A furious mother refuses to eat the birthday cake bought by her son’s girlfriend during a tense showdown on I Love A Mama’s Boy!
Tonight’s episode of the Discovery+ show focuses on Shekeb, his partner Emily, 24, and his mother Laila’s dislike of her – primarily due to the difference in culture.
Originally from Afghanistan, Laila wants her son to marry a Muslim woman, and Korean-born Emily doesn’t fit that vision. But Shekeb has a plan for Emily to win Laila over: turning up at her birthday party and surprising her – only, it doesn’t go to plan.
When Shekeb reveals Emily helped him pick the cake, Laila declares: ‘I don’t need this cake anymore. I will not touch it, oh my gosh.
‘I’m not going to eat anything, you’re going to poison me!’ she continues, pointing at a slack-jawed Emily. ‘Take your gift any leave! You’re just an annoying person!’
Laila, who lives in the US, refuses to eat the birthday cake bought by her son’s girlfriend Emily, 24, during a tense showdown on tonight’s episode of I Love A Mama’s Boy!
Laila’s (pictured) dislike of Emily stems primarily from the difference in culture – as she always wanted her son Shekeb to marry a Muslim woman
After being ditched by her boyfriend Shekeb on Valentine’s Day, Emily confides in her own mother who tells her to dump him.
‘Shekeb just left me at dinner on Valentine’s Day because his mother was in pain,’ she vexes. ‘When it comes to our relationship, his mother kind of gets in the way of everything.’
Frustrated, Emily admits that she has grown tired of trying to win Laila’s approval, and that her constant manipulation of her son is starting to drive a wedge between them.
‘But honestly, I already know that Laila is okay, because I mean let’s be real, last time on my birthday his mum called and she just really wanted Shekeb to leave dinner and he did. She ended up being fine.’
As Shekeb himself admits, he has a lot of work to do to make things right with Emily.
‘I’m taking Emily shopping because our Valentine’s Day dinner was a disaster,’ he says. ‘My mother kept on calling me, I thought she hurt herself; I literally left her that night. So today is pretty much my day to make it up to her.’
Shekeb left his partner Emily at dinner on Valentine’s Day because his mother was in pain. Pictured, Shekeb and Laila
Shekeb takes Emily shopping because their Valentine’s Day dinner was a disaster. Pictured, together
As she rifles through clothes, Emily tells Shekeb exactly how she feels.
‘She’s been sabotaging the relationship,’ she says sternly. ‘See that’s the thing, I know this,’ Shekeb admits. ‘But my mother has this thing on me. I feel guilty whenever she is sad or alone by herself, and I’m over here.’
However, Shekeb conjures up a plan for Emily to win Laila over.
‘I’m pretty confident that on her birthday tonight, all you got to do is find the perfect gift for her,’ he says. ‘That’s all we got to do.’
Despite reluctantly agreeing to give Shekeb’s plan a go, Emily isn’t sure her impromptu appearance will change anything.
‘Laila’s never been nice to me, she’s never accepted me, she’s always comparing me to other women,’ she explains. ‘So, I definitely don’t feel confident going to Laila’s birthday party.’
Adding to her palpable sense of frustration, Emily bemoans how Laila has once again become the focal point of one of their dates.
‘I wanted Shekeb to take me shopping and spend time with me and tell me that he’s sorry, but once again Laila becomes the centre of attention,’ she says.
After settling on a pair of earrings, Emily mentally prepares herself for the evening ahead.
Emily bemoans how Laila has once again become the focal point of one of their dates. Pictured, with Shekeb
Emily (pictured) admits that she has grown tired of trying to win Laila’s approval, and that her constant manipulation of her son is starting to drive a wedge between them
Despite being the mastermind behind the plan to surprise Laila, Shekeb admits that he’s not sure how his mother will react to Emily turning up unannounced.
‘I didn’t tell my mother a thing,’ he says. ‘I’m pretty nervous about it, I’m scared of her reaction.’
Later than evening, Laila and her family and friends gather to celebrate her birthday.
‘It’s my mother’s birthday and it’s pretty much the greatest day of the year,’ Shekeb says. ‘I’m celebrating the woman I love so much, another year and another milestone.’
Urging his mother on to make a wish as she blows out the candles on her birthday cake, Shekeb is suddenly stopped in his tracks.
‘You know what my wish is, but I’m not going to tell you,’ she says bluntly.
‘I know for a fact my mother is talking about Emily. But the only way that she will only see who Emily really is at heart is the fact that they need to spend time together,’ Shekeb reflects.
Before the smoke from the candles has clear, the doorbell rings. Right on time, Emily has arrived, gift in hand, to wish Laila a happy birthday.
‘Walking into Laila’s birthday party, I am so nervous and scared because Laila has no idea I’m coming,’ she admits.
Walking into the living room, Shekeb and Emily announce themselves to Laila, who is far from pleased.
Shekeb himself admits he has a lot of work to do to make things right with Emily. Pictured, with his mother Laila
Laila (pictured) looks towards the floor and grudgingly thanks Emily as she gives her a birthday present
‘I didn’t expect her,’ she mutters to her husband.
After a short, awkward silence, Emily wishes Laila a happy birthday and hands her over the present. With a face like thunder, Laila looks towards the floor and grudgingly thanks Emily.
‘Ma, what are you doing?’ Shekeb asks, shocked by Laila’s rudeness, as she refuses to open the gift.
‘I don’t need a gift, I don’t expect anything from her,’ Laila says. ‘You shouldn’t be here anyway, it’s my birthday.’
Visibly upset, Laila puts her head in hands as Emily takes a seat.
‘When I’m talking to Laila I feel like I’m talking to my worst enemy,’ Emily says, exacerbated.
As he tries to endear Emily to Laila, Shekeb manages to make matters even worse.
‘As a matter of fact, she’s even the one who helped me pick out the cake,’ he says, to which Laila then pushes the cake to one side.
With tensions at an all-time high, Emily tries to reason with Laila: ‘I’m annoying because I’m a good girlfriend?’
Laila, having none of it, tells Emily exactly what she doesn’t want to hear.
‘No you’re not, and you never will be.’