The next morning
Ummu: Alia, hurry up now! Time is going.
Alia: I’m coming, mama… I’m here (adjusting her hijab).
Ummu: Why are you wearing a short hijab today?
Alia: Well… nothing, ma. I just… feel today will be sunny, because of the heat.
Ummu: (smiles) Go back inside and dress the way you usually do. You don’t need to say anything, I already know why you want to dress like this.
Alia: Ummu, it’s not like that…
Ummu: I said go inside… or do you want to leave this house and never come back?
Alia: (gasps) Is it up to that? Do you have to remind me that you aren’t my mother?
Ummu: (takes a deep breath) Let’s sit down. Drop the fish.
Alia: (she drops it and sits)
Ummu: I know you’re not a child anymore. You’re in your twenties. If you wish to be someone’s wife, I’m not saying you shouldn’t get married… but don’t fall for the wrong person. They will return you to the beginning of your life. If they get you pregnant, you won’t just suffer now, you will carry it for the rest of your life. If you want to settle down, choose a God-fearing man, not those boys toasting you outside. They are only after your body. And I can see you’re already falling for one of them… your dressing today says it all. You want them to run crazy for your body… or am I wrong?
Alia: (speechless)
Ummu: Your silence says everything. Remember all I’ve taught you. All this is temptation from Shaytan. If you fall into his trap, my dear, you will regret it… and you may not be able to forgive yourself. A real man will love you for the sake of Allah, for who you are, not your body or your face. Beauty fades… look at me now, wrinkles all over my face… but a real man will still love you even when you are no longer beautiful. Let them fall in love with your deen, your heart, your character… not this body that will decay one day. Please, my child, I want the best for you. Remember the husband I told you about… he loved me till his last day on earth. That is the kind of love you should pray for. Men can deceive… the real ones are rare, but pray for one. Allah will answer you. Please, my dear… I want the best for you. May Allah bless you with a pious partner who will give you the love you lack.
Alia: (crying)
Ummu: (moves closer to her) Don’t cry, my child. I understand what you’re going through. That’s why I sat you down like this. I want the best for you, just as I would want for my own child. Think about what I said… and don’t cry, okay?
Alia: I’m so sorry, ma. Thank you for having this conversation with me… thank you for bringing me back to my religion… thank you for saving me from Shaytan’s trap. I promise to change for good and make you proud.
Ummu: (smiles) I know you will. I believe you will. I just wish other parents would do this instead of shouting at their daughters.
Alia: Exactly. Some parents will just start shouting, saying if you get pregnant in this house, I will make your life miserable… that’s the end of your education, your freedom, your happiness. And when the girl actually gets pregnant, they will still be the ones crying and complaining to others that they trained her well but she didn’t listen… not knowing they are part of the problem. Mum, I’m really grateful for everything you’ve done for me. May Almighty Allah continue to bless you and your late husband. Jannatul Firdaus will be your final abode, in sha Allah. Jazakillahu khairan, ma.
Ummu: Ameen, my dear. (she stands up) Oya, let’s go, time has gone.
Alia: I’m coming, let me go and wear my beautiful khimar.
Ummu: (smiles) Be fast, dear.
(Curtain)
Halimah is busy nagging and swearing at Bolaji, while their only son sits in a corner of the parlour, crying. Bolaji is in the kitchen, soaking garri for his breakfast when they hear a knock at the gate.
Halimah: Who is the unfortunate person knocking at the gate?
Bolaji: I think it’s your unfortunate family.
Halimah: It’s your own family that is unfortunate… stupid and useless man!
Bolaji: (heading to the gate) Who is there?
Halimah: Who is that?
Bolaji: (opens the gate and freezes, shocked to see his entire family) Ahh… ho… w-what… (stammering)
Adewunmi: As-salamu alaykum, Mr Bolaji Muhammed. How have you been? (looks him up and down) Why are you in boxers? And why is your house smelling like this?
Abdullah: Maybe he has started a poultry business inside the house.
(The rest chuckle)
Summayah: Can we come in?
Bolaji: (confused and ashamed) I… come in… no… don’t come in…
Adewunmi: Which one should we listen to?
Suliyah: Mummy, please let’s leave this filthy house.
Halimah: Who is there now? (she comes out and freezes on seeing Adewunmi)
Adewunmi: (surprised) Halimah… I knew it. I said I know this name.
