(Some months later)
Adekunle: (knocking) As-salamu alaykum ma.
Aisha: (excited) As-salamu alaykum, Granny!
Abu: Wa alaykum salam, my Aisha. (opens the door) Welcome… come in. (he lifts her up) How was school today?
Aisha: Alhamdulilah.
Abu: Masha Allah… that means it went well. (smiles) Abu Aisha, how are you?
Adekunle: (takes a deep breath) I’m fine, sir.
Aisha: Daddy, say Alhamdulilah… you will be rewarded.
Abu: (chuckles) That’s my smart girl.
Adekunle: (smiles softly) Alhamdulilah then.
Adekunle: Uhm… where is Ummu?
Abu: She went to the market. She’ll be back soon.
Adekunle: Sir… I need to talk to you privately.
Abu: Alright, my dear, go inside.
Aisha: Okay Grandpa. (runs inside)
Abu: Now I’m listening.
Adekunle: Today… this afternoon… I picked Aisha late from school. She was already upset. Then inside the car she suddenly broke down crying. She said she wants to see her mother.
(He exhales heavily.)
Adekunle: I wasn’t ready for that. I didn’t know what to say. And she said she asked you and Ummu before… but nobody really answered her clearly.
Abu: Subhanallah…
Abu: This was bound to come one day… but I didn’t expect it this early.
Abu: She is very intelligent, Lukman. Very sharp. She even started Madrasah yesterday, just two hours a day. She will learn a lot about life… and about Islam.
Adekunle: So what do I tell her when she asks again? I need something consistent… something she can understand without confusion.
Abu: Then we say it gently… we tell her her mother travelled very far away… to prepare a better home for her family.
Adekunle: (nods slowly) That might work.
Adekunle: Thank you, sir. I’m already late for work, but I needed this.
Abu: No problem.
Adekunle: Aisha! Daddy is going back to work.
Aisha: (runs out) Don’t forget my chocolate!
Adekunle: (laughs) This girl… okay, come give daddy a hug.
(Aisha hugs him tightly.)
(Curtain)
Later that night
(The house is quiet. Adekunle and Aisha are in the kitchen, finishing dinner preparations together.)
Adekunle: Let’s go to the living room. Help me carry the tray.
Aisha: Daddy… what about my chocolate?
Adekunle: You never forget anything, do you?
Aisha: But you promised.
Adekunle: Yes, I did. I won’t forget. But we eat first, okay?
Aisha: Okay…
Aisha: Daddy… when will we eat “house food”? And when will grandma from your side bring food for us again?
Adekunle: (pauses, thinking) Hmm… that’s true… it’s been a while.
Adekunle: Pass me my phone.
Aisha: (hands it to him) Here, daddy.
Adekunle: (dials his mother’s number)
Mom: (loud voice, noisy background) Hello son! How are you?
Adekunle: Mom… where are you? It sounds very loud.
Mom: I’m at a wedding party. Don’t worry, I’ll come tomorrow.
(She ends the call.)
Adekunle: Mom—hello? (lowers the phone slowly) She hung up…
Aisha: (quietly) Daddy…
Adekunle: It’s okay, baby. She said she’ll come tomorrow.
Aisha: (sadly) Okay…
Adekunle: What’s wrong?
Aisha: Daddy… why did you and Grandpa lie to me?
Adekunle: Lie? About what?
Aisha: Where is my mom? Why am I growing up without her? Where is she?
(Adekunle freezes.)
Adekunle: (thinking) This girl…
Aisha: Daddy… where is my mummy? (tears form)
Adekunle: (quickly carries her) Come here…
Adekunle: Your mummy is resting, okay? She is in a place where we cannot see her… but she can see us.
Aisha: Why?
Adekunle: (struggling for words) Because… because it is her time to rest.
Aisha: (pushes the food away) I don’t want food… I want my mummy.
Adekunle: (voice shaking slightly) Listen to me, Aisha…
Adekunle: Everyone has a time in this world… and when that time ends, we return to Allah. Your mummy… her time came.
Adekunle: If I could bring her back, I would have done it long ago. But I can’t.
Adekunle: Please… eat your food. You can cry… but eat first.
Aisha: (slowly nods, tears still falling)
Adekunle: That’s my girl…
(He watches her quietly, pain written all over his face.)
Later, 30 minutes
(Adekunle is on the bed working on his laptop, visibly stressed.)
Adekunle: What kind of secretary is this… why am I just seeing this document now?
(He notices Aisha standing beside him.)
Adekunle: Hey sweetheart… you want to sleep?
Aisha: (nods)
Adekunle: Okay, come.
