Suliyah: (panting) I think it’s malaria and typhoid… I’ll go to the chemist tomorrow. (tries to walk back inside)
Adewunmi: (drags her back) Come back here. Am I not the one talking to you, and you’re walking away? I said, when last did you see your period?
Suliyah: I saw it last month… I’m not lying to you.
Adewunmi: (her anger rising) Before I lose control, Suliyah, start telling me the truth! (she drags her inside while Summayah follows) Kneel down there.
Suliyah: (kneels) My mum, I’m telling you the truth, wallahi.
Adewunmi: If you swear again… you might just disappear. Do you know the power of Allah? Tell me the truth now before I take action. Abdullah!
Abdullah: Ma? (comes out, scratching his head) Ma… what is it? I was enjoying my sleep.
Adewunmi: Wake up properly. Your sister is pregnant.
Abdullah: What? Who? Which one? (glances at Summayah and shakes his head) It can’t be her… I know her. (turns to Suliyah) Ah! It’s you… Suliyah! You’ve finally ruined your life with your own hands. Who got you pregnant?
Suliyah: Why does no one believe me? I said I’m not pregnant… I saw my period last month.
Adewunmi: (lunges at her, beating her) It’s that lie that will destroy you!
Suliyah: (screaming) Ahh! Help me! Mama!
Summayah: (rushes forward, holding her mother) My mum, please stop! She’s not a child… at least think of the unborn baby. Please, what has happened has happened. What we need now is to find the father.
Adewunmi: (breathing heavily) Oniranu… ashawo…
Suliyah: (yells back, tears streaming) Don’t call me that! Don’t you dare! Didn’t you get pregnant for Dad before he married you? Abdullah was an unexpected child… so don’t touch me again! You have nothing to teach me!
(Silence falls heavily across the room)
Abdullah: (steps forward, anger flaring) Did you just call me an unexpected child? Are you mad? Is it because I didn’t join my mum to beat you? I’ve been holding back because of the baby… if not, you wouldn’t be standing here. But did I blame you? I didn’t. And now you’re using my mum’s past to insult me?
Adewunmi: (her body trembles, her strength failing as she stumbles)
Summayah: (quickly holds her) My mum! Are you okay? Brother, help! She’s losing balance! (they guide her to the couch) Sorry, my mum…
Adewunmi: (tears slipping down her face) It’s not your fault, Suliyah… it’s mine. I failed to lead by example. Now I don’t even have the right to question you anymore. But I never wanted any of you to make the same mistake I made. If you wanted to marry, did I ever stop you? Would I have said no? Tell me… look at the shame this has brought to this family, nitori Olohun.
Suliyah: If I bring someone I want to marry, you will insult me and disgrace me. That’s what parents do. If your daughter doesn’t bring pregnancy, you won’t even know what’s going on in her life. Many girls like me want to marry, but their parents say they are not ready. If I had introduced someone, you would have shut me down because of my age.
Adewunmi: Why would I stop you? Yes, some parents behave like that… but weren’t you the one who suggested we find a suitor for Summayah, and we agreed? So how would I reject yours?
Suliyah: Before then, I was scared of how you would react. That’s why I suggested it for Summayah first… just to see your reaction. When I saw you didn’t oppose it, I felt relieved. But I was already pregnant… I just couldn’t tell you.
Summayah: Subhanallah…
Adewunmi: I don’t even know what to say. You carried all this alone… and couldn’t tell your own mother?
Suliyah: Did I know how you would react? Besides… I’m not your favorite child. Summayah is your favorite. So I know my place.
Summayah: If my mum loves me, didn’t Dad love you too? He over-pampered you, and that almost destroyed you. My mum loves you too. And now you’re pregnant… instead of doing things the halal way…
Adewunmi: Do you even understand the weight of what you’ve done?
Suliyah: I wanted the pregnancy to force you to ask about the father.
Abdullah: (throws his hands in frustration) Ahh! Suliyah! Everything about you is just… careless. Why don’t you think about your life? But listen carefully… never in your life call me an unexpected child again. Never! (his phone vibrates) Who is this now? (checks it) Oh my God!
Adewunmi and Summayah: What happened?
Abdullah: I’ve been offered admission! (he jumps up, overwhelmed with joy)
Summayah: (runs to hug him) Congratulations, brother! I’m so happy for you.
Adewunmi: (smiles through her tears) Congratulations, my son…
Abdullah: I need to visit my boss today. I have to get ready. And you… (points at Suliyah) I am a blessed son, unlike you. You that my mum should be using to count months… nonsense! Before I return, you must have told us who the father is… or I will turn this house upside down. I’m leaving now. My mum, I’ll be back.
Adewunmi: Okay, my son. (turns to Suliyah) Now tell me… who is the father of your child?
