(She rushes to the kitchen, returns with a bowl of water, and sprinkles it on his face, her hands trembling.)
Ade… please wake up… what am I going to do? Ya Allah… please…
(She keeps trying, panic rising, until finally—)
Adekunle: (coughs weakly)
Khadijah: Oh my God! You scared me!
(She pulls him into a tight embrace, relief washing over her.)
I’m so sorry… I was so scared.
(10 minutes later)
Khadijah: (enters with a bowl of noodles) Here… try and eat something. It’s the quickest thing I could make.
(She places it gently beside him.)
Adekunle: Thank you, dear.
Khadijah: Let me get you water… maybe an energy drink too—
(He holds her hand.)
Khadijah: What is it?
Adekunle: (trying to sit up, moving closer) Baby…
Khadijah: What are you doing? Please… let go.
Adekunle: Don’t I even have the right to touch you?
Khadijah: No, you don’t. Please… we’re not married yet. We’ve only done the introduction, not nikah.
Adekunle: I thought things changed after the bride price.
Khadijah: (startled, then embarrassed) Oh… I forgot… that’s why my parents didn’t object when I came here.
(still uneasy) But… still…
Adekunle: (softly) You’re confusing me…
(leans closer) I just want to say I’m sorry.
Khadijah: You’ve been saying that since you woke up. What exactly are you sorry for?
Adekunle: I… I…
Khadijah: Eat first. You’re too weak for this.
(pauses, then gently) Or… should I feed you?
Adekunle: (looks at her quietly, guilt heavy in his eyes)
Khadijah: Sit. I’ll feed you. Just give me a minute, I’ll get your drink.
(She leaves. He sits up slowly, troubled.)
Adekunle: (to himself) Should I tell her?… Won’t it break her?
(She returns.)
Khadijah: I’m back. Here—your drink. And you haven’t touched the food…
Adekunle: You said you’d feed me.
Khadijah: (smiles softly) Alright… open your mouth.
(She feeds him.)
Adekunle: It’s delicious… I love it. Your first meal for me.
Khadijah: Not the first. Remember the day you brought me to your mom?
Adekunle: (smiles faintly) True… won’t you eat?
Khadijah: I already ate before coming.
(checks time) It’s getting late… I should be leaving soon.
Adekunle: Leaving? Where?
Khadijah: Home, of course.
Adekunle: And where do you think you are?
Khadijah: Your house…
Adekunle: (shakes head) You’re staying tonight.
Khadijah: What? No… that’s not what I told my parents.
Adekunle: I’m your husband now, remember?
Khadijah: (uneasy) Please… I’m not ready for… anything like that.
Adekunle: Ready for what?
Khadijah: (avoids his gaze) I don’t even know… just please eat.
Adekunle: Are you avoiding me?
Khadijah: No… just eat.
(He suddenly lowers his head, sadness overwhelming him.)
Khadijah: What’s wrong?
(Without warning, he drops to his knees.)
Adekunle: Baby…
Khadijah: (shocked, anxious thoughts racing) Ya Allah… what is happening?
(voice trembling) What is it?
Adekunle: What I’m about to say… I don’t know if you’ll forgive me.
Khadijah: (softly) Just tell me.
Adekunle: Promise you won’t leave me.
Khadijah: Please… speak.
Adekunle: (confesses, voice breaking) My friends… they pushed me into things… I… I was with other women. I didn’t want it… but it happened.
Khadijah: (frozen) What?
Adekunle: I’m sorry. I swear I’ll never do it again.
Khadijah: (voice shaking) So this… this has been your life?
(Subhanallah…)
(She stands abruptly, trying to leave. He blocks her.)
Khadijah: Move. Please move!
Adekunle: I know I’ve hurt you… please don’t leave me. I love you.
Khadijah: (tears falling) I don’t even know what to feel… anger? pain? I can’t even think…
Adekunle: Do anything… just don’t hate me.
(She breaks down completely, crying uncontrollably. After a moment, she pushes him out of the room and locks the door.)
Khadijah: Stay away!
Adekunle: (outside, desperate) Please… I’m sorry! Open the door!
(She cries through the night. He remains outside, pleading… until exhaustion takes them both.)
Early morning (Fajr)
(She opens the door quietly and finds him asleep on the floor.)
Khadijah: (softly, conflicted) Ade… wake up.
(He jolts awake, immediately pleading again.)
Khadijah: It’s okay… I forgive you.
(pauses) Not because it’s easy… but because I have no choice but to pray you change.
Adekunle: I’ve changed already… because of you.
Khadijah: It’s time for Fajr. You should be in the mosque.
Adekunle: (glances at her swollen eyes) I’m sorry…
Khadijah: Just go and pray.
(Later)
Khadijah: (seeing him asleep again) Cheating husband…
Adekunle: (wakes) Baby…
Khadijah: I’m going home.
Adekunle: Please don’t leave…
Khadijah: Thank you for telling me the truth… even if it hurts.
(She walks away slowly.)
(Knock on the door — his friends enter aggressively)
Oyetunde: So you’re ignoring us now? Because of her?
Kelvin: Calm down—
Adekunle: Not today, guys. Please leave.
(Khadijah watches silently, hurt deepening.)
(She turns to leave. He grabs her.)
Khadijah: Leave me! I’ve made the biggest mistake…
Adekunle: Please—
Khadijah: These are your friends? Now I understand everything.
(She storms out, crying.)
(He rushes after her at the gate)
Adekunle: Please don’t go…
Khadijah: How can I trust you again? Look at the people around you…
Adekunle: Come back inside—
Khadijah: No.
(He gently but firmly carries her back in despite her resistance.)
(Inside the room)
Adekunle: (voice strained) I made a mistake… but I’m trying to change—for you.
Khadijah: Then prove it.
Adekunle: Anything.
Khadijah: Cut off those friends.
Adekunle: That’s… not easy.
Khadijah: Then maybe this isn’t easy either.
(Silence hangs between them.)
(Suddenly, his mom walks in, catching an awkward moment between them.)
Mom: Oh! I’m sorry—
(she quickly steps out)
Khadijah: (embarrassed, covering her face) Ya Allah…
Adekunle: (half-laughing) It’s just Mom…
Khadijah: I need to see her.
(She rushes out.)
Adekunle: (watching her go, smiling softly) She’s something else…