Nusaybah: (lets go of his tie as he nearly chokes) Repeat what you just said!
Haneef: (shocked) What was that for? Did you just try to kill me?
Nusaybah: Did I kill you? Did you die?
Haneef: You're getting scarier by the day. This just gives me more reason to find another woman—someone who will love me, take care of me, and raise our child. Because this baby you're carrying will be the first and last one we have together. Get that into your skull. (demonstrates with a tap to his head)
Nusaybah: I’m not even surprised anymore. But let me ask you something important about that girl you brought here—
Haneef: We’re not talking about her. She’s staying in this house whether you like it or not. Now, back to my question—why did you mess up the house like a mad person?
Nusaybah: You actually think I did that? Me?
Haneef: I know you don’t like mess, but I also know you’re capable of doing something drastic just to sabotage my woman.
Nusaybah: (closes her eyes angrily at the mention of "your woman") Your woman?
Haneef: Yes, my woman. You made that mess on purpose so I would yell at her, right? But guess what—your little plan won’t work.
Nusaybah: I don’t owe you any explanation. If you honestly believe I did that, despite knowing the kind of person I am, that’s on you.
Haneef: I don’t care either. Now get out there and clean it.
Nusaybah: Excuse me?
Haneef: You heard me—clean it.
Nusaybah: (furiously staring at him) So you married me to be your maid? I told you I didn’t do it, yet you're still insisting? You and I left the house at the same time, and she was the only one here. And you still think I’m the one who made that mess? Sometimes I really wonder who drained the sense out of you.
Haneef: (slaps her instantly) Never! I repeat—never in your life insult me like that again! This is just the beginning.
(He storms out.)
Lola: (smiling from the living room) Wow… I never knew my husband had so much fire in him. Hmmm… lovely. Honey! (walks up to him) Don’t be upset, my love. You don’t have to worry—I’ll clean up the mess, okay?
Haneef: (panting heavily) No, don’t worry—I’ll clean it.
Lola: No! I insist. Let me handle it.
Haneef: Alright, dear.
Nusaybah: (seated on the floor, soaked in tears) Haneef… you slapped me. You hit me… over her! Me? A whole me? Even in my condition, Haneef! I didn’t know I married a monster until today. (her cries intensify) Ahhhhhh!
(A knock is heard at the door.)
Lola: (mopping the living room) Who is it? I’m coming! (opens the door) I’m sorry, who are you?
Mrs. Gbenga: (scanning her from head to toe) I should be the one asking that. Are you lost or something?
Lola: I just asked who you are. Instead of introducing yourself, you're trying to start drama.
Mrs. Gbenga: I shouldn’t be having this conversation with a mannerless moron like you. Move out of my way! (pushes her aside and enters) Haneef! Okomi! Where are you? Nusaybah! Where are you two?
Haneef: (hurries out) Mumsy! What are you doing here? (nervously tries to button his shirt) Good evening, ma.
Lola: (realizing who she is, stammers) G–Good evening, ma’am. (goes on her knees)
Mrs. Gbenga: (to Haneef) Who is this toothpick? Is she your new maid?
Haneef: Uhmm… Mum, meet my fiancée… Omolola. (smiles nervously) Get up and greet my mum.
Lola: (embarrassed, steps forward) Good evening, ma’am.
Mrs. Gbenga: (chuckles) You must be joking. Where’s Nusaybah? I came to check on her. How’s her condition? You can’t be serious with this one.
Haneef: (deep breath) She’s in the guest room.
Mrs. Gbenga: (smiles wickedly) Okay o. (opens the door) Nusaybah, my dear, are you sleeping? I came to check on you… how are you feeling?
(She enters and finds Nusaybah sobbing.)
Mrs. Gbenga: What happened? (runs to her) Why are you crying like this? In your condition?! What happened? Talk to me!
Nusaybah: Mum! (She breaks down in tears again) Your son hit me… He slapped me over something I had no idea about…
Mrs. Gbenga: (shocked) What did you just say?
Lola: (resting her head on Haneef's shoulder) I just hope your mum learns to love me soon… I think I messed up.
Haneef: Don’t worry, my dear. I’ll try my best to convince her. That’s a small thing. Let her calm down first.
Lola: I hope so too.
Mrs. Gbenga: (roars from the room, shouting) Haneef!! (She storms out and slaps him twice across the face. Lola is left stunned.) I never knew you were a bastard! Haneef! So you’re this wicked? You hit your wife—this pregnant woman—over that toothpick? Is this how I raised you?
Haneef: (holding his cheeks in disbelief) Mum!!
Mrs. Gbenga: Say "Mum" again and I’ll land another one! What has gotten into you? I didn’t know I raised an animal—someone who lays hands on his wife! Haneef! Ahhhh! You reminded me of your father today, and I swear you will suffer for this. And as for you, what are you still doing here?
