10 Years Later
It has been ten long years since Sulaiman’s death.
Fatimah is now 21 years old, a young woman shaped by pain, endurance, and silent strength. Abdulrahman, now 24, has grown into a proud and arrogant man, a reflection of his mother’s cruelty. Blessing, 20, has blossomed into a gentle soul, and though she is her mother’s daughter, her heart beats with compassion for Fatimah—the only sister she truly loves.
But Grace… Grace has never changed. Her bitterness still burns. She continues to treat Fatimah like a burden, like a curse she must bear. Fatimah quit school long ago—Grace would lock her at home for months, so what was the point? She only reached Primary 5 before her education was stolen from her. Now, she spends every day trapped within the four walls of that house, her only freedom being the chores she is forced to do.
Grace runs a grocery store far away from home, leaving at 9:30am and returning in the evening around 6pm. Fatimah is left behind to care for the entire household—cooking,
cleaning, scrubbing, and serving. Yet she is never allowed outside. Her clothes are ragged, her hair always unkempt. Still, her natural beauty shines through the shadows, drawing even the dangerous, unwanted stares of Abdulrahman.
Worst of all, Grace never allows the children to pray. Instead, she takes them to church every Sunday, while Fatimah is always locked inside, alone.
---
Morning. Around 6:00am.
(Fatimah is in the living room, sweeping gently, her soft voice lifting into a song—her only comfort in the silence.)
Fatimah: (singing softly, humming the words) “Oh baby, if you gonna make me cry, no point trying to make me laugh… If you gonna hurt me, please don’t tell me that you love me…”
(Suddenly, a heavy slap lands on the back of her neck. She screams out in pain.)
Fatimah: Yeehh! (She stumbles, holding her neck.)
Abdulrahman: (standing over her with fiery eyes) Is this what you were asked to do? Singing nonsense? Stupid girl! Shebi they’ve already used you well, abi? Useless thing.
Fatimah: (gasping, still clutching her neck) But… is that why you slapped me like that?
Abdulrahman: (steps closer, raising his hand again) Are you talking back at me?
Fatimah: (quickly moves back, frightened) I… I’m sorry.
Abdulrahman: (snarling) Try that nonsense with me again, I’ll break your teeth. Foolish girl! Anyway, have you finished preparing our breakfast?
Fatimah: (nervously) Almost ready, sir… just waiting for the rice to dry.
Abdulrahman: (snaps) Then move! Go back to that kitchen and make sure the food is ready in five minutes—or else, don’t you dare come out of that kitchen!
Fatimah: (bows her head quickly) Okay, sir.
(She runs back to the kitchen, tears brimming in her eyes.)
Abdulrahman: (sinks onto the couch, muttering to himself as he turns on the TV) Look at her rags… looking like a mad dog.
---
Two minutes later.
(Grace storms into the living room, her sharp voice cutting through the air.)
Grace: (furious) Ah! Why is my sitting room still dirty like this? Where is that mad girl?!
Abdulrahman: (without looking up) She’s in the kitchen.
Grace: Doing what? (She marches angrily into the kitchen. Without warning, she delivers a thunderous slap on Fatimah’s back.)
Grace: You this stupid girl, are you mad? Why is my house still dirty like this?!
Fatimah: (winces, holding her back) Maaa… it was Brother Abdulrahman that asked me to cook his food. The food is not ready yet.
Grace: (glaring) And that’s why you want to sleep in the kitchen, ehn?
Fatimah: No ma… but he said I shouldn’t come out if I don’t bring his food.
Grace: (furious) You have five minutes—only five—to finish whatever rubbish you’re doing and clean my house! Or else… you know me very well. (She storms out angrily.)
---
Two minutes later.
(Fatimah carries the food carefully to Abdulrahman in the living room.)
Fatimah: Here is your food.
Abdulrahman: (leans back arrogantly) Drop it on my head, stupid girl.
Fatimah: (mutters under her breath as she bends to serve him) I wish I could…
Abdulrahman: (glares, snapping) What did you say? Get me water before I shout again!
Fatimah: (startled) Sorry, sorry! (She rushes back into the kitchen and grabs chilled water from the pot, her hands trembling as she holds the cup.)
Abdulrahman: (snatches the cup of chilled water from Fatimah) So you want to kill me with this abi? Your prayers will never work! (He throws the cold water at her, soaking her completely.) Now, get me ordinary water!
Fatimah: (shivering, drenched, and in tears) But… but you always drink cold water. That’s why I brought it now…
Abdulrahman: (furious) Are you still arguing with me before I land you another slap?
Fatimah: (sobbing) But… is that why you poured the water on me?
Abdulrahman: (roars, stepping toward her) So it’s me you’re talking to like that?!
(He pounces on her, beating her mercilessly. The sound of her cries echoes through the house.)
Fatimah: (screaming) Yeehhhhh! Sorry! I’m sorry!! Please, don’t beat me!! Somebody help me!!
(Grace and Blessing rush out of their rooms. Grace stops in her tracks when she sees Abdulrahman beating Fatimah, but she does not move. Blessing, however, quickly runs forward and struggles to push her brother away.)
Blessing: (panting, forcing herself between them) Abdulrahman, stop it!! What is wrong with you?! She’s a human being just like you! Look at her nose—you’ve injured her, she’s bleeding for God’s sake!
Abdulrahman: (breathing heavily, chest rising and falling) She deserves it! And if you don’t move out of my way, you’ll join her. Now get me my water before I start another one!
Blessing: (facing him boldly) She is not getting you any stupid water! If you want it, get it yourself!
Abdulrahman: (taken aback, raising his hand) What?! Am I the one you’re talking to like that? You want me to land a slap on your face?
Blessing: (firm, staring straight into his eyes) Go ahead! Do it—if you know your name is Abdulrahman!
Abdulrahman: (about to strike her) I will slap this one oh—
Grace: (suddenly intervenes, pulling his hand down) Don’t you dare raise your hand at your sister! You can beat that one (points at Fatimah, who is still on the floor crying and bleeding) as much as you like, but not my princess!
Blessing: (furious, turning to her mother) Princess? Mom, don’t you see how he’s beaten her like an animal? And you stood there watching! Do you want to kill her?!
Grace: (snaps back) Eh, Blessing! Watch how you talk to me!
(Fatimah continues sobbing on the floor, her nose bleeding. Blessing kneels beside her, gently lifting her to her feet.)
Blessing: (softly, holding her) It’s okay, big sis. Come. Let’s clean you up. (She helps her towards the bathroom.)
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