Adekunle: Go out right now and take over whatever she’s doing in the kitchen, or else!
Khadijah: Do you have to yell at me? If I did the same to you, how would you feel? Fine, I’ll do as you said, but you didn’t have to shout. (She bursts into tears) I’m sorry if I offended you in any way, but this isn’t my fault. Your mom yelled at me for doing anything in this house too. Which one of you do you want me to follow? If I don’t listen to her, I’m disrespectful. If I don’t listen to you, I’m disrespectful to your mother. I don’t even know what you both want me to do. (She collapses to the floor) Please, take it easy on me… this is too much.
Adekunle: (angrily takes off his shirt and storms out of the house)
Khadijah: (wiping her tears, heads to the kitchen) Mama, leave it. I’ll finish the rest. (She tries to take the spoon from her mother’s hand, tears still falling)
Mom: (pretending not to notice her tears) Leave it. I’m almost done.
Khadijah: (surprised) Please, mama, I beg you by the name of Allah, for the sake of the One who created you and me. Please give me the spoon. I’ll do the rest. You’ve done enough already. Please. (She pleads in tears)
Mom: Is that why you’re crying? Do you think marriage is always a bed of roses? Let me tell you something bitter. You have to face every challenge that comes your way. I’m only trying to help you and take care of you. In my house, I didn’t do all this work. I had a maid. I’m doing all this for my grandchild.
Khadijah: (nodding, tears streaming) Thank you, ma. (She takes the spoon and continues)
Mom: I’ve put Maggie there. Don’t add any more ingredients. Aren’t you supposed to taste it before you finish? Don’t tell me this is the food you prepared for my son. No wonder he craves my cooking all the time. If you can’t cook like a proper wife, move aside and let me do it.
Khadijah: (quietly, tears streaming again) I… I will do it, ma.
Mom: When I was your age, I cooked for the whole family. My husband and I lived with his parents when things were hard, and I never complained once. A good wife must go through hell in her marriage. You think what you’re doing is just work? Drop the soup from the gas. It’s done. She doesn’t even know when food is ready. I don’t even know what your mother taught you… only to wear these rags?
Khadijah: (sobs uncontrollably)
Mom: Don’t let your tears fall into that food. Anyway, I’m going back to my house tonight. I have a wedding party tomorrow with my sugar mummy friends, and they’re all taking their daughters-in-law—the perfect daughters-in-law. But look at you… hmm. (She hisses and walks to her room while Khadijah collapses to the floor, crying as if she’s lost someone)
Thirty minutes later, the family is at the dining table.
Mom: Okomi, how’s the food? I hope you’re enjoying it.
Adekunle: Yes, mama. I love it.
Khadijah: (quietly, barely swallowing)
Mom: Ehnehn, Okomi… I have a wedding to attend tomorrow, and you know how we sugar mummies like to show off at owanbe. I need some cash.
Khadijah: Mama and her owanbe… how much do you need?
Mom: Just 300k, not too much.
Khadijah: (coughs)
Adekunle: (hands her water) Sorry.
Mom: Why are you coughing? Is it because of the money I asked from my son?
Khadijah: No, ma.
Mom: Hmmmm. (hisses) Anyway, my son, when will I get the money? I want to buy the bride’s gift first thing tomorrow morning.
Adekunle: I’ll transfer it tonight before I sleep. (Notices Khadijah isn’t eating) Why aren’t you eating?
Khadijah: Nothing… I’m fine.
Adekunle: Are you sure? Or you don’t like the food?
Khadijah: (cannot speak)
Mom: Or is it because I cooked it?
Adekunle: No, mom. That’s not it. (Touches her hand) What would you like to eat?
Khadijah: Nothing. I’m okay. (She tries to leave but his mom stops her)
Mom: Where do you think you’re going? You want to sleep without eating? Starve my grandchild? Sit down and eat before I lose my patience.
Adekunle: Mom!
Mom: What?
Khadijah: (wiping tears, sits back down)
Adekunle: Mom, do you have to yell at her like that? She’s pregnant for goodness sake. She can crave something else. Sorry, baby. What would you like to eat?
Khadijah: (can’t speak) I’m fine, honestly.
Mom: (angrily gets up and heads to the guest room) I’m leaving!
Adekunle: Mom! It’s not the time for this.
Khadijah: (hurries to her room)
Adekunle: (following to the guest room) Maami! Why are you acting like this? She is my wife.
Mom: And I am your mother. Don’t I know what’s best for her? Pregnant women can crave anything—even a lion. I want the best for her too. But do you have to speak to me that way in front of her?
Adekunle: No, mom. Please don’t take it the wrong way. I’m sorry. I’ll send the money right now. (Pulls out phone) I hate seeing you like this. Sent! The money should be there now.
Mom: (smiling) That’s my son.
Adekunle: Promise you won’t leave tonight.
Mom: Alright, I promise.
Adekunle: Thanks, mum. Excuse me while I check on her.
Mom: Hmmmm. Good night.
Adekunle: Sleep tight. (Slams door)
Middle of the night, 1:30 a.m.
Adekunle: Baby… (grabs her) I need you.
Khadijah: (angrily pushes his hand away)
Adekunle: Baby… don’t push me away.
Khadijah: I’m not in the mood. Leave my soul and body alone.
Adekunle: You know that’s impossible. You are mine. Come here. I can’t go a day without you.
Khadijah: (pushes him away and sits down) Ade! Leave me alone.
Adekunle: Alright. I’m sorry for everything happening in this family. I keep telling you… be patient. All this will pass soon. Baby, I’m really sorry.
Khadijah: Are you just apologizing so quickly because you want sex now?
Adekunle: No, that’s not it. I’m really sorry. Come here.
