Five hours later. The house is silent. Grace finally decides to check on Fatimah. She opens the door, carrying a small bowl of rice. To her shock, she finds the little girl lying on the floor. motionless, not crying, not moving.
Grace: (lifting her weakly with one hand. Fatimah lets out a faint cry, her voice thin and weak) Will you sit down? Nonsense. Here is your food, eat!
(She pushes the bowl toward Fatimah, but the child does not touch it. She only keeps crying, frail and helpless, eyes dim with exhaustion.)
Grace: If you like eat, if you like don’t eat. God is my witness—I gave you food. Stupid girl, will you eat before I slap you? (snapping) Look at this ugly face!
(She shoves the girl’s head, causing her to fall back on the floor. Suddenly Grace notices the smell, Fatimah has soiled herself. Disgust twists her face.)
Grace: Dirty thing! You even messed yourself? (Furious, she slaps the child across the face. Fatimah wails louder. Grace grabs her roughly by the arm, drags her to the bathroom, and begins splashing cold water on her tiny body. With every splash, she delivers more slaps. Fatimah grows weaker and weaker until her cries fade into a whimper. Grace freezes, realizing she might kill her.)
Grace: (panting, dropping her hands) Oh my God… she could die.
(She quickly dresses Fatimah in clean clothes, tries to feed her again, but the child only swallows a few bites weakly before dozing off. Grace lays her on the bed and locks the door behind her.)
---
Later that night.
(The sound of keys. The door opens. Sulaiman walks in, tired but smiling. Abdulrahman rushes into his arms.)
Sulaiman: My boy! How are you?
Abdulrahman: Fine, Daddy. What did you buy for us?
Sulaiman: (pulling something from his bag) I have a surprise for you—tada!
Abdulrahman: Chocolate!!! Thank you, Daddy!
Sulaiman: (laughing) You’re welcome, my son. Now… where is Fatimah?
Grace: (appearing from the kitchen, smiling faintly) Welcome back, honey.
Sulaiman: Thank you. Where is Fatimah? (scanning the room with his eyes)
Grace: Dinner is ready.
Sulaiman: (shouting suddenly) I said—where is Fatimah!?
Grace: Stop shouting at me! She’s sleeping inside.
Sulaiman: Which room?
Grace: Don’t worry about her, she’s fine. Let’s go inside so you can shower.
Sulaiman: (ignores her, pushes past, and storms to the room) Fatimah! Fatimah!!!
(He opens the door. His bag falls from his hand unnoticed. Fatimah lies helpless on the floor, her small chest heaving weakly. He rushes forward, scooping her into his arms.)
Sulaiman: Fatimah! My princess! Oh my God, her body is burning hot! What happened to her?!
Grace: (feigning innocence) I don’t know… I gave her food not long ago.
Sulaiman: Then why is she burning with fever?!
Grace: (snapping) I said I don’t know!
Sulaiman: She’s so weak… Grace, prepare thick tea immediately. Put noodles on the fire. Bring paracetamol!
Grace: But I already cooked swallow—why noodles again?
Sulaiman: (roaring) I said noodles and tea, now!
Grace: Why are you shouting at me because of this girl?
Sulaiman: Enough! I’ll do it myself.
(He carries Fatimah to the kitchen. Grace follows nervously.)
Grace: Wait, let me do it, I didn’t say no.
(But Sulaiman ignores her. He prepares the food himself, sits on the kitchen floor, and carefully feeds Fatimah until she manages to eat and sip the tea. He gives her medicine, rocks her gently until her body relaxes. Then he takes her to the room and keeps petting her as she falls asleep. Grace enters quietly, watching with resentment.)
Grace: (muttering bitterly) Look at him… sitting on the floor, showering her with love. He has never cared for our children like this. Since this witch came, my husband is no longer mine. The more he loves her, the more I feel like strangling her. I just pray she doesn’t destroy my marriage.
Sulaiman: (noticing her at the door) Are you done with your evil thoughts? She’s asleep now.
Grace: (pretending to cry) Honey, since this girl came into this house, you’ve changed. You don’t love me anymore.
Sulaiman: If truly you are a mother, Grace, you will care for this child. Only God knows how you treat her when I’m not around. Let the fear of Allah guide you.
Grace: (tears flowing, voice trembling) So now I’m heartless in your eyes?
Sulaiman: (coldly) Please leave. I want to close the door.
(He shuts the door on her face. Grace stands frozen in the hallway, hurt and furious.)
Grace: (to herself) So because of this witch, my husband no longer cares about my tears? He once loved me, pampered me… but now he treats me like nothing. It’s me and you in this house, Fatimah. You’ll see.
---
Midnight.
(Sulaiman is asleep. Grace slides closer, caressing him.)
Grace: Baby… baby, wake up. (touching him more boldly) Can’t you feel me?
Sulaiman: (half-asleep) What is it? Grace, I’m tired. Please… let me rest.
Grace: But I’m in the mood… don’t you understand?
Sulaiman: (sighs deeply) Grace, I beg you. I’m not in the mood tonight.
Grace: (angrily climbing on top of him) You’re not in the mood? Don’t worry, I’ll make you be in the mood.
(She tries to seduce him, but he lies still, unresponsive.)
Grace: (frustrated) You’re lying there like wood! What is wrong with you?
Sulaiman: Did you even feed me tonight?
Grace: I set food on the table, you were the one that didn’t eat it! That’s not my fault.
Sulaiman: I don’t want to argue. Just leave me alone.
(He turns away. Grace hits him with pillows repeatedly. Sulaiman holds her down on the bed. Their heated struggle shifts into desperate kisses… until clothes begin to fall away into the )
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