Lukman: (making a call while about to leave the house) Guy, how
far now? I miss you, men.
……: Miss you too, men! Ahhh, my guy, where you dey? Make I
come meet you.
Lukman: I’m on my way to my dad’s office, but I’ll let you know
when I’m on my way back so we can meet at my house. Guy, I
can’t wait to see you, dam!
……: Same here, men. Just let me know when you’re back, ok? Oya
now.
Lukman: Later. (ends call, about to enter his car) My guy…
Fatimah: Sir, uhmm, when will you be back?
Lukman: (annoyed) Why are you asking that? Do I need to ask
for permission before leaving the house?
Fatimah: No… I just wanted to know so I can prepare your lunch.
Lukman: Cook whatever you want to cook. I don’t care. And don’t
ever interfere in my personal matters, is that clear? (holding
his ears)
Fatimah: Yes, yes, sir. (she walks back in)
Lukman: (drives off angrily)
Fatimah: (entering the kitchen, talking to herself) I don’t know
why he changed suddenly. Did I do something wrong? Let me
cook something for him sha.
---
Four hours later
Lukman: (entering the house with his friend, laughing) My guy!
See as you dey fresh.
Jamiu: Abeg, no dey wine me jare! See as you big, see as you dey
shine.
Lukman: Yoo men! Na God oh! Have a seat while I change; I’ll be
back in a jiffy.
Jamiu: No wahala na. Hmm… who dey cook like this? Is someone
inside the kitchen? (he gets seated and begins scrolling his
phone)
Fatimah: (leaving the kitchen in her pink khimar) Welcome… sir.
(wondering who he is) Uhmm, good afternoon, sir.
Jamiu: (turns to see her, amazed, stands immediately) Uhmm,
afternoon! (trying to recall) Have we met before?
Fatimah: No?
Jamiu: Yes! I remember! I can never forget you. (he tries to
walk closer)
Fatimah: Excuse me, but I don’t know you! And can you stop
coming closer to me?
Jamiu: Oh, so sorry… my manners. Your name is… Fatimah, right?
Fatimah: How did you know my name?
Lukman: (walking into the living room and noticing them) What’s
going on here?
Jamiu: (quickly adjusts) Uhmm… nothing much, bro.
Fatimah: Welcome, sir. Your lunch is ready.
Lukman: Ok, you can go.
Fatimah: Ok, sir. (she heads back to the kitchen)
Jamiu: (still staring at her)
Lukman: (waving his hands) Guy! What are you looking at?
Jamiu: Uhmm… nothing. Let’s have a seat.
Lukman: Ok, so as I was saying, I really want to start that
business. I want to be on my own without depending on anyone.
Jamiu: (still thinking about Fatimah, smiling)
Lukman: Guy! Are you even listening to what I’m saying?
Jamiu: Yeah, yes! What did you say again?
Lukman: You’ve got to be kidding me! What is wrong with you,
men?
Jamiu: Sorry, don’t be offended. I was just thinking about this
girl.
Lukman: What about her? Firstly, I don’t like how you’re staring
at her, okay? We should learn to lower our gaze.
Jamiu: Sorry, men. Who is Fatimah to you?
Lukman: You even know her name? That’s… surprising.
Jamiu: (explaining) Since I met her, I’ve been looking for her. I
really loved this girl from the first day, and Alhamdulilah she’s
here. You have no idea how happy I am right now. I’ve searched
for her for years.
Lukman: (surprised and speechless) Uhmmm… did you just say
you love her?
Jamiu: Yeah, men! I really do. Will you help me talk to her?
Besides, how is she related to you?
Lukman: She’s our maid.
Jamiu: Oh… that’s… cold. No wonder. Since I knew her, I felt she
was living a life she didn’t want. Men, help me talk to this girl.
Lukman: I can’t do that, men. Sorry. Can we change the topic
and talk about me?
Jamiu: Yeah, sure.
Lukman: Good. So, like I said earlier, I’d love to open a poultry
farm.
(Curtain)
---
Hours later
Jamiu: Guy, I enjoyed that food. I would love to come here often.
And as for your business plan, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll
do anything for you, men.
Lukman: Thanks, bro.
