Nusaybah drops the leather from her hand, falling to her knees in shock.
Nusaybah: gasping, tears flooding her eyes Subhanallah! Oh my God… no! No! No! What am I going to tell my client? She’s getting married tomorrow… and I promised not to disappoint her. She hits her hand on the floor in frustration, trembling with anger. Ya Allah! What am I going to tell her?
Fueled by rage, she storms into the living room where Haneef is feeding the children.
Nusaybah: Haneef! Did you do all that in the kitchen?
Haneef: standing up slowly Where is my dinner?
Nusaybah: panting heavily Were you the one who destroyed my work? That cake was for a client — she’s getting married tomorrow! And you ruined everything because I took too long to cook for you?
Haneef: I asked you, where is my dinner?
Nusaybah: tears spill down her face I have been patient with you for years, but today you crossed the line!
She storms into his room. Haneef follows quickly, leaving the children alone.
Haneef: How dare you walk out on me?
He enters the room just as she smashes his laptop on the floor.
Haneef: furious Nusaybah! Are you crazy? My laptop!
He raises his hand to strike her.
Nusaybah: Don’t you dare! If you try it, I swear that will be the end of you. Is it because I’ve been quiet all these years? Try it, and you will see the wonders of Allah!
Haneef: freezes, shocked at her boldness Did you just—?
Nusaybah: Yes! Try me!
She turns to leave, but he grabs her arm roughly, pinning her to the wall.
Haneef: Never in your life talk back at me. The day you try it again, I will strangle you.
Nusaybah: struggling Let me go! You’re hurting me!
He tightens his grip, then suddenly his anger shifts to something else — his eyes roaming over her. His hold loosens, but before she can escape, he pulls her in and forces a kiss. She fights, but he overpowers her. She grabs the nearest object and strikes his head. He stumbles back, groaning in pain.
Nusaybah: panting, holding up a paper Do you know what this is? Divorce papers. I’ve had enough of you. If you try anything again, your case will be worse.
She shoves the paper into his chest and walks away to the crying children.
Nusaybah: Oh, my babies… She picks them up, cradling them both while still catching her breath. Sorry, my loves. Mommy is here.
She kisses their foreheads, tears falling freely.
Nusaybah: Monster… after all you’ve done, you still want to force yourself on me.
She dials her client.
Client: Hello, good evening. How are you? Is my cake ready?
Nusaybah: About that… I… I’m so sorry, but I can’t bake your cake anymore.
Client: What? You must be joking! My wedding is tomorrow! Are you trying to make me lose my mind, Hajia?
Nusaybah: Please, don’t be offended. I know my excuse won’t sound reasonable to you… but please, can you get someone else to do it for you? Some disasters just happened at my place, please.
Client: (yelling from the phone) Madam! I no wan hear anything oh! You asked me to pay you 100k and I did without pricing. See, it’s because I heard good reviews from friends that I chose to patronize you oh. So please, if you don’t want to see craze at your doorstep tomorrow, find any means to get my cake ready by 9 a.m. tomorrow — or else, you will see hell! (hangs up)
Nusaybah: (tears roll down her eyes) Ahhhh! Temibami! What am I gonna do? (her children are finally asleep; she gently carries them to the room and puts them to bed, then breaks down in tears — her cries so loud that her husband can hear her) Why me? Why?! Who did I ever offend to deserve this? How am I going to do all this alone tonight? Where do I even start from?
(after crying for a few minutes, she finally dusts her gown and heads into the kitchen. She begins to pack the flour from the ground and sieve it. Then she prepares dinner for her husband before starting to rebake the cake. With the mixer broken, she mixes everything with her bare hands. She continues for hours despite feeling sleepy, drinking Nescafe to stay awake. Even when her children wake in the middle of the night for food, she breastfeeds them, puts them back to sleep, and returns to work. At exactly 4 a.m., she finishes, places the cake in the freezer, and can barely see clearly from exhaustion. She moves to her room, performs ablution for Tahajjud, and breaks down in tears while in sujud.)
Nusaybah: But I still love him… but I don’t want to love him anymore. I don’t want to hurt anymore. Please, help me forget… please, help me let him go… pleaseeee, help me let him go. (she cries bitterly until she can barely lift her body from sujud)
---
The next morning — 8:40 a.m.