Aisha: Where will I sleep?
Adekunle: Here, of course.
Aisha: That’s not where I sleep.
Adekunle: (confused) What do you mean? You’ve been sleeping here.
(Aisha gently takes his laptop away and lies on his chest.)
Aisha: Good night, Daddy.
Adekunle: (bursts into soft laughter, emotional) This girl will not kill me… honestly, you behave like a small old woman.
Aisha: (sits up) I’ll wait until you finish working. I can’t sleep yet.
Adekunle: No, no… come here.
(He closes his laptop.)
Adekunle: Let’s sleep.
Aisha: (rests her head on his chest again) Good night, Daddy.
Adekunle: Good night, my angel.
(Curtain)
TWO YEARS LATER
Adekunle: (coming out of a hotel with a lady) I really had a great time.
Lady: Me too… I’d love to see you again. I want us to do this again.
Adekunle: Really?
Lady: Yes… I like gentle men like you.
Adekunle: Alright then… can I have your number?
Lady: Of course. (she takes his phone and types it in) Call me.
(She leaves.)
Adekunle: (watching her go, a faint smile) When last did I feel this kind of peace? And honestly… if I don’t do this again, I might just go crazy.
(He enters his car.)
(CURTAIN)
At the grandparents’ house
Aisha: Grandma, I want chocolate.
Ummu: (dressing her for Madrasah) No chocolate now. When your father comes to pick you, he will bring it. Turn let me fix your uniform.
Aisha: Grandma, I’m still hungry.
Ummu: Again?
Aisha: (nods)
Ummu: The food is finished… what am I going to do now?
Aisha: I’m fine, don’t worry Grandma. Let’s go before the teacher punishes me for being late.
Ummu: Okay, let’s hurry.
(CURTAIN)
Later that night
Adekunle: As-salamu alaykum. (he enters)
Aisha: Wa alaykum salam Daddy! Welcome! (she hugs him)
Adekunle: My angel, how are you? How was school?
Aisha: Alhamdulilah, Daddy.
Abu: Abu Aisha, you are welcome.
Adekunle: Good evening, sir.
Ummu: Abu Aisha… you came late today. Is everything okay?
Adekunle: Work was just too much at the office. Sorry.
Abu: I need to speak with you.
Adekunle: Alright sir. (he sits)
Abu: Ummu, join us.
Ummu: Okay.
Abu: Alhamdulilah… it’s been seven years since my daughter passed away. And you… you are still not moving on.
Abu: If there is someone you want to marry, you are free. Islam permits it. You should not fall into sin because of loneliness.
Ummu: Habeeby… listen to me too. You are allowed to remarry. We’ve accepted our fate. All we can do now is pray for Khadijah.
Adekunle: I appreciate your concern… really. But I can’t move on.
Adekunle: My life ended the day I lost my wife. And honestly… all women are the same to me now. I’m fine like this.
Abu: So you’re saying you won’t remarry… but you are okay committing sin?
Ummu: (quietly) Let me excuse myself. (she leaves)
Adekunle: Abu, I understand you… but I’d rather live with my guilt than marry again. I promised Khadijah.
Abu: Subhanallah… do you know the danger of what you are saying?
Adekunle: I will be fine. This is my punishment.
Abu: You still haven’t forgiven yourself, have you?
Adekunle: I will be fine. Thank you sir.
Adekunle: Aisha, let’s go home.
Abu: May Allah ease your heart.
Aisha: Good night Grandpa. Good night Grandma.
Ummu: Good night, my darling.
Adekunle: Good night ma.
(CURTAIN)
At home
(Aisha enters the house and suddenly slams the door. She walks straight to the bed without saying a word.)
Adekunle: Hey… what’s wrong with you? Don’t act like that.
Aisha: (silent, lying down angrily)
Adekunle: Aisha, talk to me. What is wrong?
Aisha: I don’t care.
Adekunle: What did you just say?
Aisha: Isn’t that what you say sometimes?
Adekunle: That doesn’t mean you should say it!
Aisha: Then why do you say it?
(Adekunle freezes.)
Aisha: Exactly.
Adekunle: Don’t talk to me like that. I’m your father!
Aisha: And I’m supposed to follow everything you do, right?
Adekunle: Your grandparents are pushing me to remarry… and if I do, you might suffer. I can’t allow that.
Aisha: Then marry! At least better than those women you bring home.
Aisha: Every time I call them “mommy,” they shout at me… I just want a mother!
Adekunle: Enough! You don’t understand anything!
Aisha: Then explain it!
Adekunle: Your mother is… (he stops, then slips) your mother is dead!
