Summayah’s P.O.V
Summayah: (she quickly wipes her tears) mum, let’s go… this is their personal matter.
Adewunmi: is that not Abdulhakeem? And is that not your friend… what’s his name again?
Summayah: you don’t need to remember his name. He doesn’t deserve it. Someone like me… I shouldn’t even exist in their lives. Let’s go.
(They turned to leave.)
Abdulhakeem: (he grabs her hand) Summayah, please… hear me out.
(She pulled slightly, but he held on.)
Summayah: what is left to hear? You lied to me… about your feelings?
Adewunmi: what is going on here?
Boss: madam, good evening.
Summayah: mum, let’s go. (she gently drags her away)
(They began to walk off, but footsteps followed quickly behind.)
Abdulhakeem: Summayah! (running after her) please, listen to me.
(She stopped abruptly and turned, her eyes burning with hurt.)
Summayah: listen to what? That both of you were playing with my feelings because I’m ugly? Is that it?
Abdulhakeem: I swear to Allah who created me… I truly love you.
(Adewunmi looked between them, sensing the weight of the moment.)
Adewunmi: I think… I should excuse you both. I actually came to look for Summayah. (she quietly walks away)
(There was a brief silence. The air felt tight.)
Abdulhakeem: Summayah, please. Yes, it’s true… when we first met, I wasn’t serious. I was a player. But now… I have changed.
(She let out a soft, broken laugh.)
Summayah: you… a changed person?
(She shook her head slowly.)
Summayah: yes, people change… but in shocking ways. You were the wicked one before, now you are the sweet one. He was the sweet one, now he is the wicked one.
(Her voice trembled.)
Summayah: the last person I ever expected to look down on me is Jamiu. I don’t even know when his hatred started.
(She took a step back, her eyes glistening.)
Summayah: all I know is that both of you have been playing with my feelings all this while.
(Her voice broke, but she forced a smile.)
Summayah: thank you… thank you for giving me an impossible hope… that someone like me can actually be loved… can be cherished.
(A tear slipped down her cheek.)
Summayah: thank you so much.
(She turned and ran.)
Abdulhakeem: Summayah!!!
(But she didn’t stop.)
Abdulhakeem’s P.O.V
I stood there, frozen… watching her disappear.
My chest felt tight.
“Ohh… what kind of problem is this?” I muttered, dragging my hand over my face. “What have I done…”
If I had known… if I had just known it would hurt her this much… I would have never agreed to that stupid challenge.
Never.
And now Jamiu used it against me.
My jaw tightened.
“He is the wicked one… not me.”
Anger surged through me as I turned and stormed back upstairs.
I met them with a doctor.
I didn’t even care.
Abdulhakeem: ehh, you fool… are you happy now? You’ve gotten what you wanted. All thanks to you, Dad… thank you for everything.
(They both looked at me, stunned.)
Abdulhakeem: but for your information… I quit. I’m done. I will stay away from you and your son.
(His voice shook with frustration.)
Abdulhakeem: I quit my job. All I want is peace of mind. All I want is to settle down… to have my own family too. Is that too much to ask?
(Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.)
Boss: Abdulhakeem!!
(He tried to follow, but stopped halfway, frustrated.)
Boss: why must the two of you always fight? This is exactly why I never wanted the truth to come out. This is what I was trying to avoid.
(He turned to Jamiu.)
Boss: you should show him respect. Whether you like it or not, he is your brother. You may be older than Folashade, but he is still your senior in this matter. You should try to win his heart… not hurt him.
(He sighed heavily.)
Boss: do you think it is easy for him to accept all this? You are a man… behave like one.
(His tone softened slightly, but there was disappointment in his eyes.)
Boss: and that girl… why treat her like that? I have never seen her truly happy before. I thought you cared about her.
(Jamiu looked down, silent for a moment.)
Jamiu: (low voice) Dad… you won’t understand.
(He lifted his head, frustration flashing across his face.)
Jamiu: you too should tell your son to stop treating me like I’m nothing.
(He turned and walked away angrily.)
(Curtain)
Later that night
Abdulhakeem’s P.O.V
I had been calling Summayah over and over again.
