LATER IN THE EVENING
(Nusaybah struggles with the foodstuff as she unpacks them from her car, one after the other.)
Nusaybah: This is so heavy... (panting heavily)
Sarmoroh: (She spots her since their house doesn’t have a gate yet) Babe! (walks up to her and embraces her) How far now? How have you been? Sorry I took so long to check up on you — I’ve just been so busy and tired lately. Please don’t be offended.
Nusaybah: It’s okay.
Sarmoroh: Let me help you with that.
Nusaybah: No! Don’t worry, I can carry the rest. Besides, look how heavy you are.
Sarmoroh: Are you mocking me now?
Nusaybah: I don’t have time for chit-chat right now. I’m not even in the mood for all that.
Sarmoroh: What happened? Is it your annoying husband again?
Nusaybah: Look! I don’t want to talk about anything right now. I just want to be alone.
Sarmoroh: (exhales softly) Come, let’s go inside. (She helps her with the rest)
Nusaybah: (tears roll down her eyes) I’m so tired, Sarmoroh. This man is giving me nothing but pain, and I’m sick and tired of his arrogance.
Sarmoroh: (hastily drops the bags and sits her down) Please wipe your tears. I can’t stand to see my best friend like this. Ahhhh! Some men will have a lot to answer for on the Day of Qiyamah. How can a man be so mean? Please, my dear, don’t cry. (She wipes her tears) You will be fine.
Nusaybah: (breaks down in tears) Do you see how he treats me like I’m nothing?
Sarmoroh: (cuts in) Shhhhhh! Say no more. You don’t have to explain anything to me. I totally understand, and I can feel your pain. If only there were magic to turn back time — I wish we could go back and fix everything. This guy doesn’t deserve a wonderful soul like you, wallahi. I know you can be annoying at times, but you have a beautiful heart, Nusaybah. I’m not happy seeing you like this. We need to do something. And let me guess — the seduction didn’t work out?
Nusaybah: (nods in tears)
Sarmoroh: (sighs) Then that means your man is having an affair already. I guess he now has side chicks — or chicken, whatever you people call them. This is getting out of control.
Nusaybah: There’s nothing we can do anymore. Absolutely nothing, because he doesn’t love me at all. It’s over. I can’t go back home, and I’m not happy here. I feel like I’m in hell on earth. What am I going to do, Sarmoroh? This is getting out of hand. He has turned into a monster.
Sarmoroh: Honestly, I’m short of words. What are we going to do? We need to be very prayerful over this issue. Please don’t be sad — he doesn’t even deserve your sadness.
Nusaybah: I’ve heard you, oh! There’s nothing I can do. I’ve accepted my fate. What should I offer you? (She asks sadly)
Sarmoroh: That’s not important right now. What’s more important is your happiness. (A car horn is heard) I think your husband is back — I’d better get going.
Nusaybah: Don’t worry. You leaving now will bring more chaos. Just stay and act normal.
Sarmoroh: What if he—?
Nusaybah: Whatever he wants to do, let him do it. Maybe if you witness one of his outbursts, you’ll understand me better.
Sarmoroh: (panting nervously) I don’t think this is a good idea, Nusaybah.
Nusaybah: Calm down! What if your water breaks in this situation? Relax. Just act along — that’s all.
Haneef: (enters the house with Teslim) As-salamu alaykum.
Nusaybah: walaykum salam. Welcome sir.
Sarmoroh: Good evening sir.
Haneef: Uhhh! Ummu Rofat, right?
Sarmoroh: Yes sir. (She gets on her feet.)
Haneef: You don’t have to get up in this condition. How is the family? (He moves closer to his wife and kisses her forehead.) Honey, how are you today?
(Sarmoroh and Nusaybah’s eyes meet.)
Sarmoroh: (Confused.)
Nusaybah: (She stares at him in surprise and whispers.) What are you doing?
Haneef: What am I doing as how? (He grabs her waist.) Don’t you miss me? I know you must be upset about what happened this morning. Okay, I’m sorry. Don’t be mad at your king… you shouldn’t stay mad at me for long.
