Halimah (sits comfortably and stares at him):...
Amir: What's all this? Is this how you welcome your husband? I'm asking where you're coming from and you just ignore me?
Halimah (says nothing, still staring):
Amir (getting pissed): Are you deaf or something? Are you not the one I'm talking to?
Halimah (clears her throat): I am coming from school.
Amir: By this time? What were you doing till now? A married woman? Ohhh… so because of my absence, you now move anywhere you like, abi?
Halimah (stays calm): I came late because I trekked home.
Amir: Why can’t you take a bus or something? Is that even an excuse?
Halimah (gets up and heads inside the room):
Amir: Halimah! I'm still talking and you walk out on me? Get back here right now! (gets up and follows her in
Halimah (undresses):
Amir: I'm still talking! Looks like you've grown wings oh!
Halimah (ties a towel around her chest): I want to take my shower. My entire body is covered in dust.
Amir: Ohhh! That's your cover-up, uh? You’re having an affair, right? Now you want to perform ritual bath, uh? Halimah! This house will not contain us tonight! (removes his clothes)
Halimah (pours water on her body and breaks down in silent tears):...
Amir: You will come out and meet me here.
(5 minutes pass. Amir lies on the bed, waiting.)
Halimah (finally comes out, moves to the mirror, and begins to dry herself):
Amir: I never knew this was your true identity—disobedient, rude, and mannerless. I came back from a five-hour journey just to be with you, and this is what I get? No dinner. No welcome. After all I've done to make you happy.
Halimah (puts on her nightdress and remains silent):
Amir (furiously grabs her hands): If you're tired of this marriage, just say it! And if something is bothering you, then speak up!
Halimah: And say what? Rant and shout like a goat and nothing changes? No. To regenerate physical energy within me is hard. So you’re free to think whatever you wish. (frees herself from his hand)
Amir (nods his head as he realizes the situation): You will regret ever treating your husband this way. That’s my promise. You ungrateful being. I will make you beg so much you'll wish you never treated me this way. You ungrateful woman. After all I've done for you.
Halimah (lays down her prayer mat, ready to pray):
Amir: Despite how religious you are, you still lack respect for your husband. You’ll be cursed by the angels
Halimah (pays no attention and begins her prayers):
Amir (getting frustrated, hits the wall three times, then leaves the house):
(Narration: Halimah sleeps with an empty stomach, crying through the night until she finally dozes off. As early as 5 a.m., she wakes up to start her morning chores while waiting for the time of Fajr prayer. She is weak from hunger.)
(She moves to the kitchen and finds it neat—she hasn’t cooked for two days due to lack of food. Returning to the living room, she stumbles upon a sack. Curious, she opens it. Inside are small portions of rice, beans, semo, groundnut oil, and red oil, each packed separately. She sinks onto the couch in deep thought.)
Halimah: So… he brought something last night. I know there's no point making him feel better. No assurance he'll even spend another night here. I should have believed he left since last night… but his travel bag is still inside.
(Suddenly the door opens. She quickly gets up to welcome him, but he nearly pushes her aside and heads to the room. She follows.)
Halimah: Amir…
Amir: If you dare call my name again, you will regret ever saying yes to being my wife. You're a disgrace to religious women out there. I know you're back to your senses because of food. That’s all you know—to eat! Nothing dey your head. I'm going to make you pay for starving me and wasting my money and time coming here. No pregnancy after all these months—so what’s the point of feeding you? (picks up his bag) Get out, jor!
Amir (reaches the door): If you ever call my line again, I fit curse you. Rubbish woman. (slams the door)
Halimah (exhales deeply, tears stream down her face): I guess this is it. I'm left on my own now… left to feed myself. And how am I ever going to cope with school? It's high time I look for work before I die of hunger here. But who will employ a niqabi? No one will…
(She returns to the couch and speaks softly through tears.)
Halimah: Ya Allah, if this is a punishment, please forgive me. My marriage is already at the peak of separation. But all I ask for now is a means to survive. Answer my prayers, please…
(The Adhan is heard.)
*****************************
AT SCHOOL CAMPUS
Khalid (patiently watching the door, lost in thought, not noticing the girls talking):
...
A.Z: Does anyone have Alhaja's number? She hasn't been in school for two days now. Maybe we should visit her.
Shukroh: I heard she's married
A.Z: That's not true...
Aishat: I heard the same thing.
