Jamiu: (he runs after him) stop right there!
Abdulhakeem: (stops, turns back slowly, confused) excuse me?
Jamiu: you heard me. (he steps closer, eyes burning) can’t you see how hurt she is? And all you care about is your appearance?
Abdulhakeem: (frowns, studying him) wait... hold on. (shakes his head slightly) are you mentally okay?
Jamiu: you should be asking yourself that question. All I am saying is stay away from her! If you want us to become enemies, then keep going. Besides, she doesn’t love you... not even for a second. She can’t stand you. Every time she sees you, she runs away. Don’t you get it?
Abdulhakeem: (his jaw tightens) honestly, I don’t know who in this world gave you the audacity to talk to me like this. Who do you think you are, interfering in my personal life? You better stay away from me, because you are waking something in me you won’t be able to handle.
Jamiu: (lets out a dry laugh) a lion, right? Then you should be in a zoo, not walking among humans. She doesn’t love you. Not even a little. Why is that so hard for you to understand?
Abdulhakeem: (his fist tightens) did she tell you that herself?
Jamiu: I can see clearly. The only blind person here is you.
Abdulhakeem: (after a pause, a cold smile forms) fine... let’s test it. Let’s see who she falls in love with. But we make a deal.
Jamiu: (smiles slowly) I like the sound of that.
Abdulhakeem: if she falls in love with me... you leave her life completely. You leave this company and never come back.
Jamiu: (nods without hesitation) I accept. And if I win?
Abdulhakeem: (leans closer, voice low) then I leave this company for you... even if it belongs to my father. I will make sure it becomes yours... and I will stay out of her life forever.
Jamiu: (smirks) deal. I like that. It’s a deal.
Summayah: (approaching slowly, her face still swollen, her steps weak) what’s going on here?
Abdulhakeem: (quickly straightens his shirt, forcing a soft smile) hey dear... I was actually coming to look for you. Why did you run away like that?
Summayah: (her voice is tired, almost empty) I needed some fresh air.
Jamiu: come with me.
Summayah: (remembers Shade’s warning, her expression shifts) no... I can’t. I just need to be alone right now... please.
Abdulhakeem: (looking closely at her face) what happened to you?
Summayah: (touches her cheek faintly) that’s how my face becomes when I cry too much.
Abdulhakeem: (caught off guard, his tone softens without meaning to) why are you crying? Did someone hurt you?
Summayah: (shakes her head weakly) please... no one should ask me anything. I just want to be alone. (she walks past them slowly and goes inside)
(They both watch her go. The air turns heavy.)
Abdulhakeem: (glances at Jamiu, eyes hard) we’ll see. (he walks away)
Jamiu: (a slow, dangerous smile forms) let’s watch.
(Curtain)
Alia’s p.o.v
Ever since that ustaz and I met, he had been coming every day to buy fish... always finding a reason to stay longer, to talk... and until now, he has never seen my face. Ummu noticed it too, the way he lingered, the way I waited... and somehow, she never stopped me. Maybe she understood.
It got to a point where if I didn’t see him for a day, my heart would feel restless. Even when it was time to go home, I would beg Ummu to wait just a little longer, just in case he came... just in case.
That evening, as we waited again, my chest tightened with worry.
Ummu: Alia, let’s go home. It’s getting late.
Alia: ummu please, let’s wait small... I know he will come. (she stretches her neck, scanning the road anxiously) I know he will come.
Ummu: (sighs softly) hmmm.
Alia: (suddenly lights up) alhamdulilah, he is coming! (her voice fills with excitement)
Ummu: really? (she looks) ohh, alhamdulilah... now we can go home.
Hustaz: as salam alaykum. (breathing heavily)
Ummu and Alia: walaykum salam.
Hustaz: I’m sorry... I thought you might have gone already.
Alia: what took you so long? I have been waiting for you.
Hustaz: (surprised) you waited... for me?
Alia: yes... I was even worried.
Hustaz: (his expression softens deeply) I’m sorry... something happened at work. Uhmm... before I buy the fish... Alia, I need to speak with you privately, with Ummu’s permission.
Alia: (turns quickly to Ummu, eyes full of hope)
Ummu: (sees everything in her eyes, nods slowly) okay... but don’t take long. It’s late.
Alia: (almost jumps with joy) shukran ummu!
Hustaz: (watching her, amazed) Masha Allah... (they step aside)
Hustaz: Alia... the reason I have been buying fish from you all these days... is because I am in love with you. I am not here to deceive you... I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’m tired of buying fish... they are just sitting in my fridge. It’s not the fish I want... it’s you. You have everything I want in a woman... please... I love you.