Lola: (crying) Baby, please talk to your mother! I really love you… please! I want to carry your children too… ma, just give me a chance, please… you’ll love me.
Mrs. Gbenga: You’re still here? Okay, don’t go anywhere—I’m coming! By the time I’m done with you, you’ll gain sense. (She rushes into the kitchen.)
Haneef: (panicking) You need to leave now! This side of my mother is not safe—for either of us. We’ll talk later. Just go. Now!
Lola: So this is how you’re throwing me out? Just know—it’s over between us! (As she sees Mrs. Gbenga returning with a knife, she dashes out.)
Mrs. Gbenga: Where is she?! Nonsense! Cheap prostitute. And you—you will surely see the other side of me!
Haneef: Maami! What’s gotten into you?
Mrs. Gbenga: What did you say to me? (She lunges toward him.)
Haneef: Mum! Okay, I’m sorry! But weren’t you the one who advised me to get a better wife? To divorce Nusaybah?
Mrs. Gbenga: Not like this! Your marriage isn’t even a year old, and you’re already behaving like this? You reminded me of your father… of my past. This was exactly how he treated me. The scars are still in my heart. So that’s what you inherited?
As long as I’m still your mother—and you sucked these two breasts—hear me now:
You are not allowed to marry another woman, and you must not divorce Nusaybah! That woman is in deep pain, and you think you can live in peace after hurting her like this?
I didn’t raise you to be this heartless—not even to your unborn child! You dare raise your hand against your wife? Who gave you that audacity?
Haneef: (still stunned) Are you sure you’re my mother? What happened to the woman who told me Nusaybah was faking her lifestyle? That she wasn’t a wife material? You even said I would never find happiness with her. What changed?
Mrs. Gbenga: Well, you didn’t see what I saw in her. She’s wise. She’s strong. And even now—after everything—you don’t hear her cursing or shouting. She’s been silently enduring all this under your roof.
No woman—I repeat, no woman of this generation would tolerate this nonsense. But she still believes things will get better. That’s why she’s patient with you.
Don’t be an animal to her. Don’t let your child come into this world only to meet your madness. Sit down and think about your life. Because all these “toothpicks” you’re chasing outside? They’ll give you nothing!
God already blessed you with a solid woman. If you don’t listen to me now, fine—I’ll wait patiently for the day you’ll regret it. But if you dare divorce her… if you dare try it, then forget that I ever carried you in my womb for nine whole months!
Because if you do, I will make your life a living hell. Try me!
And if I ever see any wayward woman in this house again—that’s a fresh war between us.
Speaking of which, if you have so much money to waste, then come to my house and see how old my furniture is. I want that house fully refurnished!
And if you fail to do it—well, you know what it means to pull a lion’s tail. At your age, you’re still acting senseless. I just pray it’s not too late before you understand the blessing you have.
Now go back inside and apologize to your wife. I don’t know how you’ll do it, but you must make her happy—so long as she’s still your wife.
Now move! (demonstrates with her hand) Move!
Haneef: I‟m not a kid now! I will do that later.
Mrs. Gbenga: oponu Ayirada big for nothing, a fool at forty is a fool forever…. I‟m out of here.
Haneef: ok let me accompany you then.
Mrs. Gbenga: accompany who? While your wife shattered by your stupidity.. don‟t follow me oh. Ire o (she exit from their house)
Haneef: (exhale softly, as he place his hands on his waist) what just happened? Did my mom just supported Nusaybah? now she had turn my own mother against me? What exactly did she lie about? I must find out about this (he furiously move to the door and tried to open the door but its locked) you better open that door witch! I never knew you could be so cruel, I said open the damn door! (he heard a knock at the door again) who is it again? (he move to the door) who is it?
Doc. Nura: as salam alaykum this is Doctor Nura, your wife called me for an emergency treatment.
Haneef: (he opens the door) walaykum salam (responded with his sweaty face) please come in.
Doc. Nura: thank you sir, where is she?
Haneef: she is inside that room (point at the door)
Doc. Nura: alright (she move to the door and it opens instantly) as salam alaykum madam.
Haneef: (he tried to enter the room but by the time he will get there the door was locked) open the door madam.
Doc. Nura: I‟m sorry Mr. Haneef but your wife ordered me to locked it.
Haneef: (mentally stressed as he wipe his sweat with his tie) it had been such a stressful evening, I need to freshen up. (he move to his room and shut the door).
30 minutes later.
