Suliyah: I am sorry. I didn’t mean to do it… please forgive me.
Abdullah: (staring at her) You have no idea how embarrassed I was outside being seen with you. If my boss finds out you are my sister, I am finished. You are not even ashamed of yourself. How do you expect to respect your family?
Suliyah: (crying) Egbon, I am sorry.
Abdullah: (gets to his feet) Go back to your house now. I need to return to work.
Suliyah: No… I am not going back to that place again. I promise.
Abdullah: That is your problem, not mine. Just stay there if you want. One day they will use you for ritual and by then it will be too late. Anyway, I have to go. Have a nice day.
Suliyah: (quickly stands in front of him) Please… don’t leave me like this. Please. (crying) I have come to my senses after the slap I received. I want to see Mum. I want to live with my family. Please don’t tell Mum about this… please.
Abdullah: Oh so now you are ashamed of yourself and how Mum will react? She will disown you. I am not stopping you from seeing her, you can see her. But if you ever show up at our house dressed like this, I swear I will strip you outside. Try me. (turns to leave)
Suliyah: Please wait. At least give me your address or your number so I can call you. (she brings out her phone)
Abdullah: (shocked) Modare… you are using iPhone, Suliyah? Ahh… I just pity you. Alright, take my number.
Suliyah: Thank you. I will call you immediately.
Abdullah: That is your business. (he leaves)
(CURTAIN)
Alia is fetching water from the stream. On her way home, someone blocks her path.
Alia: (raises her head) Excuse me, I want to pass.
Tunji: Don’t you remember me?
Alia: (looks closely) Oh you. What are you doing here? What brought you here?
Tunji: You, of course. In fact, I parked my car right in front of your house.
Alia: Get out of my way.
Tunji: This time, you are not going anywhere. I have been watching you for the past twenty minutes… the way you fetch water, the way you walk, even the way you move in that hijab… wow.
Alia: First of all, how do you know where I live?
Tunji: The other day you rejected me, I followed you home without you noticing. That was when I realized you and your mother are living in poverty. I just want to change your life for good.
Alia: Because you are a bricklayer, abi?
Tunji: (smiles) No, that is not what I mean. I am saying I like you. See where my love has brought me… I don’t even know where I am anymore.
Alia: I hope you get lost then. Move. (she pushes him and walks off)
Tunji: (following her) Why are you playing hard to get? Look at me, am I not handsome? I have money too.
Alia: (keeps walking silently)
Tunji: Wait for me… you are walking too fast.
Alia: (stops, turns) So men can go to any length just to sleep with a woman? If I call people right now and have you dealt with for harassment, you won’t last a minute here. Do you know that?
Tunji: Come on… in this village nothing will happen to me. And I am not after sleeping with you. I just want us to know each other properly… like boyfriend and girlfriend.
Alia: Get out of my sight, or you are going to regret it.
Tunji: Alright, alright… I will leave you for now. But we will meet again, beautiful. (blows a kiss) Bye. (he enters his car and drives off)
Alia: Fool. Always looking for trouble. He wants to put me in danger… he wants Allah to be angry with me.
(CURTAIN)
Night.
Abdullah: Summayah, where is my food?
Summayah: I am coming.
Rukayah: Okomi, are you that hungry?
Abdullah: Mom, today was really stressful… physically and mentally.
Rukayah: Sorry my dear. Summayah, bring his food first, leave mine.
Summayah: Here is your food. You have been shouting food, food since. Haba.
Abdullah: If I slap you eh.
Rukayah: Eh! Don’t talk to my child like that after cooking for you. Show some respect.
Abdullah: I am sorry, Mom.
Rukayah: Better. So how was your day, my son?
Abdullah: Very stressful. I even met someone today.
Rukayah: Really? Who?
Abdullah: Your daughter, of course.
Rukayah: My daughter? You mean Suliyah?
Abdullah: Yes. (licking his fingers)
Rukayah: How is she doing?
Abdullah: She is fine. She even said she will visit you soon.
Rukayah: Really? When?
Abdullah: Maybe tomorrow.
Rukayah: Alhamdulillah… finally I will see my daughter.
Abdullah: (muttering) Stupid daughter of yours… or should I say prostitute… (phone rings) Hello, who is this?
Suliyah: Egbon, it’s me… Suliyah. Please I want to see Mum tonight. Send me your address.