Alia: (frozen, overwhelmed) I... I don’t even know what to say... you don’t even know how ugly I look... and you love me?
Hustaz: I didn’t fall in love with your face. I fell in love with your heart... your deen... for the sake of Allah. Please don’t reject me... I want to marry you.
Alia: (her heart racing, joy rising inside her) Masha Allah... I am... speechless... I will get back to you... I need to think about it.
Hustaz: that’s okay... but please don’t take too long. I want to come and ask for your hand properly. I swear I mean well.
Alia: you will have to meet Ummu... she is all I have. But I will get back to you.
Ummu: Alia, it’s late!
Hustaz: also... take this. (he brings out a phone) I got this for you... so we can communicate.
Alia: (shocked, turns to Ummu silently asking permission)
Ummu: (nods)
Hustaz: (smiles, impressed) Masha Allah... here.
Alia: thank you so much... may Allah bless you and increase you.
Hustaz: ameen.
Alia: (turns to go, then pauses as he stops her)
Hustaz: I just want to say... I love you.
Alia: (a shy smile forms) thank you.
Ummu: come and carry the tray.
Hustaz: ma salam ma.
Ummu: bisalam.
Alia: bisalam. (she walks back, almost glowing) Ummu... did you see that?
Ummu: let’s go home first. It’s late.
(Curtain)
Adewunmi ’s p.o.v
Since yesterday, the house had not been the same. Summayah barely spoke. She avoided everyone. Her face was still swollen... only Allah knows how much she cried.
It broke me.
Adewunmi: okomi...
Summayah: (stands up slowly) ma.
Adewunmi: have you eaten?
Summayah: I’m not hungry.
Adewunmi: you look weak... should I bring your food?
Summayah: no... I’m okay.
Adewunmi: (voice trembling) why are you acting like this... I’m sorry for yesterday... I’m really sorry.
Summayah: I’m not angry, mum... I’m just... surprised. How easily you wanted to give me away to a stranger... it hurts.
Adewunmi: don’t think like that please... I didn’t think it through... I’m sorry.
Summayah: it’s okay...
Adewunmi: (sits closer, worried) say whatever is in your mind.
Summayah: if I say it... you might disown me. So just leave me alone.
Suliyah: (suddenly appears) then say it! Say whatever is in your mind! Let’s finish this once and for all! I know you have things to say about me... and I do too. So go ahead... say it!
Summayah: (stunned, anger rising again, she stands abruptly, about to hit her)
Adewunmi: (rushes forward, holding her tightly, tears streaming) please... don’t...
Summayah: Mum, please let me go so I can deal with this devil… (trying to fight Suliyah).
Adewunmi: Please… don’t fight, please for my sake… please. (she holds her back tightly)
Suliyah: Mum, please stay out of this.
Adewunmi: Suliyah, if you say one more word, I swear I will disown you… And you, Summayah, you that suck these two breasts and I carried for nine months in this belly… please don’t fight your sister.
Summayah: Let me go… I won’t fight again.
Adewunmi: Are you sure? Promise me.
Summayah: I promise. (panting heavily)
Adewunmi: (she releases her)
Summayah: I need fresh air. (she angrily leaves the house)
Adewunmi: Suliyah! How many times did I call you?
Suliyah: Three, ma… but did you see how she spoke to me?
Adewunmi: Don’t provoke my anger in this house… I have endured a lot of pain in my life, please don’t add to it. Is it a crime that I gave birth to you? Eh?
Suliyah: Mummy… just warn her, oh. I am not her mate in this house.
Adewunmi: I hope you learn your lesson soon so you understand that what you are doing is wrong… Suliyah, I trained you, you are the one refusing to learn. Remember you are a woman… see where my own brought me… I have said my own sha. (she gets up and leaves the living room)
(Curtain)
Later that night
Abdulhakeem’s P.O.V.
I couldn’t get Summayah out of my mind. I kept wondering why I like this girl so much. I began to question myself… could she have used charm on me? So many women have begged for my love and I turned them all down, so why is it this ordinary cleaner my heart is drawn to?
And now I have to do everything possible to win her heart if I don’t want to lose the challenge I have with Jamiu.
These thoughts kept running through my mind all night. I couldn’t sleep. I don’t want to fall in love with a girl like her, but I have to win this challenge. What kind of problem have I gotten myself into? May God help me.