No answer.
The last time I tried… her phone was switched off.
I sighed and stood up, my heart restless. I needed somewhere quiet… somewhere to breathe.
I went to the mosque to pray Isha.
Maybe Allah would calm this storm inside me.
When I got back home, the house was quiet except for the faint glow from the living room.
Shade was there, sitting comfortably, pressing her phone.
Shade: hey bro.
Abdulhakeem: (tired, low voice) hey.
(I walked past her into my room, but she followed immediately.)
Shade: why the long face? Look what I bought.
(She lifted a food pack with a grin.)
Shade: come, let’s eat. I’m starving.
Abdulhakeem: I’m fine… you can eat.
Shade: alone? No way. I didn’t come here to eat alone, and I didn’t buy this food to eat alone. So get up.
Abdulhakeem: I said I’m fine… just go and enjoy it.
(She moved closer, studying my face.)
Shade: what’s wrong? You look terrible tonight… not like my brother at all. What’s the problem?
Abdulhakeem: just… a lot on my mind.
(She sat beside me on the bed, her tone softening.)
Shade: do you want to talk about it?
Abdulhakeem: I don’t even know if I should. You girls… you react too fast.
(She took a deep breath, calming herself.)
Shade: okay… I promise I won’t overreact. Now talk to me.
(I hesitated… then spoke.)
Abdulhakeem: what if I tell you… I’m in love with Summayah?
(She froze. Her mouth slowly opened.)
Shade: you’re joking…
(She was chewing gum.)
Abdulhakeem: (staring at her) I’m not. And throw that gum away. How many times have I told you not to chew gum around me?
(She quickly removed it.)
Shade: sorry… wait… you’re serious? You’re in love with Summayah? The cleaner?
(She paused, then added carefully.)
Shade: the… quiet girl?
Abdulhakeem: don’t call her anything else. (his voice rose slightly)
(Shade blinked, then smiled slowly.)
Shade: wow… so it’s true. Beauty is really from inside.
(She leaned back, intrigued.)
Shade: how did you even fall in love with her? Because I remember how harsh you used to be to her.
Abdulhakeem: I don’t even know how it happened. I just couldn’t get her out of my head.
(He exhaled.)
Abdulhakeem: and something happened today.
Shade: wait… did you tell her how you feel?
Abdulhakeem: yes… three days ago, but—
Shade: don’t tell me she rejected you. Someone like you?
Abdulhakeem: will you calm down and listen?
Shade: okay, okay… I’m listening.
(I told her everything. Every single thing that happened at the hospital.)
When I finished, she sighed.
Shade: eeyah… and her sister?
Abdulhakeem: still the same.
Shade: hmm… and that Jamiu… I thought he was protecting her before. What changed?
Abdulhakeem: that’s the thing. I don’t even understand him anymore.
(Shade shook her head.)
Shade: I regret ever liking that guy. He’s too full of himself.
(She looked at me seriously.)
Shade: listen… follow your heart. If you truly love her, then prove it. Make her feel it. Because love like this… it’s rare.
(She smiled softly.)
Shade: and honestly, it’s beautiful.
(A small smile finally appeared on my face.)
Abdulhakeem: thank you… I actually feel better now.
(He looked around.)
Abdulhakeem: where is the food?
(Shade blinked.)
Shade: which food?
Abdulhakeem: the one you said you bought.
(She folded her arms.)
Shade: not for you anymore. You said you didn’t want to eat.
Abdulhakeem: abeg… go and bring my food jor.
Shade: call me Aunty Shade first.
(He burst into laughter.)
Abdulhakeem: you are too much. Imagine my life without you. Okay… Aunty Shade, please give me food.
Shade: now you’re talking.
(She stood up, heading to the kitchen.)
Shade: and this time, wash your plate oh. I’m not cleaning your mess again. Go and marry Summayah… let her be the one taking care of you.
(She walked off laughing.)
Abdulhakeem: (chuckles softly)
At Night
The hospital had gone quiet.
The kind of silence that only comes when exhaustion takes over everyone at once. The lights were dim, footsteps were fewer, voices softer.
