TRUE BEAUTY: EPISODE TWELVE

 During the night

Adewunmi: Food is ready… Abdullah, come and eat.

Abdullah: Okay, I’m coming.

Suliyah: Me, I’m not hungry… don’t bother calling me.

Adewunmi: (surprised) Ah ah, why now? Since yesterday you’ve stopped eating my food.

Abdullah: Where is my own food?

Adewunmi: Here it is. Suliyah, I’m talking to you.

Suliyah: Mummy, please… abeg… I’m fine.

Adewunmi: (takes a deep breath) Okay. I’ll keep it in the cooler in case you change your mind. Where is Summayah?

Abdullah: She’s in the room.

Adewunmi: Please call her for me.

Abdullah: Okay. Summayah! (he goes into the room and meets her crying on the bed) Ahh, Summayah, what happened? Why are you crying?

Adewunmi: (quickly rushes in) What happened? Ajoke mi… why are you crying?

Summayah: (silent, still crying)

Adewunmi: (sits beside her) Okomi, talk to me, you’re scaring me. (worried)

Abdullah: Talk now. (he walks out to get his phone)

Suliyah: Summayah, did someone hurt you at work? Since she came back, her mood has been like this.

Adewunmi: Oh, really? Okomi, sit up… talk to your mother.

Summayah: (sits up slowly, wiping her tears)

Adewunmi: (shocked) Subhanallah! Ajoke… why have you cried to this extent? Your eyes are swollen, even your face… please talk to me, your silence is scaring me.

Summayah: People are making fun of me too much, Mum… I don’t even know if my ugliness is increasing every day. Even my boss makes fun of me… the workers too. Why am I not beautiful like Suliyah? Why is my face my biggest enemy? When I look at myself in the mirror… I feel like reshaping it with my bare hands, even if it means using a broken bottle… I hate my face, Mum. Can’t there be a solution? Like plastic surgery? Please… help me. One day, I might kill myself because of this face. (she breaks down again)

Adewunmi: In sha Allah, nothing will happen to you. I reject it. I know how you feel, Summayah… I truly do. But you are beautiful just the way you are…

Summayah: (shouting) Don’t tell me that! What kind of useless beauty is that? I’m tired, Mum… I can’t live like this forever. I won’t live long like this… I won’t. (her crying grows louder)

Suliyah: Mum… is there no solution? She’s right. No man will want to marry her with a face like this… no man. Please, let her do plastic surgery.

Adewunmi: I understand you, Summayah… but Islamically, plastic surgery is not right. It means you are not content with how Allah created you.

Summayah: (cuts in) Of course I’m not! I’m not grateful! I’m tired… I can’t keep living in pain like this. I want freedom as a woman too. Please, Mum, don’t say no. If it’s money, I’ll save all my salary. I just need your support… please, Mum. (crying)

Suliyah: Please, Mum… she’s right. Help her life… so she can find a husband.

Adewunmi: Listen, my dear… her face will not stop her from getting married to a man who truly loves her. Trust me. She will find a good husband… but she needs to have faith in Allah. He knows what is best.

Summayah: So now I see how much you hate me… you despise me so much that you want me to die young. Why, Mum? Why?

Adewunmi: It’s not like that… but Islamically, it’s not allowed. As long as your health is not affected, you can’t do it.

Abdullah: Mum is right. You’re fine the way you are. You will find a man who loves you for who you are.

Summayah: (suddenly grabs a knife and tries to cut her face)

Adewunmi: Summayah! What are you doing? Please don’t!

Abdullah: Summayah! Are you okay? What is wrong with you?

Adewunmi: Please don’t shout at her… Okomi, listen to me. I want the best for you, believe me. I am your mother… I will never want something you will regret. Please drop the knife… whatever it is, don’t do this.

Abdullah: (quietly moves closer and quickly snatches the knife away) Are you okay? So you want to kill yourself? Now I know you are being foolish. Many beautiful girls today are not married… only Allah knows how many men they have been with. (glances at Suliyah) But the so-called ugly ones are the ones getting married to good men… because of their character, their obedience, how they protect themselves. And you… you are different. Many beautiful women out there have destroyed their lives with pride, rejecting men because they think they are not good enough. But you… you are humble.

Adewunmi: Didn’t you tell me five years ago about a young man who came to my shop… the one who kept looking at you and admiring you? Why didn’t he laugh at you? Maybe he saw something others didn’t. Your beauty is inside you… this outside is like a niqab, protecting what is within. Only real men will see it… and they will come. One day, they will enter this house and ask for your hand in marriage. If that day never comes… then you can do whatever you like with your face, and you can be ready to kill me too.

Summayah: What are you saying?

Adewunmi: If that’s what it will take for you to believe me, then so be it. I want the best for you. Even your smile is part of your beauty… but how will people see it when you keep hiding it with sadness? (moves closer) Please don’t hurt yourself just to please people. Don’t live for their opinions. You can never satisfy people… even in death, they will still talk. Please, choose Allah instead… and never stop praying. After hardship comes ease. Promise me… from today, you will not cry because of your face. See it as a niqab Allah gave you to protect your inner beauty.