Doc. Nura: madam, you need to rest, a lot of rest! Your blood pressure is high and you know is not good for you and your child… eat healthy food, if you don‟t mind get someone to do all the house chores for you till you put to bed, and you need to relax your mind don‟t over think.. insha Allah you will be fine maam and don‟t forget to take your medication.. always visit the hospital at the right time for baby‟s safety. May Allah grant you complete shifa
Nusaybah: (she finds it hard to speak as she responded with a gesture instead)
Doc. Nura: take good care of yourself, and have a wonderful night rest. (she opens the door and found Haneef, stand by the door)
Nusaybah: (she force words out of her mouth) please close the door (she struggles to get up as she moves towards the door to lock it, Haneef had already enter) please get out! I‟m begging you I don‟t want any further pain please for Allah‟s sake get out!
Haneef: this is my house and I‟m not leaving, so do you worse… (he scan her from head to toe) so how are you feeling now?
Nusaybah: (she climbs the bed and covers herself up without responding to him)
Haneef: I‟m talking to you Nusaybah!
Nusaybah: (she block her ears with the pillow as she concentrated on her sleep)
Haneef: do you know you are the cause of all your pain? You even turned my mother against me, I never knew you are full of charm, arent you?
Aminah: (she enters the house shout from the living room) sister mi, I‟m here now… where are you? She heard her husband‟s voice (she pick a race into the room) sister mi! (she rush to her aid) what happened? I came running immediately I saw your call.. have you had anything? Look what I bought for you (stretch out her hand) I bought shawarma for you.
Nusaybah: (she get seated and snatch the leather from her hand) thank you so much, you are a life saver.
Haneef: (clear his throat) I‟m here oh.
Aminah: good evening sir, how are you and your pencil woman?
Haneef: she is gone, your sister sent her away, so now I‟m stuck with her.
Aminah: you are not stuck with her, we are the one stuck with you.., but all I can say is if you derive you joy in your wife‟s sadness. Continue… table must surely turn one day.
Nusaybah: (rush the food) I need water
Aminah: (smile at her) take it easy before you choke.. (she gets up and move to the kitchen)
Haneef: (tight his fist) I don‟t really blame you though, this is all my fault.. (he walk out of the room)
Nusaybah: (sign of relieve)
***************************
A month later
Aminah: (sit under a tree, inhaling the fresh air as she jot down some note listening to the lecturer‟s voice record with her earpiece)
Mubarak: ( smile ) as salam alaykum hajia!
Aminah: (unaware of him)
Mubarak: (he tap the bench) hello?
Aminah: (pause the voice record) na‟am.. how may I help you?
Mubarak: (bright smile on his face) perhaps, do you recognize this face?
Aminah: no! I don‟t.
Mubarak: ok then (he brings out a single rose flower) this is for you ones again.
Aminah: (finally recognize him) Subhanallah! You!!! You finally show your face! (gasp) masha Allah! I don‟t even know what to say. Like seriously I‟m speechless.
Mubarak: you don‟t have to be, by the way my name Is Mubarak Nurudeen and you?
Aminah: (nervously smile)uhmm! My name is Aminah! Aminah Jamiu.
Mubarak: masha Allah! I‟m sure you a aware of our connections right? And I need to lower my gaze until then, so please can I have your home address and your father‟s number?
Aminah: (shocked) why? What for?
Mubarak: I will explain better when I meet your parents, so please share me their contact.
Aminah: actually! I cant give you, I‟m so sorry.
Mubarak: why? I swear my intentions are good believe me!
Aminah: I know! I know but I‟m not ready for your intention… i‟m not ready…
Mubarak: why? Can I have a seat?
Aminah: ofcourse, but I‟m not ready I‟m sorry.
Mubarak: you havnt give me a genuine reason? Or you don‟t like me?
Aminah: (sigh heavily) that‟s not it, please just hear me out, I expect you to understand me.
Mubarak: (sadly look away) no problem… do have a nice day. (he take his leave)
Aminah: I don‟t want to fall a victim, my sister is a hell of a house called
matrimonial home.. I‟m sorry oh.
Haneef: I’m not a child anymore. I’ll do that later.
Mrs. Gbenga: Òpónú Ayíràdà! Big for nothing! A fool at forty is a fool forever... I’m out of here.
Haneef: Okay, let me walk you out.
Mrs. Gbenga: Walk who out? While your wife is in pain from your stupidity? Don’t follow me, oh! Ìrẹ o. (She exits.)
Haneef: (Exhales softly, placing his hands on his waist) What just happened? Did my mom just take Nusaybah’s side? She’s turned my own mother against me? What exactly did she lie about? I need to find out. (He walks to the room door, tries to open it—it's locked.) You better open that door, witch! I never knew you were this wicked. I said open the damn door!
(He hears a knock at the main door.)
Haneef: Who is it again? (He walks to the door.) Who’s there?
Dr. Nura: As-salamu alaykum, this is Dr. Nura. Your wife called me for emergency care.
