It was a mistake, Rasheedat! I thought we agreed to forget about that night. Why bring it up now?
Rasheedat: Oh! To you, it may mean nothing, but to me, it meant the world. I thought we had finally fallen for each other completely, only for you to dismiss it as a mistake. I swallowed my pain to keep you from slipping away to another woman. It's been hard for me to let any other man into my life because you filled every part of it. And then you told me you found the woman of your dreams? I was shattered, but I pretended to be happy for you. I tried to move on, to start afresh, but the day you announced your engagement was the day I felt utterly destroyed. (tears well up in her eyes)
Ridwan: That's enough! Please! We shared nothing but friendship and good memories. We never had romantic feelings for each other.
Rasheedat: Speak for yourself! Our hearts are fragile. We fall in love easily and find it hard to let go. When you said you wanted to cut ties, I realized I had lost you. I tried to move on, but because of you, my marriage was called off. My fiancé couldn't stand how often I mentioned you. And now, here you are, happily married, after ruining my life.
Ridwan: Look, Rasheedat, we made a mistake that night. It was just sex.
Rasheedat: It wasn't just sex; it was lovemaking.
Ridwan: No, it wasn't.
Rasheedat: (roaring) Yes, it was!
Ridwan: Well, for your information, I never loved you, not even a little. I only cherished the memories we shared, nothing more. You need to stop dwelling on the past and move forward.
Rasheedat: (tears rolling down her cheeks) So, this is who you really are? Now you tell me to start over after you've ruined my life? Do you know I got pregnant? I had to abort our child because I knew you wouldn't accept it. You made me kill our baby!
Ridwan: (shocked) You what!?
Rasheedat: Yes! Just as I thought! You'd never acknowledge our child!
Ridwan: Enough! Please, stop this. How could you be pregnant? You must be joking.
Rasheedat: (steps on his toes) Joking? I'm not here to beg you to take me back. I'm here for revenge! For every pain you've caused me, for taking away my happiness, for making me lose our child, and for losing myself. (cries bitterly)
Ridwan: (still in disbelief) Wait! Are you saying you were pregnant with my child and you aborted it?
Rasheedat: I can see you're not hearing me clearly. (wipes her tears)
Secretary: (interrupts, barging into the office) Sir, you have—
Ridwan: (cuts in angrily) Get out! Now!
Secretary: Sorry, sir. (exits hurriedly)
Ridwan: (touches her shoulder) Please, be honest with me. Are you really saying you were pregnant with my child?
Rasheedat: (finally calm) Yes, but I lost our child. You made me kill our baby!
Ridwan: (roars) Why didn't you tell me? Why take such a drastic step without informing me?
Rasheedat: How was I supposed to tell you when you said you found the woman of your dreams? I was heartbroken, but I didn't want to disturb your new life.
Ridwan: That's no excuse for killing our child! You should have at least let me know! How could you take such a foolish step, Rasheedat? Why? (hits the desk furiously) You killed my baby! You'll pay for this!
Rasheedat: You'll pay even more because I'll never let you find happiness in your marriage until I see you in as much pain as you caused me.
Ridwan: (feeling uneasy, paces around the office) Maybe that's why Allah is punishing me—for your mistakes! I can't have a child because of what you did!
Rasheedat: Oh, so your wife is infertile?
Ridwan: Don't you dare say anything about my wife!
Rasheedat: Infertile wife! Do your worst!
Ridwan: Enough!
Rasheedat: Infertile!
Ridwan: I said enough!
Rasheedat: There's nothing you can do to me! Someone gave birth to me too! I deserve love and care! Your wife isn't the only one that matters!
Ridwan: (suddenly grabs her hand and grabs his car keys) Come with me!
Rasheedat: Let go of my hand, you wicked man!
(light fade)
Few days after
Mustakeemah: (dragging her into the bushes) Today, I will expose you to your parents with this wayward dressing of yours. (steps back and takes pictures of Habibah) Go ahead and continue this wayward life of yours! (tries to leave)
Habibah: Mustakeemah, or whatever your name is... (as Mustakeemah turns to her, she also takes a picture of her) Just like how you want to take your time to trace my parents, I will use the same opportunity to trace yours as well. I won't be the only one in trouble. We both are! So go ahead.
Mustakeemah: (furious with anger) Don't test me, Habibah!
Habibah: You are crossing your line, Mustakeemah! This will teach you a lesson to always mind your business. You show my parents that picture? I'll show yours! Simple as that! Go on! Go away!
Mustakeemah: (tightens her fist and walks away)
(Curtain)
Later in the night...
Munir: (enters the kitchen) Sis, Bro Kenny wants to see you. He said you should come to his room.
Mustakeemah: Is he sick?
Munir: No.
Mustakeemah: Drunk, maybe?
Munir: No, not now.
Mustakeemah: His legs are functioning well?
Munir: (chuckles) Yes, now.
Mustakeemah: Then tell him, if he really wants to see me, he should use the two legs Allah gave him to come and see me.
Munir: Ok, I will. (takes his leave)
Najat: You are so cool, big sis.
Mustakeemah: (smiles) Learn from your elders, baby.
Najat: Glad to see you smiling these days. And by the way, I found the reason.
Mustakeemah: What are you talking about?
Najat: (whispers in her ear) That you're back to wearing your khimar.
Mustakeemah: Shhh! This should be between us, okay?
Najat: (nods) I'm so happy for you.
Mustakeemah: Thanks, darling.
(light Fade)
The next morning
Dad: I'm off to work! Iya Beji, don't forget to iron that outfit! Don't make me wear a wrinkled garment to the wedding. (opens the door to leave and bumps into a stranger)
Habibah: Good morning, sir!
Dad: Morning? How may I help you? (scans her from head to toe and notices numerous bruises on her body)
Habibah: I'm here to report your daughter to you! She wears a khimar, a long hijab, with socks, and even a niqab when she reaches school. She changes into them in a bush...
Dad: You mean Mustakeemah?
Habibah: Yes, sir.
Dad: Are you sure you have the right house?
Habibah: I am 100% sure, sir. She resembles you, so I'm certain.
Dad: Young lady, are you sure of what you're saying? And what the hell happened to you?
Habibah: She reported me to my parents for not wearing my hijab and khimar, saying that I change into them. So I was brutally beaten by my parents, and I'm here to seek revenge. In fact, here is the evidence. (hands him her phone)
Dad: Really? (drops his bag) Iya Beji!!!
Mum: Sir!!! I'm coming!
Dad: Taiye!!!!
Mustakeemah: (running towards the door and is met with a hot slap from her father) Dad! What did I do? (then she notices Habibah)