Haneef: (knocks at her room door) I’m ready for work. Where’s my breakfast, or do you choose to starve me again this morning?
Nusaybah: (covers her ears with a pillow)
Haneef: I know you can hear me, but no problem. I’ll sign the divorce papers tonight — but today, I will show you my world… the woman behind my happiness. You just relax and keep snoring while your mates are doing something reasonable. Also, my mom is coming to get the twins. Get their belongings ready.
Nusaybah: (presses the pillow harder over her head, refusing to hear his voice)
Haneef: Anyway… bye.
Nusaybah: (her phone rings) Who the hell is it again? Please, let me sleep in peace now! (she picks up the phone) Hello, ma.
Client: I’m at your gate right now. Bring my damn cake or I’ll get you arrested.
Nusaybah: Okay, ma. Relax, I’m done with the cake.
Client: It better be. Hurry up and bring it out — or do you need assistance? The Sienna is outside waiting.
Nusaybah: Okay, ma, I’m coming to open the gate for you.
Client: Better. (hangs up)
Nusaybah: (heads to open the gate, but finds her father and sister there instead) Baami! What are you doing here? (she stares at Aminah, silently begging her not to tell him anything)
Client: Where is my cake now?
Nusaybah: Let them come in and carry it. I can’t carry it alone.
Client: Please, guys, follow her.
Aminah: (taps her father) Baami, let’s go inside.
Dad: (barely recognizing his daughter due to her weight loss) Subhanallah! And you two hid this from me all these years?
Aminah: We are sorry, Baami. I wish I could have told you sooner… let’s go in.
Dad: (stands in the compound, staring at Nusaybah as he directs them on how to take the cake out) I can’t believe this is my child. (tears roll down his face without him noticing)
Nusaybah: (avoiding eye contact) Put it here… yes, here.
Aminah: Baami, let’s go inside.
Dad: (ignores her, still shocked at what his daughter has endured for the sake of marriage) Why did you hide this from me? Why now?
Aminah: Baami, I swear I wanted to tell you everything from the beginning, but she threatened to take her life if I did. She didn’t want to see you in pain… I’m sorry, Baami.
Dad: (quickly wipes away his tears)
Aminah: Please, Baami, don’t cry. This is exactly what she was trying to avoid. Let’s go inside.
Dad: I’m not entering that demon’s house. He came with his full body to ask for my daughter’s hand in marriage — and this is what he turned her into? How?! And you know you two aren’t much in my hands… ahhh! Ya Salam.
.
Nusaybah: (She finally comes out. It’s obvious she had been crying inside for a while before revealing herself to him. She avoids his eyes, knowing how furious he would be.) Baami…
Aminah: (Feeling sorry for her) I’m sorry, sister mi, but I couldn’t keep the truth from him any longer. Everything you are going through is affecting me mentally as well. I’m sorry.
Dad: (Sadly stares at her) Come here.
Nusaybah: Baami, I’m sorry… please. Please forgive me. (She breaks down in tears, taking slow steps towards him.)
Dad: (As soon as she gets close, he grabs her hand, raising his arm as if to slap her. He pauses for a few seconds, then breaks down in tears and embraces her.) Asake mi!
Nusaybah: (Her cries become louder; she can no longer hold back her tears) I’m sorry, Baami.
Aminah: (Joins them as they cry together) It’s okay. Don’t cry, please. Let’s go in.
Nusaybah: (Still holding on to him tightly)
Dad: Let’s go inside, my child. And you are leaving this house today — right now. Come with me.
(They head inside the house.)
---
[Two hours later]
Dad: Are you sure this is all you brought to his house?
Nusaybah: Yes, Baami.
Dad: Alright then, I’m coming. I need to get a mini truck to pack everything. I’ll be right back.
Nusaybah: Okay, sir.
Dad: Don’t stress yourself. Just wait. Since your sister went home to arrange your room, I’ll be back in half an hour. (He heads out.)
Nusaybah: Okay, Baami. I’ll be expecting you… Jamal, what are you doing over there? (She rushes to carry him.) You know your brother is sleeping; I don’t know why you are still awake.
