Aishat: (concerned, moving closer) But why? (sits beside her)
Zainab: Look at my marriage… look at us. I’m alone and helpless. There is nothing memorable to look forward to.
Aishat: Don’t say that, ma. If you ask me, I think the picnic everyone was excited about was because of you.
Zainab: Me? (chuckles softly) That’s not possible.
Aishat: Have you ever noticed the way Chief looks at you? The pity in his eyes. He feels your pain, but...
Zainab: Don’t tell me that oo, because I’m not happy with him. His son treated me this way after all my sacrifices, and he couldn’t do anything about it. He is the head of this family. His children dare not disobey him, yet he always keeps mute in serious matters. (shakes her head) Look, Aisha… I am tired of this marriage. So tired.
Aishat: (voice low) So what are you planning to do?
Zainab: I don’t know yet, but God will help me one day. (looks down at herself) Just look at me. I look so useless in this house, like a neighbour who rented an apartment in Chief’s mansion.
Aishat: (grips her hand) Please don’t leave us.
Zainab: (chuckles sadly) I can’t believe you’re saying this. I wasn’t in this house for the house in the first place. What brought me here has already replaced me.
Aishat: Can I ask you something, ma?
Zainab: Okay.
Aishat: Do you still love your husband?
Zainab: (bursts into laughter)
Aishat: (hurt) This isn’t a funny question. It’s about how you feel.
Zainab: It’s just strange hearing about love and feelings in a marriage of eleven years. Maybe there is still love in your marriage, but mine? It has been gone for years. (leans closer) Listen to what I’m about to say. In marriage, love will never be enough. No matter how much you love someone, it will never be enough.
Aishat: (nods slowly) Well… I guess you’re right.
Zainab: It’s really sad that this is how things turned out between us. (smirks) Kindly do me a favour and be good to your husband, at least. Just because they are blood doesn’t mean they think the same. He was the only one who stood against my husband’s decision back then, and it almost led to a real fight. He is a real man, and his love for you is real.
Aishat: Ahh… (chuckles) A real man indeed.
Zainab: I’m serious. We all saw what he did. Even Brother Anas did nothing. He only gave silent treatment, as usual. But your husband? I respected him that day.
Aishat: Please take back what you said. I don’t think that’s correct.
Zainab: And why would I do that? He is a good man.
Aishat: Alright then. I won’t argue. (smiles) Anyway, how is the picnic going to be? And as a matter of fact, you must go. Without you there, no wife is going. You are our senior and the first wife of this family. This picnic is for you the most.
Zainab: But...
Aishat: (cuts in firmly) Noooo but. It is final, unless you want to ruin the whole thing your father-in-law planned. I’ve said my own. (stands and adjusts her short dress)
Zainab: (exhales softly) Okay oo. To avoid being the bad one, I will go.
Aishat: Now you’re talking. I know you were joking before. Not going keh? So you want to allow Mrs Pencil to take your rightful place? Not on our watch. Dress beautifully, smell nice, and let your husband see what he’s missing.
Zainab: Hmmmm… I like that. (chuckles)
Aishat: Now you feel me. Who knows? Maybe this will be your reunion. So please throw those negative thoughts in the trash. Saturday is about Chief Olakunle’s family. (dances playfully)
Zainab: (chuckles warmly) You know, I’m glad… really glad to see you finally happy after all this while. I’m really glad. (smiles)
Aishat: (realises, then sits) Well… it was hard, and I just want to heal.
Zainab: I know. I know. And I pray Allah will double your blessings.
Aishat: Ameen. (takes a deep breath) Uhmmm… can we change the topic? I don’t want to sink back into depression.
Zainab: I guess I’m doing a great job as a therapist, saving the day.
Aishat: (laughs loudly) Therapist indeed.
Zainab: (laughs)
---------------
Friday night 7:16pm
Anas: (enters the mansion, dragging himself up the stairs, tired; the house filled with laughter of his brothers in the sitting room)
Junaid: (looking up, laughing hard) And speaking of the devil… here he is!
Jamiu: Bro, come join us. When was the last time we had a men’s night?
Anas: (holding the staircase, weak smile) Well… how about tomorrow? We’ve got tomorrow for ourselves.
Jamil: (grinning) Well, all I see is a man tired of his brother for his wife!