Summayah: Okay, Mum… (in tears)

Adewunmi: That’s my girl. Stop crying now… please.

Suliyah: Aburo mi, come here. (she hugs her) Mum is right… you are beautiful just the way you are.

Summayah: Thank you all… for being there for me when I needed you.

Abdullah: Finally! She’s back to her senses. So you wanted to kill yourself before? (licking his plate) See, Mum, I want more food.

Adewunmi: Go and serve yourself.

(Curtain)

The next day at work

Summayah’s POV

I was mopping as usual, my nose mask on, when someone suddenly slipped and fell with all the files she was carrying. I quickly dropped my mop and rushed to help her.

Summayah: Are you alright? I hope you’re not hurt. Sorry, ma. (helps her up and starts gathering the documents)

Shade: Thank you, dear… I really appreciate it. (joins her) What’s your name?

Summayah: (still picking the files) My name is Summayah.

Shade: That’s a beautiful name. (notices her mask) Why are you covering your face?

Summayah: (looks up briefly, then lowers her gaze again)

Shade: Hmm… I’m sorry. It’s okay. My name is Shade. You’re one of the cleaners here, right?

Summayah: Yes, ma. Nice to meet you.

Shade: Nice to meet you too.

Assistant Manager: (approaching them) What’s going on here, ladies?

Summayah: (notices him, quickly hands the files to Shade and leaves) Bye, ma.

Shade: Wait! Ahh, you scared her away.

Assistant Manager: She’s always like that… very shy.

Shade: But I like her. She’s kind. Out of everyone on this floor, she was the only one who helped me. That says a lot.

Assistant Manager: (watching Summayah from afar) Does it?

Shade: (hits him lightly with a file) Stop staring at her. Have you eaten? If not, let’s go.

Assistant Manager: Ouch! Must you always be this harsh? Anyway, let’s go… I’m really hungry.

Shade: Then follow me. (she walks ahead)

Assistant Manager: Yes, ma’am. (follows her)

The three female workers watch everything from the staircase.

First Female: Honestly, I will strangle that Shade one day. How dare she hit my man?

Second Female: Me, it’s that Summayah girl that is my problem.

First Female: You’re right… we need to teach her a lesson. What is she trying to prove? Being nice?

Third Female: Abeg, leave that girl alone and focus on your work. Leave the manager too… he hasn’t even noticed any of you.

First Female: Just watch me. I haven’t even started. I’m waiting for the right time… watch and learn. (she walks back to her desk)

The next morning

The company was already alive with movement. Chairs scraping, footsteps echoing, quiet conversations blending into the morning air. Summayah moved through it all silently, gathering her cleaning tools.

She tied her scarf properly, adjusted her nose mask, and began her work.

The floor had barely dried when the three female workers walked across it again… their muddy shoes pressing fresh stains into the clean surface.

Summayah paused.

She watched them.

They saw her watching.

And still… they kept walking.

One of them turned slightly.

Second Female Worker: Sorry.

The word was careless. Empty.

They walked away, laughing softly among themselves.

Summayah stood there for a moment, gripping her mop tightly. Her chest rose and fell. The anger sat there… heavy… but she swallowed it.

Quietly, she bent down and started again.

Each stroke of the mop felt heavier than the last.

Then—

She froze.

Someone passed by her… just a glimpse… but something about him pulled at her memory.

She slowly lifted her head, her eyes following him as he walked to his desk.

Summayah: (in her thoughts) I know him… I’ve seen that face before… but where?

Assistant Manager: Good morning, Summayah.

Summayah: (jumps slightly, placing her hand on her chest) G-good morning, sir. (her voice drops as she lowers her gaze)

Assistant Manager: Why do you always look nervous whenever I’m around?

Summayah: No… nothing, sir. (she hurriedly lifts her bucket, almost spilling the water) Excuse me, sir.

She walks away too fast… almost like she’s running.

Assistant Manager: (watching her leave) What is wrong with this girl? Always like she’s escaping… (shakes his head and walks off)

Summayah stops at a corner, adjusting her mask as she breathes in deeply.

Summayah: (in her thoughts) That man… I need to talk to him. But where do I know him from?

She closes her eyes briefly… searching her memory.

Then suddenly—

Her eyes widen.

Summayah: Ah… I remember… he came to my mum’s shop… five years ago.

A small flicker of hope rises in her chest.

Summayah: Maybe… maybe he will remember me too.

She drops her mop and walks toward his desk, her steps hesitant but determined.

Summayah: Hello… good morning.

Jamiu: (without much interest, looking up briefly) Morning. How can I help you?

Summayah: Uhmm… my name is Summayah.

Jamiu: (raises a brow slightly) Okay? (waits) And why are you wearing a nose mask?

Summayah: (her fingers tighten slightly)

(in her thoughts) He can’t see my face… he won’t recognize me…

Jamiu: Aren’t you the new cleaner?

Summayah: Yes, sir… I am.

