Khadijah: (rushes into her room, locks the door, crying)
Adekunle: (tries the handle) Khadijah… please. We can sort this out. It’s not what you think. Whatever you heard… it was just a conversation. Please open the door.
(Khadijah begins throwing things around the room in anger.)
Khadijah: Stay away from me! You want me out of your life, right? That’s exactly what I’m doing!
Adekunle: Please, babe… we can fix this. I need you.
Khadijah: Oh, you do? Liar! I’m leaving!
Mum: (walking up) What is she doing?
Adekunle: I think she’s packing. Mum, I don’t want her to leave like this… not in her condition. Her parents will never forgive me.
Mum: Relax. She’s not going anywhere. She just wants attention.
Adekunle: Mum… listen to yourself.
Mum: I’m serious. In our tradition, a woman who packs out of her husband’s house is seen as a bad wife. No matter what happens, she is expected to endure. That’s how I endured in my time. Women of nowadays have no patience… that’s why their marriages don’t last.
Adekunle: (stunned) Maami… so this must continue from generation to generation?
Mum: Yes.
Adekunle: (shakes his head, turns back to the door) Khadijah… please open the door.
(The door suddenly opens. Khadijah drags out a medium-sized box, eyes red from crying.)
Adekunle: (blocks her) Please… just hear me out.
Khadijah: Move.
Mum: Listen to me, Khadijah. Leaving your husband’s house is not the solution. Look at your condition… what will people say? Marriage requires tolerance. If you don’t have it, you won’t last. And if you insist on leaving… then it means divorce. But at least wait until you give birth.
(Khadijah slowly raises her head, anger burning through her tears.)
Khadijah: Thank you, Mama… for your advice.
(pauses, voice trembling but firm)
At first, I thought you were just being difficult. But now I see… you are passing down the pain you went through. You suffered, so you want every daughter-in-law to suffer too. So that one day, when I have a daughter-in-law, I will continue the same cycle.
(shakes her head)
No. Not me.
If your son wants divorce, I will give him.
(pauses again, turns back)
And yes… I heard what you told him. That I married him for money.
(smiles bitterly)
You’re not completely wrong. I didn’t marry him for love alone. I was greedy. I didn’t want to suffer… so I chose comfort over peace.
(tears fall freely)
But I swear by Allah… I love your son with all my heart. I prayed he would become better… in his faith, in his character. I believed marriage would change him.
(shakes her head slowly)
Now I see… I was wrong.
(turns to Adekunle)
And you… my husband. Mummy’s boy. Keep listening to her. One day, you will understand what you’ve done.
(drops the car key)
Here… your car key. I’m even scared to drive it now. Who knows what your mother thinks I’m capable of?
(laughs bitterly)
Enjoy your marriage… with your mother.
(She walks away, leaving both of them speechless.)
Mum: Ade… okomi—
Adekunle: (cuts in sharply) Mum, don’t. Don’t even start. Are you happy now?
(Curtain)
At Khadijah’s parents’ house
(Khadijah arrives weak and exhausted. She knocks gently, whispering prayers.)
Khadijah: Ya Allah… please help me.
Abu: (from inside) Wa alaykum salam… who is that?
(He opens the door and freezes.)
Abu: Subhanallah… Khadijah? What happened to you?
Ummu: Who is it? (comes out, then gasps) Ashani!
(she rushes to her) Come inside!
(Khadijah breaks down, clinging to her father.)
Khadijah: Abu… I’m sorry. Please accept me back.
Abu: A’udhu billah… what happened? Look at you…
(They help her sit.)
Abu: Where is your husband?
Khadijah: With his mother… She said he should divorce me… that I married him for money.
Ummu: (quiet but firm) Is it true?
Khadijah: (crying) No… it’s not like that.
Abu: I can tolerate many things… but not lies. Tell me the truth now, or I will send you back.
Ummu: If you see what that woman did in her home… hmm.
Abu: Answer me.
Khadijah: (voice breaking) I love him… wallahi, I do.
Abu: (cuts in, angry) Don’t say that! If you truly loved him for Allah’s sake, wealth would not matter. Your greed brought you back here.
(pauses, voice heavier)
And your sister told me he doesn’t even pray.
Khadijah: Abu, I can explain—
Abu: (rises, furious) Are you out of your mind? How could you marry a man like that?
Ummu: Please, lower your voice… think of her condition.
Abu: (controls himself slightly) Do you not know the difference between a believer and someone who neglects prayer? You hid this from us. You deceived us.
(Khadijah sobs silently.)
Ummu: What pains me is this… he gave you comfort, yes. But you had no peace. No freedom. That is not marriage.
Abu: You exchanged your peace for wealth. What did you expect?
(shakes his head)
I am disappointed… deeply.
Khadijah: (in tears) Abu… Ummu… I truly love him.
Ummu: Then why is that love not saving your marriage?
(pauses)
So what now? Will you leave him?
