Rasheedah: (as they enter, she drops her bag and quickly helps Khadijah sit) Sister mi… you are in serious trouble. That woman will not take it easy on you at all. You need to find a solution fast. I heard everything before I came in… and that’s not even the main issue.
(pauses, lowers her voice)
Dad is very angry with you. Since last night, he’s been blaming Mum for not finding out properly about the kind of man you married.
Khadijah: (confused, weak) What do you mean? I don’t understand.
Rasheedah: I didn’t even know how to say it without upsetting you… but I’ll try. When we got home yesterday, Dad called me and Ummu. He was calm… too calm. Then he begged us, in the name of Allah, to tell him the truth about your marriage.
Khadijah: (breathing fast) So… you told him everything?
Rasheedah: Calm down first. Do you want your blood pressure to rise again?
Khadijah: (trying to steady herself) Okay… go on.
Rasheedah: I told him the truth. I told him about your husband… and his lack of Islamic grounding.
Khadijah: (jumps slightly) Ah! I’m finished… Rasheedah, you’ve finished me.
Rasheedah: No, sis… you put yourself in this position. How could someone like you, from our background, marry a man like that? Was it because of money?
Khadijah: (quickly covers her mouth) Shhh! Lower your voice. What if my mother-in-law hears you?
Rasheedah: (leans closer, whispering) Then tell me the truth… did you marry him because of money?
Khadijah: (hesitates) It’s… complicated.
Rasheedah: Complicated? You saw the signs before marriage, didn’t you? You just ignored them, hoping he would change. Tell me the truth.
Khadijah: (voice trembling) I… I didn’t marry him only for money. I just didn’t want to suffer in marriage. But now… I know that was my biggest mistake.
(tears fall)
I love my husband, Rasheedah. I really do. I just wish I could correct everything.
Rasheedah: Sister mi, forget love for now. This is bigger than that.
(leans closer, serious)
Dad asked me to ask you something…
Khadijah: (wiping tears, anxious) What is it?
Rasheedah: Will you leave this marriage… or continue like this for the rest of your life?
Khadijah: (gasps) Leave? My husband? No! I can’t… I still love him.
Rasheedah: Then if you choose to stay, you have to stop complaining.
Khadijah: Every marriage has its struggles…
Rasheedah: Yes, but not like this. This is affecting you… and your baby.
(softens, holding her hand)
Please… may Allah not test us with losing you. Think about it carefully.
Khadijah: Amin… thank you. Just keep me in your prayers… for a safe delivery.
Rasheedah: Always.
(she reaches for her bag and hands it to her)
I brought snacks for you. I know your mother-in-law won’t allow you eat freely. Hide this somewhere safe. When cravings come, just take one quietly.
Khadijah: (smiles through tears) You’re a lifesaver… thank you so much.
Rasheedah: It’s the least I can do. I’ll still update Dad, but… he and Mum are really upset with you.
Khadijah: I know… I can’t even face them right now. I just hope they forgive me.
Rasheedah: They will, insha Allah.
(pauses, then brightens slightly)
Oh, I have another news.
Khadijah: What now?
Rasheedah: My partner wants to come with his family… to fix a date for our introduction.
Khadijah: (eyes widen, smiles) Are you serious? Alhamdulilah! (embraces her) May Allah give you a righteous one… unlike mine.
Rasheedah: Amin. Everything will be fine. Just stay strong… and try to ignore your mother-in-law. Watch her like television.
(Mum suddenly enters)
Mum: Madam, it’s time for you to leave. Let her rest.
Khadijah: (quietly nudges the snack bag under the bed with her foot) Ma?
Rasheedah: Actually, ma, I’m not disturbing her. Sister mi, am I?
Khadijah: No…
Mum: The doctor said she needs rest. No disturbance. Please, let her sleep.
Rasheedah: You’re absolutely right, ma. Mothers-in-law like you are rare. You take such good care of her… cooking for her, supporting her… honestly, only Allah can reward you for your kindness.
