The Next Morning – In the Bedroom
Grace: (lying on the bed, eyes narrow) Honey… do you really have to go?
Sulaiman: Yes, dear. This is a huge contract.
Grace: (squints, studying him) Hmmm… abi you just want to see your side chick, using “contract” as cover-up?
Sulaiman: (sits up, annoyed) Woman, don’t start this morning! You think if I wanted a side chick, I wouldn’t have done that long ago?
Grace: (voice sharp) Then who is Fatimah to you? Is she not your daughter?
Sulaiman: (takes a deep breath, clenches his jaw) Yes—she is my daughter! Are you happy now?
Grace: (suddenly changes expression, feigns tears) So… you lied to me all this while?
Sulaiman: (raising his voice) I beg you in the name of Allah, don’t start again this morning! How many times will I tell you—she is NOT my daughter but a lost child!
(He shouts. Outside the door, Fatimah is about to knock but freezes. The words pierce her heart. She gasps silently.)
Fatimah: (whispering to herself, trembling) A lost child? No wonder… no wonder they treat me harshly. So… they are not my parents? But how? Where was I found? (Tears stream down her cheeks as she walks slowly to the kitchen, shoulders shaking.)
Sulaiman: (exhales heavily) Please, pack my two office wears. I can’t stand arguing right now. Is the food ready?
Grace: Almost done. Anyway… about the ₦5000 I asked for?
Sulaiman: Ahh! You asked me yesterday. I said I’ll give you during the weekend. I don’t have cash on hand.
Grace: (crosses her arms) You don’t love me at all. Anytime I ask for money, you always find excuses! When last did you buy me clothes? When last did you give me money for myself? Just be honest—are you really going for a contract, or to your side chick?
Sulaiman: (throws hands in the air, frustrated) Ahhhhh! Modarẹ! What kind of woman is this? You make it look like I’m not taking care of you!
Grace: (snaps) Are you?
Sulaiman: (mutters) Which kind problem be this now…
Grace: (yelling) Oh! So I’m now a problem in your life?
Sulaiman: (grits teeth, pulls out his phone) Give me your account details. Now!
Grace: (smiles immediately) That’s my baby! 4368497375. Zenith Bank. You know my name already. Thanks, baby—make it ₦7000.
Sulaiman: (hisses, presses phone angrily) Sent! Are you happy now?
Grace: (checks phone, beams) Yes, I’ve seen it. Now let me pack your clothes.
Sulaiman: No need. Just hurry with the food—I must eat before I leave this house.
Grace: (laughs lightly) That one is for sure. You can’t leave this house without eating.
---
At the Dining Table
Sulaiman: Kids, I’ll be traveling this morning. I’ll be back in two days.
Abdulrahman: (smiles) Okay, Dad. Safe journey!
Blessing: Daddy, when you’re coming, buy something for me!
Sulaiman: Of course, Iyami Asake. (turns, notices Fatimah’s gloomy face) Fatimah, my dear—what should I buy for you?
Fatimah: (startled, whispers) Sir?
Grace: (snaps) Why are you asking her?
Sulaiman: (ignores Grace, softer tone) Fatimah dear, I’m talking to you.
Fatimah: (glances at Grace’s sharp eyes, freezes with fear) Uhmmm… nothing, sir. I’m… okay.
Sulaiman: (chuckles sadly) You are okay? You’re funny. Don’t worry, I’ll get plenty of things for all of you. All I need is your prayer that this contract becomes mine. Then you’ll see how I’ll surprise everyone.
Abdulrahman & Blessing: (shout with joy) Yeeehhh!
(Fatimah forces a smile but eats her food quietly, her eyes dull with sadness.)
Sulaiman: (standing up) You children, behave yourselves while I’m away. Help me get my luggage so I can be on my way.
Grace: Alright, baby. But you’re missing something. (touches her lips, smiling sweetly)
Sulaiman: (laughs lightly) Oh, sorry baby! (kisses her forehead) Bye everyone!
(They all escort him to his car. He waves, drives away. The moment he’s gone, Grace’s expression hardens like stone.)
Teacher Maryam: Aren’t you tired of cane?
Come here.
Fatimah: Okay ma. (She stretches out her hand for the cane.)
Teacher Maryam: (Surprised) Are you intentionally coming late?
Fatimah: No ma. (Tears begin to drop from her eyes.)
Teacher Maryam: Go and sit down. I want to see you during break time. Is that clear?
Fatimah: Thank you ma. Yes ma.
Teacher Maryam: As I was saying children, farming is very important in our lives…
---
At night, 9:30pm
Fatimah is in the kitchen washing plates while the other children are already sleeping.
Grace: (Enters the kitchen) Ehhh you! Go and get me Fearless.
Fatimah: (Shocked) Mummy, you mean right now or tomorrow?
Grace: Now! Take this ₦500.
Fatimah: Mummy, it’s too late. What if I get lost?
Grace: Do I care? Take this money before I slap you. And don’t come back without getting what I sent you.
Fatimah: (Quickly collects the money and rushes out.)
Fatimah walks through the quiet street alone. She cries as she goes from one shop to another. She stops at many shops, but they are all closed. Eventually, she becomes tired and too scared to move further because the road ahead is very dark.
Fatimah: (Bursts into tears again) I’m scared! But I must get what she sent me, otherwise she will kill me tonight. (She finds somewhere to sit and continues crying when some thugs approach her.)
Thug 1: (Drunk) Ehhh girl, wetin you dey do here by this time?
Fatimah: (Jumps up and tries to run but they stop her.)
Thug 2: Where you dey run go? So you get house abi? You come here dey sit down? (Continues drinking his beer.)
Fatimah: (Terrified, crying harder) Please… sir… I will go home now. I just wanted to buy something.
Thug 1: You no need bother yourself. We go carry you go the shop wey dey open. Oya, follow us.
Fatimah: No, I will go home. No need again…
Thug 2: (Shines a torchlight on her face) Omo, na fine girl o. Come with us.
Fatimah: Please sir… please… (She begins to shout.)
Thug 1: If I hear pim from your mouth again, I go slaughter you. (They tie her mouth and carry her to an uncompleted building.)
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