Ayo’s Mum: Alia!
Alia: Yes, ma… I’m here, ma.
Ayo’s Mum: Have a seat.
Alia: Please, ma… let me stand.
Ayo’s Mum: (firmer) I said, have a seat.
Alia: (quietly) Okay, ma. (She sits, her hands trembling slightly.)
Ayo’s Mum: (sighs deeply) Hmm… I want to say thank you. Truly. For everything you’ve done in this house. Your hard work, your dedication… I appreciate it.
(Alia lowers her head, unsure where this is going.)
Ayo’s Mum: But… (pauses) the problem I have is about my son. He is the only child I have… and he struggles with controlling himself.
Alia: (in her mind, confused) What does she mean?
Ayo’s Mum: He gets tempted easily… by anyone, by anything. And I don’t want you to become a victim of that. You’re a beautiful girl… and I will never forgive myself if he ruins your life.
(Alia’s breath catches.)
Ayo’s Mum: So… I think it’s best you stop working here. You can go somewhere safer. Because every time I leave both of you alone in this house… my heart is never at rest.
(She pauses, her voice heavy.)
Ayo’s Mum: He even spoke to me himself… told me how he feels about you… and begged me to do something before he loses control. I respect him for telling me the truth.
(Alia’s eyes fill with tears.)
Ayo’s Mum: If anything happens, I will be held responsible… and I cannot carry that burden.
(She stretches out her hand, holding money.)
Ayo’s Mum: Take this… your salary. Fifteen thousand naira. You can use it to find somewhere safe. It’s already late… so leave tomorrow morning. Leave peacefully… not in pieces.
(She turns to leave.)
Alia: (voice breaking, already crying) Please, ma… give me another chance. I promise I will do better.
Ayo’s Mum: (turns back, confused) Chance? I didn’t say you did anything wrong.
Alia: I know, ma… but I have nowhere to go. I’m homeless… please, ma… have mercy on me.
Ayo’s Mum: (her expression hardens slightly) Do you want to carry unwanted pregnancy?
Alia: (quickly, shaking her head) No, ma…
Ayo’s Mum: Then leave my house tomorrow morning. If I still find you here… I will throw you and your things outside myself. Is that clear?
Alia: (falls to her knees, crying openly now) Please, ma… don’t send me out. Please…
Ayo’s Mum: (turns away) Have a good night.
(She walks out without looking back.)
Alia: (still on her knees, voice breaking) Please, ma…
(Curtain)
That same night
Adewunmi’s p.o.v
Summayah? Have you packed the clothes I washed?
Summayah!
Ah… this child.
(annoyed, she walks toward the kitchen)
Where is she?
(I enter the kitchen and see my brother’s wife and her children cooking. Summayah is with them.)
Adewunmi: Oh… here you are. Well done, everyone. What can I help with?
Uncle’s Wife: Ah, Iya Okomi… help ke? We are already many here. Please go and rest, you must be tired. I’ll bring your food soon.
Adewunmi: Thank you so much, ma… for everything. For opening your home to us. May Allah bless you, reward you and your children abundantly.
Uncle’s Wife: Ameen, ma. And you too. Summayah, are you done washing the plates?
Adewunmi: Ajoke mi… well done. (She leaves quietly.)
(I walk into the living room and see my brother watching TV.)
Adewunmi: Ah, egbon… you’re back from work?
Uncle: Yes. How are you?
Adewunmi: I’m fine. How was work?
Uncle: Alhamdulillah. I was actually planning to come to your room after eating… but since you’re here, let me just say it.
Adewunmi: (sits down) Okay, sir.
Uncle: I’ve gotten an apartment for you and Summayah. A self-contained one. And… I will give you twenty thousand naira to start something small.
(He sighs.)
Uncle: I wish I could do more… but things are tight.
Adewunmi: (eyes widen, she quickly drops to her knees) Ah… thank you so much, sir. May Allah increase you. Thank you for always standing by me. I truly appreciate it. Your children will also meet helpers in life, In sha Allah.
Uncle: Ameen, ameen. Get up. (hands her the money) Take this. Let me know when you’re ready to move.
Adewunmi: (takes the money carefully) Thank you so much, sir.
Uncle: I’m only doing my duty as your brother. No need to thank me. Have you heard from Abdullah?
Adewunmi: Not yet… but I will call him before I sleep.
Uncle: Please do. That’s all. Good night.
Adewunmi: Good night, sir.
(She walks back to her room.)
(A knock.)
Uncle’s Wife: Iya Okomi, your food is ready.
Adewunmi: Come in now… no need to knock.
Uncle’s Wife: (smiling) Here is your food. Summayah will bring your water.
Adewunmi: Thank you so much, ma. May Allah continue to bless you.
Uncle’s Wife: Ameen. (She leaves.)
(My phone suddenly rings.)
Adewunmi: Ah… my son. Ayinde mi. (picks the call) Hello, okomi.
Abdullah: Mum! Where are you? (his voice is loud, shaky)
Adewunmi: Where are you? Why is it so noisy? It’s raining heavily here.