Nusaybah: (She tries to free herself but he tightens his hands.)
Sarmoroh: I think I should go!
Haneef: No! Don’t say that. Please, feel at home… I shall excuse you two to have a better conversation. Okay, honey? I hope dinner is ready. (He walks inside the room.)
Sarmoroh: What just happened? (She drags her to the couch.) Wasn’t that the husband you complained about?
Nusaybah: That is new to you, but not new to me. That’s just a pretense in front of the guest. Trust me. (She whispers.) Let me accompany you out.
Sarmoroh: Absolutely! Because now I find it hard to believe what my eyes saw, and I don’t even know who to believe.
Nusaybah: I guess I’m lying to you then. (She accompanies her out of the house.)
(Few minutes later, Nusaybah enters the kitchen as she arranges the foodstuffs she bought to their various places. She puts water on fire to prepare noodles for herself, cuts some vegetables, and garnishes them with beef and sardine. Later, she moves to the dining table and digs in all alone, keeping herself busy with her phone.)
Haneef: (He walks past her and heads into the kitchen while she acts like he doesn’t exist.)
Nusaybah: (Sadly continues eating.)
Haneef: (He moves to the dining.) So you prepared nothing for me, right?
Nusaybah: (No response, still focused on her phone.)
Haneef: Woman! I’m talking to you, are you deaf?
Nusaybah: (No response.)
Haneef: (He walks up to her and snatches the phone away.) Didn’t you hear what I just said? Where is my dinner?
Nusaybah: You didn’t buy your dinner from the restaurant today? Do you want to starve yourself?
Haneef: (Surprisingly chuckles.)
Nusaybah: Too bad. (She continues eating.)
Haneef: (He angrily hits the food off the table as it spreads on the floor.) I’m talking to you and you choose to ignore me?!
Nusaybah: (Not surprised. She gets up and tries to walk out on him, but he grabs her hand.) What is it this time?
Haneef: (Panting heavily.) I’m talking to you and you’re walking out on me? Nusaybah! You’ve grown so much nerve, don’t you?
Nusaybah: Let go of me! You’re hurting my hand.
Haneef: And what if I don’t let go? What would you do, eh? Do your worst! You decided to starve me in my own house just because I tested you this morning—to see if you could endure and provide for us in case I couldn’t put food on the table—and you failed! You chose to starve me just for today? I can’t believe you could do this to me, Nusaybah! I left work as early as possible today and went to the market to buy everything we were lacking, hoping you’d quench my thirsty heart for your sincerity. But guess what? You don’t deserve me at all… Now get out of my house!
Nusaybah: (Speechless as tears roll down her cheeks.) I’m sorry, please. I didn’t mean to… but you could’ve just told me.
Haneef: I’m done having this discussion with you. I said get out of my house!
Nusaybah: (She falls to her knees in tears.) Please, okomi! I’m so sorry, please give me one more chance. Please, I’m pleading. Have mercy on me, ejor!
Haneef: (He drags her out of the house as she begs for mercy and locks her outside.)
Nusaybah: (She breaks down in tears.) What have I done? Subhanallah! This isn’t how I expected this to end… Ahhh! What am I going to do? (She continues to hit the door, hoping he would sympathize if she never gives up on begging, but he never responds.) Pleaseeeeeee! Where will I go this night? Ahhhhh! (After several pleadings and banging on the door, she finally sights her car key.) Oh, my car key! (She gets up, drags herself into the car, and locks it from the inside. She continues crying until she falls asleep.)
(An hour later, he opens the door and moves to his car. He opens the boot, brings out all the items he bought from the market, and takes them inside—without bothering about her whereabouts.)
(The next morning, around 5:40 a.m., Nusaybah gets down from the car and moves to the door once again, banging and pleading for him to open. After several knocks, he finally opens it.)
Haneef: You this woman, are you testing my patience? Why don’t you go back to where you slept?