Summayah: Please, get up and sit properly. The baby might not be comfortable.
Suliyah: (sits slowly) Thank you, Summayah… and I’m sorry for how I’ve treated you lately.
Adewunmi: I said, who is the father? What is his name?
Suliyah: His name is…
(Curtain)
The next morning
Monday arrives bright and calm, but the company is anything but quiet.
Summayah gets ready quickly, her face glowing with a rare, genuine smile. For once, she feels light. Hopeful.
As she steps into the company, she pauses.
Workers gather around, laughter filling the air, cakes stacked in their hands as they celebrate.
“Happy birthday!” echoes around.
It’s Abdulhakeem.
Summayah quietly slips away, not wanting to be seen.
Jamiu notices her immediately, a small smile forming on his lips. But as his eyes shift to Abdulhakeem, that smile hardens into something darker… something bitter.
From afar, their father watches. He sees it. The tension, the anger burning quietly in Jamiu’s face. He signals for him to come to his office.
Jamiu ignores him at first.
He stands there, watching as Abdulhakeem laughs, cutting cake, surrounded by people. The joy in the room only fuels the storm inside him.
Again, their father calls him.
This time, he obeys.
As Jamiu walks past, Abdulhakeem calls out—
Abdulhakeem: Hey, stupid!
Jamiu: (tightens his fist, then turns with a forced smile) Happy birthday. Here’s my gift.
His fist lands hard against Abdulhakeem’s face.
The room erupts in shock.
Even Shade freezes.
Abdulhakeem: (touches his face, stunned) You… you punched me? (he retaliates instantly, and the fight breaks out)
Someone rushes to call their father.
Boss: (storms in) Security! Separate them now! The two of you… my office. Now! And you, Shade.
Shade: What did I do?
Five minutes later
They stand in their father’s office, tension thick enough to choke on.
Boss: What is wrong with both of you? Fighting like cat and rat every single time!
Abdulhakeem: Dad, please… get rid of him right now!
Jamiu: (stands still, silent, unshaken)
Boss: I can’t do that. Just as you both have rights in this company… so does he.
Shade: What do you mean, Dad?
Abdulhakeem: Wait… I’m confused. What are you saying?
Boss: (takes a deep breath) I’ve been meaning to tell you both the truth… but it hasn’t been easy. And this constant fighting… I can’t take it anymore.
Abdulhakeem: I’m still confused.
Shade: Same here. (stands up) Who is he to you, Dad?
Jamiu: If he won’t say it, I will. I am his illegitimate son. And I don’t care how you take it… but that’s the truth.
Shade: (collapses into her seat) What did you just say?
Abdulhakeem: (stunned) You are what?
Boss: Listen, I can explain—
Abdulhakeem: Explain what? Did Mum know about this?
Boss: Yes… she does.
Shade: (shaken) Dad… wait. Maybe I’m dreaming. Somebody should pinch me.
Jamiu: Okay. (he steps closer to her)
Shade: What are you doing?
Jamiu: To pinch you, of course.
Shade: You must be joking.
Abdulhakeem: (tightens his fist and lands another punch on Jamiu) That’s for your mother… for having you for my father.
Jamiu: (his lips bleeding, he steadies himself) I won’t hit you back for that…
Shade: Dad… how could you? After everything Mum has done for you? Why? And why must he be my brother?
Abdulhakeem: Why didn’t you tell us all this while?
Boss: I’m sorry… but the truth had to come out one day. I just wasn’t ready to face both of you. The same blood runs in your veins… so please, learn to love each other. I’m not getting any younger.
Abdulhakeem: Love who? This idiot? (faces Jamiu) I will make your life miserable in this company.
Jamiu: And I’m ready for that. (they lock eyes)
Shade: (crying softly)
Boss: Enough, both of you! Was what you did downstairs not enough? In front of everyone?
Abdulhakeem: This is all your fault, Dad! You cheated on Mum!
Boss: That was in the past, and I won’t call it cheating. We are Muslims, remember? I have the right to marry more than one wife. (turns to Jamiu) You are not an illegitimate child. You are my son. So don’t stand there questioning what is right or wrong. He is your brother… whether you like it or not. Get used to it.
Jamiu: (notices Shade crying quietly) Why are you crying, Shade?
Shade: Don’t you dare call my name… you traitor!
Jamiu: What… what did I do?
Shade: This is all your fault. If you had told us earlier, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with you… now my heart is broken. (breaks down in tears)
Boss: You are what? He is your brother! I’m sorry, my princess… please, just turn those feelings into sisterly love, not… this. (tries to touch her)
Shade: Don’t touch me, Dad! Don’t! Excuse me. (she storms out)
Abdulhakeem: (faces Jamiu, voice low and dangerous) This is just the beginning… in this family and in this company. Watch yourself. (slams the door)
Jamiu: (stares at his father, then exhales) I’m out of here too. (walks out)
Boss: At least treat your wounds! Both of you!
