At the hospital (Evening)
Grace: (holding her newborn baby girl close to her chest, smiling through tears of joy) Awwn, she’s so beautiful… like an angel. What do you think, honey?
Sulaiman: She looks so beautiful, just like you. (he chuckles, then frowns playfully) But I would’ve been happier if she resembled me. Just look at me now.
Grace: (laughs softly) Our son looks exactly like you, and now God has finally given me my own photocopy. Everything is balanced. I love this new blessing from God. Thank You, Jesus.
Sulaiman: (squeezes his face in annoyance) Can you stop with this Jesus thing? He is not God, he’s a prophet. You should be grateful to Allah, not a prophet.
Grace: Look, I can’t start arguing with you about this same issue right now. I just gave birth, for goodness’ sake. As a matter of fact, I’ll name my beautiful princess Blessing.
Sulaiman: What? No—hell no! I am the head of this house, I am your husband. I make the decisions, and I won’t allow you to mislead my children. I’ve tried my best to change you for good, but you refuse to change. I’ll name her Aishat. It’s a beautiful name.
Grace: (tears well up, then she breaks down crying loudly) You don’t love me at all! After all my suffering to have this child—struggling for nine whole months—and all you can do is make me sad? (Her cry grows louder, attracting the attention of patients in the ward.)
Sulaiman: (softens, trying to calm her) Okay, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Stop crying, okay? You know I love you.
Grace: You don’t love me....stop pretending!
(Her parents-in-law rush in, carrying bags. Her father-in-law enters with their first child, Abdulrahman.)
Mother-in-law: Ahh! What’s going on here? Sulaiman! Why are you making your wife cry? She just gave birth. Instead of pampering her, you’re stressing her. Do you
think it’s easy to carry a child in the womb for nine months? Now apologize. (turns to Grace gently) Don’t cry, my child. Whatever he said, don’t let it hurt you. Look—I prepared something special for you. Hot Amala with ewedu.
Grace: (smiles faintly through tears) Mama, that’s why I love you. You’re the most caring mother I’ve ever seen. You understand me better than my own husband. Thank you so much, Mama. Daddy, welcome, sir.
Abdulrahman: Mummy! (He climbs onto the bed and hugs his mother tightly.)
Father-in-law: Thank you, my dear. We thank Allah for your safe delivery. So what blessing do we have here? (Grace gently places the baby in his arms.) Masha Allah… so beautiful, just like her mother.
Mother-in-law: Here, my child, start eating the Amala while it’s still hot. You need it to regain strength.
Grace: Thank you, Mama. (She begins to eat hungrily.)
Sulaiman: (feeling left out) So now I’m being ignored, right? Anyway… Abdulrahman! Come to Daddy. (Abdulrahman runs into his arms.) Ehn, that’s my boy. If the whole world is against me, at least I have my son. Let’s go get some fresh air outside the hospital.
Mother-in-law: When you’re coming back, help us get mentholator for the baby… and some somodilo wear.
Sulaiman: (confused) Somo di what?
Grace: (laughing) He doesn’t know it, Mama. Just get the baby some inner wear—it’s inside Abdulrahman’s wardrobe.
Sulaiman: Okay o. Abdulrahman, let’s go.
(Scene shifts: Sulaiman is driving home. Suddenly, he halts the car, staring into the dimly lit road. Something lies ahead. Curious, he steps out of the car. To his shock, he finds a baby inside a big basket, wrapped in cloth. The baby is crying, but the moment she sets her eyes on Sulaiman, she bursts into laughter.)
Sulaiman: Subhanallah! A baby? Who left a baby on the road? What if… what if I had run over this basket? This angel would’ve
been killed! What kind of mother drops a baby like this? What kind of condition would push her to abandon such beauty? (He bends, smiling as the baby playfully grabs his finger.) She must be about five months old. Ya Allah… what do I do now? I can’t leave her here. Think, Sulaiman, think!
(He lifts the baby gently, placing her in the car.)
Sulaiman: At least let me get her off the road first before a trailer comes. Maybe I should take her to an orphanage.
(The baby laughs again, clinging to his hand as if refusing to let go.)
Sulaiman: (softens, staring at her) What a lovely baby… I can’t just abandon you. I must find a solution. You deserve a new life.
(He makes a U-turn, driving straight to the orphanage home. As he enters, he is shocked to find dozens of children crying out of hunger. The air is heavy with despair. He approaches one of the caregivers.)
Sulaiman: ( holding the baby) hello ma, good evening, uhmm please? What happened? Why are the children crying of hunger?.
Care giver: as you can see even I haven't eaten since morning, we are
struggling to survive hoping someone will help us, we hardly eat 2 daily
meal, there Is no one to help us, am left alone with all this children, see how
miserable I look? Anyway what bring you here?
Sulaiman: uhmm.. … ( didn't know what to say again,but decided to change
his plan) i….I just wanted to check on the kids, ( he dig his hand into his
pocket) here please help me manage this 7k I promise to bring somethingbetter next time please because this children are dying of hunger,the
government don't see that?.
Care giver: thank you so much sir, may God bless you and your family thank
you so much, is the baby yours?.
Sulaiman: uhmn yeah, yes, she is mine, why do you ask?
Care giver: Because she is so beautiful. Thank you so much once again sir.
Sulaiman: have a nice day ( he head back to his car) I can't believe it, I can't
leave this baby there? And she must be hungry, I can't let this baby suffer, I will take care of her like my own.
At the orphanage
Sulaiman: (holding the baby carefully, looking around at the crying children) Hello ma… good evening. Uhmm, please...what happened? Why are all the children crying out of hunger?
Caregiver: (weak voice, looking exhausted) As you can see, even I haven’t eaten since morning. We’re struggling to survive, hoping someone will come to our aid. We hardly manage two meals a day… sometimes not even that. There’s no one to help us. I’m left here alone with all these children. (she wipes her sweaty face) Look at me—do I not look miserable? Anyway, what brings you here, sir?
Sulaiman: Uhmm… (he hesitates, struggling to find words, then quickly changes his plan) I… I just came to check on the kids. (he digs his hand into his pocket, pulls out some money, and hands it to her) Please, take this ₦7,000 and manage it for now. I promise to bring something better next time. These children are dying of hunger… doesn’t the government see this?
Caregiver: (tears gather in her eyes as she collects the money) Thank you so much, sir. May God bless you and your family. May you never lack. (she glances at the baby in his arms) Is… is the baby yours?
Sulaiman: (stammers a little) Uhmm ....yes, yes, she’s mine. Why do you ask?
Caregiver: Because she is so beautiful. (smiles faintly) Thank you once again, sir.
Sulaiman: (nods and heads back to his car, talking to himself while the baby coos in his arms) I can’t believe it… I can’t leave this baby there. She must be hungry too. No....I can’t let her suffer. (he holds the baby tighter, his eyes softening) I’ll take care of her… as my own.
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