Abdullah: Where do you know her from?
Adewunmi: If you won’t invite us in, we will enter ourselves. Kids, let’s go. (they walk in, covering their noses)
Summayah: Why is the house so messy like this? Did a rat die here?
Adewunmi: There’s nowhere to even sit. So, Halimah… you are the reason my husband threw me out of his house? You are the reason?
Halimah: Abeg, who is the betrayer if not you? Husband snatcher!
Abdullah: Mum, what is she talking about?
Summayah: Yes, Mum, she called you a husband snatcher.
Adewunmi: Look, children… I will explain the biggest mistake of my life.
Abdullah: You better explain, because I don’t like how this woman is talking to you.
Adewunmi: I will explain. During my university days, Halimah was my very close friend. She was more beautiful than I was… every man’s dream. But the men who came my way were not attractive, not popular. Then I found out Halimah had a boyfriend… your father. The first day I saw him, I fell in love at first sight. Later, I realized Halimah was also involved with other rich men… she was cheating on your father. So I decided to take my chance. I did everything I could to win his attention, but it wasn’t easy. Eventually, I exposed Halimah… all because I wanted him. Instead, he was heartbroken. Halimah left him, saying she didn’t love him anymore. I was happy… very happy. From then on, I tried everything to win him, but he still had feelings for her. So… I trapped him with pregnancy. I knew he used to tell Halimah his parents wanted him to marry because he was their only son. I thought I was smart… not knowing I was walking into my own destruction. Your father accepted the pregnancy, introduced me to his parents, and they accepted me. We got married while I was pregnant… and that was how it began. I didn’t know he was a violent man until I married him. I regret everything I did. I used to think every time he hit me, it was punishment for my sins… not knowing he was still with her again.
Halimah: That’s not cheating… you are the cheater! You went behind my back to seduce him? I should be the one hitting you, you betrayer!
Adewunmi: I know… and I’m sorry. But look at the man we fought over… was he worth it?
Halimah: Honestly… he wasn’t.
Adewunmi: (moves closer) Halimah, I’m sorry for what I did to you back then. Please find it in your heart to forgive me.
Halimah: I’m sorry too… for everything. I didn’t know he was a violent man. I regret marrying him.
Bolaji: Please, Adewunmi, I’m sorry for everything… it’s you that I love, not her.
Abdullah: Dad… don’t even go there. And you, Mum… why didn’t you tell us all this before we came here?
Adewunmi: I’m sorry… I was waiting for the right time.
Abdullah: What right time?
Summayah: Mum, you mean you caused your own suffering?
Suliyah: Honestly… that’s the truth.
Summayah: (sad) So, Mum… you did all this? This is all your fault. What do you expect us to learn from you? You couldn’t even lead by example. How could you drag your own life into danger like this? Look at the man we call our father… look at him. Was he worth everything you did?
Suliyah: I always thought you were pure when you were our age, Mum. I used to be scared whenever you got angry at me for living a wayward life… but now, I’m not scared anymore. You see that wicked woman there (pointing at Halimah), she tortured me so badly that our so-called father even joined her. They made me drop out of school. None of you deserves to be called parents with these useless pasts. I regret being born into this family.
Halimah: Don’t you dare address me like that. Your parents didn’t train you well. You are rude and full of pride. I only clipped your wings to teach you a lesson. Your stupid dad spoiled you all in the name of calling you his favourite child.
Abdullah: Now I understand something, Mum. Suliyah only inherited a part of your past… and now I’m not even surprised anymore.
Adewunmi: I said I’m sorry… I know you’re all shocked to hear this, but I’m not that person anymore. I have changed. I have learned my lesson. I accepted your dad’s cruelty as a punishment from Allah… but please, I can’t bear to lose the three of you. You are all I have. (about to cry)
Suliyah: We are all sinners, Mum… but how could you force a man to love you? Of course he won’t respect you or treat you well. You begged for his love, and the only thing he could give you was hatred. Do you know, after your husband and his wife sent me out… do you know the kind of work I did? I was scared to tell you before… but now I will say it myself. I was a prostitute… a real prostitute. My life was ruined. Before I came back to my senses, it was almost too late… thanks to my siblings. I didn’t even know I inherited something bad from you. And you still had the courage to bring us here to tell us this shameful story… If I had known, I wouldn’t have come. Even if you disowned me. I thought we came here to show this man and his wife something… not this.