Abdullah: I’m outside… in the rain. I got home and you weren’t there. Mum… where are you?
Adewunmi: (jumps up, panic rising) What? You’re in the rain? Why didn’t you stay inside?
Abdullah: Which house, Mum? Please… where are you? I’m shivering.
Adewunmi: I’m at your uncle’s place. It’s far… but wait, I’ll call him. We’ll come and get you.
Abdullah: Please hurry… I’m freezing.
Adewunmi: I’m coming, okomi. Find somewhere to hide. Cover yourself. We’re coming now.
(She ends the call, already rushing out.)
(I run to my brother. He stands immediately, grabbing his shirt.)
Summayah insists on following, but I refuse. There’s no time.
We drive into the rain.
Forty minutes later, we find him… curled under a small shade, drenched, shivering uncontrollably.
My heart breaks.
Adewunmi: (runs to him) My son!
(I pull him into my arms. His body is cold… too cold. He clings to me tightly, like he might disappear if he lets go. Tears fall from my eyes without permission.)
(My brother loads his bag into the car. We rush back.)
We get home around 10:12 pm. The house is quiet… everyone asleep.
I quickly boil water for him. I give him my food.
Ten minutes later, he comes out of the bathroom, still weak. I hand him paracetamol.
Adewunmi: (touching his head gently) Okomi… how are you feeling now?
Abdullah: (eating quickly, almost desperately)
Adewunmi: (tears slipping down) You had to go through all this… because of me. I’m sorry, my son.
Abdullah: (suddenly drops the spoon, anger rising) Why are you blaming yourself? This is not your fault. That wicked man did this to you. I swear… I will make him pay. I will be successful… and I will make him pay. (tears fall down his face)
Adewunmi: (crying) It’s okay… don’t cry. You’re a man. Be strong for me. You’ve already suffered enough because of me.
Abdullah: How do you expect me to stay in that house without you? You are the light of that house. So you want me to live in darkness? Mum… I can’t do without you.
(He clenches his fist.)
Abdullah: And that man… he will pay for everything he did to you. I promise.
(His voice rises… loud enough to wake Summayah.)
Summayah: Brother mi! (runs to him and hugs him tightly) Welcome… why are you crying?
Abdullah: (forces a weak smile) It’s nothing. How are you?
Summayah: (sadly) See where Dad has brought us…
Abdullah: He will pay for this. So he even has the right to bring another woman into that house?
Summayah and Adewunmi: (shocked) He did what?
Abdullah: (hesitates, forcing a smile) Uh… it’s nothing. Don’t worry, Mum. Allah will guide us. So… how have you been?
Adewunmi: (silent, staring into space)
Abdullah: Mum?
Adewunmi: (tears begin to fall slowly) He… brought another woman into my matrimonial home?
Summayah: I said it… didn’t I say it? O pari!
Abdullah: It’s not like that, Mum…
Adewunmi: (voice rising, breaking) After everything I have done for that man… after standing by him when we had nothing… encouraging him, supporting him… how could he do this to me?
Abdullah: (guilty, lowering his head) I made a mistake telling you like that… I didn’t plan to say it now. I’m sorry, Mum… but please, don’t let it destroy you.
Adewunmi: (shouts) Why won’t it destroy me? Tell me! I loved your father… from the very beginning of our lives…
Abdullah: I know… I know you did. (softly) But he doesn’t deserve that kind of love.
Summayah: Me, I’ve said it already. Daddy is cheating… and Suliyah is still there with him. Hmm… I pity her. She will see something she can’t handle.
Abdullah: Even Suliyah shocked me. I thought she would follow me… but she stayed.
Adewunmi: (quiet again, tears rolling silently, lost in her thoughts)
Abdullah: Mum… it’s okay now. Please be strong for us. I will work hard… I’ll make sure we live well again, even if I have to drop out of school.
Adewunmi: (suddenly lifts her head) What? No! No, my son… don’t say that. Please don’t drop out. I will do everything. I will sponsor your education until you succeed.
Abdullah: Then stop thinking about that man. Stop crying over him. It hurts me… it makes me feel useless seeing you like this.
Adewunmi: (quickly wipes her tears) I’m sorry… look at me, I’m not crying anymore. You two… you are all I have now. I can’t afford to lose either of you.
Summayah: (moves closer, her voice soft but heavy) I can’t imagine my life without you, Mum. Honestly… I would have ended my life nine years ago. People would have forgotten I ever existed… but you… you kept me alive. You are the reason I’m still here, still breathing. So when you’re unhappy… we feel it too. As you can see… we don’t even care about that man you’re crying over.
Abdullah: Abi! Summayah, you get sense.
Summayah: I inherited it from Mum.
Abdullah: Same here. Everything good in me is from Mum. Who wants to inherit anything from that man?
Summayah: Na only Suliyah carry that one. Father and daughter. I just pray that woman shows her something she won’t forget.
Abdullah: (pulls her into a hug) Come here. You’re even becoming more beautiful these days.
