A few weeks have passed. Still no job offers. The frustration is growing.
Maryam and Sefinat are walking home, exhausted from yet another failed job hunt.
Maryam:(sighing deeply) I’m so done with job hunting in this country. It’s just a complete waste of time. (pause) What if we take a loan and start a business together? What do you think?
Sefinat: (scratching her head) Uhm... I don’t know...
Maryam:(noticing her mood) What is it this time? You've been acting strange for weeks now without giving me a real reason.
Sefinat:(furiously glancing at her) Are you serious right now? You think my worries aren’t valid?
Maryam:(sighs) Don’t get me wrong. I mean well — I always have. But you’re just... frustrating me with all this emotional drama.
Sefinat: (disappointed)Is that so? (turns and walks away in another direction) Then leave me alone.
Maryam: (following her) Wait, are you seriously mad at me now? What’s your problem, Sefinat? You’re not the only one going through stuff, remember? We’re both jobless! But somehow, it’s always about you. Do you ever stop to think about how I’m feeling too? Do you?
Sefinat: (turns around, tears streaming down her face) I’m not like this because I want to be! I’m worried about my brother. I haven’t heard from him in over a month. Isn’t that enough reason to be depressed? I even called his friend in Lagos, but he hasn’t returned my calls either.
I wish I could fly there, drag him by the ears, and scold him for making me worry like this. (she breaks down, falling to her knees) This anxiety is eating me alive.
Maryam:(softens, kneels next to her, gently pulls her into a hug) I’m so sorry... I didn’t know that’s what’s been bothering you. You have every right to be worried. You’re all I’ve got. We grew up in the orphanage together — no parents, just each other. Seeing you like this breaks my heart. Now I’m worried about your brother too... but I know he’s okay. And yes, you have every right to be mad at him when he finally calls.
But please, don’t cry...
Sefinat: (sobbing) I don’t know what to do anymore. I feel so helpless... I miss him so much. I just want to see my brother again.
Maryam: (wiping her tears) It’s okay... please, breathe.(Suddenly, Sefinat’s phone rings. She hesitates, but when it continues ringing, she finally checks the caller ID.)
Sefinat: (gasps) Oh my God!
Maryam: (urgent) What? Who is it?
Sefinat:It’s his friend. He’s finally calling back! (picks up the call) Hello? Hi Ridwan? How are you?
Ridwan (voice over): Hey... I’m good. I’m so sorry for not calling earlier. Please forgive me... I didn’t know how to face you. But when I saw your call, I knew I had to respond.
Sefinat:(tears of relief) It’s okay... I’m just glad you called. Please, have you heard from my brother? I’ve been trying to reach him for months now, but nothing. If you’re with him, please pass him the phone.
Ridwan (voice over): (pause, deep breath) You... you haven’t heard?
Sefinat: (gets to her feet, alarmed) Heard what?
Maryam: (taps her gently) What is it? What’s going on?
Ridwan (voice over): I don’t know if I’m the right person to say this... I thought you already knew...
Sefinat: (voice trembling) Ridwan, you’re scaring me. Please, just tell me what's going on...
Ridwan (voice over): (voice cracks)I’m so sorry, Sefinat. I wasn’t a good friend to him. I wasn’t there when he needed me most... The guilt has been eating me alive.
Sefinat: (heart pounding, screaming) Ridwan, what’s going on?! SAY IT!
Ridwan (voice over): Your brother... He’s... he’s dead. I’m so sorry.
Sefinat: (her entire world collapses around her, everything slows and spins. The phone drops and shatters. She falls to the ground.) What...?
Maryam: (screams)Sefinat!!! Wake up! Please!
SOMEBODY HELP US!
***********************************
On Campus – A Classroom
The lecturer stands in front of a noisy, half-attentive class. The students quiet down as he speaks.
Lecturer: (standing authoritatively) Make sure you attend my next lecture — if you miss it, you lose 10 marks. Also, be on the lookout for your C.A. test. Do I make myself clear?
Students: Yes, sir!!
Lecturer: Good. (picks up his books and walks out, followed by the class rep. The class quickly becomes noisy again as students chatter and move around.)
In a quiet corner, Haleemah sits alone, flipping through her notes with concern.
Haleemah: (softly, to herself) Ugh... How am I going to get someone to lend me their notes?
(sighs, then her phone buzzes with notifications. She picks it up and reads a message silently.)
Message from Husband: "Get yourself ready, I’m coming back this evening. Make sure you keep your body clean... I’m starving. See you soon, habeebi."
Haleemah: (sighs deeply) That’s all he ever cares about… Not even a word about how I’m doing.
(sets the phone aside, tries to focus on her notes)
From across the class, a male student notices her — A.Z, charismatic and playful.
A.Z: (whispering, trying to get her attention)
Hey… Hajia. Eleha!
Haleemah: (not looking at him) Yes, sir?
A.Z: (chuckling) There you go again with that shy cuteness. You never look anyone in the eye — always reserved, huh? Anyway… I noticed you missed some notes. I thought I could lend you mine.
