Ummu: Now, did you see the importance of niqab? That’s another advantage. But some women think it takes away their freedom, that it will stop them from finding a husband, not knowing it actually helps them recognize a pious man. Alhamdulilah, my dear… I am very happy and proud of you. I never even had to lecture you about niqab, yet Allah placed the knowledge in your heart naturally. Masha Allah… come here. (she embraces her)
Alia: Thank you ma… from now henceforth, I will never remove it again. I promise Allah I will wear it for the rest of my life. In fact, I have found peace now… isn’t that a good thing?
Ummu: It is, my dear.
Alia: Anyway, what did you have for lunch?
Ummu: I prepared amala with okra soup… I made plenty so we can also eat it tonight.
Alia: You cooked? Why now?
Ummu: Do you want me to just sit at home doing nothing? Besides, I am better now… I am tired of staying indoors all the time.
Alia: Okay o… me I am hungry, I need food like crazy right now. (she heads to get her food)
Ummu: (watching her softly, lost in thought) Ya Allah… people called me barren, yet You blessed me with a child I never carried in my womb. You gave me a daughter through another woman’s heart. Subhanallah… Ya Allah, You are the Most Merciful, the Most Generous. I will worship You till my last breath.
(Curtain
)
DURING THE NIGHT
Rukayah’s P.O.V
My son is going to an unknown town to write his JAMB. I keep watching him as he packs his things. My heart won’t settle. I am worried… deeply worried. I just pray nothing bad happens to him.
“OKOMI,” I call softly, the name I always use for him.
Abdullah: Yes mama. (still packing)
Rukayah: How will you get there? I am really worried.
Abdullah: My boss will take me there with his car.
Rukayah: Really? That’s a relief… wallahi, your boss is a very kind man. May Allah continue to bless him for me.
Abdullah: Ameen. Honestly, he treats me like his own son. Anyway, wish me luck o… it’s been a while I used my brain like this.
Rukayah: You will come out with flying colours, insha Allah.
Abdullah: Ameen ma.
Summayah and Suliyah: Food is ready o! (laughing and chatting)
Abdullah: (surprised) Ahh! You two are even laughing together today? Something good must be happening o!
Rukayah: (smiling) At least they now value each other. I am happy things are getting better.
Suliyah: I can’t trade my sister for anything o! She is my best friend now… I never knew how important a blood sister is until now.
Summayah: Same here o! Egbon, food is ready… Mr JAMB.
Abdullah: I said I’m coming! You people have turned me into food lover abi? And who are you calling JAMB?
Suliyah: Who else is writing JAMB in this house tomorrow?
Abdullah: (chasing them playfully) Come here! If I catch both of you, I will deal with you!
(They run around the living room laughing while their mother watches with a warm smile.)
(Curtain)
THE NEXT MORNING
Summayah’s P.O.V
I arrived at work and immediately noticed something strange. Everyone was whispering, gossiping, their voices low but tense.
Even though I came late today, I was hoping my boss wouldn’t notice… but the company looked too clean. Almost like someone had already been here before me.
Who could it be?
I wondered as I tried sneaking toward the guest room to change.
Suddenly—
Assistant Manager: SUMMAYAH!!!
Summayah: Sir!
He stormed down the stairs, anger written all over his face.
Assistant Manager: You! How dare you! You imposter! How dare you expose what we have been hiding in this company!
Summayah: (shaking) Sir… I… I don’t understand you…
Assistant Manager: Don’t act innocent! So now you are pretending? You told everyone I am the son of Mr. Adebowale, the CEO of this company!
Summayah: I didn’t tell anyone, sir! The day you—
Assistant Manager: Shut up! Shut your dirty mouth! Now you are denying it? You are fired!
Summayah: (breaking down) Sir… please… I swear I didn’t do it… please believe me…
Jamiu: (stepping in suddenly) Sir, don’t you think you should have evidence before treating her like this?
Assistant Manager: This is none of your business! Go back to your desk!
Jamiu: I am not going anywhere. She is my friend and I won’t watch her get humiliated like this.
Assistant Manager: Then you are fired too!
Jamiu: Fine. Fire me. But you have no right to talk to her like that.
Summayah: (crying) Sir… I didn’t do it… please believe me…
Boss: What is going on here?
Shade: Why is she crying?
Summayah: He said I exposed a secret I know nothing about.
Shade: What secret?
Boss: Yes… what secret?
Assistant Manager: That I and Shade are your children!