Summayah: Abeg, stop that. Don’t remind me of my problems.
Abdullah: I’m serious. Look at your smile… it’s brighter now.
Summayah: Really?
Abdullah: Yes.
Adewunmi: (watches them quietly, a faint smile forming through her tears. In her heart) They… they are enough. They are all I need.
(Curtain)
The next day
Alia’s p.o.v
I packed my things early… before she could throw me out like she promised.
Now… I have nowhere to go.
Maybe I should go to my friend’s shop.
(Arriving there)
Locked.
Where could she be?
Maybe her house…
(I knock. And knock. And keep knocking… for what feels like forever.)
After almost fifteen minutes, the gate finally opens.
Suliyah: Who is knocking like a mad person? (opens the gate, eyes scanning her) And who are you?
Alia: Good afternoon, ma… I’m looking for Summayah.
Suliyah: (looks her up and down with disgust) Who are you to her?
Alia: I’m her friend… I just want to see her.
Suliyah: Oh… so you think you can just come here like that? Okay then… Summayah is dead. Now get out.
Alia: (stumbles back, heart dropping) What? S… Summayah? No… no, that’s not possible. She can’t be dead… please, I just want to see her. Even if it’s the last time…
Suliyah: Are you deaf? Or is something wrong with your head? I said she’s dead. Now get out of my house!
Alia: No… it’s not possible. Wait… are you Suliyah?
Suliyah: Yes. So what?
Alia: (nods slowly) That explains everything. Thank you.
Suliyah: Nonsense. (slams the gate in her face)
Alia: (steps back, hurt and frustrated) She should have just broken the gate on my head… nonsense.
(quietly)
Where are you, Summayah? I know you’re not dead… you can’t just disappear like that. I need to see you… before I leave.
(Hours pass. She keeps walking.)
Her legs grow weak… her body heavy… until she can barely move.
Then she sees a woman by a small hut, frying fish.
Alia: (weakly) Ma… please… water.
The Woman: Water? (quickly stands, fetches from a clay pot) Take.
Alia: (grabs it, drinks desperately) Please… more.
The Woman: Of course. (fetches another)
Alia: (drinks again, slower this time) Thank you, ma…
The Woman: Are you okay now?
Alia: (drops to her knees) Thank you so much, ma… may Allah reward you.
The Woman: You’re welcome. You can go now.
Alia: (hesitates, scratching her neck) Ma… do you live alone?
The Woman: Yes. Why?
Alia: (voice shaking) Please… let me stay with you. I will serve you for the rest of my life.
The Woman: (confused) Stay with me? Why? Don’t you have a home?
Alia: (eyes fill with tears) I’m homeless. (she explains everything) Please… I mean no harm. I will do all your work… take care of you… anything.
The Woman: My daughter… I’m just a fish seller. Look at this… this is what I survive on. I don’t even make up to five thousand. Feeding myself is hard enough… how will I feed you?
Alia: I have fifteen thousand naira. You can use it to grow your business. I will help you sell… please, ma. (still on her knees)
The Woman: (surprised) You had money… and you were begging for water?
Alia: I didn’t want to touch it…
The Woman: Until you died of thirst?
Alia: Please… forget that. Just accept me. For Allah’s sake.
The Woman: (studies her) You’re a Muslim?
Alia: Yes, ma.
The Woman: What is your name?
Alia: Alia.
The Woman: Do you see how I dress?
Alia: Yes… your hijab is long, and you wear socks.
The Woman: Even in poverty… I hold onto my religion. Death can come anytime. I will accept you… but on one condition.
Alia: I will do anything.
The Woman: You must change your way of life. Fully. Embrace Islam properly.
Alia: (nods quickly) I will, ma.
The Woman: Not just words. Will you truly become a practicing Muslimah?
Alia: (firm this time) Yes… I promise.
The Woman: Then… welcome home. Give me salam properly.
Alia: As-salamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
The Woman: (smiles warmly) Wa alaykumus salam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
(Curtain)
Suliyah’s p.o.v
Ever since that woman entered this house… I’ve not had peace.
Why did Dad betray Mum like this?
Now she thinks she can come and take over?
She doesn’t know me yet.
I will show her.
Halimah: Suliyah!
Suliyah: (rolls her eyes) Let her shout… she will get tired.
Halimah: Suliyah! Am I not calling you?
Suliyah: Next time, call my name with respect.
Halimah: So that’s why you ignored me?
Suliyah: Because you didn’t call me properly.
Halimah: (takes a deep breath) Fine. Come and buy recharge card for me. I want to call your dad.
Suliyah: (laughs mockingly) Me? You want to send me? Even my mum doesn’t send me anyhow. Go and buy it yourself. I’m not going.
(She turns to leave.)
Halimah: Hey! Come back here! (grabs her shirt) I’m talking to you and you’re walking away? No respect at all.
Suliyah: Leave my shirt.
Halimah: (slaps her)
(Silence.)
Suliyah: (slowly touches her cheek, eyes wide with shock… her voice drops) You… you slapped me?
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