Junaid and Jamiu: (burst into laughter) That was a good one!
Anas: (smiles weakly, looks straight) Nice one, brothers… nice one.
Haneefah: (coming down the stairs) Baby… you’re back.
Anas: (moves to help her) Don’t run, careful on the stairs. (holds her hands) Lift your khimar… stop right there.
Haneefah: You’re always overreacting. (kisses him) Welcome home.
Jamil: I said it!
Jamiu and Junaid: (laughing out loud) Man in love!
Haneefah: (startled by their laughter, look down) Oh! I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t know you were there.
Jamiu: It’s okay… we understand. (looks at his brother and bursts into another laugh)
Anas: (smiling and nodding) Nice one! (hands his bags to Haneefah) Take these inside… I want to spend some time with them. Your cravings are inside.
Haneefah: (overjoyed, whispers) You bought it? Thank you! (takes the bags happily and climbs upstairs)
Anas: Careful!! (turns around and heads downstairs) So what’s up, niggas… are you done laughing?
Junaid: I think there’s one more… a caring husband.
Jamiu and Junaid: (laughing so loud)
Anas: (chuckles as he sits next to Jamil) You guys, ehn?
Jamiu: My belle ooo.
Maryam: (heading to the kitchen, watches the brothers having their moment of laughter) Hmmmm… I wish Chief would come out and see his children having their moment. (enters the kitchen)
Anas: So I’m the joke of the night, huh?
Jamiu: Not really, it’s about…
Junaid: Guys, guys! Look at this video!
(They all gather around the phone to watch)
VIDEO CONTENT
Husband: (comes out of the house, finds his mother and wife arguing in front of the car) Eehh, what’s going on here?
Mother: My son! (panting heavily) Who birthed you? Answer me oo!
Husband: You, of course! No one can replace you.
Mother: Good… then…
Wife: Kunle! Tell me! Who is the love of your life? Who is your wife? Who bore you children? Who opens her legs every night for your pleasure?
Husband: What kind of question is this? Of course it’s you… what is it now?
Mother: I will not be going with you today… it seems your wife is more important than me in your life.
Husband: Mum! What happened? How did we get here?
Mother: I said I want to sit in the front seat and your wife insisted I go to the back… my son’s car.
Husband: (bows his head, rubbing his forehead) Oh my God!
Wife: Even you know that’s not possible, Mama. This is my husband’s car. I was there when he had nothing. That front seat is my rightful place.
Mother: Did you hear what she said? Can you hear me?
Husband: (cut in) Alright, enough! Please, Mom… you want to sit in the front, right?
Mother: Yes.
Husband: Babe, you also want the front seat?
Wife: More than anything.
(Jamiu and Junaid laughing loudly)
Jamiu: Women, ehn? They are too much.
Jamil: They are the definition of problem.
Junaid: Guys, let’s watch it finish now.
Anas: (paying attention to the screen)
Husband: Well, in that case… (opens the back seat, enters, and slams the door)
Wife and Mother: (shocked)
Anas: (bursts into laughter) I like this guy.
Wife: What was that supposed to mean?
Mother: So who is going to drive us?
Husband: Ahh… one of you. At least I granted both of your wishes, so hurry up. We’ll be late for the wedding.
Wife and Mother: (dumbfounded)
Husband: Hurry up now?
Mother: You know I cannot drive… so what are you saying?
Wife: Me neither… (folds arms, murmuring) Please come out.
Husband: Noo… we die here. The worst is not attending the wedding. (raises back)
Mother: You see what you caused? You don’t have home training at all? If you had sat at the back, none of this would have happened. But since you don’t respect your elders…
Wife: (folds arms and looks away,
murmuring) Whatever… Kunle, come down now.
Husband: I can only come down if you two sit at the back. Anything else, one of you must drive!
(Wife and Mother glance at each other)
Next Scene
Husband drives happily while mother and daughter squeeze their faces at each other in the back seat. The four brothers burst into laughter.
Jamiu: Na man be this.
Junaid: Not just a man… a wise one at that.
Jamil: Women! Women! They will test your will…
Anas: I like the guy… he settled the matter well. (chuckles as they return to their seats)
Junaid: (serious face, focus on Anas) so how have you been little bro? You've been all distant.