Upstairs, Jamiu stayed with his sick mum, seated close to her bed, watching her breathe… slow and weak.
Downstairs, Summayah and her mum had given in to tiredness. They lay beside Suliyah, their bodies curled slightly from discomfort, but too drained to care.
Later, Jamiu stepped out, heading downstairs to look for a nurse.
As he walked past one of the wards, something made him pause.
He turned his head.
And there she was.
Summayah… sleeping beside her mum, her head resting awkwardly, her hand still close to Suliyah’s body as if she was afraid to lose contact even in sleep.
He stood there for a moment.
Quiet.
Watching.
Then it slowly sank in.
She wasn’t here for him.
She had never been here for him.
She was here… for her family.
A flicker of something passed through his face. Regret? Confusion? Something he couldn’t even name.
Without a word, he turned and walked away.
The Next Day
Morning came with noise again. Nurses moving around, patients murmuring, life slowly returning to the building.
Summayah sat beside Suliyah, her mum close by. She couldn’t bring herself to leave her, not even for her new job.
Every now and then, she spoke to Suliyah… softly… gently… as if her words could reach wherever her sister was.
Her mum watched her for a while.
Then—
Adewunmi: okomi.
Summayah: (pressing her phone) ma?
Adewunmi: I need to talk to you.
Summayah: (still looking at her phone) okay mum, I’m listening.
Adewunmi: at least drop the phone. I need your attention, not just your ears.
(Summayah paused, then dropped the phone beside her.)
Summayah: I’m listening.
Adewunmi: good. What is going on between you, Abdulhakeem, and Jamiu?
(Summayah took a deep breath, her fingers tightening slightly.)
Summayah: I don’t even know where to start…
(She began to explain everything… slowly… carefully… from the beginning.)
Summayah: now I’m just confused. I never knew Jamiu was pretending all this while… it hurts a lot.
Adewunmi: are you in love with him?
(Summayah’s head snapped up.)
Summayah: ma?
Adewunmi: be honest with me. I am your mother.
(A pause.)
Summayah: I only liked him… that’s all. But not anymore. The moment I saw who he really is… everything just disappeared.
Adewunmi: and Abdulhakeem?
(Silence.)
Adewunmi: answer me.
Summayah: (quietly) I don’t know… and I don’t even want to know anymore. He also played with my feelings.
(Adewunmi studied her face carefully.)
Adewunmi: I understand you… but I see something in that man. I may be wrong, but I believe he truly loves you.
(Summayah looked away.)
Adewunmi: I will give you a prayer to perform. Ask Allah for guidance. Do it in the middle of the night.
Summayah: okay mum… but I don’t even want anything to do with that family.
Adewunmi: I know… but what is meant to happen will happen, no matter how we try to avoid it.
(Just then—)
Abdulhakeem: as-salamu alaykum ma.
(Summayah and Adewunmi turned.)
Adewunmi: wa alaykum salam, my son. How are you?
(Summayah stood up immediately and walked away.)
Abdulhakeem: Summayah!
Adewunmi: Abdulhakeem… can I speak with you for a minute?
Abdulhakeem: yes ma.
Adewunmi: have a seat.
(He sat, a little tense.)
Adewunmi: what is your relationship with my daughter?
(He hesitated, then spoke honestly.)
Abdulhakeem: I was actually waiting for the right time to speak to you about that. But since you asked… I would be grateful if you help me apologize to her.
(His voice softened.)
Abdulhakeem: I truly love your daughter. I swear… my feelings are real.
(Some people nearby glanced over, surprised… whispering quietly.)
(Adewunmi remained calm.)
Adewunmi: I hear you. But I don’t know your heart… only Allah does.
(She leaned forward slightly.)
Adewunmi: my daughter has suffered a lot. She is afraid of being hurt again. Please… if you don’t truly love her, let her go.
(Her voice grew heavier.)
Adewunmi: people judge her because of her face… but she has a beautiful heart. I am not saying this to impress you. That is who she is.
(She looked at him deeply.)
Adewunmi: I am begging you… in the name of Allah… do not play with her feelings.
(Abdulhakeem swallowed hard.)
