Alia and Ummu were hawking under the scorching sun, moving slowly through the crowded market. Sweat clung to their skin, their legs heavy from hours of walking. Finally, they found a small shade and sank down to rest before continuing.
Ummu: Ahhh… today’s sun is too much. Here, take this pure water.
Alia: Thank you, ma… honestly, it’s too hot.
Ummu: How many fish remain on your side?
Alia: Let me count… (counts quietly) twelve fishes.
Ummu: We have to sell everything today. If it spoils by tomorrow, we can’t refry it. Mine is fifteen.
Alia: Let’s rest small… I’m even hungry.
Ummu: Don’t worry. When we get home, we’ll warm the remaining rice.
Alia: Okay… (she leans back, exhausted)
(Just then, a voice cuts through the heat.)
Tunji: Hey! Over there! Come and give me fish!
Ummu: Ahh! Alhamdulillah… someone wants to buy. Let me go.
Alia: Okay, ma… (still weak, watching her)
Tunji: No, no… not you, old woman. I mean her. I want her own.
(Ummu pauses, then turns back.)
Ummu: Alia, he said he wants you to sell for him.
Alia: (frowning) Why me? You’re already there. Please, just sell for him… I’m tired.
Tunji: If she can’t come, then keep your fish.
Ummu: But we are selling the same thing, and she is tired… (turns gently) Alia, just try. So we can go home quickly.
(Alia exhales deeply, forcing strength into her body.)
Alia: Okay…
(She drags herself up and walks toward him while Ummu sits back down.)
Alia: How many do you want?
(Tunji doesn’t answer immediately. He just stares… smiling, eyes roaming.)
Tunji: Hmm… aren’t you a beautiful damsel?
(Alia stiffens, irritation flashing across her face.)
Alia: Are you buying fish or not?
Tunji: Okay, okay… how much is everything? In fact, give me all… including your mother’s own.
(Alia blinks, surprised.)
Alia: Really? You want everything? Thank you so much, sir! (turns back excitedly) Mama, he said he will buy all!
Ummu: Masha Allah… thank you, sir.
Alia: Everything is 1,350 naira, sir.
Tunji: Just 1,350? Keep the fish. Eat it yourself. Here…
(He stretches out 5,000 naira.)
Alia: (confused) But… you’re not buying again. Why are you giving us this?
Tunji: Because I like you. You’re beautiful… very beautiful. If I dress you well, you’ll look like a queen.
(That excitement fades from Alia’s face.)
Alia: So… you’re not buying the fish?
Tunji: I am. Just take the money. The fish is yours.
Alia: (smiles, relieved) Thank you so much, sir. May Allah bless you, your pocket will never run dry—
Tunji: It’s fine, it’s fine. Just give me your number. I’d like to see you again… maybe tomorrow.
Alia: My number? I don’t even have a phone. And you’ve been shouting “beautiful, beautiful”… is it only my beauty you want? Not even the fish?
Tunji: (laughs) You’re funny. Not just your face… look at your shape under that hijab. I can’t wait to see—
(Alia’s expression changes instantly.)
(She throws the money back at him.)
Alia: There’s something wrong with you! Rubbish!
(She turns sharply and walks away.)
Ummu: (calmly) I guess he crossed his limit?
Alia: He did! Every time “you are beautiful”… are they looking for someone to turn into chicken?
Tunji: Come on! I didn’t mean it like that. Come back, let’s talk—
Alia: Mama, let’s go. We’ll find a better buyer on the way.
Ummu: Okay, my dear.
(They walk away, leaving him shouting behind them.)
Tunji: Fish seller!!
(Curtain)
Few weeks later…
(Halimah is angrily packing her things.)
Halimah: Before you kill me, I will leave this house, you wicked man!
Bolaji: Where are you going? Why are you packing?
Halimah: Back to where I came from. Nonsense.
Bolaji: You are not going anywhere!
Halimah: Are you mad? Try to stop me and see if I won’t stab you!
Bolaji: Today you want to stab me? Try it! After everything I lost because of you, you want to leave? I lost my business, I lost my wife, I lost my children… and now you want to go?
Halimah: (laughs bitterly) Marriage is not by force. When you were treating your wife like trash, you didn’t know?
Bolaji: I did it because of you!
Halimah: That’s how I know you are senseless. Look at you… empty. No money, nothing. Useless man. Shift!
Bolaji: I said you are not going anywhere! (pushes her)
Halimah: You’ve started again! You will push me to kill you one day!
Bolaji: I regret choosing you over my wife!
Halimah: Help! Somebody help me!
(They clash again violently.)
(Curtain)
Summayah’s p.o.v
Finally… I got a job.
After weeks of searching, rejection, and silent tears… someone finally said yes to me.
I couldn’t wait to tell my mum.
Even though… they said I must always wear a face mask so I won’t scare customers away.
(That part… I kept to myself.)
(As I got home, I saw my mum folding clothes. She looked better… stronger than before. Alhamdulillah.)
(I ran to her and hugged her from behind.)