As Jamiu steps out, the office floor falls silent. Eyes follow him as he walks into his office, his face hard, his lips still bleeding.
Outside, Abdulhakeem sits in his car, the engine running, the air conditioner humming softly. His anger spills out as he hits the steering wheel, the dashboard, anything within reach.
Then he stops.
He takes a long breath, forcing himself to calm down.
At that moment, Summayah walks past, heading toward the gate with her mop, about to drop it off.
Abdulhakeem: Hey, Summayah.
Summayah: (turns) Sir?
Abdulhakeem: Come here.
Summayah: Good morning, sir. (she notices his face) What happened? Did you fight?
Abdulhakeem: (opens the car door) Please… come in.
Summayah: No, no… abeg. I don’t want your problem in this company. I don’t want more trouble in my life.
Abdulhakeem: Okay… where are you going? Let me take you.
Summayah: (surprised) No, sir. I just want to buy something outside.
Abdulhakeem: (smiles faintly) You and this your accent… please, just sit. I need someone to talk to.
Summayah: Okay o… but no problem, please. (she carefully enters the car)
Abdulhakeem: Thank you for listening. (takes a deep breath) How would you feel if you discovered your enemy is actually your blood?
Summayah: Your enemy? How can your enemy be your blood? That one is not possible.
Abdulhakeem: Well… it happened to me. Strange, right?
Summayah: What is strange?
Abdulhakeem: (laughs) Are you serious? You’re funny… this is why I like having you around.
Summayah: Are you making fun of me?
Abdulhakeem: No, no… I’m sorry.
Summayah: So are you going to explain it or keep laughing?
Abdulhakeem: Okay, sorry. “Strange” means something unusual… something not normal.
Summayah: Ohh… okay. I understand now. At least I’ve learned something new today.
Abdulhakeem: That’s true. I think I’m calm now… thanks to you, funny lady.
Summayah: All I can say is… according to my mum, never turn your blood into your enemy, no matter how unfair they are. Don’t repay evil with evil… just watch how things turn around without you lifting a finger.
Abdulhakeem: Wow… that’s deep. That’s the best advice I’ve heard in a long time. Your mum must be an amazing woman.
Summayah: She is… my whole world. I can’t trade her for anything.
Abdulhakeem: Same as my mum. (pauses, lost in thought) Anyway… forget all that. Today is my birthday… won’t you wish me well?
Summayah: (shakes her head slowly) I can’t.
Abdulhakeem: (surprised) You won’t? Seriously?
Summayah: I believe birthdays should make us reflect… not celebrate too much.
Abdulhakeem: Why?
Summayah: Because it means we are one year closer to death.
Abdulhakeem: (quietly) Hmm… that’s true. Very true.
Summayah: My mum always says our birthdays should be days of fasting and giving charity… so Allah can grant us a good ending and forgive our sins.
Abdulhakeem: You’re very grounded… I like that. You just keep giving me reasons to want to be closer to you.
Summayah: Sir… please treat your wound. You’re still bleeding.
Abdulhakeem: I have a first aid box… or will you help me?
Summayah: No, no… please do it yourself. I want to go and buy something. (opens the door)
Abdulhakeem: Wait… what if we have lunch together? My treat.
Summayah: No, sir. Thank you. (she steps out and walks away)
Abdulhakeem: (watches her leave, a small smile forming) I think… I really like this girl.
(Curtain)
Summayah walks back into the company after buying what she needed. As she enters, she feels it again… someone watching her.
She looks up.
Jamiu.
Standing at a distance, his eyes fixed on her. His lips still bruised.
She hesitates… almost walks toward him.
Then Shade’s warning echoes in her mind.
She stops.
Jamiu: Are you going to avoid me forever?
Summayah: (pauses, her back half-turned)
Jamiu: (steps closer) I’m hurt… physically and emotionally. And you don’t even care anymore.
Summayah: (turns to face him) I’m not avoiding you. I just don’t want problems in my life again. I was warned to stay away from you.
Jamiu: Warned? By who?
Summayah: Your girlfriend… Shade.
Jamiu: Shade?
Summayah: Yes now.
Jamiu: There is nothing between us.
Summayah: Whatever it is… she told me clearly to stay away from you if I don’t want trouble. And I don’t want trouble. I came here to work.
Jamiu: I never knew you could walk away from our friendship so easily. There’s nothing between us… she is my sister.
Summayah: Your sister? From where?
Jamiu: Shade and Abdulhakeem… they are my step-siblings.
Summayah: (stunned) Are you serious?