Khadijah: No… I can’t. I just need his mother out of the house.
Abu: (shakes his head) You still haven’t learned.
(he stands)
I’m late for work. Make sure she eats. Look at her… she’s weak.
(he leaves)
Khadijah: (softly) Ma’asalam… Ummu, I’m sorry.
(she rests her head on her mother’s lap)
Ummu: It’s alright… we all make mistakes. You’re my daughter. And you’re carrying my grandchild. I will take care of you… no matter what people say.
Khadijah: (embraces her) Thank you, Ummu… I love you.
Ummu: I love you too. Now tell me… what do you want to eat?
Khadijah: (sniffles, then smiles faintly) Something with plenty pepper…
Ummu: (laughs warmly) Come to the kitchen. You will guide me.
At Adekunle’s House
Mum: (packing her things) Adekunle! You are sending me out of your house? Me, your mother? Over a woman? (about to cry) After all I have done for you, this is how you repay me?
Adekunle: Please just leave for now. At least you are happy now—she has left. That’s what you’ve always wanted, right? Now your prayers are answered. So what are you still doing here? Besides, you have your own house.
Mum: I can’t believe this is how you repay me. I saved your life from a deceitful wife. I saved your heart from being broken by her, and this is how you treat me? No problem—I will leave. But this time, I mean it. I don’t ever want to see you in my house again. In fact, even when she gives birth, don’t ever call me. I have no right over you anymore. (angrily) Move out of my way!
Adekunle: At least you are happy now. My life is back to square one. You want me to return to my old ways, right? Thank you for everything. I regret ever listening to you. And you know what? All these bad habits of mine—it’s your fault! You didn’t raise me well. You exposed me to the wrong life for your own benefit. Now I’m stuck in it. My wife has left me… and I’m sure you’re the happiest mother right now. Thank you, Mum… thank you!
Mum: (furious) I’m leaving already, you ungrateful fool! (she storms out and drives away)
Adekunle: (throws his phone) What have I done? How am I going to face Khadijah and her family? (he sinks to the floor)
3 Hours Later
Kelvin: (bursting in) Yo man! What’s up? I came as soon as you called. (sees bottles) Why are you drinking like this?
Adekunle: I’m fine… I just need this to ease my mind.
Kelvin: Guy, give me that. Talk to me—what’s wrong?
Adekunle: It’s Khadijah… she’s gone. My mother destroyed everything, and I let it happen. She left hungry… she even begged me for food, and I ignored her. Now my wife and unborn child are gone… (tears fall)
Kelvin: Guy, wake up! It’s just a woman. Move on.
Adekunle: You don’t understand—I love her!
Kelvin: You’ll be fine. Give it a few days. I’ll send you something to distract you… trust me.
Adekunle: Just leave me… the only thing I want is my wife back.
Kelvin: I’m not leaving you like this. Let’s go out.
Night – 7:30 PM
(Gateman helps a drunk Adekunle inside)
Adekunle: Where is Khadijah? Call her… she needs to remove my shoes…
Gateman: Sir… madam left this morning.
Adekunle: Find her… bring her back… (falls asleep)
Gateman: (shakes head) What a pity…
Next Morning
(Adekunle wakes, touches someone beside him)
Prostitute: I missed you too, darling.
Adekunle: (jumps up) Who are you?!
Prostitute: I was sent for “home service.”
Adekunle: Who sent you?!
Prostitute: Kelvin.
Adekunle: (furious) Get out of my house! (throws money) Leave now!
Prostitute: Kelvin already paid, but thanks. (smirks) Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy it.
Adekunle: OUT!
(he drags her out and slams the door)
Adekunle: What have I done…?
At Khadijah’s Family House – Early Morning
Ummu: Wake up, it’s time for prayer.
Khadijah: (weak) My head hurts… my body is aching…
Ummu: Come, sit. Let me help you.
Abu: (concerned) She must still pray, but take care of her.
(Khadijah cries softly)
Khadijah: I miss peace… I miss love… I’m sorry, Mum.
Ummu: (embracing her) It’s okay. What matters is your safety.
Later
Rasheedah: (hugging her) Welcome home, sis.
Khadijah: Thank you… you’ve been my strength.
Rasheedah: If that woman tries anything again, she’ll regret it.
Khadijah: Please don’t cause trouble.
Abu Enters
Abu: (smiling) I brought something.
Rasheedah: Puff-puff!
Khadijah: (snatches it) Give me!
Abu: That’s exactly who I bought it for.
Khadijah: give me give me (she snatch it from her hand)
Abu: that’s whom I bought it for.. so how are you doing my dear.
Rasheedah: madam take it easy now.
Abu: (he get seated) where is my newspaper? Where is my Habeebaty?
Rasheedah: your Habeebaty is preparing noodles for this aunty here.
Abu: (he chuckled) why cant you do it why she?
Rasheedah: she insisted dad… and you know how ummu is.