Khalid: (talking to his wife) Please get them something to eat and drink. In fact, prepare good food.
Ummu: We are fine… thank you.
Khalid: No ma… this is your home. (He looks at Alia, noticing how quiet she is) Alia… (he gets up and sits beside her) what’s wrong? Why are you so quiet? I’ve called our other two siblings, they are on their way.
Alia: Please… who owns this house you are living in?
Khalid: It belongs to me. I built it two years ago.
Alia: When did you get that kind of money? How did you survive all these years… and none of you even tried to look for me?
Khalid: No, dear… it’s not like that. Please don’t think that way. We searched for you everywhere. We reported to the police, they carried out investigations, but no one could find you. After many years of searching… we had no choice but to give up. I’m sorry.
Alia: What about the woman our relatives sent me to stay with?
Khalid: Her husband died three years ago. He had an accident a few years after he was released from prison. As for our aunt… I don’t even know how she is living now. She later confessed all her sins… how badly she treated you. So tell me… what really happened?
Alia: (she begins to narrate her story)
Khalid: (shocked) Why is it that every man… after sleeping with you…? Oh… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t ask that. Look at you… so beautiful, just like our mum.
Alia: And that’s what almost ruined my life. I would have been dead a long time ago. That’s why I wear niqob now… thanks to this woman right here. She is my everything. I love her so much. (As she speaks, her siblings suddenly rush into Khalid’s house. They freeze the moment they see her, then run to embrace her)
Ganiyah: (crying) My sister…
Maryam: After so many years… aburo mi. (wiping her tears) We’ve missed you so much.
Alia: Look at you both… so big, so different. This isn’t how I left you. (laughing through tears)
Maryam: Look at you too… so beautiful, all grown.
Alia: (smiles) Are you both married? (they all sit)
Maryam: I’m married with one child, as you can see… and I’m pregnant again. Ganiyah is getting married next month.
Alia: Wow… I’m so happy for you both. Congratulations, sis.
Ganiyah: Thank you, my dear. See everyone, I’ve found my best lady now. No more anybody doing shakara for me.
Maryam: So Alia… tell us what happened. We searched everywhere for you. Where did you go?
Alia: Please… say a big thank you to this woman beside me. She is my lifesaver… and my mum.
Maryam and Ganiyah: (they move closer to Ummu, appreciating her and praying for her)
Ummu: Thank you all so much for the love and prayers. I only did my duty as a mother to her… nothing more.
Khalid: So… as you are now, you didn’t go to school? I can even hear it in your accent.
Alia: School? I was struggling to survive… and you’re asking about school?
Khalid: Please, make yourself at home.
Alia: (her phone rings) Please excuse me, I need to take this call.
Ummu: Hmmm… hmmm.
Alia: (smiles and steps outside) As-salamu alaykum.
Hustaz: Wa alaykum salam, my love. I’m at the market right now, but I didn’t see you and Ummu.
Alia: Oh, I’m sorry. We’re not at the market today.
Hustaz: But you told me you were coming.
Alia: Yes, I did… and I’m sorry about that. Something came up. We’ll see tomorrow, insha Allah.
Hustaz: I’ve missed you so much. Please, can you give the phone to Ummu? She’s the one I want to speak with.
Alia: Hope there’s no problem?
Hustaz: It’s for the best. Please give her the phone.
Alia: (hands the phone to her)
Ummu: Who is it?
Alia: Ummu now… you know who it is.
Ummu: Okay. As-salamu alaykum.
Hustaz: Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah ma. Good afternoon, ma.
Ummu: Afternoon. How are you and your family?
Hustaz: Alhamdulillah ma. I came to see you, but you weren’t around.
Ummu: Hope there’s no problem?
Hustaz: Not at all, ma. It’s for the best. I would like to come with my family next week… so you can know how serious I am about your daughter.
Ummu: Masha Allah. But I’m not in a position to say yes or no. Let me pass the phone to her brother. (hands the phone to Khalid)
Alia: (whispers quickly into his ear) That’s my husband-to-be.
Khalid: (startled) Your… what?
Alia: Just greet him.
Khalid: H-hello?
