The next morning
Summayah arrived at work with a quiet hope in her heart… but it faded almost immediately. Not a single person asked why she had been absent for days. Not even a glance of concern.
She walked into the restroom to change.
The air felt heavy.
Several ladies stood there, whispering among themselves. Summayah greeted them softly, but her voice met silence. No one answered.
She swallowed the discomfort and moved toward the toilet.
Suddenly, a hand yanked her back.
Summayah: ahh! What…?
Before she could understand what was happening, another hand shoved her. Faces she saw every day… now filled with coldness.
Summayah: please… what did I do? Please let me go…
But her words meant nothing.
A slap landed.
Then another.
Voices rose, sharp and cruel.
“Snatching all the fine men in this company…”
“Prostitute!”
“Maybe she’s using charm…”
The words cut deeper than the blows.
They hit her again and again, their anger spilling over like it had been waiting for this moment. Her gown tore under their grip. Her hijab slipped, pulled roughly away.
Summayah fell to the floor.
Tears streamed down her face as they walked out one after the other, leaving her there… broken, humiliated, alone.
The restroom went silent.
She stayed on that cold floor for a long time… her body shaking, her heart aching in ways she couldn’t explain.
After what felt like forever, she slowly stood up, gathered herself, and changed into her uniform with trembling hands.
Later
Summayah cleaned in silence, her tears falling freely.
Jamiu spotted her from afar and rushed over.
Jamiu: hey dear… (he taps her lightly)
She didn’t respond.
Without looking at him, she picked up her bucket and walked away.
Jamiu: Summayah! I’m talking to you…
He stopped, watching her leave. That was when he noticed her tears.
Jamiu: what happened to her? Is Abdulhakeem behind this again? (his fist clenches) he needs a warning.
He stormed into the office without knocking.
Abdulhakeem’s office
Abdulhakeem: (startled) you can’t even knock?
Jamiu: I’m here to warn you. Stay away from my woman. Stay away from her. This is not a joke.
Abdulhakeem: (calm, controlled) I’m not fighting you anymore. You’re my younger… annoying brother. And someone important reminded me not to repay evil with evil. So I’m letting this go. Now leave my office.
Jamiu: (steps closer) or what?
Abdulhakeem: (stands) I won’t fight you. You’re acting like a child, and I’ll treat you like one. I have a meeting. You can stay here if you want. This office is yours too.
(he pauses at the door)
Abdulhakeem: and about that challenge between us… I’m out. I’m not interested anymore.
Jamiu: because you know I’ll beat you? You don’t even like Summayah. You just want to play with her feelings.
Abdulhakeem: (slight smile) is that what you think? Let’s leave it to her. Let her choose who she wants. Let her heart speak.
(he walks out)
Jamiu: (confused) what is wrong with him? Why the sudden change…? What am I missing?
Shade walks in briefly, drops a file on the table with irritation, and walks out without a word.
Jamiu exhales deeply.
Jamiu: something is wrong… I need to talk to Summayah.
(Curtain)
Summayah sat in her usual resting spot, wiping her tears when something caught her eye.
A car stopped at the gate.
She squinted, trying to see clearly.
Summayah: (whispering) is that…?
The car door opened.
Alia stepped out.
Summayah’s heart skipped.
Summayah: it’s her… (she stood up and ran toward her)
Alia: (about to hug her, then freezes at her swollen face) what happened to you? Who made you cry?
Summayah: (notices the man stepping out too) good afternoon, sir.
Ridwan: good afternoon.
Alia: (pulls her into a tight embrace) what’s wrong?
Summayah breaks down again.
Nearby, Abdulhakeem pauses by his car, watching from a distance.
Abdulhakeem: who is she holding like that?
Alia: (holding her shoulders) talk to me… Summayah!
Summayah: I’m tired… I’m just tired of everything. Who is he to you?
Alia: (smiles softly) that’s my husband… the one I told you about.
Summayah: (shocked) you’re married?
Alia: yes… we had our introduction three days ago. He has paid my dowry… he’s officially my husband now.
Summayah: oh… yes… I remember. Congratulations, sir. May Allah bless your marriage.
Alia and Ridwan: Ameen.
Alia: now tell me what’s wrong. Don’t hide behind my story.
Summayah: (voice breaking) I get bullied every day… they call me names… freak… witch… now prostitute… I can’t take it anymore, Alia… I’m tired!
Alia: (pained) I’m so sorry… come, sit in the car. Let’s talk.
Ridwan: that’s a good idea.
Alia: or better still, come home with us.
Summayah: I can’t… I’m still on duty.
Alia: and this job… please quit. I’ll help you find something better.
Summayah: (hesitates) this job is what I use to support my family… it’s not easy to leave.
Alia: we’ll find a better way. I promise. I can’t watch you suffer like this.
Summayah: if I quit… I can’t come back.
Alia: that’s the point. Please, for Allah’s sake.
Ridwan: please listen to her. No one deserves this.
Alia: go inside, get your things. We’re leaving.
Summayah: (nervous laugh) I hope this won’t bring trouble.
Alia: it won’t. I promise.
Summayah nods and heads back inside.
At the gate
Abdulhakeem steps forward.
Abdulhakeem: Summayah!
Summayah: sir.
Abdulhakeem: what happened to you? Why are you crying?
Summayah: I was bullied… I can’t stay here anymore. I quit! (she walks past him)
Abdulhakeem: what? Bullied? By who? Summayah!
He stays back, waiting.
Inside
Summayah packs her things quickly.
As she turns to leave, Jamiu blocks her path.
Jamiu: where are you going?
Summayah: I quit.
Jamiu: quit? How?
Summayah: I quit my job. I won’t die here trying to survive.
Jamiu: no… you can’t leave.
Summayah: I can’t? Watch me. Must I stay and be bullied too?
