Mom: (looks her over from head to toe) Morning… So this is your shape inside these clothes. This is what I like, baby girl, not those rags.
Khadijah: Ma?
Mom: Anyway, I came to drop this for my son. I forgot he is a married man now… maybe I should just take it back.
Khadijah: No ma, we need it. Not just him… I do too.
Mom: Really?
Khadijah: Yes ma. (she takes the bag) I’ll keep them in the fridge.
Mom: Alright… well, I was planning to go shopping. You can come with me if you like… but only if you dress like a real fashion designer.
Khadijah: (aside) Ya Allah… here we go again.
Mom: Are you coming or not?
Khadijah: Honestly ma, I would love to… but I have plans today. My client is getting married this weekend, and I need to finish her wedding dress.
Mom: Oh, so your client is more important than I am?
Khadijah: No ma, it’s not like that. I really wish I could go with you, but—
Mom: It’s fine… it’s fine. Where is my son?
Khadijah: I’ll go get him. Please excuse me, ma. (she hurries off, uneasy)
Mom: Hm. I still don’t like this girl. She is not my dream daughter-in-law.
Adekunle: (from inside) I’m getting ready for work.
Mom: And what is that supposed to mean? I can’t call my son?
Khadijah: (standing behind him) I don’t know o, ask him.
Adekunle: (turns to her) Must you add to it?
Mom: Anyway, I brought your favorite soups. And since your wedding is in three weeks, let me make my intentions clear.
Adekunle: And that is?
Mom: I want her pregnant immediately. I want my grandchild.
Khadijah: (coughs suddenly)
Adekunle: Are you okay? (turns to her) Sorry, baby.
Mom: (staring at them) I’m talking here.
Adekunle: Can’t you see she’s coughing?
Mom: Is that a real cough or she’s pretending? I don’t want any delay. In fact, she can move in fully now.
Khadijah: (coughs again, more from discomfort)
Mom: What is wrong with her? Is she playing with me?
Adekunle: No, mom. Kai, you take everything personally. She wasn’t expecting that… it’s sudden.
Mom: Sudden? Why did you marry her if not to give me grandchildren?
Khadijah: (uneasy) Umm… please excuse me.
Mom: Come back here. I’m talking to you, not him. I want my grandchild soon. This year must not pass without good news. That’s all I want. Have a nice day. (she walks out, then adds) And sack that useless gate man.
Adekunle: (watching her leave) My mom is just… unbelievable. (turns to Khadijah) Baby—
Khadijah: Don’t touch me! Did you hear how she spoke to me? As if I don’t have parents too… (her eyes fill with tears)
Adekunle: Hey, don’t cry. You know I love you. Once you give her what she wants, she’ll come around. She’ll love you.
Khadijah: So she can’t love me now?
Adekunle: She will… gradually. (smirks) Let’s just give her a baby tonight. I’ve been craving you, you know.
Khadijah: (lifts her head sharply) Will you leave me alone? If you can’t wait till after the wedding, go and satisfy yourself the way you used to.
Adekunle: Seriously?
Khadijah: Isn’t that what you’ve been doing?
Adekunle: So you want me to go back to it? Fine. I’ll start tomorrow.
Khadijah: Don’t you dare!
Adekunle: (laughs)
Khadijah: You think it’s funny? Seeing my husband with another woman? Do you know how much that hurts?
Adekunle: No, baby… I don’t. You can tell me more. (still smiling)
Khadijah: Abeg, leave me alone jor. (she stands) I’m going.
Adekunle: (laughing lightly) We’ll talk tonight. I’m late for work. Let me drop you off after I shower.
Khadijah: You didn’t even let me make breakfast for you.
Adekunle: Not today. I’m late… besides, you’re coming tonight.
Khadijah: Coming for what?
Adekunle: Your matrimonial home, of course.
Khadijah: No.
Adekunle: I don’t have time to argue now. We’ll argue in the car.
Khadijah: What I know is, I’m not coming until after the wedding.
(Curtain)
A week to the wedding, during the night
Khadijah: (undressing, exhausted) I’m so tired…
Rasheedah: (bursts in) Sister mi!
Khadijah: (quickly covering herself) Can’t you knock?
Rasheedah: Knock for wetin? As if what you have is not what I have. Besides, you’ll soon leave this room for me.
Khadijah: You must be sick. Get out of my room!
Rasheedah: (sits comfortably) Come and push me out.
Khadijah: (looking up) Ya Rabbi… what kind of sister did You give me?
Rasheedah: And what kind did You give me too? No be man go see all this you dey hide? Better do what you want and leave me. If you mind me, you won’t dress till morning. Eh, this your waist bead fine o… (reaches for it)
Khadijah: If you touch me, I will swallow you alive! Na so nonsense dey start!
Rasheedah: (laughs, pulling her closer) Abeg, let me see it well. I want to buy too. How much you buy am?
Khadijah: Rasheedah! Leave it now!
Rasheedah: You no dey even play. Oga o.
Khadijah: (phone rings) Who is that? Give me my phone!
Rasheedah: Oh, so now you need me.
Khadijah: Please don’t let it cut!
Rasheedah: I won’t pay evil for evil. (hands it over) Take.
Khadijah: Ah! It’s my mother-in-law— (call drops) Ahhh! It cut!
Rasheedah: Why you dey panic like this?
Khadijah: She’s calling again! (picks up) As-salamu alaykum ma.
Mom: Where did you keep your phone?
Khadijah: I’m sorry ma, I…
Mom: Now you’re stammering?
Khadijah: M-ma, I’m sorry.
Mom: I want to see you tomorrow. Be at my house by 12. And don’t tell my son. Is that clear?