(A silence drops instantly.)
Aisha: (shocked) My… mummy… is dead?
Adekunle: (realizing what he said) Baby… I didn’t mean it like that—
Aisha: (backing away, shaking) Mummy is dead…?
Aisha: You lied to me… (tears burst out) my mummy is dead!
Adekunle: Aisha, please listen to me—
Aisha: (runs out crying)
Adekunle: Aisha!! No, wait!!
(He runs outside searching everywhere.)
Adekunle: Aisha! Please come out… I’m sorry!
Gateman: Sir, is she with me? No o! Even if she comes, I won’t open gate again.
Adekunle: Just open the gate!
Gateman: (opens) She’s not here.
Adekunle: Where is she then?!
(He rushes outside the compound.)
Adekunle: Aisha!!! Please don’t do this to me!!
(He suddenly sees her sitting near the gate, crying silently.)
Adekunle: (falls to his knees and pulls her close) I’m sorry… I’m sorry my angel…
Aisha: My mummy… (crying harder)
Adekunle: I’m sorry… please forgive me…
(He carries her inside.)
Living room
Adekunle: Do you want me to tell you everything? About your mother?
Aisha: (nods)
(Adekunle takes a deep breath… and slowly tells her everything.)
Adekunle: And that’s why she died… to bring you into this world… she loved you that much.
Aisha: So… mummy died because of me?
Adekunle: No, my angel… because of love.
Aisha: (crying softly) I’m sorry mummy…
Adekunle: And I’m sorry too…
(He pulls her into a long hug.)
(CURTAIN)
3 years later
For a year now, Adekunle had been battling with his health quietly. What he once dismissed as ordinary stress had slowly eaten deep into his body. His strength faded day by day, his once lively presence now replaced with weakness and silence… but he refused to acknowledge it.
Aisha noticed everything. The weight loss. The pale skin. The way he struggled just to sit up.
Aisha: daddy please wake up and eat or should we go to the hospital?
Adekunle: (groaning in pain, his voice dry and weak) I will be fine… I just need some rest ok?
Aisha: that’s what you’ve been saying since last week Friday… at least let’s go to the hospital… you are weak… you have lost so much weight… you could barely eat… look at your skin… daddy please let’s go to the hospital.
Adekunle: (turning slightly, forcing a faint smile) I’m fine… don’t worry ok?
Aisha: don’t you have any doctor’s number in your phone?
Adekunle: I do… but I’m fine.
Aisha: (trying to hold back tears) I have heard you… please take some rest then.
(She quietly steps out with his phone, her small hands shaking as she dials.)
Aisha: hello.
Doctor: hello Mr Lukman, longest time… you finally remember me after 10 years… how is the family?
Aisha: (voice trembling) this is his daughter speaking… please help us… my daddy is really sick… he has lost so much weight… when I tell him to go for check up he says he is fine… please can you come to our house right now… I think he is dying…
Doctor: Jesus! Alright… that’s a very wise step you took… I will be there soon… give me 30 minutes.
Aisha: ok sir… thank you sir.
(She ends the call, her heart pounding.)
Aisha: (whispering to herself) I just hope he is ok…
(She rushes back inside… and freezes.)
Adekunle is lying on the floor. Motionless.
Aisha: (screams, rushing to him) daddy!!! daddy!!!!
(She shakes him, her tiny hands unable to lift him, her voice breaking into helpless cries.)
35 minutes later
Doctor: (after examining him, his face turns grave) oh my God…
Aisha: (crying uncontrollably) doctor please what happened to my daddy?
Doctor: where are your grandparents?
Aisha: they are on their way… I have called them…
Doctor: that’s very good… his life is at risk.
Aisha: (falling to her knees) sir please save my dad… he is the only one left for me… please…
Doctor: he will be fine by God’s grace ok?
(Mum barges in, breathless, her eyes wide with fear.)
Mum: what happened to my son?
(She stops abruptly, staring at his frail body… shock washes over her face.)
Mum: oh my God… (she bursts into tears) Aisha what happened to your dad?
Aisha: (crying) grandma I don’t know…
Doctor: are you his mother?
Mum: yes doctor… I am his mother… please what happened to my son?
Doctor: after some investigation, I think your son has HIV… not just HIV… but HIV and AIDS.
Mum: (screams, collapsing) yeeeehhhhh! Ahhhhh! Doctor it is not possible!
Doctor: hey little girl, what are the unusual things you noticed about your dad?
Aisha: he coughs often… bleeding from his nose and mouth… his skin has rashes… he complains of headache several times…
Doctor: well done my dear… but he needs to be taken to the hospital immediately… his survival chance is 50/50.