Boss: Who the hell told them that?!
(The room goes silent, workers murmuring in shock)
Boss: All four of you… my office. Now.
INSIDE THE OFFICE
Boss: Sit down.
(Summayah and Jamiu remain standing)
Boss: Summayah… is it true you exposed this secret?
Summayah: (drops to her knees, crying) No sir… I swear with the name of Allah, I didn’t do it. Please believe me.
Jamiu: She shouldn’t be kneeling like this.
Boss: And why are you involved?
Jamiu: Because she is my friend, sir. I can’t watch her be humiliated for something she didn’t do.
Boss: (laughs lightly) You kids are something else…
Assistant Manager: Dad! Please let’s fire him.
Jamiu: It will be my pleasure if you do.
Boss: We are not firing him. We need him. As for you, Summayah… we will investigate this matter. If you are guilty, you won’t just lose your job—you may even face prison for three days. But if you are innocent… I will make it up to you for everything you’ve been through. You may all leave.
OUTSIDE
Summayah: (crying) Why would he humiliate me like that for something I didn’t do?
Jamiu: Stop crying. He is not worth your tears.
(His phone rings, he steps aside to answer.)
Suddenly—
Voice from outside gate: Summayah!
Summayah: Who is that?
(She walks closer)
Alia: It’s me! Alia! Your childhood friend!
Summayah: (shocked, then excited) Alia?! Is it really you?!
(She quickly opens the gate and hugs her tightly)
Alia: (drops her fish tray in excitement, hugging her back) My dear friend!
Summayah: (coughing) Okay… I can’t breathe… I’m choking!
Alia: Sorry! I am just too excited to see you!
Summayah: Look at you… you are now so big and beautiful!
Alia: Why are you wearing niqab? Are you married?
Summayah: Let me see your face please…
Alia: (smiles and reveals her face)
Summayah: Oh my God! You are so beautiful! No wonder you cover your face… men would go crazy for this face.
Jamiu: (returning from call, looking around) Where did she go?
(He sees her outside smiling and talking to someone)
Jamiu: So she can laugh like this…
(Assistant Manager watches quietly from the boss’s office, deep in thought.)
Summayah: Look at you… so big and beautiful. So how far now? Are you still with those people?
Alia: Hmmmm… my dear, there is a lot you need to hear. In fact, I can’t explain everything while we are still standing here like this.
Summayah: Ehn ehn! That means we have a lot to tell each other, abi?
Alia: As in eh! A whole lot!
(They both smile, excited, until a familiar voice interrupts.)
Jamiu: Hello ladies.
Summayah: Hi… sorry. This is my childhood best friend, Alia. Alia, meet my close friend, Jamiu.
Alia: Wait oh… I think I know you. Were you not the guy that came to buy drinks and was making fun of her?
Jamiu: (smiling lightly) Oh no, I wasn’t making fun of her… I was actually admiring her. Nice to meet you again.
Alia: Nice to meet you too.
Jamiu: So we can’t even see your beautiful face anymore… are you married?
Alia: No o… even Summayah asked me that earlier.
Summayah: Please what’s the time?
Jamiu: (checks his watch) It’s almost eleven. Anyway, nice meeting you Alia. I should head back inside. See you next time. (he waves and leaves)
Summayah: What! Oh my God… and I haven’t even done anything today. They are definitely going to sack me today.
Alia: Bye… (waves) You work here? And he works here too?
Summayah: Yes… I’m a cleaner… and he’s a special worker.
Alia: So both of you work together… what a coincidence. Awwwnn… that’s so romantic.
Summayah: (laughing) You have started again with your “awwnn.” Look, Alia, give me your house address. I promise I will visit you this weekend. We have a lot to talk about.
Alia: Of course! I can’t afford to lose you again. But where I live is very far o… just give me yours instead. That your silly sister once told me you were… dead.
Summayah: Don’t worry, I will find you. Wait… what? Suliyah said that?
Alia: Yes! The way she shouted at me that day… hmm. But deep down, I knew she was lying.
Summayah: So Suliyah even wished me dead back then…
Alia: Don’t take it personal o… that was in the past.
Summayah: (sighs deeply) Anyway, I have to go now. I would have called you, but I don’t even have a phone.
Alia: Same here.
(They both pause, emotional.)
Alia: I wish I could hug you again.
Summayah: Me too… drop your fish, let’s hug properly again.
Alia: Say no more. (she drops it and hugs her tightly)
Summayah: Take care… finally found my best friend again.
