Sekinat Amazing Stories

  ACTS SIX Hazeemah: (Falls onto the bed, sighing heavily as her mother follows her into the room.) Hajia Shukroh: My baby... What took you so long? (Notices Hazeemah’s mood and sits next to her.) What’s wrong? Talk to me. Hazeemah: (Finally sits up, breaking down in tears.) Ummii... (Falls into her mother’s arms.) Hajia Shukroh: (Worried) What happened? Talk to me! Did something happen at work? Alhaji Nurudeen: (Standing by the door) Can I come in? Hajia Shukroh: For what? No! Go away! This is between mother and daughter. Alhaji Nurudeen: Nikini? How is this a mother-and-daughter discussion? This involves both of us. (He enters the room and sits beside Hazeemah on the bed, gently patting her head.) Come on, talk to us. You’ve never shed a tear despite all the years of searching for your dream job, so what could have happened now, after your dream has been granted? Hazeemah: Dad? Alhaji Nurudeen: Yes, my dear. (Wipes her tears, clearly worried.) Talk to us. Hazeemah: Why? Why do pe...

  ACTS FIVE Subordinates: (Surprised) Sir?! M.K.: What?! If you don’t watch your mouths, you’ll be next! Hazeemah: (In shock, as coffee drips down her khimar) M.K.: I believe the last time you came for your damn interview, I told you that you don’t belong here and you’ll never be welcome. Now, get back there and make me another coffee—this time the way I want it. You’ve got less than five minutes. Now, get lost! Hazeemah: (Composes herself, glances at him for a few seconds, then heads out, soaked with coffee. She asks for directions to the restroom and mutters to herself) These are the kinds of people whose mothers should have just had a period instead... Who raises animals in human form? (She enters the restroom and finds four coworkers applying makeup and gossiping.) Hazeemah: Good morning. Salamah: (Bursts into laughter with her crew) So it’s true? A rag is now part of us... Can you imagine? You think you can dream too? Shade: Honestly, I thought the rumors were fake... Look at ...

  ACTS FOUR Later in the evening (Hazeemah gets off the bike, heads into the house, and locks the door behind her. She removes her khimar, socks, and gloves, then walks straight to her room. She tosses her bag onto the bed and collapses beside it.) Hazeemah: (sighs heavily) Alhamdulillah, ya Allah... But come to think of it, this is going to be a tough task, spending even a minute with that idiot... Can you imagine what he said to me? (Flashback: 40 minutes earlier) (Hazeemah is happily heading towards the gate, about to leave the company when suddenly she is blocked by M.K.) M.K: So, you think you won, huh? Let me make this clear—you can never, ever be my assistant! Never, ever! You think you can just embarrass me in front of everyone? You bitch! Hazeemah: (responds politely) I’m so sorry if anything I said in the office hurt your feelings. Please, find it in your heart to forgive me. But why are you scared of employing someone like me? M.K: Excuse me? Hazeemah: No offense, but it...

  ACTS THREE A busy street in the early morning. Hazeemah steps out of a cab, rushing through the street. Her phone rings suddenly. Hazeemah: (answers without checking the caller ID) As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah. Khalid: Wa alaikum as-salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh, my queen. Good morning. Hazeemah: (surprised) Khalid? Why are you calling so early? I told you I have an interview today. Khalid: I know, I just wanted to check on you. There's nothing wrong with that, is there? Hazeemah: Thanks for checking in, but I have to go now. (about to hang up) Khalid: Wait! Take it easy, woman. I’m the one who called, remember? Why are you being so short with me lately? Are you mad at me? Hazeemah: Look, Khalid, I don’t have time for this right now. This interview is important to me, and I need to stay focused. You’re distracting me, and I can’t afford to be in a bad mood. We’ll talk later, okay? Khalid: Distracting you? What’s really going on, Hazeemah? Is there someone else? You’ve bee...

ACTS TWO Hazeemah: I don’t like this at all! Why are you intruding on my privacy? Hajia Shukroh: (chuckles) So you want privacy while you’re under my roof? Hazeemah: I’m under my father’s roof, not yours. Hajia Shukroh: Well, you’re under my matrimonial home! If you’re sick and tired of it, then move to his house! Go and get married, stop chasing companies up and down! Get a life. Hazeemah: (sadly stares at her for a few seconds) Ummi, why are you being mean to me? I am your child, your only daughter, and your last born for that matter! Or did you adopt me? Hajia Shukroh: Something like that. Remember, we don’t own our souls; they belong to Allah. I don’t own you, but Allah does. Even if you weren’t my biological child, I would treat you the same. I just want you to be happy. (sits next to her) My baby, you’re turning 26. Age is not on your side anymore, and before you know it, suitors will be scarce. You need to choose one. That’s the struggle of a woman. You can continue dreaming onc...