Abdullah: I will send it via SMS.
Suliyah: Thank you. (ends call)
Rukayah: Who was that?
Abdullah: Suliyah.
Rukayah: Is she coming tonight?
Abdullah: Yes… she is on her way.
Rukayah: Are you serious? (excited)
Abdullah: Mum, please calm down. Why are you more excited about her than us?
Rukayah: Don’t say that. She is my daughter. Only Allah knows what she has been through in her father’s house.
Summayah: So we told her to stay there? Why didn’t she follow us when Brother Abdullah left?
Abdullah: God bless you.
Rukayah: Anyway, she is still my child. It is my right to see her. Call her again so she won’t get lost… or give me her number.
Abdullah: She is already on her way. I am not giving you anything. Go and eat before your food gets cold.
Rukayah: I am not hungry.
Summayah: Let her be.
(TWENTY MINUTES LATER)
Rukayah: Where is she now?
Summayah: (praying Isha)
Abdullah: (sleepy) Good night, Mom.
Rukayah: Where are you going? Your sister is on her way.
Abdullah: Should I not sleep because of her?
Rukayah: So I should go outside and wait for her?
Abdullah: (muttering) Mom, I don’t like this at all…
Rukayah: I am sorry, Okomi.
Abdullah: I will go and wait for her.
(Phone rings)
Suliyah: I am in your street now… please come outside.
Abdullah: I am coming. Mum, she is here.
Rukayah: Don’t take long.
(FIVE MINUTES LATER)
They enter with Suliyah’s luggage. She sees her mother and falls to her knees. Rukayah quickly pulls her up and hugs her in tears.
Suliyah: Mum, I am sorry for everything. Please forgive me. (crying)
Rukayah: I have forgiven you, my daughter. Come, sit.
Summayah: Bring food for her.
Summayah: Eh? My food? No oh, I am not giving her my food. You need to eat.
Suliyah: Summayah, my sister… I am sorry. Please forgive me. (she stands to hug her)
(pause)
Suliyah: I know I don’t deserve your love, but please give me a chance. I am sorry for everything I did to hurt you.
Summayah: (teary) You are forgiven… I just hope you are truly changed.
Suliyah: Yes… I am changed. I will prove it.
Summayah: Alright. Here is your food.
Rukayah: We will eat together. Let’s eat.
(After eating and talking, Suliyah explains everything she went through until she mentions a name)
Rukayah: What did you say her name was again?
Suliyah: Dad used to call her Halimah… or Limah.
Rukayah: (shocked) Subhanallah… Halimah?
Abdullah: Mum? What is wrong? Do you know her?
Rukayah: I think I do… I know that name.
Summayah: I hope there is no problem.
Rukayah: I can’t believe this… your father suffered me because of her. Listen to me… tomorrow, we are all going to your father’s house.
All: What?
Abdullah: To do what? Mum, we are not going anywhere.
Rukayah: (shouts) I said we are going there tomorrow, and that is final.
---------
The next morning
Ummu: Alia, hurry up now. Time is going.
Alia: I am coming, Mama. I am here. (adjusting her hijab)
Ummu: Why are you wearing a short hijab today?
Alia: It’s nothing, Ma. I just… I feel like today will be sunny because of the heat.
Ummu: (smiles) Go back inside and dress the way you used to. You don’t need to explain 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 that serious? Must you always remind me that you are not my mother?
Ummu: (takes a deep breath) Come, let’s sit down. Drop the fish.
Alia: (drops it and sits)
Ummu: I know you are not a child anymore. You are in your twenties now. And I am not against you getting married. But don’t fall into the wrong hands. They will break you and leave you at square one. If you are not careful, they will ruin your life before it even begins. And if you get pregnant out of carelessness, you will suffer alone for the rest of your life.
If you are going to marry, choose a God-fearing man. Not those boys chasing you outside. They only want your body. And I can see it… you are already getting attracted to one of them. Your dressing says it all. You want them to go crazy over you, don’t you?
Alia: (silent, speechless)
Ummu: Your silence has answered me. Remember everything I have told you. These are temptations from Shaytan. If you fall into his trap, you will regret it deeply.
A real man will love you for the sake of Allah, for your heart and your character, not your body. Beauty fades. Look at me… wrinkles are already on my face. But a righteous man will still love his wife even when beauty is gone.