(Abu and Ummu rush in, panting heavily.)
Ummu: what happened Aisha? What happened to your dad?
Abu: (staring at Adekunle, shaken) subhanallah… is that Lukman? What happened to him?
Aisha: (soaked in tears) my daddy… please what is the doctor saying… I don’t want to lose my dad too…
(She clings tightly to Ummu.)
Ummu: sorry my dear… nothing will happen to your dad insha Allah… doctor what did you say happened to him?
Doctor: he is HIV/AIDS positive.
Ummu and Abu: Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un!! How come?
Doctor: and from what I see, he also has STD… let’s go to the hospital for proper check up.
Mum: STD? Ahhhhhh! Adekunle you have killed me!
(She rolls on the floor, wailing loudly.)
Ummu: subhanallah…
Abu: doctor what should we do now?
Doctor: ambulance is on the way.
(Abu stares at Adekunle helplessly.)
Abu: subhanallah…
(Curtain)
3 hours later
The hospital reception is heavy with silence, broken only by muffled sobs. Mum is restless, pacing, crying, shaking… her mind filled with questions and regret.
Ummu and Abu try to console her, but grief has deafened her ears.
Aisha sits quietly on a chair, her face soaked with tears, her lips moving in silent prayers… too young to carry this kind of fear.
The doctor finally walks in.
Mum: doctor please how is my son?
Ummu and Abu: please how is he?
Doctor: (sighs deeply) several tests were carried out… unfortunately I was right… your son is HIV/AIDS positive… and STD positive…
(He pauses.)
Doctor: this is not the early stage… if he had come earlier there would have been chances… but now… it is too late… I am very sorry.
(He walks away slowly.)
Mum: (lets out a piercing scream) yeeeehhhhhhhhhh!!! Ahhhhhhh!!! Why me!!! Who did I offend!!! Please forgive me!!! This is my last child!!!
(Her cry echoes through the hospital.)
Ummu: (in tears) please don’t cry… nothing bad will happen to him…
(She reaches out to touch her… Mum violently pushes her hand away.)
Mum: don’t touch me!!! You wicked family!!! Ever since your daughter died, all you wanted was revenge!!!
(Everyone freezes.)
Mum: my son suffered… he was broken… he didn’t remarry… he stayed alone because of your daughter… he even avoided me… his own mother… and now you have succeeded… you are happy now!!!
(Abu and Ummu stand in shock.)
Ummu: (voice shaking with anger and pain) so you are saying we caused this? Subhanallah! You should be ashamed to call yourself a mother! Your son’s actions brought him here! Lack of guidance destroyed him!
(She steps closer, tears streaming down her face.)
Ummu: lack of obedience killed my daughter too! If she had left your son earlier, she would still be alive today! But we accepted Allah’s will! We even asked your son to remarry… he refused! So how is this our fault?
(Silence falls heavy.)
Abu: (softly) it’s ok hababty…
Mum: (furious) how dare you!!! You jailed me and my son for three days!!! And now you stand here talking!!!
Ummu: (voice rising) don’t you ever insult my daughter again!!! She is gone and resting!!! Fear Allah!!!
(She breaks down.)
Ummu: your son suffered… yes… but you were never there for him! If you were, you would have noticed all this long ago!
Mum: (crying bitterly) my God will judge you people…
Abu: (firm but calm) enough… this is not the time… let us pray for him…
(He points gently.)
Abu: look at Aisha… do you want her to become an orphan?
(The words sink in.)
Suddenly…
Nurse: doctor!!! That man with HIV… I think he is about to give up!
(Mum screams and runs towards the ward.)
Abu and Ummu follow immediately.
(Curtain)
Mum: Adekunle… ọmọ mi… please don’t do this to me… please don’t leave me in this wicked world… please… please don’t go…
Doctor: (gently trying to move her aside) Please madam… let me do my job.
Abu: (leaning close to Adekunle’s ear, his voice trembling but urgent) Lukman… can you hear me? Please listen to me… say la ilaha illallah… say it, my son…
Adekunle: (his chest rising and falling unevenly, his fingers twitching weakly… his lips struggling to move as he fights for breath)
Abu: (his voice breaking) Please say it… say la ilaha illallah! Please Lukman! Please don’t leave like this… say it!
Mum: (pushing Abu away in desperation) Leave him! Leave my son!
Abu: (almost in tears) Madam, I am trying to save him… please let him say it before he goes…
Adekunle: (his body suddenly jerks… then slowly goes still… the struggle fades… silence)
Abu: (voice low, broken) Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un…
Doctor: (after checking… then slowly removing his hand) I’m… I’m sorry… we lost him.