Hustaz: As-salamu alaykum, sir.
Khalid: Wa alaykum salam, sir.
Hustaz: Good afternoon, sir. I’m the one interested in your sister. I was hoping I could come with my family next week.
Khalid: Next week?
Maryam: What happened?
Khalid: You know what… we would like to see you in person tomorrow, so we can discuss better.
Hustaz: Okay, sir. What time?
Khalid: Since tomorrow is the weekend, come by 12pm.
Hustaz: Alright, sir. Thank you so much. Jazakumullahu khairan.
Khalid: Ameen… (ends the call) Alia… you want to get married at this age? I was even thinking of sending you back to school. I… I…
Alia: (turns to Ummu, her face heavy with sadness)
Ummu: (gently taps her chest three times, signaling her to stay calm) Let’s wait till tomorrow… we’ll settle everything then, okay? (she stands up) I should be going now.
Alia: If she’s going, I’m going too.
Khalid: No, no ma… this is your home now. Please don’t go.
(Curtain)
During closing hours.
Summayah changes into her mufti and finds a small place to rest, but the hunger gnawing at her stomach won’t let her sit still. She steps outside the company gate, about to leave, when Jamiu calls out.
Jamiu: Hey, wait now.
Summayah: What is it?
Jamiu: (catching up with her) What’s wrong with you? You’ve been avoiding me lately.
Summayah: Nothing… I’ve just been busy, that’s all.
Jamiu: Are you sure? Just busy?
Summayah: Yes.
Jamiu: Okay, come… let me drop you off.
Summayah: With what? Look, I’m fine. Just go, please.
Jamiu: Why are you so eager to get rid of me?
Summayah: Please, I’m tired. I’m not myself… just leave me alone for now. (As she speaks, Shade suddenly appears)
Shade: Hello, people.
Summayah: I should get going. Good day, see you Monday.
Jamiu: (holds her hand) I said I’ll drop you off, so we can talk properly.
Shade: Hey… hello? I’m here, you know.
Jamiu: Oh, sorry. Hi. Summayah, why are you avoiding me?
Shade: How about you drop me off instead?
Summayah: (walks away while Jamiu keeps calling her) Make nobody add to my problems… (she exits the gate, forcing her tired body forward) I need water… I’m so thirsty. (she stops at a shop) Please ma, give me one pure water.
Shop owner: Okay, ma. (hands it to her and collects the money)
Summayah: Thank you, ma. (she drinks desperately, almost like someone who hasn’t tasted water all day, unaware of someone watching her)
Abdulhakeem: Summayah!
Summayah: (raises her head) Sir? (she remembers the morning and quickly turns her back)
Abdulhakeem: (laughs) You think you can disappear like that? Come on… get in, let me drop you off.
Summayah: I’m fine, sir. I can go home myself. (still facing away)
Abdulhakeem: (steps out of his car and walks up to her) Are you a comedian?
Summayah: (embarrassed) I… I’m sorry about what happened this morning. Thank you for helping me… and I’m sorry for wetting your car. (staring at the ground)
Abdulhakeem: (smiling) Are you done? Now, can you get into the car?
Summayah: (looks up) Sir? No… no, I can’t. Please just go. My house is not far.
Abdulhakeem: Please… I insist.
Summayah: How can I face you after everything I did this morning? I feel so embarrassed… I can’t even be comfortable around you again.
Abdulhakeem: You’ve never really been comfortable around me since we met… and honestly, it hurts. But with time, you’ll be fine. Okay? Please don’t refuse me. If I was angry, I wouldn’t even come for you.
Summayah: (thinking) Why is he suddenly this nice? Something feels off…
Abdulhakeem: Please… I’m waiting.
Summayah: Okay, sir. (she gets into the car)
Abdulhakeem: (quickly joins her and drives off) So, how are you feeling now? Do you need anything? We can stop somewhere.
Summayah: Sir… no. About the pad you… (she lowers her head again)
Abdulhakeem: (chuckles) You’re actually adorable when you do that.
Summayah: I’m sorry. (turns to the window)
Abdulhakeem: But you’re okay now?