Haleemah: (still not looking up)Uhmm… that won’t be necessary. But thank you.
A.Z: (teasingly) Come on, Hajia. I’m not going to bite. Just trying to help, especially since you barely talk to anyone in class.
It’s the least I could do.
Haleemah: (silent)
A.Z: (gently walks up to her desk, drops his notebook) Alright then — I’ll leave it here. Just let me know when you’re done with it, and I’ll come get it. (walks out casually)
Haleemah sits frozen for a moment, breathing slowly, visibly anxious.
***************************
Later in the Evening – Habeebah's Home
The door unlocks. Habeebah walks in, exhausted but composed.
Habeebah: (as she enters) As-salamu alaykum.
(carrying her sneakers in one hand and shutting the door behind her)
Amir: Wa alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.
Habeebah: (startled, clutching her chest) Subhanallah! You scared me.
Amir: Why should you be scared? I already told you I was coming home.
Habeebah: Yeah, but I didn’t see any trace of you inside. In fact, the door was locked from the inside, so I thought you weren’t home yet.
Amir: Anyway, is this how you welcome your husband?
Habeebah: (sighs tiredly, then hugs him) Welcome home, my love.
Amir: (holding her tightly) I’ve missed this body... I can’t wait to shower.
Habeebah: Shouldn’t you at least rest for a bit? I’ll prepare dinner.
Amir: No need for that. I’ll rest after we’re done. Now move... Let’s go inside.
Habeebah:(glances at him sadly)
Amir...
Amir: What now? You want to deny me my right? Or is someone else taking my place?
Habeebah: (shocked) Why would you even say that? Are you calling me a cheat?
Amir: If I’m wrong, then stop acting like this. Let’s get to it.
Habeebah: You know... sometimes you make me question everything. We’ve been married less than six months and you're already changing.
Amir: Just because I’m asking for sex? Are you out of your mind? Or do you want me to force you? I don’t have time for all this drama. Honestly, if I wasn’t afraid of committing adultery, I wouldn’t even bother coming back.
Habeebah: (nods with quiet resignation) Subhanallah... Anyway, to avoid being cursed by the angels, I’ll do as you say — even if there’s no joy in it for me anymore. (she turns and begins to undress) Give me a few minutes to freshen up.
Amir: (follows her in) That won’t be necessary.
(he helps undress her roughly and pushes her onto the bed)
******************************
Dawn breaks quickly. Habeebah rises early after Fajr prayer, quietly moving to the kitchen. She begins preparing breakfast and attending to chores. But something feels off — she’s visibly uneasy and emotionally worn down.
Amir:(from the room, zipping up his travel bag) Habeebah!
Habeebah: (quickly) Yes, sir?
Amir: Come here.
Habeebah: (walks in from the kitchen, surprised to see him packed) You’re dressed already? Where are you going?
Amir: Where do you think? I’m heading back to work, of course.
Habeebah:(stunned) What? You just arrived last night. You’re leaving already? Not even 24 hours?
Amir: Yes. (stretches out a crumpled ₦2,000 note) Here. Manage this till I get more to send.
Habeebah: (her voice cracks in disbelief) You’re giving me ₦2,000 to last... weeks? I thought you'd at least stay for a few days. Wait—don’t tell me you came all the way from Kwara to Lagos just for a few minutes of pleasure? Not even thinking of spending more time with me?
Amir: Isn’t that reason enough?
Habeebah: Subhanallah...
Amir: Are you taking the money or not?
Habeebah: This ₦2,000 won’t last me a day, let alone a week.
Amir: I didn’t realize I married an ungrateful woman. Wasn’t it your school fees I paid last month? I haven’t even recovered from that. This is all I could gather. And now you’re nagging?
(throws the money on the ground, turns to leave)
Habeebah: Okay, I’m sorry. I truly am. You know I don’t have any income right now. It’s just hard to survive on so little. But... when will you be back?
Amir: Maybe in a month. Or two. Honestly, I didn’t even enjoy last night. You’re not good at anything. And one more thing — no one, I repeat, no one should enter this house without my permission. Don’t think I won’t find out. And the moment I do, you’ll be in serious trouble.
(he storms out, slamming the door)
Habeebah: (stands still, silently staring at the crumpled ₦2,000 on the floor)
**************************************************
TWO WEEKS LATER
Maryam: Are you sure you’ll be okay?
Sefinat: Of course. And I’ll keep you updated with everything.
Maryam: I really wish I could come with you.
Sefinat: Me too.
But this is something I have to do. I just can’t believe my brother took his own life. That’s not who he was. He loved to live despite everything that was happening to him. I just want to know what really happened.
After that, I’ll come back.
Maryam: (moves in and hugs her tightly)
Promise me you’ll be safe?
Sefinat: I promise.
Maryam: I love you so much, Sefinat.
Sefinat: I love you too, Sis. (she pulls away, picks up her bag, and heads out, waving back)