Jamiu: Good. Please, go back to your work. When I need you, I’ll call you.

The words land like a quiet slap.

Summayah: (softly) Okay, sir… sorry for disturbing you.

Jamiu: At least you know you’re disturbing.

She nods slightly… though he isn’t even looking at her anymore.

She turns and walks away… slower this time.

He didn’t remember.

That small hope she carried… fades.

Second Female Worker: (watching from a distance, eyes narrowing) So this girl is moving from one man to another now… first the manager… now my own?

Her lips curl slightly.

Second Female Worker: I will teach her a lesson she will never forget.

(Curtain)

During lunch break

The restroom was quieter… but not peaceful.

The same three women stood there, whispering, laughing softly.

Summayah walked in gently.

Summayah: Good afternoon.

Silence.

They didn’t even look at her.

She swallowed the sting and walked into one of the stalls.

The moment the door closed—

Second Female Worker: (in a low voice) Let’s go.

Third Female Worker: I’m not doing this. I’m going back to work.

She walks out.

First Female Worker: She’s so annoying.

Summayah steps out… and stops.

They are standing right in front of the door.

Blocking her path.

Summayah: Excuse me… I want to pass.

Second Female Worker: (mocking her tone) “I want to pass.” (laughs) See her English.

First Female Worker: Ordinary English… she cannot even speak it well. Illiterate.

(She steps closer… too close)

First Female Worker: Husband snatcher… we don’t even know how you look. And today… we will find out.

Summayah’s hands begin to tremble.

Summayah: Please… leave me alone… I didn’t do anything.

Second Female Worker: We won’t hurt you… just remove the mask.

Summayah: Please…

Second Female Worker: (suddenly yanks it off)

Time pauses.

Their faces shift from curiosity… to shock… to something darker.

Second Female Worker: What… is this?

First Female Worker: (bursts into uncontrollable laughter) Ahhh! So this is you?

Her laughter echoes harshly against the tiled walls.

First Female Worker: This face? And you want to compete with us?

Hands grab her.

Rough. Unforgiving.

Summayah: Please! Leave me! Please!

They drag her out.

Her feet stumble against the floor… her voice breaks as she begs.

The hallway is full.

People stop.

Eyes turn.

Some whisper.

Some laugh.

Some just stare.

Shade freezes.

The Assistant Manager stiffens.

Jamiu looks up… his expression slowly changing.

First Female Worker: Everybody come and see! This is her real face!

Summayah collapses to the ground.

The world feels too loud.

Too sharp.

Too heavy.

Her mask lies just inches away… but she can’t reach it.

She curls into herself… crying like a child who has nowhere left to hide.

Second Female Worker: Let’s go.

They leave… just like that.

Jamiu: (softly, almost to himself) She looks familiar…

His jaw tightens.

Jamiu: They had no right…

Boss: (voice booming) Everyone, back to work! Now!

The noise fades instantly.

Boss: Summayah… come to my office.

He turns and walks away.

Summayah tries to stand… but her legs fail her.

A hand reaches out.

Shade.

Shade: Come… stand up.

Summayah: (barely audible) Thank you…

Shade: I’m so sorry… (looks at her carefully) you’re not even what they said. Not at all. Please… don’t cry like this.

Summayah nods weakly… then walks away.

Closing hour

The day ends… but not for her.

Workers leave in groups, laughter returning like nothing happened.

Summayah walks slowly toward the gate.

Then she sees him.

Abdullah.

Waving.

Smiling.

Her steps slow… but she goes to him.

Abdullah: (placing his hand on her shoulder) Aburo mi… how far? How was work?

Summayah: (forcing her voice steady) I don’t even know… how was yours?

Abdullah: Mine was good! My boss even gave me 5k.

(He stops… his smile fades)

Abdullah: Wait… what happened to you?

He tilts her face slightly.

Abdullah: Your eyes… they’re red. Your face is swollen. You cried.

Summayah: (pulls away) Let’s just go home.

(They turn to leave)

A car pulls up beside them.

Assistant Manager: Hello.

Abdullah: Good evening, sir.

Summayah: (whispers urgently, nudging him) You know him?

Abdullah: Yes… one of my boss’s clients.

Assistant Manager: Who are you to her?

Abdullah: She’s my sister.

Assistant Manager: (surprised) Oh… I see.

Summayah: (tugs at Abdullah) Let’s go.

Abdullah: Wait now… bye, sir.

They walk away.

Assistant Manager: (watching her) Why does she always run from me?

Abdullah: Why were you dragging me like that? And why didn’t you greet him properly?

Summayah: He’s our assistant manager… the way he speaks English… like an oyinbo. I will just embarrass myself.

Abdullah: Even if… just greet. Be polite.

(he pauses… looks at her again)

Abdullah: But seriously… what happened?

No answer.

He sighs, then tries to lighten the mood.

Abdullah: Your “Chinese face” has come out again.

Summayah: (pushes him lightly) Abeg, leave me!

Abdullah: (laughs, chasing after her) Wait for me now!

And for a moment… just a moment…

She runs.