---
(Minutes later, Nusaybah is breastfeeding Jamal when Haneef barges into the house with a lady.)
Haneef: Come in, my dear. This is your house now. Come on, don’t be shy — she won’t bite you.
Nusaybah: (Wondering what’s going on until she notices the lady, but she focuses on her child. Her luggage is still in the living room.)
Haneef: Oh, she’s leaving already. You see? This house belongs to you now.
Folashade: (Admiring the house) Not bad! Good afternoon, madam.
Nusaybah: (Finally raises her head to see who it is) Good— (She stops mid-sentence, getting up in shock.)
Folashade: Nusaybah? Is that you?
Nusaybah: I’m the one… So you’re his new mistress, Aunty Shade.
Folashade: (Looks at them both, confused) Is she the wife you’ve been telling me about?
Haneef: Yes. That’s one of my twins she’s breastfeeding… Do you know each other?
Folashade: (Jaw drops; she gasps heavily) Oh my God… (She runs out of the house immediately.)
Haneef: Baby! Wait! Please don’t go! (He runs after her.) Please, don’t leave me! Please!
.Nusaybah: (Still confused) What is Aunty Folashade doing here? And even if she is his mistress… isn’t she married a long time ago? Anyway, this is none of my business. (She sits down and continues breastfeeding.)
Haneef: (Quickly catches up with Folashade before she reaches the gate) Baby, please… don’t leave me.
Folashade: (Still in shock) Didn’t you say that woman over there is your wife?
Haneef: Yes — ex-wife to be. She already filed for divorce, so you have nothing to worry about. She’s leaving today.
Folashade: (Almost breaking into tears) Ahhh! Okunrin oma lorun! Ahhhhhh!
Haneef: What happened? How do you two know each other?
Folashade: (Shakes her head in pity) I hope you didn’t maltreat her, sha. Because if you did—ahhhh!
Haneef: What are you talking about? And even if I did, nko… she doesn’t deserve my love anyway.
Folashade: (Covers her mouth in disbelief) I don’t even know why I’m still here talking to you. (She tries to walk away, but he grabs her hand.) What? Ogbeni! Leave me, jor.
Haneef: Please, don’t do this to me. I know I’ve hurt you badly in the past, and I deserve every punishment you give me… but please, don’t leave my life.
Folashade: (Still in disbelief) Do you want to hear the bitter truth? The whole truth?
Haneef: (Confused) What truth? You are the truth — and I’ve found you.
Folashade: No, I’m not! I’m not the one you raped five years ago! The one you raped is that same woman called Nusaybah — the one you’ve been maltreating and treating like trash. The one breastfeeding your child is the same woman you deflowered! I know this might sound confusing, but I owe you no explanation. Find out the whole truth of your evil deeds yourself. I’m out of here. (She tries to leave, but he grabs her again.) What?
Haneef: (Legs shaking, face sweaty) I don’t understand what you’re saying… and even if I do, you must be joking. Please tell me you’re making this up.
Folashade: Why would I make up such a story? Five years ago, Nusaybah came to do her industrial training at our hospital, and I was assigned to guide her. She was kept under my care — like my personal assistant back then. I was a single mother of one before the incident happened.
Haneef: (Sweating) Go on.
Folashade: That particular night, it was my shift, but she called me, saying it was an emergency — that there was a man who nearly killed himself because of heartbreak, and he was drunk at the same time. My location was far from the hospital, so I instructed her on the injection you needed and the necessary drugs.
I remember she said you were scattering everywhere, though I can’t recall the full details. I told her to make sure you took the injections. I don’t know what happened between you two, but the next day, I saw you on your knees pleading with me for mercy, asking me to forgive you. I was so confused, but I played along.
After that, Nusaybah never came to the hospital again. Later, I found out that you were the devil who raped her that night. And that same woman is now your wife. You couldn’t even recall what happened that night? Not even the face of the lady you raped? Gosh! You are the craziest man I have ever seen. I’m out of here. (She storms off.)
Haneef: (Collapses to his knees in the middle of the compound, shaking) This can’t be possible… No!!! This can’t be! Nooooo!.