Jamal: You this woman! What is it this time? Haba! Every time you! Kilode? This is 5:02 for crying out loud. People are still sleeping!
Jamiu: (comes out with a torn garment, furious) If you want to die, just die! Na only you? Before you kill me in this house, I will be the one to kill you. You are nothing but a problem in my life. I regret the day I married you.
Zainab: (furiously stands to confront him) See who is talking! I regret the very day I accepted to even date you, talk less of marriage. You are my worst mistake. You wicked man! (grabs his torn cloth) You must kill me today oo! You have turned me into a joke in this house. Look at them all laughing at me because of you!
Jamiu: Ehh! You this woman, I will deal with you oo! (tries to free himself) Let go of my cloth! I am warning you!
Jamal: (fumed as he goes downstairs while Junaid roars upstairs) Bro! Wetin sup now? Una no dey shame at all? (grabs Zainab and pushes Jamiu) Kilode now! Ahhh!
Jamiu: See, don’t tell me that one if you don’t want me to change it for you as well. Didn’t you see how she talks to me? Look at my clothes, she tore it! All because of what?
Zainab: Why won’t I? How could you? Ahhh! (breaks down in tears again) I don’t deserve this from you!
Junaid: And you think embarrassing yourselves like this is the solution to whatever caused this chaos? Uh? Bro, I no like am oo. You know Chief needs to rest, and you two are behaving like kids.
Jamiu: Did we call you? Tell me, did I call you guys? And I don’t blame you o, I blame this idiot for exposing me like this in front of your wives!
Jamal: (furious) Really, brother?
(Maryam and Aishat move closer to Haneefah, adjusting their mini veils.)
Maryam: What happened again?
Aishat: Honestly, I’m tired of this their fight every time. Ahhh! She’s a senior wife; she should behave like one.
Maryam: At least she should learn to compose herself. Not in front of the new bride.
Haneefah: (sadly lowers her gaze) Uhm, I would like to go back inside.
Aishat: You can’t oo.
Haneefah: But why? I have things to do.
Maryam: And we don’t?
Haneefah: No ma, that’s not what I....
Aishat: It’s fine. You can go.
Haneefah: (exhales softly) I’m sorry ma. I just don’t want to...
Aishat: Look like you’re intruding? Go then.
Junaid: (about to head back in) Aishat!
Aishat: (turns around) Sir?
Junaid: Inside now!
Aishat: But… but we can’t leave them like this!
Junaid: Then sleep there if you don’t get your ass inside now!
Aishat: (embarrassed as she obeys)
Jamal: (heading to his room) And you, madam, you want to watch the full drama abi?
Maryam: No naa, I was........okay fine!. (retreats to her room)
Jamal: (glances at Haneefah, about to speak) And.....
Haneefah: Hmmmm. (instantly turns around and retreats to her room)
Jamal: (nods) I thought as much.
(Light fades.)
-------
HANEEFAH’S POV
Days passed, and the house felt like a graveyard except for the kids playing around. Life couldn’t get heavier than this. Ever since the incident, everyone had been cold and minding their own business. I felt so lonely, like a stranger.
I kept disturbing my husband with calls to come back, or else… but he kept filling my ears with soon, baby. I got tired of it and barely messaged him again. I quickly accepted my fate.
One evening, while getting ready to go out and buy some foodstuff, I got to the stairs and realized I forgot my husband’s car key. I hurriedly lifted my khimar and ran back into my room. On returning downstairs, I found my co-wife—of course, the one you’re thinking, yes... Zainab, as usual, sitting alone at the dining table eating her bananas, her face full of bad mood.
I gently walked past her and said tasleem twice, but I didn’t hear her response. I paused.
Haneefah: Mummy twins, you’re the one I’m greeting, ma.
Zainab: (rolls her eyes) So now you’re deaf, uh?
Haneefah: (surprised) But ma, I was only trying to...