Abdullah: It’s okay, Suliyah… she’s still our mother.
Summayah: (moves closer and embraces her mum) So what? She is a sinner… and so are you. She regrets her actions, just like anyone else. She has changed and faced her punishment. Can you do the same? Suliyah, can you face the consequences of your own past? She asked Allah for forgiveness… have you? Have you truly asked? So none of you has the right to speak to Mum like that. Yes, she was wrong… but she has realized her mistakes and she has changed. Isn’t that something? Whether you like it or not, she is still our mum. That man over there is still our dad… and this woman is our stepmother. Face the reality and stop blaming Mum. If she hadn’t given birth to us through him, maybe we wouldn’t even exist. So no one should speak to her rudely again… because I will always love you, Mum.
Adewunmi: (crying) I’m sorry… I’m really sorry…
Abdullah: I think you’re right, Summayah. You’ve spoken with sense, I swear. But this man here deserves to be in prison for domestic abuse. Still, we won’t report you… Allah will judge you. And as for you, madam, you better run for your life. Me, I’m out of here. (he leaves)
Suliyah: Me too. (she follows him)
Summayah: Mum, let’s go home.
Adewunmi: Okay…
Bolaji: No! Adewunmi, please don’t leave me. You are the one I truly love. I forgive you… please come back to me. I can’t survive without you. (he runs after her but stops at the gate because of his boxers)
(Curtain)
The next day
Summayah is at work, cleaning with a nose mask as instructed by her boss. She is mopping the staircase when a man rushes up in a hurry. His muddy shoes stain the floor she just cleaned. He only notices when he gets upstairs. He pauses, looks back at the mess, and feels bad.
Assistant Manager: Hello, young lady… I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize I was giving you extra work until now. My sincere apologies.
Summayah: (continues mopping) No problem, sir. It’s my job to make sure the place is clean.
Assistant Manager: I understand… but still, I made it harder for you. (he squints, unable to see her face clearly because of the mask) Anyway, thank you. I’d like to meet you properly another time.
Summayah: (nods)
Assistant Manager: Alright, have a nice day. (he walks away)
(Curtain)
After a long, stressful shift, Summayah enters the restroom to clean up and change. Inside, three female workers are chatting. She greets them, but they ignore her. She quietly goes into one of the stalls to change. As she does, their voices drift in.
First Female: I don’t understand why she’s always wearing that nose mask. She’s so weird.
Second Female: Maybe she’s hiding something. Don’t you think? (laughs softly)
First Female: I guess so. We’ll find out soon enough… let’s see if she can compete with us for our dream man. Because I won’t spare anyone who tries to take my man… my prince… my heartbeat… my everything… my Akeem.
Third Female: Relax, please. I don’t think he has even noticed you in this company.
First Female: Don’t say that. I, Bisola, always get what I want.
Summayah: (from inside the stall, quietly) The same mistake my mum made… these ones are repeating it. What is wrong with women? (she finishes and slips out quietly)
Second Female: Look at her… I don’t think she’s even beautiful. Beautiful people don’t hide their faces.
First Female: We’ll find out soon.
Third Female: Let’s go. Lunch break is over.
(Curtain)
Summayah is on her way home when she sees her boss getting into his car, with the assistant manager beside him. She tries to avoid them, but her boss notices her.
Boss: Eh, you… the one with the nose mask!
Summayah: (startled) Sir?
Boss: Come here.
Summayah: (feeling embarrassed) Good afternoon, sir.
Assistant Manager: (watching her closely)
Boss: Good afternoon, my dear. I’m glad you followed my instructions. That shows you’re obedient. Are you heading home?
Summayah: Yes, sir.
Boss: Come, let me drop you.
Summayah: (quickly) No, sir, thank you.
Boss: Alright then… see you tomorrow.
Summayah: Thank you, sir. (she quickly walks away while the assistant manager keeps staring at her)
Boss: I was actually testing her. I thought she would follow me. She’s a good girl… but at least she covers her face so she won’t scare people.
Assistant Manager: What do you mean, sir?
Boss: You don’t want to see her face. That’s why I asked her to cover it… so she doesn’t scare everyone. (laughs) Anyway, I have a meeting in twenty minutes.
Assistant Manager: Alright, sir. Have a nice day.