Adekunle: (he enters the room and finds Khadijah already asleep) Hey, baby… you’re sleeping already? (he climbs onto the bed, placing his hand on her shoulder) You couldn’t even wait for me? Tonight is our wedding night, not a sleeping night.
Khadijah: (pretending to sleep)
Adekunle: Please, baby… wake up. (he kisses her forehead) I need you.
Khadijah: Stay away from me!
Adekunle: Oh… so you’re not even asleep. What’s wrong? Are you angry with me?
Khadijah: (sits up) For how long will your mother keep doing this? Do I look like a child that needs to be dressed? Why is she interfering in our private life?
Adekunle: I know what she did wasn’t right, but everything she’s doing is because she’s desperate for a grandchild. Look at her… she’s not getting any younger. Do you even know her age? It wasn’t easy for her to have me. Try to see things from her point of view.
Khadijah: I don’t care about her age. This is a new chapter of my life with you. Let me enjoy my marriage in peace, not under pressure to get pregnant for her sake.
Adekunle: Don’t you want to have a baby now?
Khadijah: (sighs) Of course I do. But must she be on my neck all the time?
Adekunle: Look, if you give her what she wants, I swear she’ll love you even more. She’ll praise you for making her dream come true.
Khadijah: (quiet, staring at him)
Adekunle: Come on, say something. I want to be a father too. I even want a baby girl first… please, grant our wish.
Khadijah: (softly) Sometimes I don’t even know if you both accepted me as a wife… or just a baby maker.
Adekunle: I married you to spend my life with you, and yes, to have children with you. I don’t want anyone else to be the mother of my children. Nothing will separate us.
Khadijah: (emotional) I love you.
Adekunle: (smiles) I love you more. Come here. (he pulls her into an embrace) Holding you feels so good… and you always smell nice. That perfume—wow. And this nightwear… you look beautiful.
Khadijah: Correction… I’m not “hot.”
Adekunle: That’s a compliment.
Khadijah: Not for us. Hell is hot. Paradise is beautiful. So tell me… what am I to you?
Adekunle: (pauses, then smiles) You’re beautiful. Very beautiful.
Khadijah: That’s better.
Adekunle: Enough talking… let’s make babies. Maybe twins. Let me take a shower. (he starts undressing)
Khadijah: (covers her face) Do you have to undress in front of me?
Adekunle: You’re my wife. Where do you expect me to change? Outside?
Khadijah: You’re so annoying. (she hides behind a pillow)
Adekunle: I’m coming back for you. (he walks into the bathroom)
(Curtain)
Two months later
At Khadijah’s shop
Khadijah: Racheal, are you done with that skirt?
Racheal: Almost, ma.
Khadijah: Please hurry, the owner will be here soon.
Racheal: Okay, ma.
Khadijah: And you, where is the cloth I asked you to iron?
Zainab: I’m waiting for Nafisat to finish hers.
Khadijah: Hurry up, please.
Rasheedah: (enters) As-salamu alaykum, sister mi!
Khadijah: Wa alaykum salam, aburo mi! (they hug)
Rasheedah: Look at you… glowing. Marriage suits you.
Khadijah: Abeg, stop whining me.
Rasheedah: I’m serious. Your husband is taking good care of you.
Khadijah: That’s what people always say about new brides… even when it’s not true.
Rasheedah: Please, I’m not a child. Your glow is different now.
Khadijah: Okay, enough. What brought you here?
Rasheedah: What kind of question is that? I came to see my sister, and you’re asking me why?
Khadijah: Sorry, sorry. What would you like?
Rasheedah: I’m fine. But these your apprentices… no greeting?
Khadijah: They didn’t greet you? Everyone, come here now!
Apprentices: Yes ma.
Khadijah: You people don’t have manners again? This is my sister, your boss too.
Rasheedah: It’s fine, no need to overdo it.
Apprentice: I greeted her, but she didn’t answer.
Khadijah: You should greet again.
Apprentices: Sorry ma.
Rasheedah: I’m not angry, just wondering if this is how you treat clients too.
Khadijah: Exactly. If I treated my boss’s guests like this, would I be here today?
Apprentices: Sorry ma.
Khadijah: Back to work.
Rasheedah: So… any good news?
Khadijah: What kind of good news?
Rasheedah: You know… (gestures playfully)
Khadijah: You’re not serious. Go and get married yourself.
Rasheedah: I will… when I find the right one. So?
Khadijah: Nothing yet. Allah gives children, not me. Even my mother-in-law has been calling nonstop, asking questions… suggesting hospital visits.
