THE WEDDING NIGHT
Ridwan waved to his relatives and friends as he made his way toward the master bedroom where his wife patiently awaited him. He couldn't shake the thought of seeing her in an alluring nightdress to kick off the evening. For about three minutes, he indulged in various imaginative scenarios, anticipating the night ahead. When he finally turned towards her, his expectations were shattered as he discovered her peacefully asleep on the bed. He took a deep breath, resigned to the situation, and joined her, whispering sweet nothings in the hopes of waking her.
Instead, she turned away, adjusting her position for a more comfortable sleep. Ridwan, disheartened, questioned her apparent slumber.
Ridwan: Are you genuinely sleeping or feigning it to avoid our night? (He waited, hopeful for a response.) You've ruined our wedding night. Damn it! (He sighed softly and headed to the shower room.) Perhaps you're more fatigued than I am. But I, too, am feeling tired. Finally, I am alone with you.
Ten minutes later, Ridwan emerged from the bathroom, clad in a towel. His gaze met with his bride, who hastily covered herself and resumed her pretense of sleep. Undeterred, Ridwan raced towards her, embracing her from behind.
Ridwan: I knew you were pretending to sleep. Now, you're awake. Welcome back, my Queen.
Zainab: Thank you, sir. Honestly, I didn't realize when you came in. I waited for you for over an hour and dozed off.
Ridwan: Now, I'm right here in front of you. (A bright smile on his face, unable to stop staring at her.) Now, you are mine forever. (He kissed her hand.) You are the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen.
Zainab smiled lightly and lifted one of Ridwan's hands, kissing it. She then raised her body to kiss his forehead.
Zainab: From now on, I will always kiss this hand. (She lifts her body and kisses his forehead.) Anytime you see me do this, it shows how much I appreciate your presence in my life, and I pray I never see reasons to stop doing that.
Ridwan, amazed, stammered: I...I... Masha Allah! I never believed a woman could kiss my hand too. I thought... You know what? (He pulled her closer to his arms, attempting to kiss her, but she turned her face away.) Baby, please, you have no idea how much I've yearned for this moment. Don't push me away. In fact, I want to be a father soon.
Zainab gasped: What are you saying?
Ridwan: I'm serious! And I'm joking. I want you! I want to feel you in my arms till my last breath because you have no idea how much I love you.
Zainab exhaled softly: Promise to tell me that you love me every single day?
Ridwan: I will try my best!
Zainab: Thank you for that. Thank you for giving me one last reason why I should give love a chance again, and I pray you never stop loving me. Also... Ayomi!
Ridwan, unable to contain his emotions: Oh my God! She just called me her joy! (He burst into bright laughter.) Wow! Her happiness.
Zainab teased: Behave well jor! Do you want the neighbors to hear us?
Ridwan: Please, let's have a baby right now.
Zainab touched his chest: As a woman, I wish and pray I will be the only one to touch you and rule your heart as your wife. But who knows what is destined for us? Also, as a couple, we are bound to have misunderstandings and arguments. Please, if I ever offend you, don't hesitate to sit me down and talk to me like your younger sister. You have the right! I promise to listen. One more thing, raising your voice won't solve anything; it breaks the bonds we've been building for so long. Marriage is full of ups and downs, and I hope we'll be mature enough to work things out, only if we truly love each other. If you ever change suddenly, I'll try my best to remind you, and if you still choose not to listen, maybe due to seeing someone else as a wife material, because that's men for you, I'll accept that you're no longer in love with me. I've prepared my mind for moments like that because men of your generation are hard to understand in how they treat their wives, all in the name of civilization. The same goes for my gender. You're not doing me a favor by getting married to me, and neither am I. I've once given up on love. (She smiles.) If anyone told me two years ago that I would be with my husband right now, I would deny it because my heart was filled with many reasons for broken homes. But as a Muslim, we must complete half of our deen by getting married. I never pray to regret falling in love with you as much as I never pray for you to regret it either. I love you so much, Ridwan! Even if at times I barely say it, I will continue to pray for you and for better offspring for us. If only you could... (He couldn't let her finish her statement as he couldn't hold himself any longer and began to give her a passionate kiss, his heart filled with joy hearing those words coming out of her mouth.)
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THE NEXT MORNING 5: 40AM
Ridwan: (in bed with his bride, as she enjoys her position in his arms while he grab her so close when suddenly the alarm ring for more than four minutes before he finally gather the courage to off it) it morning already? Felt like I just slept for thirty minutes (realize his bride is still in his arms, he lower his head and kiss her forehead) my Queen, I don’t want to wake up but we need to pray, I’m not really that deep into praying but I want our beginning to change into a best path into islam..
Zainab: (groaning in pain)
Ridwan: sorry my love! Should I carry you? you seems weak.
Zainab: (nodded)
Ridwan: (without hesitation he lift her up and head to the rest room while she place her head on his chest) how do you feel?
Zainab: don’t even bother asking.. it was my worse night ever.
Ridwan: I’m sorry about that.. I never wish you to hurt you, after solat I will go get you a painkiller to ease the pain. And also, thank you so much for the gift! You are truly rare in this generations and I will forever cherish last night.
Zainab: stop talking about it please, I don’t even want to remember anything, you are making me shy! just put me down already!
Ridwan: yes your highness!
Zainab: (could barely walk but struggles into the bathroom)
Ridwan: sorry baby, should I help you with the ablusion?
Zainab: (nod like a baby)
Ridwan: I gash you baby. I’m all yours.
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Mustakeemah is on a prayer mat reciting the Quran silently when suddenly she heard her mother calling out her name, she increase the speed of her recitation before she get caught in action. But her mother’s voice keeps getting louder and louder as she gets closer to her door steps, mustakeemah was left with no choice but to put the quran under the pillow and hurriedly remove the prayer mat and jump back to bed pretending to be in a deep sleep.