Abdulhakeem: thank you ma… but I promise you… from today, her happiness is my happiness. I will make her happy for the rest of my life.
(Adewunmi nodded slowly.)
Adewunmi: you can go to her.
Abdulhakeem: thank you ma.
(He stood up quickly and left.)
(Summayah sat alone by the staircase, her elbows on her knees, staring at nothing.)
(She noticed him searching from afar.)
Summayah: (murmuring) hmmm… he hasn’t gone… let me just bend my head.
(She lowered her head, pretending not to see him.)
(He walked past… then paused… then turned back.)
Abdulhakeem: Summayah!
(She stayed still.)
(He stepped closer and tapped her.)
Abdulhakeem: Summayah.
(She raised her head slowly, irritation on her face.)
Summayah: what is it now? What do you want from my life again?
(He didn’t hesitate.)
Abdulhakeem: I want you.
(She blinked, caught off guard.)
Abdulhakeem: I want everything about you. Your love… your presence… your attention. I need you.
Summayah: (shocked) what are you saying?
(He sat beside her, lowering his voice.)
Abdulhakeem: it’s not even me talking… it’s my heart.
(A pause.)
Abdulhakeem: I know I’ve hurt you… in ways I can’t even explain. And you have every right to be angry. But I am sorry.
(His voice broke slightly.)
Abdulhakeem: I never planned for things to go this way. But my feelings for you… they are real. I swear to Allah.
(She stared at him, eyes searching.)
Summayah: and why should I believe you? Liar.
(Her voice rose slightly.)
Summayah: girls like me… are we meant to be loved? Or just used for games?
(She shook her head slowly.)
Summayah: you both used my heart like it was nothing.
(He lowered his gaze.)
Abdulhakeem: I am sorry… please. Everything I am saying now is real. I love you, Summayah.
(She leaned closer, her voice dropping.)
Summayah: or… are you after something else?
Abdulhakeem: what do you mean?
(She whispered into his ear.)
Summayah: or is sleeping with me your next challenge?
(He jumped to his feet immediately.)
Abdulhakeem: what? No! How could you say that?
Summayah: I just asked a question.
Abdulhakeem: how won’t I react? You think that’s what I want?
Summayah: I only asked.
(He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.)
Abdulhakeem: maybe you don’t understand my plans.
(He looked straight at her.)
Abdulhakeem: I am not getting younger. I’m 32. I want to settle down. I want a family.
(His voice softened.)
Abdulhakeem: with you.
(A beat.)
Abdulhakeem: I want you to be the mother of my children.
(He held her gaze.)
Abdulhakeem: I want to marry you, Summayah.
(She froze. Completely.)
Her lips parted, her eyes wide.
Before she could respond—
Footsteps.
Fast. Uneven.
Adewunmi appeared, slightly out of breath, but smiling through it.
Adewunmi: I’ve been looking for both of you everywhere… Suliyah is awake! She’s awake!
(Summayah jumped to her feet.)
Summayah: what? Are you serious?
(Her face lit up instantly.)
Summayah: Alhamdulillah!
Abdulhakeem: let’s go.
(They rushed back together.)
(The room was already filled. Nurses moving quickly, a doctor checking vitals.)
Summayah: (pushing through) Suliyah!
(She rushed to her and held her tightly, tears spilling freely.)
Summayah: welcome… welcome back…
(Suliyah’s lips moved weakly.)
Suliyah: I… I… want… water… I want food…
Abdulhakeem: I’ll get it. (he rushed out immediately)
(The doctor turned to them.)
Doctor: this is a miracle. Your prayers were answered. But no stress for her. Give her water and light food. She needs rest.
Adewunmi: thank you, doctor… thank you so much.
(She moved closer to Suliyah, touching her face gently.)
Adewunmi: okomi… welcome back.
(Suliyah looked around, confused.)
Suliyah: where… am I…?
(Summayah held her hand tightly.)
Summayah: you’re safe. Don’t talk… just rest.
(Suliyah nodded weakly.)
Then softly—
Suliyah: mum… I’m changed… Allah is one… I… I want to pray…
(Summayah and Adewunmi exchanged a long look.)
Something had changed.
Something deeper than just waking up.