Summayah: My world…
Adewunmi: (smiling softly) Okó mi… you’re back? This happiness… what is the good news?
Summayah: Of course I’m happy! Guess what, Mum?
Adewunmi: You know I’m not good at guessing.
Summayah: I got a job!
Adewunmi: (eyes lighting up) Really? Alhamdulillah! Congratulations, my dear! (she hugs her) What kind of work?
Summayah: (hesitates slightly) Cleaner… in a big company.
(Adewunmi pulls back slowly.)
Adewunmi: A cleaner?
Summayah: Yes, Mum. And guess the salary?
Adewunmi: I’m not happy with that kind of work… my daughter, a cleaner? No… you’re not doing it.
Summayah: Mum please… they will pay me 20,000 naira every month. I can save, go back to school. It’s not forever. At least… they accepted me the way I am. Isn’t that enough?
(Adewunmi’s eyes soften. She places her hand on her head.)
Adewunmi: Okó mi… I’m sorry for everything.
Summayah: Mum please… don’t start again. You should be encouraging me.
Adewunmi: I am… I’m proud of you. Come here.
(She pulls her into a warm embrace.)
Adewunmi: When are you starting?
Summayah: Tomorrow. They gave me a uniform too.
Adewunmi: Uniform?
Summayah: (laughs lightly) It’s a big company now.
Adewunmi: What do you want us to cook tonight?
Summayah: Anything… but you said you feel like cooking?
Adewunmi: Yes… I even miss it.
Summayah: Alhamdulillah… you’re getting stronger. Let’s cook together.
Adewunmi: (smiling deeply) You are such a cheerful child…
(Just then, the door bursts open.)
Abdullah: Hello, family!
Adewunmi: (laughing) This one too is happy today. What is the good news?
Abdullah: I don’t even know where to start… guess what!
Summayah: Abeg, we are not guessing anything. Talk!
Adewunmi: (laughing) Mr Guess.
Abdullah: (grinning) Fine. I’m going back to school.
(A sudden silence.)
Abdullah: My boss… he said he will sponsor my education. Everything. Because of my loyalty and hard work. But I’ll study a course he chooses so I can work for him after.
(Adewunmi and Summayah freeze… eyes wide.)
Adewunmi & Summayah: What?!
Abdullah: I know both of you are surprised, right?
Adewunmi: Okó mi… (tears of joy fill her eyes) come here.
(She pulls him into a tight embrace, holding him like she never wants to let go.)
Adewunmi: I’m so happy for you. May Allah continue to bless your boss and his family… I am so proud of you, my son.
Abdullah: Mum, don’t cry now… the last thing I want to see right now is your tears.
Summayah: (teasing lightly) It’s like Mum’s tears are no longer normal again. Any small thing… tears. The doctor didn’t tell us this is another symptom. (smiles) But seriously, bro… I’m so happy for you. Finally… you’re going back to school.
(She hugs him tightly.)
Abdullah: Thank you, my lovely sister… Mum, please stop crying now… haba.
Adewunmi: These are not ordinary tears… these are tears of joy. After five years of hardship… finally, light is shining in your life.
Abdullah: Then give me your smile, not tears. Look at me now… even before I graduate, a job is already waiting for me. Ahh… Ya Allah, I’m so grateful. Now I can show that devil who I really am.
Adewunmi: (her expression changes slightly) And who is that?
Abdullah: Who else? Bolaji.
Adewunmi: (firmly) That is your father.
(Silence falls.)
Adewunmi: Remember, he is still part of your existence. You haven’t even graduated and you’re already planning revenge? That is not who I raised. I raised you to be kind, even to those who hurt you. Leave them to Allah… and watch how He fights for you.
(She looks at him deeply.)
Adewunmi: I don’t ever want to hear you speak of revenge again… unless you don’t want me to live to eat the fruit of my labour.
Abdullah: (quickly) Haba, Mum… don’t say that. You will… you must. No one can take your place.
Adewunmi: Then let it go. Forgive… and move on. I know you cannot forget, even I haven’t forgotten… but I forgave him a long time ago.
(She sighs softly.)
Adewunmi: Not because I am weak… but because I want the best for you in this life and the hereafter.
(She turns her gaze to both of them.)
Adewunmi: I’m not speaking to you alone… I’m speaking to both of you. Especially you, Summayah. Let go of your pain. Forgive… so you can live longer, with peace.
Summayah: (quietly) Okay, Mum.
Adewunmi: If you truly want peace… let go of pain and fear. Forgive those who hurt you, so that Allah will forgive you.
(She pauses, her voice becoming softer… distant.)
Adewunmi: Life is simple… but we complicate it. In my younger days… I made mistakes. Big ones.
(Summayah and Abdullah exchange a glance.)
Adewunmi: I betrayed someone very close to me… and till today, I still pray to meet her again, so I can ask for her forgiveness.
(Silence.)
Adewunmi: But I learned. And I don’t want my children to repeat my mistakes.
(She looks at them with quiet intensity.)
Adewunmi: And if you ever make mistakes… learn from them. Don’t drown in regret. We are human… we will fall. But peace comes when you rise again… and never return to that same mistake.