Khadijah: I still don’t want to see you.
Adekunle: The baby that’s still developing… come here. See your mouth. (They begin to kiss when his mom barges in, startling Khadijah. She pushes him away.)
Mom: (shouting) Ahhhhh! You want to kill my son! See this woman!
Adekunle: Mom! Why would you barge in in the middle of the night?
Adekunle: (struggling to stand) Mum, what are you doing here at this hour? You couldn’t even knock.
Mum: What are you two doing?
Adekunle: Whatever we’re doing or about to do is none of your business, Mom. Why are you in our room at this hour? This is our private space—at least knock.
Khadijah: (hurriedly grabs his hand to stop him from speaking harshly, covering herself with a blanket) Baby… (whispers) baby, that’s enough.
Mum: (angrily staring at Khadijah, leaning close) So you’re the one poisoning his mind to talk to me like that, huh?
Adekunle: Mom, please… don’t start again. I beg you. But really, what brings you here at this hour?
Mum: Rubbish. As for you, Khadijah, keep doing your nonsense. Don’t let the baby suffer. Keep taking care of it. All I care about is that nothing happens to my grandchild. (She slams the door and storms off)
Khadijah: (gasping) What did she just say?
Adekunle: (throws a pillow on the floor in frustration) What the hell is wrong with Mom? I can tolerate a lot, but intruding on my privacy is something I can’t handle.
Khadijah: Take it easy, baby. She’s your mother. You shouldn’t have spoken to her like that in front of me. Now she thinks I poisoned your mind. I’m already in trouble.
Adekunle: Anyway, let’s forget that and move on… (tries to touch her)
Khadijah: (holding his hand back) Our what? Didn’t you hear what Mama said?
Adekunle: What did she say?
Khadijah: She said I should stop having sex for now, until our baby is strong. Remember, you always told me to listen to your mom. I’m just being an obedient wife.
Adekunle: Are you fucking serious?
Khadijah: Ehehh! I don’t like it when you use that language. I’ve told you it’s bad. Did you start hanging out with your friends again?
Adekunle: Come on, baby, just come here. Let’s make love. (Draws her closer)
Khadijah: You haven’t answered my question. And no, not tonight. The baby needs to be strong first.
Adekunle: What’s wrong with you?
Khadijah: (turns away, facing the other side of the bed)
Adekunle: Woman, I am serious. I’m in the mood. For God’s sake, don’t argue,just give me what I want.
Khadijah: (thinking) I wish as much as he’s desperate for this, he was desperate for his prayers… my life would be easier.
Adekunle: (climbing onto her) If you won’t perform your duty, I will perform it for you.
Khadijah: What are you doing?
Adekunle: What does it look like? My friend opened my house!
Khadijah: (bursts into laughter) Which house, the one you built or what?
Adekunle: Stop teasing me and let’s just do this.
Khadijah: First, go lock the door. Don’t let your mother barge in again.
Adekunle: That’s right. (hurries to lock the door) Now, where were we?
(Curtain)
The next morning, Saturday, 8:20 a.m.
Adekunle: (busy on his laptop in the living room) Baby, aren’t you done yet? I’m starving.
Mum: (emerges from the guest room, preparing for her wedding party, clears her throat)
Adekunle: (notices her) Mum, good morning.
Mum: (ignores him and walks past)
Adekunle: Mum, I’m greeting you now.
Mum: Ungrateful fool. I wish your elder brothers were still alive. If they were, you wouldn’t dare speak to me like this, not in front of your wife. You’ve humiliated me. Just forget I am your mother. I’m leaving this house. I’ll send my driver for my things.
Khadijah: (peeking from the kitchen) Ya Allah, I pray she leaves for real… I really pray she does.
Adekunle: (jaw drops, dropping his laptop, running after her) Ahh, Mum! What are you saying? Why are you doing this?
Mum: Don’t speak to me. I am leaving your house, your life, and I’m never coming back. Ungrateful fool.
Adekunle: (takes a deep breath) Maami, I’m sorry. Truly sorry. You gave birth to me, raised me—but I am not a child anymore. You can’t barge into my personal room now, not when I’m married and soon to be a father. You barged in while I was with my wife. I can tolerate a lot, but not my privacy. I remember when I was ten, and I accidentally barged in while you and Dad were… I didn’t mean it, and Dad was furious. But what you did last night… just because you are my mom doesn’t mean I have to undress in front of you or have intimacy in front of you. That doesn’t make sense. If it’s about how I yelled, I am sorry. But you cannot disown me—I am your son. That’s all. Have a nice wedding party. (He heads back inside)
Mom: (her heart touched by his words) That son of a… (leaves)
Khadijah: Baby, food is ready.
Adekunle: I’m not hungry anymore. I’ve lost my appetite.
Khadijah: What do you mean?
Adekunle: I don’t know… I don’t know what came over me.
Khadijah: (caressing his head) Okomi Ade ori mi, my crown, my one and only husband… imagine my life without you. Whatever is bothering you, don’t overthink. Everything will be fine, okay?
Adekunle: Okay…
Khadijah: (smiles) That’s my baby. (Kisses him) Now, come take your breakfast or should I bring it here?
Adekunle: Bring it here, please, so we can eat together.
Khadijah: Alright, baby.
(Two minutes later)
Adekunle: (enjoying his meal) Hmmmm… this tastes amazing.
Khadijah: I’m glad you like it. (Thinking) Thank God… at least I’ll have my freedom back.
Adekunle: Pass me that drink.
Khadijah: (suddenly jumps up and rushes to the bathroom to vomit)
Adekunle: Oh my God! (pushes the food away) Forget it… I’m full already.