Few days later
Mrs. Shola: babe wake up! Aren’t you going to work?
Mr. Suraj: please leave me alone, I need rest.
Mrs. Shola: do you know what the time is?
Mr. Suraj: see babe! (he sits up) the reason I’m so lazy these days is because I’m avoiding that guy I borrowed money from. Three days ago he threatened to attack me and I love my life.
Mrs. Shola: but you know sleeping like this won’t save you. Can’t you think of any solution? Just try to make him give us more time, find all means to pay him back.
Mr. Suraj: honestly, I don’t know what to think of. I’ve been having sleepless nights over this issue but I can’t find any solution.
Mrs. Shola: honestly you are so dumb wallahi! Better get up because my friends are coming over and I won’t let you disgrace me if they find you here.
Mr. Suraj: but I don’t want to go to work today, is that too much for me to ask in my own house?
Mrs. Shola: you brought this upon yourself so you have to face the consequences. Better get up oh.
Mustakeemah’s pov
I was busy in the compound drying clothes that I had washed when I heard a knock on the gate. I asked who it was but the person kept yelling that I should hurry up. I was ordered not to open the gate for strangers.
Mr. Mubarak: (hitting the gate) if no one opens this gate right now, I’m calling the police!
Mustakeemah: police keh? As if we stole something? (she hurriedly opens the gate) please, who are you looking for?
Mr. Mubarak: (his anger subsides instantly as he sights her) hey… beautiful.
Mustakeemah: (confused) good morning sir, please who are you looking for?
Mr. Mubarak: (evil smile) I don’t need to answer that question. (he walks into the compound straight)
Mustakeemah: wait! Please wait, you can’t go in. (she follows him) sir, please stop there.
Mr. Mubarak: where is that thief? I must deal with him today, but as for you beautiful, I’ll come back for you.
Mrs. Shola: babe get up and leave the house, find somewhere to go. I can’t let you stay here at this time of the day.
Mr. Suraj: (he gets on his feet immediately after hearing Mr. Mubarak’s voice from the living room) wait a minute, isn’t that his voice? Abi I’m hearing double? (he rushes out to peep) oh my God, I’m dead. Now he knows where I live?
Mrs. Shola: (she follows him out) who is he? (she notices his panic) wait, don’t tell me that is…
Mr. Suraj: yes, he’s the one! What am I going to do? And he looks so angry! Who opened the gate for him?
Mrs. Shola: (her face rages with anger) this girl! This witch! I knew she’s behind our failure.
Mustakeemah: sir please, calm down and wait outside.
Mr. Mubarak: who are you telling to wait outside? I guess you don’t know me. You better come downstairs right this instant or else I’m calling the police!
Mrs. Shola: did he just say he will call the police?
Mr. Suraj: I think he just did! What am I gonna do!!
Mr. Mubarak: on the count of three you better show your filthy face or else! (fake smile) one! Better come out now! Two! Two and half!!
Mr. Suraj: hello Mr. Mubarak (acting normal) what a pleasant surprise, I wasn’t expecting you here?
Mr. Mubarak: God saved you came out before I counted three! I don’t have time for chit chat! Where is my money? I need my money now.
Mrs. Shola: (she walks down the stairs) hello sir, good morning sir.
Mr. Suraj: you know I told you to give me till the end of this month, I promise to pay you back.
Mr. Mubarak: I can’t wait till that time! For the past three years I lent you money to invest in your business, you promised to pay me back last year and now you’re giving me excuses? Whatever you’re gonna say today can never change my mind. Bring out my money! (he yells angrily)
Mrs. Shola: (quickly moves closer to him) please sir take it easy, you’re yelling, the neighbors might hear your voice, so please calm down. We will find a solution to this issue soon… at least have a seat first.
Mr. Mubarak: whatever solution you have is none of my business. All I know is bring out my money or else! It’s either I burn down this house or I throw your things out.
Mr. Suraj: (sweating) please calm down, don’t do that, you know I’m your friend… please, we can solve this, please.
Mustakeemah: (standing by the door, worried about what she might face after the visitor leaves. She knows she is in big danger for disobeying the rules by opening the gate, and she notices how furious Mrs. Shola looks)
Mr. Mubarak: bring out my money, that’s all I know. And for your information, this house is on camera. Whatever you plan to do with me here will be revealed to the military. I have my bodyguards outside as well.
Mrs. Shola: (shivering in fear as she wipes her sweat with her fingers) please sir, have a seat first, let me get you something to drink. Trust me, we mean no harm and we can never hurt you because we are not evil people. We will surely pay you back. I’m coming, let me get you something chilled. (she quickly heads to the kitchen while Mustakeemah follows her)
Mr. Mubarak: (he finally sits) all I know is bring out my money. I want my money.
Mr. Suraj: please, I will pay you back as soon as possible, please.
*************
Mrs. Shola: (as they enter the kitchen together, she carries a turning stick and lashes Mustakeemah five times) before you kill me, I will be the one to take your life! How many times did I warn you about opening the gate for strangers? Shebi what you want is finally happening, so you should be happy right?
Mustakeemah: (she holds the pain within without uttering a word as she rubs her body) I’m sorry ma.
Mrs. Shola: sorry for your stupid self! (she gets a bottle of water from the refrigerator and a glass cup) better be praying everything goes well with this man today or else, just start praying your last prayer.
---
Mr. Suraj: (still on his feet pleading for mercy) please, I will pay you back, all I need is more time to gather the money, please Mubarak!