Mum: mustakeemah!! (furiously push the door open) are you deaf that have been calling you?
Mustakeemah: (jump out of the bed) ma!! (stretching) ma?
Mum: which demon possess you? even the tone I was calling out your name can wake the dead and you couldn’t hear my call?
Mustakeemah: (still scratching her body) I’m sorry mum. I was just.. what should I do for you?
Mum: (scan her room) uhmmm! Get your ass up and move to the kitchen, your father is traveling, and he need his breakfast to be ready as soon as possible.
Mustakeemah: but mum! Is too early now.. not like he is fasting or something.
Mum: that’s your problem. Just do as I say, don’t let me enter this room again, got that?
Mustakeemah: ok mum. (she move to the kitchen and found no one in the living room) I don’t know why I have to be the only one to be up by this time, when the rest are still sleeping. As If I asked to be first child.
30 minutes later
Najat: (join her in the kitchen) good morning sister Mustakeemah.
Mustakeemah: morning.
Najat: what can I help you with?
Mustakeemah: nothing, just go do your chores before mum find you here.
Najat: all done! That’s why I’m here to help (bright smile on her face)
Mustakeemah: (chuckles) are you that eager to help?
Najat: yes! I really adore you.
Mustakeemah: (surprised) for what?
Najat: nothing! So what should I help you with?
Mustakeemah: why don’t you wash the plates then.
Najat: (gladly move to the sink) I’m happy to help.
Mustakeemah: Najat!
Najat: ma?
Mustakeemah: I’m sorry about last night, on how mum treated you. I’m sorry on her behalf.
Najat: there is nothing to be worried about, I’m use to her and besides! You said what ever I am going through in this house is called home training. So why shoulnt I embrace it, since you said it will benefit me in the future.
Mustakeemah: (smile) arent you the smart one In this house? Clever girl! I wish you were my biological sister, unlike those spoilt brats. You are a very wise girl.. kindly give me a sec while I go wake those bulldozers.
Najat: (chuckles) ok sis.
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Mustakeemah: (banging their doors) wake up before I break down in this door!
Mustakeem: (groaning) kehinde! You have started again! why cant you just leave us alone?
Mustakeemah: well.. let me guess! Maybe is because it morning already and I have been awake thirty minutes ago! Your mates are just coming back from the mosque and there you are snoring like a beast. If you don’t get up I’m not leaving this door alone oh.
Munir: (furiously get down from his bed and open the door) what is it?
Mustakeemah: (use one of her finger to push him out of her way and she steps into the room) Taiye! Have you washed Dad’s car?
Munir: cant you just leave our lives alone? You know now am warning you oh.
Mustakeemah: and what would you do about it? beat me? (she faced him as their foreheads touching eachother)
Najat: woh!!! Take it easy! You don’t need to fight!
Mustakeem: (finally get down from the bed and head out instead)
Mustakeemah: (follows him out) am not done with you! get back here! Taiye!!
Dad: (show out of nowhere) is my breakfast ready?
Najat: yes sir!
Dad: I was talking to you! the next time you interfere I will break one of your teeth.
Najat: sorry sir. (sadly slide back into the kitchen)
Dad: kehinde!!!
Mustakeemah: sir! Good morning daddy!
Dad: where is my food?
Mustakeemah: almost ready sir.
Dad: so it is not ready! (walk up to her)
Mustakeemah: (step back little by little) uhmm the thing is dad, as I was ..
Dad: (he pick his bag and walk out of the house)
Mum: what is going on here? And why is your father leaving? Has he had his breakfast?
Mustakeemah: (lower her gaze)
Munir: this is all Taiye’s fault! Now dad is gone with an empty stomach.
Mum: so you starve your father? Despite how much he is trying to provide for us? uh? (she move closer to her hand slap her) how dare you?
Mustakeem: mum! Why are you hitting her again?
Mum: you better stay out of this?
Mustakeemah: I’m sorry mum.
Najat: (stand by the kitchen door watching the drama)
Mum, you are not having anything this morning.. you will starve just like how you starve your father. And he is struggling to provide your school fees. Will you get out of my sight before I descend on you? you this ungrateful being.
Mustakeem: but mum! You shouldn’t have hit her now.. she isn’t a kid anymore! We are 20 years now..
Mum: come right here and say it, if I wont use turning stick on you as well.
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3 hours later
Idris: (driving and making a phone call) c’mon guys! I never knew she was a bitch! She is a whore, a real slut! She was dating the two of us and still have the guts to face me over it, i’m just so grateful that i realize her real Identity before I married her. lucky me bro! lucky meeeee! (he step on the break as he nearly hit a stranger) watch where you are going! Are you blind in the day? cant you see? (he step down from his car to confront the stranger) cant you watch where you are going? (suddenly realize it a female, then he adjust his collar) I hope you are not hurt?
Mustakeemah: (packing her books) I’m fine! Sorry about that.
Idris: (admires her) it ok dear, can I atleast give you a ride to your destination?
Mustakeemah: no thank you! that’s my school gate actually.
Idris: by the way my name is idris and you?
Mustakeemah: Mustakeemah.
Idris: what a beautiful name.. never heard of such a beautiful name in my life.. do you mind giving me your number? So we can get to know eachother better?
Mustakeemah: no! I’m sorry
Idris: please! My intentions is pure.
Mustakeemah: if that’s the case then kindly let me go.
Idris: c’mon beautiful! Give me a chance to prove to you that I’m not like my gender.
Mustakeemah: I see! Please am late for lecture (she walk away)
Idris: Mustakeemah!! Damn! I just miss such a beauty! And she dress descent. Don’t worry, I will come for you again. very soon.