Haneef: (Opens the door, sweaty and tense) Wa alaykum salam, please come in.
Dr. Nura: Thank you, sir. Where is she?
Haneef: Inside that room. (Points at the door.)
Dr. Nura: Alright. (She walks over, and the door opens immediately.) As-salamu alaykum, madam.
Haneef: (Attempts to follow, but the door is quickly shut in his face.) Open the door, madam.
Dr. Nura: I’m sorry, Mr. Haneef. Your wife requested that I lock it.
Haneef: (Mentally drained, wipes sweat with his tie) What a day… I need to freshen up. (He walks into his room and shuts the door.)
---
30 minutes later
Dr. Nura: Madam, you need plenty of rest. Your blood pressure is high—it’s dangerous for both you and your baby. Eat well, try to avoid stress, and please get someone to help you with chores until delivery. Relax your mind. Insha Allah, you will be fine. Don’t forget your medication and keep your hospital appointments for your baby’s safety. May Allah grant you complete shifa.
Nusaybah: (Finds it hard to speak, responds with a gesture.)
Dr. Nura: Take care of yourself. I wish you a peaceful night. (She opens the door and sees Haneef standing there.)
Nusaybah: (Weakly forces words out) Please close the door.
(She struggles to get up and head toward the door, but Haneef has already stepped in.)
Nusaybah: Please… get out! I’m begging you. I don’t want more pain. For Allah’s sake, leave!
Haneef: This is my house. I’m not going anywhere—so do your worst. (He looks her over coldly.) So how are you feeling now?
Nusaybah: (Climbs the bed and wraps herself in the blanket, silent.)
Haneef: I’m talking to you, Nusaybah!
Nusaybah: (Blocks her ears with a pillow, trying to sleep.)
Haneef: You’re the cause of all your problems. You even turned my mother against me. I didn’t know you were full of charms. Are you a witch?
---
Aminah: (Entering from the living room, shouting) Sister mi! I’m here now… Where are you?
(She hears her brother-in-law’s voice and races to the room.)
Aminah: Sister mi! (She rushes to Nusaybah’s side.) What happened? I ran here immediately after your call. Have you eaten? Look—I brought you something. (Stretches her hand) I bought you shawarma.
Nusaybah: (Sits up and snatches the bag from her) Thank you so much. You’re a lifesaver.
Haneef: (Clears throat) I’m still here, oh.
Aminah: Good evening, sir. How are you and your pencil woman?
Haneef: She’s gone. Your sister chased her out. Now I’m stuck with her.
Aminah: You’re not stuck with her—we’re the ones stuck with you. But if your joy comes from your wife’s misery, continue… the table always turns.
Nusaybah: (Quickly eating) I need water.
Aminah: (Smiling) Take it easy before you choke. (She heads to the kitchen.)
Haneef: (Clenches his fist) I don’t really blame you. This is all my fault. (He leaves the room.)
Nusaybah: (Sighs in relief.)
---
A Month Later
Aminah: (Sits under a tree, breathing in fresh air, jotting notes while listening to a lecture recording through her earpiece.)
Mubarak: (Approaches smiling) As-salamu alaykum, hajia!
Aminah: (Unaware of him.)
Mubarak: (Taps the bench.) Hello?
Aminah: (Pauses the recording) Na’am… How may I help you?
Mubarak: (Still smiling) Perhaps you recognize this face?
Aminah: No, I don’t.
Mubarak: Okay then. (He pulls out a single rose.) This is for you, once again.
Aminah: (Finally recognizes him) Subhanallah! You?! You finally showed your face?! Masha Allah! I don’t even know what to say. I’m speechless.
Mubarak: You don’t have to be. By the way, my name is Mubarak Nurudeen. And you?
Aminah: (Nervous smile) Uhm… I’m Aminah. Aminah Jamiu.
Mubarak: Masha Allah. I’m sure you’re aware of our connection. Until then, I must lower my gaze. So please, can I have your home address and your father’s number?
Aminah: (Shocked) Why? What for?
Mubarak: I’ll explain better when I meet your parents. So please, share their contact.
Aminah: Actually… I can’t give you. I’m so sorry.
Mubarak: Why? I swear, my intentions are pure—believe me.
Aminah: I know. I do. But I’m not ready for your intentions… I’m not ready.
Mubarak: Why? Can I at least sit?
Aminah: Of course… but I’m still not ready. I’m sorry.
Mubarak: You haven’t given me a real reason. Or is it that you don’t like me?
Aminah: (Sighs deeply) That’s not it. Please, hear me out. I expect you to understand.
Mubarak: (Looks away sadly) No problem… Have a good day. (He walks away.)
Aminah: (To herself) I don’t want to fall victim… My sister is living in a nightmare called marriage. I’m sorry,