(Sulaiman enters the hospital quietly, carrying the baby. He heads straight to the family nurse’s office.)
Sulaiman: Good evening, Nurse.
Nurse Titi: Good evening, sir. Congratulations—I heard your wife put to bed this morning.
Sulaiman: Yes, ma’am, thank you. Please… I need your help.
Nurse Titi: (concerned) I hope there’s no problem? And… is this your baby?
Sulaiman: Actually, no. That’s why I’m here. Please, I beg you in the name of Allah, keep this baby for me. I’m ready to pay you. I just want you to take care of her for seven months. I promise—I will come back for her.
Nurse Titi: Wait, what? Why do you want me to keep this baby for you? Isn’t she your child? I’m sorry, but I can’t take this risk. It’s too huge.
Sulaiman: Please, for Allah’s sake. I found
this baby placed inside a basket on the road. I believe she deserves a good life like other children. Help me, please. I can’t tell my wife now—she just gave birth. She will never believe me.
Nurse Titi: But… why can’t you take her to the orphanage?
Sulaiman: She won’t survive there. The children are suffering. I saw it with my own eyes. Please, help this child. I’ll pay you any amount you want.
Nurse Titi: (sighs deeply) Hmm… this is a huge task and very dangerous. But are you sure no one is looking for her? She is too beautiful. What kind of mother abandons such a child on the road?
Sulaiman: I also have many questions for that wicked soul who calls herself her mother. But for now, please—just promise me you’ll take good care of her.
Nurse Titi: (after a long pause) Hmmm… I’ll try my best. You can give her to me.
Sulaiman: (relieved) Thank you. I want to name her Fatimah. (he gently hands the baby over) Please, she’s hungry and she needs a change—she messed herself up. (he digs into his pocket and counts ₦20,000) Here, manage this for her. I promise to bring more.
Nurse Titi: You are welcome. (gazes at the baby warmly) Hmmm… take a good look at her. Such a beautiful girl.
Sulaiman: Thank you so much, ma’am. Let me get going—my family needs me.
(He leaves the nurse and enters the ward where his wife is admitted. The room is already filled with visitors.)
Relative: Ahh, Baba Baby is here! Ebarika! (congratulations)
Sulaiman: Thank you, ma. Amin. (he tries to move closer to his wife) Baby… I know you’ll be angry, but it was traffic. Here are the baby things you requested. Where’s my mom?
Grace: (snaps angrily) She went to get what I’ll have for dinner. The doctor said I’ll be discharged tomorrow.
Sulaiman: That’s great news. Sorry, dear.
(whispers in her ear) Hope you’re not feeling too much pain? You look weak.
Grace: (rolls her eyes) What were you expecting? A full baby passed through my vagina this morning.
Sulaiman: (smiles softly) You’re funny. Of course I know… I was just trying to be caring. Should I get you yogurt?
Grace: No. Mama said she’ll get me something better.
Sulaiman: (leans toward his newborn baby girl, staring at her tenderly) My princess… welcome to the world once again.
Mother-in-law: (entering with food) I’m back! Here’s your dinner, my child. It’s very hot. (turns to Sulaiman, frowning) And you… where have you been since morning?
Sulaiman: It was traffic.
Mother-in-law: Hmm. Okay o. Where’s the item I sent you to get?
Sulaiman: Ask her—I just gave it to her not quite long ago. Where’s Abdulrahman?
Grace: He followed his Grandpa.
Sulaiman: Okay. (he sits down quietly, but his thoughts drift back to the baby he rescued. His mind is restless.)
Seven months later
(Sulaiman and Nurse Titi plan to meet at a secret location.)
(Nurse Titi paces around, glancing at her wristwatch impatiently.)
Nurse Titi: Where is this man now? I’m already late for work.
(Sulaiman rushes out of his car towards her, panting slightly.)
Sulaiman: I’m sorry, ma! Please forgive me. It was the hold-up—you know how this our road is.
Nurse Titi: (relaxes) Okay, no problem. Here is your Fatimah… and all her clothes.
(Sulaiman’s face lights up the moment he sees Fatimah. He lifts her up with pure joy.)
Sulaiman: (in awe) Masha Allah! She’s walking already? Wow… look at my princess. She’s so beautiful. Thank you so much, Nurse Titi. You’ve been like a mother to her. I will forever be grateful for what you’ve done for me. (he hands her an envelope of money) Here is your balance.
Nurse Titi: (counts the money, surprised) Wow… an additional ₦5,000? Thank you so much, sir.
Sulaiman: No, I should be the one thanking you. You have no idea how happy I am to see Fatimah today. Thank you again—may Allah reward you.
Nurse Titi: You are welcome, sir. (sighs softly) I have to take my leave now. Bye, sir.
(She turns to go, but Fatimah suddenly bursts into tears. The sound makes Nurse Titi stop. She comes back, bends down, and embraces the child tightly. Her eyes glisten.)
Nurse Titi: (voice breaking) I’ll miss you, my beautiful baby. It’s hard to let you go… We’ve shared so many memories these past few months. Sadly, I’m not your real mother… but you will always remain my beautiful baby.
(tears roll down her cheeks) Bye, my love.
(She walks away quickly, unable to bear the moment. Fatimah cries louder, stretching her little hands after her.)
Sulaiman: (rocking her gently) Shhh… don’t cry, baby. Don’t cry. Daddy is here. Let me get you something to eat.
(He places her carefully in the car seat and drives to a restaurant.)
Later that night.
(Sulaiman walks into the sitting room with Fatimah in his arms. Grace and Abdulrahman are watching a movie together. Abdulrahman rushes happily to hug his father. Grace rises to welcome him but freezes in shock when she notices the child he is carrying.)
Grace: (confused, staring hard) Whose child… is this?
Sulaiman: (raises an eyebrow) Is that how you welcome your husband?
Grace: (forces a smile) Welcome… Now, whose child is this?
Sulaiman: (grinning, lowering Fatimah so Abdulrahman can see her) Abdulrahman, say hello to your new sister. Her name is Fatimah!
Grace: (gasps in disbelief) New what?!
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