Zainab: (drops the banana peel and stands to confront her) Look, Hajia or whatever your name is, try as much as you can to avoid me in this house or else, you and I are going to have a big problem. If I had known you were this deaf, I would have brought a microphone to communicate with you. (takes a few more steps closer) You are testing my patience in this house, and I might lose it.
Haneefah: (can’t believe her ears) Excuse me?
Anas: (struggles with a bouquet of flowers as he steps into the house with his backpack) As-salamu alaykum, ekuleee oo! (finds them in the spot, waiting for their response) Hello? I’m home!
Haneefah: (first to look away, turns to her husband with his face covered with roses) Walaykum salam. (drops her bag and takes the roses from him to see clearly) Welcome, sir. (takes his backpack as well and leaves the scene)
Zainab: (returns to her seat) Welcome, sir.
Anas: (still trying to read the atmosphere) What happened, ma?
Zainab: Nothing, sir. You must be exhausted from the journey.
Anas: Thank you, ma. But why is the house so quiet like this?
Zainab: They’re not back from work, and Chief is inside as usual. (sips a glass of juice)
Anas: Did something happen between you and my wife, ma?
Zainab: Why don’t you find out yourself? (carries her juice and leaves)
Anas: (shocked) Ummu Twins! Subhanallah. What happened again? (looks up with a heavy heart) Something isn’t right. (climbs the stairs)
Anas: (barges in and finds her facing the window) What happened between you and your senior wife, ehnn? (moves closer and grabs her waist) Baby, talk to....(finds her soaked in tears) Baby… why are you crying? I thought you’d be happy to see me. (tries to wipe her tears)
Haneefah: (steps back and wipes them herself) It’s nothing. You must be exhausted from your trip. I’ll get the shower ready. (walks to the restroom; then he follows)
Anas: (grabs her hand) Baby now, please don’t leave me in darkness. Talk to me and I promise to set things right. Please.
Haneefah: (turns around, faces him, and wipes her tears) What type of wife would I be if I welcomed you with chaos and trouble after your long trip? You went out there to work and finally came home, and you expect me to give you this? No. No good wife should do that. Take your shower while I prepare something for you to eat, then you’ll have enough rest. I was actually going to the market before you found me downstairs. You need rest.
Anas: How do you expect me to rest when you’re not happy? I even brought flowers and you....(exhales deeply) Please tell me what’s going on. I promise to set things right. I promised to never hurt you, baby. Please.
Haneefah: I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you anything for now until you rest. Please don’t say no. You’ve lost some weight, and look how rough your beards are, and you expect me to add to your pain? I love you too much to stress you. The best I can give you is peace of mind. Please, honey, I promise to tell you everything later. That can wait, hmm? (holds him tighter) Oya, get in.
Anas: (takes a deep breath and smiles) You’re truly a blessing to my life. How about you join me, uh? I’ve missed those curves.
Haneefah: I wish I could because I’ve missed you so much too, but I just took my bath. I don’t want to turn to fish. Maybe next time, okay? I’ll be right back, my king, so I can dish something for you. (exits the restroom)
Anas: (sighs deeply and smiles) Bismillah.
(Curtain.)
-----
Anas: (comes out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist) Ahh, Alhamdulillah. What a journey. (moves to the wardrobe) Hmm, I need light wear. (grabs a blue jalabia) This will do.
Haneefah: (enters the room) Oh, you’re finally out. I just came to confirm before I serve your meal. (heading out).
Anas: Wait, you’re done cooking?
Haneefah: Yeah, just noodles so you can have something in your stomach for now. Once I’m done, I’ll go to the market. So that means you need to come to the dining fast so it won’t get cold.
Anas: Just bring the food to the room. I don’t have strength for downstairs right now.
Haneefah: You sure? I thought you said....
Anas: I’m not breaking any law. I can eat anywhere I want, okay? Just don’t bother.
Haneefah: Alright, dear.
SEVERAL MINUTES LATER
Haneefah: (enters the room with a large tray and finds him on the bed, busy with his phone) There you go.
