During the night
The kitchen was dim, the faint glow from the bulb casting long shadows across the walls. Halimah stood by the stove, stirring slowly, her face tight with frustration. The smell of food filled the air… but there was no peace in it.
The door creaked open.
Bolaji walked in.
Bolaji: You’re not done yet? You’re too slow.
Halimah: (turns sharply) Are you mad? Me? Cook for you? When was the last time I cooked for you in this house? And when was the last time you gave me money for food?
(She scoffs, shaking her head)
Halimah: For your information, I’m coming with the police tomorrow to pack my things out of this house. Whether you like it or not.
Bolaji: (laughs dryly) You’re not going anywhere. You said I didn’t give you money… what about the ones you’ve been taking from me? Hmm? Answer me. You’re the one who turned me into this… now you can’t live with it? You want to leave your husband’s house? You’re not going anywhere.
Halimah: Look at your life… I don’t even know what to call you anymore. Even a mad man is better than you.
(She plates her food quietly, ignoring him)
Halimah: Please, I don’t have your time.
Before she could take a step—
Bolaji snatches the plate and runs.
Halimah: Hey! Give me my food!
She rushes after him.
They struggle… hands clashing, feet dragging against the floor. The plate tilts, almost falling as they wrestle over it.
Halimah bites him.
Kicks him.
Pushes him.
But he keeps eating… hurried, desperate… like a man starved of more than just food.
Suddenly—
Halimah stops.
She turns… walks back into the kitchen.
Bolaji laughs breathlessly, still holding the plate.
Then she returns.
With a knife.
Bolaji freezes.
Bolaji: What are you doing?
Halimah: (voice low, trembling with rage) You think I’m joking? If cutting you into pieces is what will make you drop my food… then I’m ready.
(She steps closer)
Halimah: Drop it.
Bolaji: (nervous laugh) You can’t be serious… you want to kill me over rice? Is this how stingy you are?
Halimah: (eyes burning) Try me.
In one swift motion—
She slashes his leg.
Bolaji: Aaaahhh! My leg! Halimah!
The plate crashes to the ground.
Rice scatters across the floor.
Blood follows.
Halimah: I warned you. Next time… it will be your neck.
She turns to leave—
But Bolaji, shaking with pain and rage, pushes himself up.
With all his strength—
He shoves her.
Halimah slips—
Her face slams against the floor.
Before she can recover—
He grabs the knife.
And something in him… snaps.
The room fills with chaos.
Steel flashes.
Halimah’s scream tears through the night.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Her voice grows weaker.
Her body weaker.
Until—
Silence.
Heavy.
Terrifying.
By the time the neighbors break in—
Halimah lies still.
Blood spreading beneath her like a dark shadow.
Bolaji stands there… frozen… the knife slipping from his hand.
Bolaji: (voice shaking) I… I didn’t… I didn’t mean…
They tie his hands.
His legs.
He doesn’t resist.
He just cries.
Like a child who cannot undo what he has done.
Their son runs out… crying loudly… confused… terrified.
A neighbor picks him up, holding him close.
Sirens approach.
The police arrive.
Handcuffs click.
Bolaji is dragged away… still begging… still crying.
Halimah’s body is lifted… cold… silent…
Taken away.
(Curtain)
The next day
Summayah walked quietly along the road, heading to work. The morning breeze brushed lightly against her face, but her thoughts were heavy.
Then suddenly—
A car swerved and stopped right in front of her.
Summayah: (jumps back) Ahh! Do you want to kill me?!
(She moves closer, angry and shaken)
Summayah: Can’t you see the road? You want to—
The door opens.
She freezes.
Summayah: You?
Assistant Manager: Oh… my bad. I’m sorry.
Summayah: So it’s you? Is that why you want to hit me with your car? Please oh, I’m precious to my mum.
Assistant Manager: (smiles slightly) Oh, you are? Then I’m really sorry. Actually… I like your accent. The way you speak English… it’s funny. I like it.
Summayah: (tight expression) Good morning, sir.
Assistant Manager: I know you’re still upset. I didn’t mean to scare you.
Summayah: Please, I’m already late.
Assistant Manager: Wait… before you go. I want to help you.
(She pauses… reluctantly)
Assistant Manager: Ever since I saw your face yesterday… I couldn’t stop thinking. Why not change it? I can help you. Plastic surgery. I’ll sponsor everything. I’ll fly you out. Your life will change completely… you’ll become beautiful.
Silence.
Then—
Summayah smiles.
But there is no warmth in it.
Summayah: So… because you saw my face yesterday… you almost hit me just to say this?