Jamiu: what are you even talking about?
Summayah: clearly, you don’t know anything. (she moves past him)
Jamiu follows her.
Jamiu: you can’t just leave me here.
Summayah: (stops, turns) why shouldn’t I? This is your father’s company.
Jamiu: that’s not what I meant… I can’t let you go like this.
Summayah: (steps closer, looking straight at him) do you have feelings for me? Do you love me?
Jamiu: I… I…
Summayah: (shakes her head) it’s hard for you to answer.
She turns and walks away.
Jamiu: wait! Yes… I do! I love you, Summayah!
Summayah: (she walks out of the company)
Abdulhakeem: (quickly stepping in front of her) hey… wait. I’m sorry for whatever happened, but leaving like this isn’t the solution.
Summayah: oh, so I should stay until they kill me?
Abdulhakeem: no, not like that… please, don’t go. I’ll… I’ll promote you.
Summayah: promote an illiterate? So they can bully me even more? No, thank you.
Abdulhakeem: wait… who are these people?
Summayah: they’re right here in this company… hurting me every day. Calling me a prostitute.
Abdulhakeem: a prostitute? For what?
Summayah: because of you and Jamiu. You both have turned my life upside down. I need to leave and stay far away from the two of you. I won’t destroy myself because of this. Have a nice day.
Abdulhakeem: (desperate) please, Summayah… don’t go like this. I really like you. I can’t afford to lose you… my feelings are real.
Summayah: (tears spill again) you like me, Jamiu likes me… and you’re brothers. I’ve become the reason for your problems. Everything is happening because of me… I feel like bad luck wherever I go. I’m sorry… for any pain I’ve caused.
Abdulhakeem: no… no, don’t say that. This is not your fault. Please… let me come to your house later. We can talk calmly.
Alia: (shouting from the gate) let her go!
Summayah doesn’t look back. She walks past him and heads straight to Alia and her husband.
Abdulhakeem: (standing still) Summayah!
Alia: (holding her hand firmly) come.
(Ridwan opens the car door for her)
(Curtain)
At Alia’s husband’s house
Alia: make yourself comfortable. What would you like to eat or drink?
Ridwan: my love… I’ll be heading out.
Alia: so soon?
Ridwan: so you can spend time with your friend. (turns to Summayah) sister, just know we are always here for you. Feel free, okay? As-salamu alaykum.
Summayah: wa alaykum salam… thank you, sir.
(He leaves)
Alia: now tell me, what should I get for you?
Summayah: forget all that… just sit with me.
Alia: (sits beside her) okay.
Summayah: (rests her head on her shoulder) I’m tired… so tired of everything.
Alia: (gently removes her niqab) look at me.
Summayah: (lifts her head slowly)
Alia: you’ll be fine. You just need to calm your heart… control your emotions. Everything will fall into place, in sha Allah.
Summayah: look at you… beautiful, with a beautiful heart. Then look at me…
Alia: never compare your life with anyone. And never allow anyone compare theirs with yours. Everything I say today is Alhamdulillah… because after hardship comes ease. Your time will come. Be patient. Be prayerful.
(pauses, her voice soft but firm)
Alia: this life is simple, wallahi. When you learn to overlook what people say and how they treat you… you’ll start seeing things differently. I learnt that from the woman who saved me. I listened… I worked on myself… and today, you can see the result. I want the same for you.
Summayah: (quiet, moved) thank you… for always being there for me. I don’t want to lose you. I’ll try… I’ll work on myself.
Alia: that’s my girl. Now come, let’s cook and eat. After that, you’ll tell me everything about your love life… because I can see someone is deeply in love with my friend.
Summayah: (smiles faintly as she stands) my love life? It’s like a spoiled cake.
(Curtain)
Evening
Summayah returns home, her body aching, her mind heavy.
She meets her mother seated, watching a movie.
Summayah: ekule, my mum.
Adewunmi: where are you coming from?
Summayah: I went to my friend’s house.
Adewunmi: why didn’t you go to work? You too have started behaving somehow.
Summayah: no, my mum… I went. But… I was beaten badly today. Some women attacked me. They said I was snatching their men… which is not true.
Adewunmi: (shocked) they beat you?
Summayah: yes… that’s why I quit the job. Alia came just when I was leaving, so she took me with her. She’s married now.
Adewunmi: eeyyah… I’m sorry. I misjudged you.
Summayah: (shows her torn clothes and bruises)
Adewunmi: subhanallah! They did all this to you? So that’s why those men came looking for you?
Summayah: which men?
Adewunmi: one said his name is Abdulhakeem… the other is Jamiu. One of them gave me a letter for you. The other said he will come tonight.
Summayah: (stunned) both of them? What am I going to do…? How can two brothers love me at the same time?
Adewunmi: they are brothers? And they both love you?
Summayah: yes… and I’m confused.
Adewunmi: you need serious prayers. Do istikhara. Let Allah guide you. May you never choose wrongly. It is true… real beauty comes from within.
Summayah: my body is aching… do we have pain relief?
Adewunmi: check Suliyah’s medicine bag in her room. You’ll find it there. Pele, my daughter.
Summayah: okay, my mum.
(She walks to Suliyah’s door and knocks)
Summayah: Suliyah… please open the door. I need something.
No response.
She knocks again.
Summayah: Suliyah!
Still nothing.
Adewunmi joins her.
Adewunmi: Suliyah! Open this door now!
Silence.
Minutes pass.
Their voices begin to shake.
Adewunmi: Suliyah, my daughter… please open the door. You’re scaring us.
Summayah: please… we’re sorry if we hurt you. Just open the door…
Ten minutes.
Fifteen.
Twenty.
Panic sets in.
They begin hitting the door harder.
The wood trembles under their force.