At night.
Hajia Habibah: (enters Fatimah's room and finds her lying on the bed) Fatimah, how are you doing? I was told you weren’t feeling too well.
Fatimah: (sitting up) Good evening, Mom. Yeah… I’m better now.
Hajia Habibah: Alhamdulilah. Lukman told me he tried to help, but you were rude to him and his friend. I just wanted to know exactly what happened.
Fatimah: (looking down) I know what I did was wrong, but… (takes a deep breath) Mom, I am really grateful for everything you’ve done for me—for saving my life, bringing me closer to Allah, giving me shelter. I truly appreciate it. But… from now on, Mom, I want to leave this house.
Hajia Habibah: (surprised) Subhanallah! Why? Did my son do something wrong? Tell me, and I promise I’ll do something about it.
Fatimah: No, Mom. In fact, your son is so kind to me, but… I can’t live here anymore. I can’t tell you all my reasons, but…
Hajia Habibah: Wait—is this because I haven’t arranged your adult class yet? I’m still looking for a better, closer one. Please, dear, I promise I’ll get back to you on that tomorrow. Don’t leave.
Fatimah: Please, Mom… it’s not about that. I just feel like I don’t belong here. I even miss my home. I don’t care about the hardships there—I’m used to them. You’ve been such a good mother to me. You all love me here, but… I just don’t belong.
Hajia Habibah: (moving closer) Fatimah, please don’t leave. I promise to give you anything you want. You belong here—we need you, and we love you. Please… don’t go.
Fatimah: I’m sorry, Mom. If you don’t let me go now, I’ll run away. So please… let me leave.
Hajia Habibah: (sadly) I don’t know what you see or feel, but you have no idea how special you are in our lives. I want to ask one favor before you go, since you have the right to make your own decisions.
Fatimah: Okay, Mom.
Hajia Habibah: I’ve been processing opening a bank account for you for the past two months. The ATM card will be ready tomorrow, so please wait until then.
Fatimah: (already in tears) Thank you so much, Ma’am.
Hajia Habibah: (wiping her tears) If I had the power to stop you from going, I would. The bond between us is strong. Also… by tomorrow, you’ll get your new phone—I’m still working on the SIM. I have to go now. Have a wonderful night, my dear. (kisses her forehead and exits)
Fatimah: Good night, Mom.
(Fatimah enters her room with a sad face, catching her husband’s attention.)
Alh Ismail: Baby… what’s wrong? Why the sad face? Talk to me.
Hajia Habibah: Fatimah is leaving our lives tomorrow…
Alh Ismail: What? I… I don’t understand. Why? What happened?
Hajia Habibah: I don’t know. She said she doesn’t belong here. I begged her to stay until tomorrow.
Alh Ismail: Ahh… just like that? Did Lukman offend her?
Hajia Habibah: She said no one offended her. I don’t know why.
Alh Ismail: (trying to put on his shirt)
Hajia Habibah: Where are you going?
Alh Ismail: To meet Fatimah, of course.
Hajia Habibah: No, no, no! Don’t go!
Alh Ismail: But why?
Hajia Habibah: She’s not feeling too well, you know. Just let her be. We have no idea what she is going through inside, so let’s respect her decision. It really hurts that she didn’t come out of me—I wish I were her real mother.
Alh Ismail: It’s okay, baby. Don’t cry. I don’t understand why she wants to leave now, after building so many bonds with us.
Hajia Habibah: (still crying) I’m going to miss her…
Alh Ismail: Me too. But I have to get her something… I just don’t know what. Where did she say she’s going?
Hajia Habibah: Back to her home.
Alh Ismail: To that… evil house?
Hajia Habibah: That’s what she said. I’m tired now—I want to sleep. Good night.
Alh Ismail: Wait for me now.
(Curtain)
---
The next morning.
Fatimah has already packed her things, waiting for everyone to wake up. She uses the quiet morning to prepare a delicious breakfast.
Lukman: (entering the kitchen to get water) Good morning, Fatimah. How are you doing?
Fatimah: Good morning.
Lukman: Look, I’m so sorry about what happened yesterday.
Fatimah: It’s okay.
Lukman: Thank you. Uh… how are you feeling now?
Fatimah: As you can see, I’m fine.
Lukman: Oh… that’s cold. Anyway… (he heads to the living room).
One hour later.
Hajia Habibah: (enters the kitchen and finds it empty) Oh… she’s not cooking for us anymore. I’m going to miss her food. (She walks past the dining table but is surprised to see it covered with different dishes. She doesn’t check further and heads to Fatimah’s room) As-Salamu Alaykum.
Fatimah: Wa-Alaykum-Salam, Ma. Come in.
Hajia Habibah: (surprised to see how empty the room is) You’ve even packed your things?
Fatimah: (nods) Yes, Ma.
Hajia Habibah: I hope you’re feeling better now. Also… thank you for the food. I just wish you could stay.
Fatimah: It’s nothing, Mom. I’m sorry, but I can’t. I wish to be on my way now.
Hajia Habibah: Why so early? I haven’t gotten what I wanted for you yet. I even sent someone to help me get it from the bank. Please, just be patient a little more.