Rasheedah: That woman’s stress is too much.
Khadijah: Just like you.
Rasheedah: I’m your sister, not your mother-in-law. Dad sends his greetings.
Khadijah: Okay.
Rasheedah: Your husband… he’s treating you well, right?
Khadijah: (pauses) Alhamdulillah.
Rasheedah: That’s all? You’re always hiding things.
Khadijah: It’s not like that… the marriage is good, Alhamdulillah. But he doesn’t pray. I’ve tried, but… it’s hard.
Rasheedah: (shocked) You knew this before marriage?
Khadijah: I did. I thought I could help him change. I still believe he will.
Rasheedah: Hmm… I’ll keep quiet for now. Abu doesn’t know this.
Khadijah: Please don’t tell them. I believe he’ll change.
Rasheedah: Fine. I won’t. But be careful. I have to go now.
Khadijah: So soon?
Rasheedah: Yes, naming ceremony.
Khadijah: Alright.
Rasheedah: Take care of yourself. You know I love you.
Khadijah: I know. I love you too.
(A month later)
In the kitchen
Khadijah: Baby, food is ready!
Adekunle: (walks in, on the phone) Bro, that was perfect… we’ll meet tonight. Keep it for me. (ends call) Hey, what did you prepare?
Khadijah: (watching him closely) Who are you meeting tonight?
Adekunle: Please, don’t start.
Khadijah: I’m serious. You promised to stay away from them. Now you’re seeing them again?
Adekunle: I won’t stay long.
Khadijah: Don’t come close to me. You come home late with excuses… what are they reserving for you?
Adekunle: Just a drink.
Khadijah: A drink?
Adekunle: Yes. Stop worrying. I won’t cheat again. I promised you.
Khadijah: I don’t like this. Why are you like this?
Adekunle: I’ll cut them off… gradually.
Khadijah: Then start now. Stay home tonight.
Adekunle: You worry too much. I’m hungry, where’s my food?
Khadijah: (quietly) On the dining table.
(He walks away. She stands there, alone.)
(Curtain)
Later that day
(Khadijah lies in bed, restless. A knock echoes.)
Khadijah: Who could that be? (sighs) It must be her again…
(She opens the door.)
Mom: What took you so long?
Khadijah: Good afternoon, ma.
Mom: What’s good about it? Bring me water.
Khadijah: Yes, ma.
Mom: I went to your shop. They said you were home.
Khadijah: I was tired, so I came back to rest.
Mom: So… are you pregnant?
Khadijah: No ma. Allah’s timing is best.
Mom: Three months and nothing? Are you infertile?
Khadijah: (shocked) No ma, I—
Mom: Then what is the problem? If you can’t do your duty, I will do mine as a mother.
Khadijah: I don’t understand…
Mom: If you can’t give me a grandchild, I will find another woman for my son. Someone better. I never liked you from the start. All this your dressing… pretending to be holy. Who knows what you really are?
Khadijah: (hurt) Mama… why would you say that to me?
Mom: Prove me wrong then! I lost four sons… one after the other. Your husband is all I have left. I want a grandchild. I’m giving you two months. If I don’t hear good news… I will throw you out of this house.
(She storms out, slamming the door.)
(Khadijah collapses, crying.)
Khadijah: What have I done… Ya Allah… what have I done?
(Curtain)
Night
(Adekunle enters. The gate closes behind him.)
Gate man: Welcome, sir.
Adekunle: Thank you.
Gate man: Sir… I hope you don’t mind. Your mother came today. She insulted your wife badly… even threatened to send her out.
Adekunle: (shocked) She said that?
Gate man: Yes sir. Please… find a solution. Your wife is hurting.
Adekunle: (sighs deeply) I understand… but you know my mother. She won’t rest until she gets what she wants.
Gate man: And your wife?
Adekunle: I’ll handle it.
(He enters the house.)
(Inside, Khadijah sits, eyes swollen.)
Adekunle: Baby… what happened? Why are you crying?
(She says nothing.)
Adekunle: At least stop crying first.
(She stands and walks away.)
Adekunle: Mom again, right?
(He pulls her into his arms despite her resistance and carries her outside briefly, then sets her down.)
Adekunle: Look what I got you. (he holds out car keys)
Khadijah: (stares… then breaks down again)
Adekunle: What now? Aren’t you happy?
Khadijah: The best gift you can give me… is to make your mother stop destroying my marriage. That’s all I want.
(She walks back inside.)
Adekunle: (standing alone, confused) What just happened?