(She steps closer, her voice sharpening)
Summayah: Did I ask for your help?
He goes quiet.
Summayah: I used to avoid you because I thought I wasn’t good enough… because I couldn’t speak English like you. But now I see… you don’t even deserve my respect.
(She points to herself)
Summayah: I was born like this. And I am proud of it.
(She takes a breath, steady now)
Summayah: Who are you to tell me how to live my life? You think I should change myself so I can please men like you? So I can become your mistress?
(She shakes her head)
Summayah: If you are looking for women, there are many around you. Go to them.
Her voice softens… but becomes deeper.
Stronger.
Summayah: Allah created me this way. And I am grateful. Do you think I cannot find a husband? I will find a man who fears Allah… who will love me for who I am.
(She holds his gaze)
Summayah: Beauty fades. What happens when it disappears? Will you still love her?
He has no answer.
Summayah: Be careful what you choose. If all you chase is beauty… one day, you will regret it.
(She steps back)
Summayah: Have a nice day.
She walks away.
Leaving him standing there.
Speechless.
Assistant Manager: (whispers) What just happened…?
Summayah: (walking fast, heart pounding) Ya Allah… what did I just do? I spoke to him like that? I’m finished… they will sack me today.
(She slows down… breath trembling)
Summayah: But… Mum was right.
Her steps grow steadier.
Summayah: I don’t need to be afraid anymore.
A small strength settles inside her.
Summayah: No more crying.
(Curtain)
One hour later
Summayah sits outside, finally resting. Her back leans against the wall, her hands tired… her body aching.
Summayah: This work is not easy… my whole body is paining me.
Jamiu: Hello. What are you doing here?
Summayah: (startled, standing quickly) Ah! You scared me. Good afternoon, sir.
Jamiu: I just wanted to see your face again… I feel like I know you from somewhere.
Summayah: (quietly) No… you don’t. You must be mistaken.
Jamiu: Oh… alright. Sorry for disturbing you.
(He turns to leave)
Summayah: (in her thoughts) I should stop forcing it… I should stop forcing people to remember me… to like me.
(She exhales softly)
Summayah: Let me just focus on my work.
She walks back inside.
At the entrance—
She sees the Assistant Manager approaching with his colleagues.
Her heart skips.
She quickly turns… disappears into another corridor.
He notices.
But says nothing.
Just watches her go.
.....
Summayah’s POV
After a long, draining day at work, my legs felt heavy as I walked into the restroom to change. The air inside was thick… and of course, they were there.
The three of them.
Laughing. Whispering. Gossiping like always.
This time, I didn’t even bother to smile.
I just walked in quietly.
As I reached for the door, their laughter faded slightly… then picked up again the moment our eyes met. But something had changed.
They weren’t looking at me the same way anymore.
1st Female Worker: Why is she looking at us like that?
3rd Female Worker: You want to know? I can go and ask her for you. (she makes a move)
2nd Female Worker: Did we send you? Abeg. But honestly… since I saw her face, she scares me. Let’s just leave her alone. She might be something else.
1st Female Worker: (scrolling through her phone) Guys… come and see this.
(They lean in)
1st Female Worker: Another crazy news… a man stabbed his wife because they were fighting over a plate of rice.
They burst into laughter.
Loud. Uncontrolled.
1st Female Worker: Ahh! This country won’t kill us. If it’s not food, it’s news that will feed us with comedy.
3rd Female Worker: How can someone kill his wife over rice? That’s madness.
2nd Female Worker: (still laughing) It has to be fake… this one is not news, it’s a joke.
I stood there… listening.
At first, it didn’t mean anything.
Then… slowly…
I found myself laughing too.
Not because it was funny.
But because… it sounded unreal.
Like something that couldn’t possibly be true.
I changed quietly and stepped out.
Summayah: Did I forget something? My bag…
I walked back to where I kept it.
Gone.
My heart skipped.
Summayah: Where is it? I dropped it here…
Shade: (taps me from behind) Hello, my friend.
Summayah: (turns) Good evening, ma.
Shade: Ah ah, which one is “ma”? Don’t you remember my name?
Summayah: Sorry… I just wanted to be respectful.
Shade: Just call me Shade.
Summayah: Folashade… right?
(She pauses… surprised)
Shade: Wow. You said my full name. Nobody calls me that… except my mum.
Summayah: (smiles softly) It’s a beautiful name.
Shade: Thank you, Miss Summayah. (they both laugh) So… would you like to go out for lunch with me? My treat.
My heart skipped.
A restaurant?
Me?