The next day
Summayah was on her way to work when she decided to stop at a shop to buy fried bean cake and bread for lunch. Suddenly, rain began to fall without warning.
She begged to take shelter inside a shop, but they refused because of her appearance. Some of the customers even mocked her. She had no choice but to stand in the rain.
Angrily, she walked away looking for somewhere safe to hide, but everywhere she went, she was turned away. That was when Abdulhakeem drove past.
Abdulhakeem: Is that not Summayah running under the rain? Why can’t she find somewhere to hide first… this girl is something else. Maybe I should help her… no, no, I won’t. I shouldn’t feel anything for her. (he keeps driving) But if I don’t win this challenge, she won’t fall for me… ahhh! What is wrong with me?
(he sighs and slows down while staring at her)
Abdulhakeem: She’s still not finding shelter… (he finally stops the car and winds down the glass) Summayah! Enter my car, you’ll catch a cold.
Summayah: No sir… I’m fine. You can go. I’m already soaked. Thank you, sir.
Abdulhakeem: So? (he steps out of the car with an umbrella and opens it over her) Are you stubborn? Do you want me to get wet too? Just get in the car, please.
Summayah: (surprised) But I’m already soaked… look at my clothes, I’ll wet your car.
Abdulhakeem: I… I insist, okay? (he opens the door for her)
(She reluctantly gets in)
Summayah: (uncomfortable, sitting carefully beside him) Thank you.
Abdulhakeem: You’re welcome. (he glances at her and smiles slightly)
By the time they arrived at work, the rain had stopped. Abdulhakeem parked the car. As he was about to step out, he noticed Summayah shivering.
Abdulhakeem: Oh my God, you’re shivering. What are you going to do now?
Summayah: I’m fine… once I change my clothes, I’ll be okay. Thank you. (she quickly leaves the car)
Abdulhakeem: (looks at his soaked seat, then notices a stain of blood) Wait… is that…? Oh my God! Summayah! (he calls after her)
(he quickly grabs a sweater and runs after her)
Abdulhakeem: Uh… I… I…
Summayah: (confused) Talk now, I’m freezing here.
Abdulhakeem: Just take this sweater and cover yourself.
Summayah: No, don’t worry, I’m fine. Thank you.
(she tries to leave but he stops her)
Abdulhakeem: Please… you’re… you’re stained.
Summayah: (confused) Stained? How? (she looks back and gasps, covering her mouth) Oh my God… I’m sorry.
Abdulhakeem: It’s okay… here, use my sweater.
Summayah: (takes it slowly)
Abdulhakeem: I’ll come back for you soon, okay? Please go straight to the restroom and cover yourself properly. I’ll meet you there.
Summayah: Sir?
Abdulhakeem: Just go, please… before anyone notices. (he rushes back to his car)
Summayah: Oh my God… (she quickly ties the sweater around her waist) What kind of disgrace is this? I wasn’t expecting this today! (she stomps her foot in frustration)
(Abdulhakeem watches her from the car and laughs)
Abdulhakeem: Go already… you don’t have to dance.
Summayah: I’m going! (she walks inside)
Abdulhakeem: Funny girl… (he glances at his seat again) I need to clean this myself. (he wipes the seat carefully) Poor girl.
Restroom
Summayah: (crying) Ahhh… what am I going to do now? I’m doomed! Don’t tell me I stained his car seat… Summayah, you are finished! (she hears a knock)
Abdulhakeem: (softly outside) It’s me… I just brought this.
(she quickly opens the door, takes it and drops it on the floor)
Abdulhakeem: Sorry… take care of yourself. (he leaves)
Summayah: (shocked, picking it up) What is this? Why did he wrap it like this… and why are there so many? (gasps) He bought pads for me? (she squats in embarrassment) Ahh Summayah, you are finished… how will you ever face him again?
(Curtain)
15 minutes later
Summayah comes out of the restroom and is shocked to see Jamiu.
Summayah: What… what are you doing here?
Jamiu: Nothing… I just came to check on you.
Summayah: Okay, thanks… (she looks around and notices Shade watching from a distance) I… I should go. You can return to your office, I’m fine.
Jamiu: (holds her hand) Wait. I saw Abdulhakeem standing here earlier… what did he give you? And why was he here?
Summayah: It’s nothing! Just go! (she pulls her hand away) And stop holding me like that. (she walks away)
Jamiu: (takes a deep breath, smiling) She’s still mine… her heart belongs to me. I don’t need to rush. She already has feelings for me, she just hasn’t said it yet.
(he walks back to his office smiling)