Nusaybah: Please… I slept in my car. Please let me in… it’s time for Solat Fajr, please.
Haneef: (He angrily stares at her for a few seconds before letting her in) Come in.
Nusaybah: Thank you, sir.
Haneef: Try such nonsense with me next time, and your punishment will be worse than this. I promise you that.
Nusaybah: (She nods sadly and walks into the room to perform her Solat)
(30 minutes later, Nusaybah changes her dress and moves to the restroom to cry properly. She sits on the bathroom floor, turns on the shower over her head, and breaks down in loud sobs.)
Haneef: (Angrily opens the door to yell at her but is shocked to see her shivering under the running water, crying. He rushes to her aid and lifts her up, but she pushes him away) Get up now! You’re shivering!
Nusaybah: Since when did you care? Leave me alone!
Haneef: I thought you said you wanted to pray.
Nusaybah: (She continues crying)
Haneef: (He rushes out to get a towel as her shivering increases) You’ll just kill yourself for nothing. (He turns off the shower, covers her with the towel, and lifts her up)
Nusaybah: Let me go! Leave me alone and mind your business just like you’ve always done!
Haneef: I won’t let go! (He drops her in the middle of the room) Change your clothes before you die of cold. (He admires her for a few seconds, then walks away)
Nusaybah: (Shivering as she wraps the towel tightly around her body) Thank you. (She gently moves toward the wardrobe, removes her clothes, and as she tries to take off her undies, she feels his breath on her neck. She turns to check, but he grabs her and begins to kiss her deeply. She tries to fight back, but he overpowers her.)
---
Some moments later
(The couple lies on the bed asleep, wrapped in a blanket. Their clothes are scattered across the floor. Suddenly, his phone rings and wakes them up.)
Haneef: (Picks the call with his eyes still closed) Hello?
Mrs. Gbenga: Haneef!!! How many times did I call your name?
Haneef: (Checks the phone) Mum? What happened?
Mrs. Gbenga: Can you believe your wife isn’t here yet? I don’t know the type of foolish wife you married, o. All the wives in Ola’s family are already here, cooking and working up and down, but my own wife is missing. I called her several times, and she ignored my calls!
Haneef: (Checks the time) This is 7:24am, Mum. It's still early.
Mrs. Gbenga: And so what? Are we who slept here fools? I give her just 10 minutes to get here or else—both of you will suffer the consequences! (She hangs up)
Haneef: (Exhales softly and turns to her) Nusaybah! Wake up. My mom just called.
Nusaybah: (Groaning on the bed) Hmm… leave me alone. I’m weak and tired. I need to rest.
Haneef: I know, but you need to get up now before my mom explodes at you. She’s already yelling.
Nusaybah: (Jumps out of bed instantly) Oh my God! I’m late! (Realizes she’s naked and quickly drags the blanket from his body) Give me that! (She rushes to the bathroom)
Haneef: (Chuckles) Please hurry up. I need to shower too.
---
(Later, Nusaybah drops from a bike and hurries into the compound, greeting people one after the other. She notices everyone’s eyes on her because of her hijab, but she looks away and focuses on her mother-in-law, who is flaming with anger.)
Nusaybah: Mummy, please… I’m so sorry, ma. It was my husband’s fault. Please ma, I promise this won’t happen again.
Mrs. Gbenga: This is my problem with people like you, honestly speaking. You are not my taste in daughter-in-law. All your senior wives slept here to cook, but you chose to go home without my knowledge. Don’t worry, I don’t have your time right now. Remove that hijab and wash all those pots over there. After that, join them to pound yam. Then go and fetch water from the fifth house over there. Maybe then I’ll be pleased with you. Now go!
Nusaybah: Ma! Am I to do all that alone or all of us?
Mrs. Gbenga: You don’t know anything, you this spoilt brat. Better get moving before I increase the work for you. Nonsense!
Nusaybah: (Sighs heavily as she walks toward the large pile of dirty plates and pots) I hope I won’t pass out today.
---
2 hours later.