Anas: (hurriedly drags a short table closer and helps her with the tray) Well done, my love. Wait, I thought you said you were only making noodles.
Haneefah: Yeah. (cleans her sweat) I just added plantains and fried eggs.
Anas: (amazed) Come here. (stands and kisses her forehead) Thank you so much. (pushes the roses aside as he gets seated and begins to dig in) Bismillah.
Haneefah: (smiles, removes her khimar, climbs the bed, and embraces the bouquet of roses, smelling it) Thanks for the roses. I love it.
Anas: (nods as he eats nonstop) Masha Allah! You need to make noodles like this for me more often. It’s delicious.
Haneefah: I’m glad. (admires him as he eats, resting her jaw on the flowers, lost in thought)
Anas: Guess what? I also have a surprise for you, and I know you’ll love it. (notices her) Baby, are you okay?
Haneefah: (snaps back to reality) What? Yeah, sure. I’m fine. Do you need anything?
Anas: (puts down the fork) So tell me, what happened today? You have all my attention. Talk to me, my love.
Haneefah: (stares at his plate) Finish your meal, please. If it gets cold, you can’t eat it again.
Anas: You’re not happy. Look at you. You’ve done your part as a wife, and you welcomed me well. I’m super proud of you for that. Let me do my part, please, baby. (caresses her face)
Haneefah: (getting emotional, grabs his hands) I love you, and I really do. I don’t want to be a nagging wife. You told me about your home, and I accepted to love you and your home together. So I shouldn’t have any excuse now. This is a beautiful home built by a great man, your father.
Anas: Where are you going with this, baby?
Haneefah: It’s too early for problems in our marriage. Too early for fights and quarrels in this beautiful home, and I never want to give you problems.
Anas: (holds her tighter) What happened between you and Ummu Twins?
Haneefah: She… she’s facing some crisis in her marriage, which you’re aware of, right?
Anas: Right.
Haneefah: It’s really getting out of hand. You should calmly talk to her and hear her out. I think she’s passing her anger on me, maybe because she feels I’ll make fun of her pain. I swear, I’ll never derive joy in another woman’s sadness, and you know that.
Anas: Yes, I do. I know you very well.
Haneefah: I never want to be present in any of their fights, but my senior wives won’t let me. They say if I leave in the middle of the scene, I’m being disrespectful. Maybe it’s a tradition in this house or something. I’m not happy seeing others in pain. So maybe you can clarify to her that I mean well. She’s just being mean to me. Ever since I stepped foot in this house, she’s looked at me like her rival. We have a lot to spend together than to start chaos like this. (getting emotional)
Anas: (overwhelmed with joy) Come here. (gives her a warm hug) I love you so much. You are a wise woman. I bless the day I set my eyes on you. It’s hard to find women....even religious sisters...that think like you do. Some would already turn her into an enemy, saying she never wants her in the house. Look at you. Masha Allah. (kisses her head) I’ll forever bless the day I asked for your hand in marriage. (notices she’s still holding the flowers) You seriously love these flowers oo.
Haneefah: (chuckles) We don’t get this every day, you know. So thanks for the flowers.
Anas: (starts caressing her body) I’ve missed you so much. (leans in)
Haneefah: Wait, please. It’s almost Maghrib, and I should be on my way to the market so I can prepare dinner. This is...(checks the time) 5:32 p.m. We can do all of these at night, okay? (frees herself) Finish that food oo. No wasting, because I told you.
Anas: Baby.... (grabs her hand) Babe, let’s do the do now. There’s still time.
Haneefah: Babayi, leave please. Instead of you to rest first, you want to do the do. Leave me jor! (finally frees herself)
Anas: And I want to apologize on her behalf. I’m sure she must have said some nasty words that made you shed tears, even if you don’t want to tell me everything. I’m sorry for that.
Haneefah: (smiles, putting on her khimar) It’s okay. I’m heading to the market, so please ensure you have enough rest, okay? (grabs her gloves and waves) Bye. (exits the room)
Anas: (chuckles) I love you so much.
(Curtain closes.)