Summayah: Yes, sir. (closes her eyes, ashamed)
When they arrive at Summayah’s house, Abdulhakeem’s expression shifts. The environment says more than words.
Summayah: (steps out as neighbours begin to whisper. Adewunmi stands at the corridor, watching closely) Thank you, sir. Bye. (she waves)
Abdulhakeem: Bye.
Summayah: Ekule, Mami.
Adewunmi: Okomi… welcome. Who is that?
Summayah: Umm… that’s my boss.
Adewunmi: Your… what?
Summayah: What happened, my mum?
Adewunmi: You said he is your boss.
Summayah: Yes now.
Adewunmi: Wait… I thought you said you’re a cleaner in that company.
Summayah: Yes.
Adewunmi: And your boss dropped you here?
Summayah: (confused) Yes now… what happened?
Adewunmi: Nothing… I’m just surprised. Anyway, how is work?
Summayah: Ohh… now I understand. You didn’t expect your ugly child to have someone who cares for her, right?
Adewunmi: No, no… it’s not like that. I just… you know what, never mind. I’ve bought tomatoes, go and prepare dinner.
Summayah: My mum… (staring at her) is there something on your mind? Please tell me. Don’t keep your daughter in the dark like Suliyah.
Adewunmi: When was the last time you sat me down and told me what’s going on in your life? You’ve really changed, and I’m not happy about it, wallahi. I’m your mother… yet you hide so much from me.
Summayah: (sits beside her) It’s not like that, my mum. I just don’t know how you’ll react… and I’ve been so busy.
Adewunmi: So you’re too busy for your mother? Honestly… you’ve changed.
Summayah: I’m sorry, my mum… I’m really sorry. Oya, smile for me now. I promise I’ll tell you everything from now on, okay? Smile for me… please.
Adewunmi: (chuckles softly) I’m glad to have my gist partner back. You see what lack of communication can cause… and how good communication can clear misunderstandings. And I’m sorry too… for what we planned behind your back. It was because you stopped talking to me like before.
Summayah: (smiles) It’s okay, my mum… no problem. Anyway, some things have been happening at work, and I’m still confused. You remember that guy that came the other day?
Adewunmi: Yes, what about him?
Summayah: We’re friends… and I think he likes me.
Adewunmi: Really? Do you like him?
Summayah: Hmm… I think I do… but I’m not sure anymore. Someone else loves him, and she warned me to stay away from him.
Adewunmi: She did? Then stay away, please. Avoid the mistakes I made. And what about your boss?
Summayah: Well… since I was employed by his father, he has been very harsh with me. But suddenly, he changed… now he’s nice to me. Even today… this period situation embarrassed me.
Adewunmi: How?
Summayah: Rain beat me like kilode.
Adewunmi: Why didn’t you find somewhere to stay?
Summayah: Hmmm… my mum, every shop I tried to enter, they either mocked me or chased me away.
Adewunmi: All is well, my dear. At least you have good-looking men that like you.
Summayah: My mum, it’s not about looks… it’s about the heart. What will appearance do? If it’s about looks, will they even walk with me?
Adewunmi: I understand… that’s not what I meant. I mean a man who sees your heart.
Summayah: My mum, let me go and cook first… then we’ll talk properly.
Adewunmi: Okay, my dear. Just remember whose daughter you are. Some men are deceivers… please.
Summayah: I’ve heard you. You and this your national anthem.
Adewunmi: Let me sing it, oh… that’s every mother’s anthem. Jor!
Summayah: I’ve heard you, my mum.
(Curtain)
The next day
Alia and her siblings have been talking nonstop since she arrived. Laughter rises and falls around the house, blending with the quiet weight of all the years they lost. Ummu is treated with deep love and respect, every gesture towards her filled with gratitude.
They bring out a beautiful dress for Alia to wear since her fiancé is on his way. Her siblings urge her to remove her khimar and niqob so he can finally see her face, to see the beauty they have been talking about. But Ummu gently declines. She explains calmly that it is not yet time, that they must first test his sincerity and loyalty.
After much back and forth, her siblings finally agree, though Khalid remains unsettled. His mind is elsewhere. He had plans, big ones, to send her back to school, to rebuild what was lost. But Alia had refused. Instead, she asked him to direct any kindness towards Ummu, the woman who saved her life. That alone leaves him torn.