Summayah: Mum… what are you talking about?
Adewunmi: (forces a small smile) Don’t worry… when the time is right, you will understand.
Abdullah: Honestly… Mum is full of wisdom. I understand you, Mum… and I promise you… from today, I will never think of revenge again.
Adewunmi: (smiles proudly) That’s my son.
(She glances playfully at Summayah.)
Adewunmi: At least I know he inherited from me… I’m not too sure about you.
Summayah: (quickly) God forbid! I am your copy, Mum. Direct copy.
Adewunmi: But I’m not stubborn like you.
Abdullah: (laughs) Exactly.
Adewunmi: Anyway… tomorrow, insha Allah, you will take me to your boss. I need to thank him properly.
Abdullah: Of course, Mum.
Summayah: I wish I could follow… but I’m starting work tomorrow.
Abdullah: You got a job?
Summayah: (smiling proudly) Hmm… you will hear the full gist later.
(Curtain)
Few days later…
Abdullah stands at the entrance of a hotel, adjusting his shirt as he prepares for the seminar his boss organized. Guests begin to arrive one after the other.
Abdullah: You’re welcome, sir… this way please. Welcome, ma…
(He keeps greeting people politely… until his eyes catch something that freezes him.)
(Suliyah… walking out of the hotel with a man. The man’s hand rests shamelessly on her body.)
(His chest tightens. His vision blurs.)
Abdullah: Suliyah!
(She turns.)
The man: You know him?
(Before she can respond, Abdullah storms forward and slaps her.)
(Silence.)
Suliyah: (stunned, holding her cheek)
The man: What the hell! (pushes Abdullah) Why did you hit her? Who are you?
(He tries to fight him.)
Suliyah: Please! Stop! Leave him!
The man: Why? Why should I leave him?
(He raises his hand to hit Abdullah.)
Suliyah: (screaming) Stop! He is my brother!
(The man pauses.)
(Abdullah doesn’t even look at him. His eyes are fixed on Suliyah… filled with anger… and something deeper… pain.)
(Without a word, he turns and walks back to his position.)
The man: Your brother?
Suliyah: (shaking) Please… just go. Leave.
(Abdullah continues welcoming guests… but his hands tremble… his eyes burn with unshed tears.)
(Suliyah slowly walks toward him.)
Suliyah: Brother…
Abdullah: (turns sharply) Don’t take another step toward me.
(His voice breaks slightly.)
Abdullah: I am ashamed to call you my blood.
(Tears roll down his face, but he doesn’t wipe them.)
Suliyah: I’m… I’m sorry…
(He suddenly grabs her wrist and drags her away from the entrance.)
Abdullah: Leave this place!
Suliyah: (crying) Please… don’t do this. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.
Abdullah: Summayah told me… but I didn’t believe her. Not until today.
(His voice shakes.)
Abdullah: I don’t even know what to say to you… because if I talk, I might hurt you.
(He steps back.)
Abdullah: Just leave my sight.
Suliyah: No! I’m not going anywhere until I explain myself!
Abdullah: I don’t want to hear anything. Go back to your clients.
(She drops to her knees.)
Suliyah: Please… just listen to me. Just once.
(He stares at her for a few seconds… breathing heavily.)
Abdullah: (quietly) Stand up.
(They move into a quiet corner inside the hall.)
Abdullah: Talk. And if your reason is not good enough… I’m cutting you off completely.
(Suliyah wipes her tears, unable to sit properly in her revealing outfit.)
Abdullah: Look at you… what kind of life is this?
Suliyah: (voice trembling) After you left… that woman turned my life into hell. She poisoned Dad’s mind against me. She told him I was sleeping around, even when I was still going to school.
Abdullah: You got admission?
Suliyah: Yes… I was in 200 level.
Abdullah: And you dropped out?
Suliyah: Dad said he couldn’t pay my fees anymore. He told me to fend for myself.
(She swallows hard.)
Suliyah: And that woman… she didn’t stop. She made sure he hated me. He beat me… constantly. I couldn’t take it anymore. I ran away.
Abdullah: Why didn’t you come to us? Why didn’t you call?
Suliyah: Call? With what phone? Dad seized it… threw it inside the soakaway.
(She laughs bitterly through tears.)
Suliyah: How do you expect me to face Mum after everything? After I chose him over her?
(She lowers her head.)
Suliyah: I tried to find work… but every man that offered help wanted something in return. I had no choice…
Abdullah: (furious) No choice?
(He steps closer, anger shaking his voice.)
Abdullah: You are very, very stupid! With all your intelligence… this is what you chose?
(She flinches.)
Abdullah: I feel like strangling you right now… but I won’t. Because Mum said we shouldn’t repay evil with evil.
(He laughs bitterly.)
Abdullah: So tell me… now that you’ve become this… have you achieved anything?
Suliyah: (crying) Do you think I wanted this? Do you think this is my dream?
Abdullah: (cuts her off sharply) Just stop.
(Silence hangs heavy between them.)
Comments
Post a Comment