Mrs. Shola: (she drops the tray on the table) here it is sir, please we are sorry.
Mr. Mubarak: you think I’m gonna drink this shit? Who knows if you’ve poisoned it… all I know is bring out my money oh or else!
Mustakeemah: (she interrupts) please sir, we will pay the money as soon as possible. We will find all means to bring your money soon.
Mr. Mubarak: (she finally grabs his attention) hmmmm, back to you beautiful… see how sweet your voice is, you just calmed my nerves with it. (he faces the couple) who is she to you guys?
Mrs. Shola: she… sh-she is… is (stammering) is ours.
Mr. Suraj: yes! she is ours!
Mr. Mubarak: what do you mean by yours? Anyway… is there any means you are willing to trade something for me over my money? Hmmmm?
Mr. Suraj: (trying to understand his statement) ohhhhh! You mean? (demonstrating as he points at Mustakeemah)
Mrs. Shola: well, I’m confused here!
Mr. Mubarak: yeahhh! That’s what I’m talking about! If you are willing to trade someone for the 5 million naira, then it’s a deal for me.
Mrs. Shola: (finally understands) of course sir, we would love to trade someone, abi babe?
Mr. Suraj: of course! Yes sir…
Mustakeemah: (confused and lost in thought) trade as how? What does he want to trade with such a huge amount of money? 5 million naira…
Mr. Mubarak: alright then, since you two agreed to it, I will give you just a week to decide well and to convince the someone I wish to have in return for my money. And I will be back to get my property. (he gets on his feet) I shall take my leave now… do have a lovely day. (he moves closer to Mustakeemah) goodbye beautiful, see you soon.
Mr. Suraj: thank you so much sir, we promise not to disappoint you… (he accompanies him out of the gate with his wife)
Mr. Mubarak: (his bodyguard opens the car door for him) don’t disappoint me, Suraj.
Mr. Suraj: I promise I won’t sir, thank you.
Mrs. Shola: thank you so much sir, take care. (waving at the car)
Mr. Suraj: (his eyes meet with his wife’s, then he jumps up with joy as they begin to dance and jubilate. They walk back into the living room)
Mrs. Shola: I told you! I told you God would find a solution for us. My God is not a wicked God. At least finally she is going to make herself useful for us this time around.
Mustakeemah: (scared as she stands by the door)
Mrs. Shola: (she walks up to her) hey my dear, sorry about earlier… I didn’t mean to hit you with the stick, but you are also stubborn at times. That’s why I’m here to say I’m sorry for everything, ok?
Mustakeemah: (shocked and scared at the same time) no ma, you didn’t offend me.
Mr. Suraj: no, my dear, we are really sorry for how we treated you… so please, find it in your heart to forgive us.
Mustakeemah: (she becomes uncomfortable with their “nicy-nicy”) I’m ok sir, I’m ok ma.
Mr. Suraj: ok then, we have something we want you to do for us. (tapping his wife) go ahead, you say it.
Mrs. Shola: no, you say it to her.
Mr. Suraj: but you are related to her, you say it now. Maybe she might accept real quick.
Mustakeemah: accept what, sir?
Mrs. Shola: (finally speaks up) you know what dear? The man who came here earlier has interest in you, and he wishes to marry you. Isn’t that great? At least you are finally leaving this house just like you’ve always wanted.
Mustakeemah: (shocked) ma! I… I am not ready for marriage, I’m still young, please.
Mr. Suraj: what are you saying dear? Your mates are mothers of two or three already, and you are claiming young? Don’t you know you are grown already? You are a full woman and very hardworking. Trust me, girl, you’re going to love him. Besides, he is super rich. Imagine living a luxurious life, even more than ours.
Mustakeemah: (breaks down in tears immediately) no sir, I don’t want! I prefer to live with you guys for the rest of my life than to marry at this age. Please sir, I am not ready for marriage.
Mrs. Shola: (getting pissed off with her response) look dear, this is for your own good. This man will change your life forever, just like you’ve always wanted. For your information, you have no choice but to marry him, and you must marry him.
Mustakeemah: but if he is that good and rich, why can’t your daughter marry him? Besides, she is 17 and I’m 18.
Mrs. Shola: don’t you dare bring my daughter into this if you don’t want me to strangle you! I have taken enough of your nonsense behavior. You must marry him, and I repeat—you must marry him. You know what? Come with me! (she drags her hand) You must not leave this house till you marry him, because you might run away. (her husband also helps her drag her as they push her into the storeroom and lock the door)
Mustakeemah: (breaks down in tears) please ma, please sir, have mercy on me! I don’t want to marry that man, please… let me go, please! (she hits the door) please open the door, please aunty Shola!
Mrs. Shola: (stands by the door as they continue their jubilation and dance) finally we are going to escape this one too…
Mr. Suraj: babe, your love just keeps growing inside me day by day. I love you so much. Thanks for standing by me during my tough times, even if it means sacrificing your family for me.
Mrs. Shola: you are welcome baby, you know I will do anything for you. And that witch is not my family. Besides, she will be useful now.
Mustakeemah: (her cries increase as she begs them for mercy) please take me back to my father, I want to live with my father, please!
Mrs. Shola: (she pauses immediately) what did you say?
Mustakeemah: please take me back to my father… pleassssseeee! (she pleads bitterly)
Mrs. Shola: you mean your father that passed away two years ago, or which one?
Mustakeemah: (shocked) what?