Aisha: (her body drops instantly to the floor, her voice tearing through the room) DADDDYYYYYYY!!!
Mum: (rolling on the ground, screaming uncontrollably) Ahhhhhhh! Yeeeeeh! Fire! Who did this to me? Who took my son from me?!
Ummu: (bursting into tears, rushing to Aisha who is shaking in shock) Ya Allah… what kind of reunion is this… inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un… come here my child… come…
Abu: (tears streaming down his face) Allahu Akbar… He gives… and He takes… inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un…
(CURTAIN)
FEW WEEKS LATER
(It has been three weeks since Adekunle’s death. The house feels empty… heavy… like grief still sits in every corner.)
Adekunle’s lawyer had called for a family meeting.
Aisha chose to stay temporarily with her father’s mother… just to see if she could manage life there. Her maternal grandparents did not object… but their hearts were restless.
They all sat in silence.
Lawyer: Thank you all for coming. My name is Barrister Mike Kolawole… I was Mr. Lukman Adekunle’s personal lawyer. I will now read his will.
Mum: (muttering, bitterly) I still don’t know why they are here.
Ummu: (coldly) We don’t want to be here either. We were forced.
Lawyer: (calmly) Please, madam… let us proceed.
(He adjusts the document and clears his throat)
Lawyer: On the 23rd of June, 2015… Mr. Lukman came to my office to write his will. I asked him why so early… but he said he had a feeling… that he might not stay long in this world.
(The room goes quiet… heavier)
Lawyer: I, Lukman Babatunde… give my house to my beloved mother, Mrs. Babatunde.
Secondly, I give my three cars and fifty percent of my savings to my late wife’s parents… not for them, but in honor of their daughter. They may use it as they wish.
Furthermore, my company, the remaining fifty percent of my savings, and two cars… shall belong to my daughter Aisha when she turns twenty.
Finally, my two plots of land in Ikeja… I entrust to my in-laws, to use in a way that benefits me in this life and the hereafter.
That is all.
Mum: (suddenly breaking into tears again) No problem… no problem… I have accepted everything… but whoever has a hand in my son’s death… will not go unpunished!
Ummu: (closing her eyes briefly) May Allah forgive his shortcomings… and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
Abu: Ameen.
Lawyer: I will take my leave now.
Abu: Aisha… let’s go home.
Mum: (quickly standing) Go where? Aisha… come here! You are all I have left… nobody is taking you away from me!
Ummu: (firmly) I will not let her stay with you and be destroyed.
Mum: (voice rising) She will live with me!
Lawyer: (pausing) Perhaps… we should let the child decide.
(Silence falls. All eyes turn to Aisha.)
Ummu: (softly) Whatever you choose, my dear… we will accept it. Just choose wisely.
Mum: (forcing a smile through tears) Come to me… don’t stay with them… please…
Aisha: (voice shaking, tears streaming down) I just want to be with my parents… why can’t I be with them? I want to go to them…
Ummu: (quickly) A’udhu billah… don’t say that, my child…
Mum: (crying) No! I reject it for you! Please… I will take care of you… I promise… anything you want…
Aisha: (confused, trembling) I… I don’t know who to choose…
Lawyer: Whoever you choose… will guide you for the rest of your life.
(Aisha looks at each of them… slowly… her small chest rising with emotion)
Aisha: (after a long pause) I want to live with… with… my grandma and grandpa…
(She runs into Ummu’s arms)
Mum: (crying out) Ahhhh! This is not fair! Aisha, it’s me!
Aisha: (turning back, voice breaking) I heard… you made my mummy suffer… I heard she left daddy because of you… what if… what if you hurt me too?
Mum: (stunned) So this is your plan? You turned her against me?!
Ummu: (shocked) Aisha… who told you that?
Aisha: (quietly) My daddy…
(The room falls into stunned silence)
Lawyer: (softly) I will take my leave now… may you all find peace.
(He exits)
Abu: (gently) Let’s go, my child.
Ummu: Yes… come, my dear.
Mum: (collapsing into tears) Please… don’t leave me alone like this… please Aisha…
Aisha: (running back, hugging her tightly) Don’t worry grandma… I will visit you… I promise… I will come every weekend…
Mum: (holding her tightly) Promise?
Aisha: (nodding) I promise.
Mum: I love you…
Aisha: I love you too grandma…
(She slowly walks away… turning back one last time to wave)
Mum: (whispering through tears) Bye…
(She breaks down again as they leave)
THE END
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