(She watches Alia walk away with a soft smile before heading back inside.)
(Curtain)
ALIA’S P.O.V
When I got back to the market, I sat at my usual spot and started singing my fish-selling song.
“Buy your delicious fish! Fresh fish o!”
But today was different. No buyers. The market felt unusually quiet.
After almost an hour and a half of trying, I finally sat down to rest. I kept adjusting my niqab, still not used to it yet.
I placed my hands under my cheeks, thinking about Summayah… and what my life is becoming.
It’s not that I am not grateful. Alhamdulilah, I am.
But deep down… I want love.
I want to be loved. I want to be appreciated.
Maybe marriage… maybe that kind of life. Education was never really for me.
Suddenly—
Hustaz: Assalamu alaikum, hajia.
Alia: (quickly fixing herself) Wa alaikum salam sir.
Hustaz: Don’t you remember me?
Alia: (looking closely) Ohh… sorry sir. Good afternoon. Jazakallahu khairan for the other day.
Hustaz: Wa iyyaki. I told you I would come back.
Alia: Yes you did… so how many fish do you want today?
Hustaz: Actually… I didn’t come for fish.
Alia: Huh?
Hustaz: I bought some last time… they are still in my fridge. I am not really a fish eater… I just bought it for your sake.
Alia: Oh… okay sir.
Hustaz: So… what is your name?
Alia: My name is Alia.
Hustaz: Are you married?
Alia: No sir.
Hustaz: Alhamdulilah.
(Alia pauses, confused.)
Hustaz: My name is Ismail. I would like to ask you a few questions.
Alia: I am listening.
Hustaz: Not here. This place is too noisy.
Alia: Sir, this is the market… I came here to sell fish. I can’t leave until I’m done.
Hustaz: Do you want me to buy all of them again just so I can talk to you?
Alia: No no… you don’t have to force yourself. My buyers will come.
Hustaz: Hmm… I see how committed you are. I will leave you for now, but I will come back another time. I really need to speak to you properly.
Alia: (quietly)
Hustaz: I promise it will be in a respectful way… Assalamu alaikum.
Alia: Wa alaikum salam.
(He leaves. Alia touches her chest, her heart racing.)
Alia: My heart… why is it beating like this? Hmm… I like the way he talks.
(She quickly adjusts herself and returns to selling.)
“Buy your fresh fish o!”
(Curtain)
THE NEXT DAY – COMPANY
The company was busy as usual. Workers moved around, focused on their duties.
Summayah was in the lost and found room, still searching for her missing bag.
She peeped toward where Jamiu usually eats.
Summayah: Ohh… he has already dropped his food. Amala and ewedu again? Hmm…
(She quickly snaps out of it.)
Summayah: Ah ah! Are you not supposed to be looking for your bag? What are you doing? This brain will land me in trouble one day.
Suddenly—
Assistant Manager: (from outside) Make sure it is brought to my office today! Is that clear?
Colleagues: Yes sir!
Summayah quickly hides behind a table filled with lost items.
Summayah: Why is he here now? I should not have even come here…
He enters the room.
Assistant Manager: You can all go.
Colleagues: Yes sir.
Summayah stays hidden, holding her breath.
Assistant Manager: Hmm… you can come out now.
Her heart jumps.
Summayah: (thinking) Oh no…
He slowly turns and spots her.
Assistant Manager: What are you doing here?
Summayah: Sir… I… I… I was just…
(She stands quickly, nervous, scratching her neck.)
Summayah: I was looking for my bag!
Assistant Manager: Looking for me?
Summayah: No! No! Not you sir!
Assistant Manager: Then why are you sweating?
Summayah: It’s nothing sir… I was just…
She tries to leave but he blocks her path.
Summayah: Sir please… you are blocking me.
Assistant Manager: I like the way you speak English… your accent is really… nice.
(She remembers how he treated her yesterday and frowns.)
Summayah: Sir, please move.
Assistant Manager: And if I don’t?
Before anything else—
Jamiu: Let her go.
He appears suddenly.
Assistant Manager: You again? What is your problem with me?
Jamiu: I said… let her go.
Summayah quickly pushes past them and runs out.
Assistant Manager: Why do you always interfere when I am with her?
Jamiu: Because she is my friend. And I will always protect her from people like you.
Assistant Manager: You are very bold today… my father hired you here, I can fire you right now.
Jamiu: Then do it. Fire me.
(He steps forward confidently.)
Jamiu: Boss.