Khadijah: (confused, watching her)
Mum: (softens, pleased) Amin, my dear. Thank you.
Rasheedah: I’ll take my leave now so she can rest.
(stands up)
Take care of yourself, sister mi. Greet your husband for me. I have work this morning.
Mum: Bye, my dear.
Khadijah: (quiet, looking down)
Mum: (looks her over) Go and rest. (leaves, shutting the door)
At Adekunle’s office
Kelvin: That party was mad, man. You really missed out.
Adekunle: I know… that’s why I called you. But more importantly, about the business deal.
Kelvin: I’ve gone through everything. Fifty-fifty? I’m in. That’s why I like working with you.
Adekunle: Same here. I’ll get back to you on the next step.
(phone rings)
Excuse me.
Kelvin: Go ahead.
Adekunle: Hello, Mum.
Mum: Ade, how are you? How’s work?
Adekunle: I’m fine. Please go straight to the point—I’m busy.
Mum: Don’t talk to me like that. Anyway… I need to tell you something about your wife. I don’t think she married you for love. I overheard her sister questioning her about marrying you for money.
Adekunle: (shocked) Mum… what are you saying? That’s not true.
Mum: She knew you weren’t as religious as her, yet she still married you. Think about it.
Adekunle: She married me because she loves me. Why are you trying to ruin my marriage?
Mum: So I’m wicked now? Fine. But remember I warned you. Her sister even suggested she should leave you.
Adekunle: Then why would her sister say that if she’s so sensible?
Mum: Because she’s angry. She knows your wife didn’t marry you for the right reasons.
Adekunle: (tightens his fist) Mum… my head is full right now. I don’t believe this… but if it turns out you’re lying—
(pauses, voice firm)
—I won’t take it lightly.
Mum: I only want your happiness.
Adekunle: I have to go.
(ends call, walks back in, tense)
Kelvin: You’re back. So, where were we?
Adekunle: (after a pause) Speaking of that… I need you to link me up tonight. I just need to clear my head.
Kelvin: (grins, offers handshake) Now you’re talking. Welcome back.
During the night, around 10:23 p.m.
Khadijah: (sitting on the bed, nibbling on snacks, restless) Where is he now? I’ve been calling… he’s not picking. Ya Allah, I just hope he’s safe. And I can’t even go to the living room or ask his mother to help me call him. (she sighs)
Twenty minutes later
Adekunle: (pushes the door open, staggering, drunk) Where is everybody? (shouts) I need someone to remove my shoes… my suit… I’m tired. Khadijah! (calls aggressively) Where are you, you unfaithful wife?
Khadijah: (startled, jumps up) Wait… that sounds like— (rushes out, sees him slumped by the door) Ya Allah… baby! What happened to you? Why do you look like this? You got me so worried.
Adekunle: (raises his head lazily) Ah… here she is… my wife… Khadijah… (touches her face) Thank you for showing me who you really are. I had fun tonight…
Mum: (rushes out) Okomi! Ade! What happened? (pushes Khadijah’s hand away) Remove your hand! Only God knows what you’ve done to him.
Khadijah: (shocked) Mama… he’s my husband too.
Adekunle: (laughing weakly) Mummm… my sweet mum… my crazy mum…
Mum: What did you just call me?
Khadijah: (tries not to laugh)
Mum: (sniffs him, then hits his shoulder lightly) Wait… Adekunle! Don’t tell me you’re drinking again?
Khadijah: (stunned) Drinking?
Adekunle: (mumbling incoherently)
Mum: First, let’s get him inside.
Khadijah: (on the verge of tears) I didn’t even know…
Mum: You didn’t know? Well, now you do. He stopped two years ago… he only drinks when he’s deeply hurt by someone he loves. Now help me carry him.
Khadijah: (frozen, then slowly helps)
Later that night
(Khadijah lies beside him as he snores heavily. She stares at him, confused and broken.)
Khadijah: (whispering, crying softly) Ya Allah… what have I done? I didn’t know he was like this. What kind of problem is this? I’ve entered something I don’t understand… (she breaks down quietly)
The next morning, 6:50 a.m.