Summayah: I… I don’t know. I’ve never been to one before. I don’t want to embarrass you.
Shade: You won’t. Just be yourself. That’s enough. Come on.
She held my hand.
And for once…
I didn’t pull away.
We arrived at the restaurant.
The moment I stepped out of the car, my breath caught.
It was beautiful.
Bright lights.
People everywhere.
Laughter.
Life.
And suddenly… I felt small.
Very small.
Summayah: (quietly) Folashade… I can’t go in.
Shade: Why?
Summayah: I’m not… wanted in places like this. My face will cause a scene.
The words tasted bitter.
But they were true… or at least, they felt true.
Shade looked at me carefully.
Shade: So because of your face… you won’t live your life?
I stayed silent.
Shade: You look down on yourself before anyone else does. That’s the problem. And it will destroy you if you don’t stop.
I blinked.
Trying to process her words.
Summayah: I don’t understand.
Shade: (smiles gently) I’m saying… love yourself first. Be proud of who you are. If you don’t… nobody else will.
Something in me shifted.
Softly.
Quietly.
Summayah: Masha Allah… I didn’t know you could speak like this.
Shade: (laughs) So… are we going in?
I took a breath.
Deep.
Summayah: Yes… let’s go.
She smiled.
And held my hand again.
We walked in.
People stared.
Whispers followed.
But this time…
I didn’t run.
Shade: Ignore them.
We sat down.
For the first time…
I felt like I belonged somewhere.
Even if it was just for a moment.
Seven minutes later…
We were laughing.
Talking.
Eating.
I almost forgot everything.
Until—
I saw him.
The Assistant Manager.
Walking in.
My chest tightened instantly.
Shade: (laughing) Men can be so funny sometimes. Are you enjoying the food?
Summayah: Yes… (my eyes still fixed on him)
He saw us.
And walked over.
Assistant Manager: Hello, beautiful ladies. Can I join you?
Shade: Of course.
He sat down.
Assistant Manager: Hello, Summayah.
My hands began to shake.
Summayah: H-hello, sir…
I stood up immediately.
Summayah: I think I should go. It’s late… my mum will be worried.
Shade: Why are you rushing? At least finish your food.
Summayah: I’m okay… I really need to go.
Assistant Manager: Are you leaving because of me?
Our eyes met.
I looked away quickly.
Summayah: No, sir… I just have something to do.
I turned to Shade.
Summayah: Thank you so much… I really appreciate this. I will repay you someday, in sha Allah.
And I left.
Fast.
Almost running.
Behind me—
Shade: Wait!
Then her voice changed.
Sharp.
Shade: You scared her away again. Why are you always like this?
Assistant Manager: Did I do anything?
He sounded confused.
But I didn’t wait to hear more.
Later that night
When I got home… something felt wrong.
The house was too quiet.
Too heavy.
I stepped in—
And froze.
My mum was on the floor.
Crying.
Not just crying…
Breaking.
Abdullah and Suliyah stood beside her, confused.
Summayah: Mum… what happened? Who died?
Abdullah: We’ve been asking her since… she won’t talk.
Suliyah: Mummy, please… say something.
I sat beside her.
Summayah: Mama… please.
She lifted her head slowly.
Her eyes were red.
Her voice shook.
Adewunmi: My children… your uncle called me…
(She breaks down again)
Abdullah: Called you to say what?
Suliyah: Exactly!
Summayah: Mama… please… what happened?
She held her chest.
Like the words were too heavy to come out.
Adewunmi: He said… your father… stabbed Halimah last night… they were fighting over a plate of rice…
Silence.
Then—
Abdullah: (bursts out laughing) Over rice?
Suliyah joins him.
Laughing.
Just like the women at work.
Like it was a joke.
My heart dropped.
Summayah: (shocked) That… that was the news they were laughing about?
I looked at my mum.
Summayah: Mama… what happened after that?
Abdullah: Plate of rice… (still laughing)
Summayah: Enough!
My voice came out sharper than I expected.
The laughter faded.
Adewunmi: (crying harder) Halimah is dead… they have buried her already…
My breath caught.
Adewunmi: The neighbors called the police… they arrested him…
Her voice trembled.
Adewunmi: On the way to the station… he escaped…
We all froze.
Adewunmi: They chased him… he tried to climb a fence…
Her voice broke completely.
Adewunmi: They shot him…
Silence.
Heavy.
Unmoving.
Adewunmi: He died instantly…
The words landed.
Hard.
Final.
Adewunmi: My husband is dead…
She broke down completely.
And this time—
No one laughed.
All of us: What?!
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