Fatimah: Sir, I’m going out. I’ll be right back.
Lukman: Where are you going?
Fatimah: To the market to get some foodstuffs.
Lukman: Ok, you can go.
Jamiu: Let me drop you off.
Fatimah: Uhmm, no sir. I’m fine, thank you. (she tries to leave)
Jamiu: I insist!
Lukman: Guy, she said she’s fine. Leave her alone, you can go.
Fatimah: Ok, sir. (she tries to leave again, but Jamiu blocks her)
Lukman: Yoo, man! What is it now?
Fatimah: Sir, what’s happening?
Jamiu: Please, I beg you in the name of Allah, let me give you a
ride. I insist. I can’t afford to lose you again.
Fatimah: (she pushes him aside and runs out of the gate)
Lukman: Don’t you dare follow her! What’s your problem, men?
You’re crossing your limit!
Jamiu: No vex, but I really want this girl. Infact, I want to marry
her.
Lukman: You don’t even know anything about her past!
Jamiu: I don’t care.
Lukman: Enter your car and go. You’ve ruined my mood.
Jamiu: (gives him a handshake) No vex now, we be padi now. No
vex, bye.
Lukman: Bye. Eh… you open the gate for him.
Gate man: Ok, sir.
---
40 minutes later…
Fatimah enters the house, carrying two heavy grocery bags. She
heads toward the kitchen and finds Lukman stirring a pot of
soup.
Fatimah: (drops the bags, looking tired) Good afternoon, sir.
Lukman: (quickly removes his hand from the pot) Same. (He
steps back, deciding to leave.)
Fatimah: Should I prepare noodles for you, since you’re hungry?
Lukman: Hmmm, no need. But if you want to, no problem.
Fatimah: Ok, sir.
Lukman: That reminds me… where do you know my friend from?
Fatimah: I don’t know him, sir. Even if I did, you wouldn’t
remember.
Lukman: Ok, but… (he steps closer, moving deliberately) I don’t
want to ever see you with him. If you do, you might lose your job.
Is that clear?
Fatimah: My job? I’m not working here as a worker, but as… as…
(she becomes speechless.)
Lukman: Now you know your place. I don’t want to see you
around him.
Fatimah: Why? I have the right to choose who I want to be with.
Besides, he’s nice to me.
Lukman: (shocked) Are you talking back to me?
Fatimah: Just because I rejected your gift, you changed
towards me. That’s unfair. I’ll do your noodles now.
Lukman: Uhmmm… are you angry?
Fatimah: (teary) See, I’m the type of person who easily cries
when I say what hurts me, please…
Lukman: Don’t cry, ok?
Hajia Habibah: As-Salam alaykum! I’m home! Who is in the
house?! (shouts from the living room)
Fatimah: Walaykum as-Salam wa rahmatullah! Mom, you’re back!
Please excuse me— (she tries to leave the kitchen, but Lukman
blocks her. She quickly slips past.) Mom, welcome home! You’re
back early today.
Hajia Habibah: Yeah, today was really stressful. I ran for my
life.
Fatimah: (laughing) Mommy, let me get you some water.
Hajia Habibah: Ok, my dear. Where’s Lukman?
Lukman: I’m here, mom.
Hajia Habibah: My son! Come give mum a hug.
Lukman: (smiling) Mom! I’m not a kid anymore.
Hajia Habibah: So you won’t embrace your mom?
Lukman: Ok… (he embraces her) Are you happy now?
Fatimah: Here’s your water, ma.
Hajia Habibah: Thanks, dear. (She drinks the water)
Lukman: (stylishly looking at Fatimah, who isn’t smiling) Uhmm…
how was your day, mom?
Hajia Habibah: Stressful.
Fatimah: Should I give you a massage?
Hajia Habibah: Yes, please.
Lukman: (politely) Please excuse me.
Hajia Habibah: Where to?
Lukman: To my room, of course.
Hajia Habibah: You won’t even keep me company?
Lukman: Fatimah will do that.
Fatimah: Mom, I’m always here for you.
Lukman: Don’t snatch my mom away from me, oh. I don’t joke
with her.
(They all burst into laughter.)
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