(Khadijah sits at the edge of the bed, watching him.)
Khadijah: (to herself) Prayer is difficult for him… but returning to this is easy? I don’t understand some men. They forget the hereafter and chase this world. Look at him… snoring without care. (hisses softly)
Adekunle: (wakes, groaning) Morning already? (holds his head) Ah… my head… (notices her staring) Why are you looking at me like that?
Khadijah: Good morning.
Adekunle: Morning. (avoids her gaze, walks to the bathroom)
Khadijah: (watching him, hurt) Hmm.
(He returns shortly after.)
Adekunle: Get me something for this headache.
Khadijah: (faces him fully) Why did you hide it from me… that you drink?
Adekunle: (coldly) And why does it concern you?
Khadijah: Excuse me?
Adekunle: You heard me. I’m not repeating myself. Are you getting the drug or not?
Khadijah: You have hands. Go and get it yourself.
Adekunle: (steps closer, voice low but threatening) Just wait until you give birth… then you’ll see the real me. Maybe then you’ll understand why parents should be listened to.
Khadijah: Are you threatening me? Over this? When I should be the one angry?
Adekunle: (smirks) I don’t have time for this. (walks out, slams the door)
Khadijah: (stunned) What just happened? Why is he talking to me like this? Has his mother poisoned his mind against me?
(pauses, wipes tears)
Rasheedah said I should ignore her… act like she doesn’t exist. I’ll try.
(Khadijah walks into the kitchen, searches for food.)
Khadijah: I’m so hungry… (opens fridge, sighs) This woman has rearranged everything again.
(pauses)
I’m craving a burger… but I can’t even make it. Let me try and ask him.
(She walks to the living room.)
Khadijah: Baby…
Adekunle: (glances at her, says nothing)
Khadijah: At least respond.
Adekunle: What do you want?
Khadijah: (loses confidence) I… I don’t think I should ask again.
Adekunle: Then don’t. (returns to the TV)
Khadijah: I was just thinking… maybe you could help me get something to eat.
Adekunle: No. There’s food in the house. Cook it yourself.
Khadijah: But—
Adekunle: No “but.” If you’re not cooking for yourself, then cook for me.
Khadijah: (quietly) Okay. (walks away slowly)
Adekunle: (stands up) Where is Mum? I haven’t seen her.
(He walks to her room.)
Adekunle: Mum?
(Mum is on a video call, laughing loudly.)
Mum: They thought we were local women… they don’t know we have class! That party next week—ah! We will show them!
Adekunle: Mum… I’ve been standing here.
Mum: (ends call) Yes, my son. Good morning.
Adekunle: Morning. (sits) What you told me yesterday… it’s still disturbing me.
Mum: It’s okay. Just don’t let any woman destroy your life. Now that you know who she truly is… you need someone better.
Adekunle: I still love her, Mum. I don’t want another woman.
Mum: Don’t worry, I can find you one. My friend’s daughter—
Adekunle: (cuts in) No. I don’t want that. I just need time.
Mum: (soft but firm) All I’m saying is… she doesn’t deserve your love.
Adekunle: I’ll think about it.
Mum: Good. What should I cook for you?
Adekunle: Khadijah is already cooking.
Mum: You want her to cook for you? What if she poisons your food?
Adekunle: Mum, that’s not possible—
Mum: You trust too easily.
(She opens the door—and freezes.)
(Khadijah is standing there, tears streaming down her face.)
Mum: What are you doing here?
Khadijah: (voice shaking) Thank you… Mama. Thank you for finding joy in another woman’s pain.
Adekunle: (rushes out, stunned) Khadijah… why are you crying?
Khadijah: Don’t “Khadijah” me! You believe everything she says without thinking? You think I don’t love you? You think I can poison you?
Adekunle: No, baby, it’s not like that—
Khadijah: Don’t touch me! If you want me out of your life… fine!
(She storms off.)
Adekunle: No—wait! Khadijah! (runs after her)