Let them love your religion, your heart, and your character, not this body that will one day return to dust. I want the best for you, my child. The kind of love I had with your late father… that is what you should pray for.
Men can be deceiving. A good one is rare, but pray for him. Allah will answer you. I just want you to be safe. May Allah bless you with a righteous partner who will give you peace and love you sincerely.
Alia: (crying)
Ummu: (moves closer) Don’t cry, my child. I understand what you are going through, that is why I spoke to you like this. I want the best for you, just like I want for my own child.
Alia: I am sorry, Ma. Thank you for talking to me. Thank you for bringing me back to my senses and my religion. Thank you for saving me from Shaytan’s trap. I promise I will change and make you proud.
Ummu: (smiles) I know you will. I believe in you. I just wish more parents could talk to their children like this instead of shouting at them.
Alia: Some parents will just shout… saying things like “if you bring pregnancy, your life is over,” “your education is finished,” “your freedom is gone.” But when it happens, they will cry and blame the child, forgetting they never guided her properly.
Mama, I am truly grateful for you. May Allah continue to bless you and your late husband. Jannatul Firdaus will be your final home, insha Allah. Jazakillahu khairan, Ma.
Ummu: Ameen, my dear. Now let’s go, time is gone.
Alia: I am coming, let me wear my khimar properly.
Ummu: (smiles) Be quick.
(CURTAIN)
------------------------
Halimah was angrily shouting at Bolaji while their only son sat in the corner crying. Bolaji was in the kitchen preparing garri for breakfast when a knock came at the gate.
Halimah: Who is this unfortunate person at the gate?
Bolaji: Maybe your unfortunate family.
Halimah: It is your own family that is unfortunate, useless man.
Bolaji: (walking to the gate) Who is there?
Halimah: Who is that!
Bolaji opens the gate and freezes.
Bolaji: Ahhh… w…w… (stammering)
Adewunmi: As-salamu alaykum, Mr Bolaji Muhammad. How have you been? (looks him up and down) Why are you in boxers and why does your house smell like this?
Abdullah: Maybe he has started poultry business inside the house.
(The rest chuckle)
Summayah: Can we come in?
Bolaji: (confused and ashamed) Come in… no… don’t come in.
Adewunmi: Which one should we follow?
Suliyah: Mama, please let’s leave this filthy place.
Halimah: Who is there?
She looks up and freezes.
Adewunmi: (shocked) Halimah! I knew it… I knew that name sounded familiar.
Abdullah: Where do you know her from?
Adewunmi: If you cannot invite us in, we will come in ourselves. Let’s go.
They enter, covering their noses.
Summayah: Why is this house like this? Did something die here?
Adewunmi: There is nowhere to even sit. So Halimah… you are the reason my husband threw me out of my home?
Halimah: Abeg abeg, who is the betrayer here? Husband snatcher!
Abdullah: Mum, what is she saying?
Summayah: She called you husband snatcher.
Adewunmi: Children, I will explain everything.
Abdullah: You better explain because I don’t like the way she is talking to you.
Adewunmi: In my university days, Halimah was my closest friend. She was more beautiful than me, every man’s dream. But I noticed she was cheating on different rich men, including your father who was her boyfriend.
The first time I saw him, I fell in love. But he loved her.
I exposed Halimah, thinking it would win me his love. Instead, it broke him. He left her, and I used the opportunity to try and win him.
When I couldn’t, I trapped him with pregnancy. He accepted responsibility, and we got married.
But I later discovered he was violent. And even after marriage, he still had feelings for Halimah… and was cheating on me with her again.
That is my regret.
Halimah: So you are the betrayer here! You went behind me to take him!
Adewunmi: I know… I am sorry. But look at what we destroyed ourselves over. Was he even worth it?
Halimah: Honestly… no.
Adewunmi: (steps closer) I am sorry for everything I did to you.
Halimah: I am also sorry. I never knew he was this kind of man. I regret everything too.
Bolaji: Ruk… I mean Adewunmi… I am sorry. It was you I truly loved.
Abdullah: Baba, don’t even go there. And Mum… why didn’t you tell us all this before bringing us here?
Adewunmi: I was waiting for the right time.
Abdullah: The right time for what exactly?
Summayah: Mum, you are part of your own suffering.
Suliyah: Honestly…
(CURTAIN)