By 12:23, Hustaz arrives at Khalid’s house… with his entire family.
The house shifts. Surprise flickers across every face. They were not expecting this many people. About seven of them. Still, they welcome them in.
Hustaz: Please, I’m so sorry for coming with my family unannounced. I know this isn’t how we planned it, but they insisted. I even called you, but you didn’t pick.
Khalid: Oh… you did? I’m sorry, my phone was in the room. (forces a smile) Well… this is a pleasant surprise, right everyone?
His siblings: Right…
Hustaz: Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Ridwanulilah Ahmed. I’m a practicing Muslim, from Kwara State. Your sister and I have known each other for a while… please don’t misunderstand, we were only getting to know each other. But now… we’ve come to accept each other’s flaws and love each other for the sake of Allah. That is why I am here today… to ask for your sister’s hand in marriage.
Abu Ridwan: (takes a deep breath) As-salamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Everyone: Wa alaykum salam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Abu Ridwan: All praises belong to Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most High. Peace and blessings be upon our Noble Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). We are gathered here today for a blessed purpose… to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage. For the past three years, my son has never brought any woman home, nor asked us to accompany him for such a request. So today… we are grateful. And we are even more pleased to see she comes from a respectable family. Abi, my son?
Ridwan: (his eyes wander around the room, searching)
A soft laughter spreads across the room as he keeps looking.
Abu Ridwan: Ridwan!
Ridwan: Sir! Abu… you are right. But… she doesn’t seem to be here. I can’t find her.
Ganiyah: You said you’ve never seen her face. How do you expect to recognize her?
Ridwan: That’s true… but even with her niqob, I can recognize her anywhere.
Murmurs of surprise fill the room.
Maryam: She’s inside. Let’s go and bring our bride. (they head inside)
Khalid: (sits quietly, his face tight with emotion)
Ridwan: Brother… is something wrong? If we’ve done anything, please tell us.
Khalid’s wife: Don’t mind him. He doesn’t want her to marry now. He wants to send her back to school.
Khalid: (turns sharply, anger flashing in his eyes) Did I send you?
Ridwan: If it’s about her education, I promise I will support it. I already had that intention. She told me about her past… it touched me deeply. I only want to make her happy.
Khalid: Thank you… but giving out my sister is not easy.
Ganiyah: Here she comes!
Ridwan: (his face lights up)
Alia: (sits down) As-salamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Everyone: Wa alaykum salam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Ummu: (smiles softly)
Khalid: (thinking) I never knew she would be this religious… she keeps surprising me. At least she was raised well… not like this wahala beside me.
Ridwan’s female cousins: Please… let’s see your face.
Ridwan: No, no… you don’t have to. I love her for who she is.
His cousins: But we want to see her. Our bride, please… just show us privately if he doesn’t mind.
Alia: (glances at Ummu)
Ummu: (nods gently)
They lead her into the kitchen. The room grows quiet as she removes her niqob.
Five minutes later…
Ridwan’s father: So… when shall we fix the nikkah date? Or should we proceed now?
Alia is brought back, and the cousins exchange knowing smiles.
Ridwan: Have you seen what you wanted?
His cousins: (nod silently)
Ridwan: So, my brother… and Ummu… should we come again for proper introduction?
(Curtain)
The next morning
Sunday morning stretches lazily across the house. Everyone is still resting. Outside, Summayah and her mother sit together, washing and talking. Inside, Abdullah sleeps heavily.
Suddenly, Suliyah rushes out, barely making it to the corridor before she starts vomiting.
Summayah freezes.
Adewunmi quickly rises and rushes to her.
Adewunmi: Are you okay? Summayah, bring water!
Summayah: Yes, my mum.
Suliyah: (panting) I’m fine… I’m better now.
Adewunmi: (watching her closely) Are you sure?
Summayah: Here is the water.
Adewunmi: (sprinkles it on her face. Suliyah bends again, vomiting. A slow realization begins to settle in her eyes) Suliyah… when last did you see your period?
Summayah: Eh? Hope it’s not what I’m thinking…