Khadijah: Ma?
Mom: Didn’t you hear me?
Khadijah: I did…
Mom: Good. I’ll be expecting you. (cuts the call)
Khadijah: (staring at her phone) Ahhh…
Rasheedah: Wetin happen?
Khadijah: (falls on the bed) Ya Allah… this woman will not kill me.
Rasheedah: Your mother-in-law to be?
Khadijah: Yes. She doesn’t know how to talk calmly. At first I thought she hated me… then I saw how she talks to her own son. I think he learnt it from her.
Rasheedah: Why you dey fear her? She be God? Don’t let anybody stress your marriage. So why she call you?
Khadijah: She said I should come tomorrow… and not tell my husband.
Rasheedah: Hmm. Allah go help you. If she tries anything, call me. I no dey take nonsense. If na me, I for show her pepper.
Khadijah: Enough, madam pepper. Leave me, I want to rest.
Rasheedah: I’m sleeping here today. I’ll miss you soon.
Khadijah: (smiles softly) Trouble.
Rasheedah: Na me be that.
(Curtain)
The next day
(Khadijah’s relatives bustle around with wedding preparations. Laughter and voices fill the house. Cut to Mom’s house.)
(Khadijah is in the kitchen, stirring a pot, her movements careful but slightly tense.)
Mom: Well done, my dear. With the way you cook, I’m beginning to believe my son is in safe hands.
Khadijah: Thank you, ma.
Mom: Once you’re done, come to the living room. I have something for you to take home.
Khadijah: Okay, ma.
Mom: (pauses, studying her) Don’t you feel hot in that hijab?
Khadijah: No, ma. I’m used to it.
Mom: (sighs lightly) Alright. Hurry up. My relatives will be here later, and I don’t want them to meet you here. Your wedding is in two days.
Khadijah: Yes, ma.
(Mom walks away, then pauses briefly as if she wants to say more, but changes her mind and exits.)
(15 minutes later)
(Khadijah enters the living room. Clothes are spread across chairs, bright, bold, and unfamiliar to her.)
Khadijah: I’m done, ma.
Mom: Come and sit. Did you set the dining?
Khadijah: Yes, ma.
Mom: Good. (gestures to the clothes) All these are for you. I bought them yesterday. Since you couldn’t come with me because of… your dressing, I did the shopping myself.
(She lifts a piece.)
Mom: This one is bum shorts. These are crop tops. This is jeans… and this one— (she smiles) I love this dress. Your husband will love it too.
(Khadijah nods slowly, her fingers tightening slightly in her lap.)
Mom: I know you won’t wear them outside… but at least, you can wear them inside. You have to attract your husband.
Khadijah: Yes, ma.
Mom: So… can you wear them? Or is that too much too?
Khadijah: (hesitates briefly) I can. I’ll… get used to it.
Mom: Good. (leans forward) Why don’t you try one on? Let me see you properly. Beauty is not only the face.
Khadijah: (caught off guard) Ma?
Mom: Or you can’t?
Khadijah: No, ma… I can.
Mom: Good girl. Take this one. Go and change.
(Khadijah takes the dress slowly and walks toward the room.)
Khadijah: (murmuring to herself) What kind of test is this… must it be by force?
(Three minutes later)
(Khadijah steps out. The dress sits awkwardly on her, her discomfort obvious in the way she holds herself.)
Mom: (eyes light up) Wow… look at you. So this is what you’ve been hiding? Turn around.
(Khadijah turns stiffly, adjusting the hem.)
Mom: Now I see. My son chose well.
(She smiles, satisfied.)
Mom: My dear, you must learn to dress like this for him. Seduce your husband. Give me a grandchild. I am waiting.
(Khadijah forces a small smile.)
Khadijah: Ma… can I go and change? I’m not comfortable.
Mom: You will get used to it. Go ahead.
(Khadijah quickly returns to the room.)
Mom: (softly, to herself) My beautiful daughter-in-law… hmm. My friends in Lagos will be shocked. They think only them can have fine daughters-in-law. I will make sure she gives me a grandchild… by all means.
(Curtain)
On the wedding night
(The house is quieter now. Guests have left. Laughter has faded into silence. Khadijah sits inside, while Adekunle walks his mother toward the door.)
Adekunle: Mom, please… leave us. It’s our wedding night. She can get ready herself.
Mom: This is between me and her, not you.
Adekunle: Mom, please. I know you want a grandchild, but this is our privacy. You’re crossing the line.
Mom: (raises a brow) Oh, really?
Adekunle: Yes.
Mom: Fine. Let me just show her what to wear, then I’ll leave.
(Khadijah steps out slightly from the room, adjusting her scarf.)
Khadijah: Baby, where is— (she pauses, seeing Mom) Mama… you’re still here?
Mom: I am. Your husband is chasing me away.
Khadijah: Why?
Adekunle: She wants to dress you herself.
Khadijah: Dress me… how?
Mom: I want to pick a proper nightwear for you. Something… suitable.
(Khadijah shifts uncomfortably.)
Khadijah: Ma, I can choose myself.
Mom: (eyes narrowing slightly) So now you’re supporting him?
Adekunle: Mom, please. Leave us. This is our night.
(Khadijah slowly steps back, then quietly slips into the room and locks the door.)
(The click echoes softly.)
Adekunle: (turns, exasperated) Mom…
Mom: (sighs, then straightens) Fine. Do whatever you like.
(She walks toward the door, then pauses briefly.)
Mom: Just don’t forget what I said.
(She exits.)
(Adekunle stands still for a moment, then turns toward the closed door, staring at it.)
Adekunle: Khadijah… open the door.
(Silence.)
(Curtain)