Fatimah: (nods)
Alh Ismail: As-Salamu Alaykum.
Hajia Habibah & Fatimah: Wa-Alaykum-Salam.
Alh Ismail: Can I come in?
Hajia Habibah: Yes, dear.
Alh Ismail: Fatimah, how are you feeling now?
Fatimah: Alhamdulilah, Sir.
Alh Ismail: I heard about your decision to leave us behind, and while we respect your choice, please accept this. Help me manage it, and if you ever need anything else, don’t hesitate to come to us.
Fatimah: (surprised) Uh… Sir, thank you so much, but I can’t take such a huge amount of money.
Alh Ismail: Come on, why not? This is just 70k. I didn’t know you were leaving so soon—I would have given you something even better. Please, take it.
Hajia Habibah: Please take it, Fatimah. You deserve more than that. If your bank were ready, you could have deposited it already.
Fatimah: (bursting into tears) I… I can’t take it, it’s too much! Please…
Alh Ismail: (gently drops the money on her bed, embraces her for a few seconds, then steps back)
Fatimah: Dad!!! (She collapses to the floor, crying loudly.)
Hajia Habibah: Don’t cry, dear. Please… (She embraces Fatimah tightly and begins crying as well.)
15 minutes later…
Fatimah heads to the dining room and finds everyone enjoying breakfast. She smiles and joins them. As they eat, there’s a knock at the door.
Alh Ismail: Come in!
Jamiu: As-Salamu Alaykum, everyone.
Everyone: Wa-Alaykum-Salam.
Fatimah and Lukman look shocked to see Jamiu.
Jamiu: Good morning, everyone.
Alh Ismail: Eh… my son, good morning! How are you doing? Come, join us.
Jamiu: Okay, Sir. (He gets seated.)
Lukman: What are you doing here? I thought you said you wouldn’t come again.
Jamiu: I didn’t come here to see you.
Hajia Habibah: Then who did you come to see, if not him?
Jamiu: I came to see Fatimah. She was seriously ill yesterday, so I came to check on her.
Lukman: Well, as you can see, she’s better now.
Jamiu: (staring at her, while Fatimah continues eating silently) Good morning, Fatimah.
Fatimah: Morning… (still looking down)
(Jamiu’s gaze catches the attention of Alh Ismail and Hajia Habibah.)
Lukman: (nudging Jamiu’s leg to warn him) Hey! Watch it!
(Jamiu ignores him, and in the process of nudging each other, they accidentally hit Fatimah’s leg.)
Fatimah: That’s it! I’m done! (She angrily stands and walks to her room.)
Jamiu: Fatimah!…
Lukman: Don’t you dare call her name!
Jamiu: (trying to follow her) Yoo man! Leave me alone! I need to talk to Fatimah.
Alh Ismail: What is wrong with you two? Are you out of your mind?!
Hajia Habibah: I am highly disappointed in both of you! You were making her uncomfortable.
Jamiu: Sir, the truth is, I like Fatimah a lot, but I don’t know why Lukman keeps coming my way.
Hajia Habibah: What did you say?
Alh Ismail: You like her?
Jamiu: Mom, Dad… he’s been harassing her ever since he set his eyes on her. He always stares at her, and this same issue almost ruined our friendship yesterday.
Hajia Habibah: Yesterday?..
Jamiu: Stop acting like you don’t care about her as well, Lukman. Didn’t you say you have feelings for her too?
Lukman: Yes, I do—but not in a foolish way like yours! (They face each other, tension rising.)
Alh Ismail: That’s enough, both of you! What sort of nonsense is this?!
(While Alh Ismail scolds them, Fatimah angrily opens the door, grabs her two luggages, and storms out. Everyone runs after her.)
Hajia Habibah: Fatimah!!! Please, wait!
Lukman: Fatimah!! Where are you going?!
Alh Ismail: Fatimah! Wait!! Don’t open that gate!
Fatimah: (tears rolling down her cheeks) Please… leave me alone. I… I’m leaving your lives.
Jamiu: Please, Fatimah… I know I’ve hurt you in many ways, but my feelings for you are real.
Lukman: Please… don’t listen to him. Don’t go…
Fatimah: Since I’ve known both of you, I’ve been having nightmares about my past… you two… I just don’t know what you want from me. Do you even want to know the truth? I… I hate both of you… I hate men!
Hajia Habibah: Fatimah!
Fatimah: I’m sorry, Mom… but I can’t stay here for another minute. And please, I beg you in the name of Allah, none of you should come after me. (She storms out of the house.)
Jamiu: Fatimah, please!
Alh Ismail: No one should take another step. Let her go… this is all your fault.
Hajia Habibah: Yes, both of you! Jamiu, I don’t ever want to see you near my son again, since your mind isn’t clean. And as for you, Mr… I’ll deal with you later. (She enters the house, wiping her tears.)
Alh Ismail: I don’t have time. I’m late for work. (Facing Lukman) Go and get dressed—you’re coming with me to the office. And you… get out of my house! Now!
Jamiu: I’m so sorry for all the pain I might have caused your family. (He gets into his car and drives off.) Fatimah… I will find you, wherever you are!
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