Haneef: (driving along the street to the bride’s family house) Why is this road so rough? An accident could happen here if care isn’t taken. Can you imagine this pothole? (he gently moves his car along the street until he sights someone walking by the road with a big bowl of water on her head) Why does this lady look like Nusaybah? No... it can't be her. (he drives his car toward the lady, and behold—it turns out to be his wife, sadly walking along the street. He stops the car and gets down to meet her) Oh my God! Is that you, Nusaybah? What are you doing?
Nusaybah: (confused) What am I doing how? Can’t you see I’m fetching water? Please, leave me alone, I’m already tired! I feel like my spinal cord is going to snap. Just get back in your car and go wherever you're going.
Haneef: (furious) Did Mum send you to do this?
Nusaybah: Of course! Who else? Now move out of my way before I lose balance.
Haneef: (he grabs her and angrily pushes the big bowl off her head; the water splashes everywhere and the bowl breaks)
Nusaybah: What are you doing?! (neighbours begin to gather) You’ve started again with your anger—Subhanallah! What have you done? Your mum is going to eat me alive today! (she breaks down in tears)
Haneef: (he drags her into his car and leaves the broken bowl) Get in the car!
Nusaybah: What are you doing?! You're just going to land me in more trouble. Why are you always like this? Why?
Haneef: You better shut your mouth. I don’t even blame them. If you were a good wife to me, none of this would be happening. (he stops the car and gets out) Get down!
Nusaybah: What are you doing? Please don’t create a scene here, I’m begging you. (bride’s family and visitors begin to stare as he drags her into the compound where women are gathered)
Haneef: (panting heavily, furiously holding his wife’s hand) Who sent my wife to fetch water?
Nusaybah: (whispers to him) Please, Haneef, don’t do this, please.
Haneef: You better shut up before I shut you up myself. I said—who sent her to fetch water?
Mrs. Gbenga: (steps forward) I did. Or do you have a problem with that?
Haneef: (lets go of Nusaybah’s hand and moves to his mother) Mum, you called me this morning—when I was with my wife in bed—to shout at me because she wasn’t here yet. I let her go just to satisfy your request. And now I find her on the street carrying a large bowl of water on her head. Did I marry a slave for you people? She is my wife! And no one—I repeat, no one—has the right to stress her like that. She is my wife, not a slave.
Everyone: (murmuring)
Mrs. Gbenga: (shocked) Are you talking to me like this? Because of her? Haneef! This is our tradition in Yoruba culture. Every wife must bow, every wife must work hard during occasions. Who are you to go against that?
Haneef: Oh, now it’s a law? You see, all these backward customs and traditions are what make many women dread their husband’s mothers. Why can’t your own daughters do the same? Let them carry large bowls on their heads to fetch water.
Mrs. Gbenga: Don’t forget—they’ll get married too. And they’ll face the same thing.
Haneef: Mum, let’s treat other people’s daughters the way we want others to treat yours in their husband’s home. As for me—I’m putting an end to this rubbish. If you really want the guests to eat, then get a caterer and pay them instead of stressing innocent women!
Mrs. Gbenga: (she slaps him across the face) How dare you disgrace me in front of everyone?
Everyone: (gasps)
Nusaybah: (gasps) Haneef!
Haneef: My wife will not do this—whether you like it or not. I married her to take care of me and our unborn children, not to serve the entire guests of Ola’s family. And as for you—(points at his younger sisters standing far off)—you’ll get married too. Just prepare yourself for this same cruelty when you get there. (he turns to his wife) And you—if you dare go and do any unnecessary work today and later give me silly excuses at night, you won’t like what I’ll do.
Nusaybah: (she nods sadly)
Haneef: (brings out naira notes from his pocket) Here’s ₦20,000. Get someone else to do her work and pay them. I’m out of here. (he walks off majestically, leaving everyone stunned and amazed by his actions)
(Other wives begin murmuring and rushing off to find their husbands, while Nusaybah and her mother-in-law remain frozen on the spot, still in shock over what just happened.)