Idris: Can you guys just chill... (suddenly spots Sekinat walking in) Look who’s here—the imposter again. (gets up and walks to her desk) Why have you suddenly become so calm, like someone’s taking good care of you?
Sefinat: Please go back to your seat and stop pouring your saliva all over me.
(The class chuckles. Sefinat focuses her attention on the door. Khalid studies her from his seat.)
Maryam: Guys, I heard— (whispers) I heard Ziko and his gang are returning to school today.
(The class begins to murmur.)
Aishat: It better not be true. They've caused enough harm already. Why can't they be expelled?
Idris: You better watch your mouth before you become the next target. Jamiu’s death should’ve taught us all a lesson. You’re too pretty for us to admire from a coffin. Mind your business. (returns to his seat)
Sefinat (alert, thinking to herself): I guess the killer is about to reveal himself... (glances at Khalid and notices he's been staring at her, then looks away) What’s with him? Abi he knows something about my brother?
(Suddenly, the class atmosphere shifts as three gang members walk in majestically, smoking. Some students stand and guide them to seats, dusting the chairs for them with their own clothes.)
Sefinat (jaw drops): Ahh! Different types of madness dey this school ooo!
(Suddenly, Khalid grabs her hand and drags her out of the class.)
Sefinat: What is with you?
Khalid: I need you to be very, very careful around those that just entered… if you want to survive.
Sefinat (folding her arms): Let me ask you something. Are they the murderers?
Khalid (looks around and whispers): Don’t ever utter such a statement in school again!
Sefinat: But why? I'm here to fight for justice. I’m here to find my brother’s murderer.
Khalid: And then what?
Sefinat: I’ll find him, even if it costs me my life. And I’ll make him pay.
Khalid (chuckles): I don’t think you know where you are. Look, I know you’re hurt and in sorrow, but I think it’s best you let this go. Return to where you came from before things get out of hand.
Sefinat (getting emotional): No!
Khalid (frustrated, hands on waist): You’re going to put your life in great danger, and there’s nothing I can do to help.
Sefinat: I never asked for your help in the first place.
Khalid (sighs heavily): Are you for real? I'm talking to you because your brother was my guy. He really cared about you and never wanted you to get hurt. If not for that, I wouldn’t give a damn! So it’s better you go back.
Sefinat: And do what? Let the murderer move freely and keep killing innocent people? Is that it? I bet there’s no difference between you and them. (walks away)
Khalid (to himself): This girl is just like he described her… always tough on the outside. If only she knew… (returns to the class)
(Sefinat gets emotional. Her phone rings.)
Sefinat: Now what? (picks up) Hello?
Maryam: Hey, babe! How are you? Why haven’t you returned my calls? I was so worried.
Sefinat (clears throat): Uhmm… I’m sorry. I’ve just been occupied lately.
Maryam: How are you? When are you coming back? I have good news!
Sefinat: Uhnmm… what is it?
Maryam: I found us a better job that pays more than that junk. I already submitted your CV and guess what? We’re hired!
Sefinat (says nothing):
Maryam: Babe? Are you there?
Sefinat: Uhmm… yeah.
Maryam: Why aren’t you saying anything? I thought you’d be happy.
Sefinat: Maryam… I love you so much. You’re all I have left in this world.
Maryam: You’re scaring me!
Sefinat (tears fall): I’m not coming back. I'm sorry. Not until I find who killed my brother.
Maryam: What?
Sefinat: I'm so sorry.
Maryam: What are you talking about? This isn’t how we planned things. What’s going on?
Sefinat (breaking down in tears): I’m shattered, Maryam. I’m broken, and it’s hard to let go. Hearing his classmates talk about him makes me feel both happy and sad. I just want to feel his presence… and find who killed him.
Maryam: Are you out of your freaking mind? Sefinat! Is Ridwan in support of this? How did you even get access to his class? What is going on?
Sefinat: I’ll explain later. For now, I need to return to class.
Maryam: Class? What class? (realizes the call has ended) Sefinat!!! (puts the phone down in shock) What did I just hear? Hell no… I’m calling her back. (dials again)
*****************************************
Few Days Later – 2:34 PM
Habibah (resting on the couch, hears a knock): Is that my husband again? I bet his ego is way too big to come back this soon. (gets up) I'm coming! (opens the door and is surprised) Mum?
Hajia: As-salaam ‘alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, Ajoke.