HANEEFAH’S POV
Waking up with a heavy heart for the first time after my marriage was never part of the plan. My chest felt tight as I sat up on the bed. I sighed deeply, slid my legs down, and rolled off the mattress while softly reciting my adhkar. Then it hit me.
The room was empty.
My heart sank immediately as I stood up, scanning the room like he might suddenly appear. I checked the restroom. Everywhere was quiet. Too quiet. I hurried back, checked the time, then sat heavily on the bed.
4:20am?
Abi… did he sleep in the living room? But if he tells his brother… no. He cannot do that. Kai, Haneefah, what have you done?
Regret wrapped around my chest as tears streamed down my face. I wished I could turn back time. Suddenly, the door opened. My head snapped up instantly, my heart racing as hope surged through me. I stood up immediately, ready to apologize.
Anas: (gently closes the door and walks into the restroom without acknowledging her presence)
Haneefah: (closes her eyes bitterly) What have you done? Ahhh Haneefah… what am I going to do to win him back? (follows him into the restroom) Baby…
Anas: (continues his ablution silently, focused, not responding)
Haneefah: (stands behind him, hands clasped) Baby…
Anas: (drops the kettle gently, walks past her, and leaves the restroom)
Haneefah: Please baby. (follows him) Please do not do this to me. I am filled with guilt and I regret my actions.
Anas: (spreads the prayer mat beside the bed and pauses, listening)
Haneefah: I am sorry my love. I do not want you to be disappointed in me. I have always wanted to be an amazing wife. A wife that gives you peace. A submissive wife. I am so, so sorry. (voice breaks) Please find it in your heart to forgive me. (steps closer)
Anas: (raises his hand gently, signaling her to stop) Hmmm.
Haneefah: (pauses, then speaks slowly) I promise this will be the last time this ever happens. I promise not to carry this mansion’s matter on my head. No matter what happens in this house, I will never let it come between us. I promise. Just give me one last chance. Please. (crying) I am so sorry.
Anas: (tries to hold himself but fails, walks closer and pulls her into his arms) It is okay… it is okay.
Haneefah: (breaks down completely, crying like a child) I thought I had lost you. I was so scared. Ahhh, I was so scared of never seeing your good side again. (holds him tightly)
Anas: (tries to pull away but she holds him tighter) How about we pray tahajjud?
Haneefah: Give me a few minutes more. (holds him tighter)
Anas: Woman please…
Haneefah: (finally lets go) So… where did you sleep last night?
Anas: I was with dad. I just felt like I hardly get time for him, so I used our misunderstanding as an opportunity to spend quality time with him.
Haneefah: And you told him what I did?
Anas: (chuckles softly) I am not like that. You have no idea how private I want my marital life to be. I never want another ear in our problems. We sit and settle it together. Do I make myself clear?
Haneefah: (nods happily and hugs him warmly) I love you so much.
Anas: And I love you too. Now can you let go? Do not spoil my ablution. Leave me alone and come join me fast. It is almost five.
Haneefah: (lets go happily and rushes into the restroom)
(LIGHT FADE)
HANEEFAH’S POV
If men think deeply and happen to be wiser than their wives in every area of life, then I guess marriage problems would be easier to handle.
Hmmmm. (exhales happily)
My wise husband. So calm, gentle, and emotionally intelligent. He understands Islam deeply and corrects you in the best way possible. If men thought like this, women would truly be blessed. I will forever love and cherish this man, even if he ever hurts me in any way. This part of me will never stop loving him. I wish other men could learn from this.
Not long after, life returned to normal. The house was temporarily peaceful again. Zainab had not picked up her broken pieces yet, but I refused to let her pain define me. This was her battle, and I prayed Allah healed her. I noticed her husband making preparations for the arrival of a new wife while neglecting his family. I wondered how a man could be so shameless, bringing another woman into his father’s house. Then I remembered how we all ended up here in the first place.
My husband and I returned to our normal selves quickly, but something began to bother me. Four months into marriage and I was yet to conceive. My period was late, but I did not want to rush things. I spent intimate nights with my husband, praying our supplications would be answered.
Until one day.
Al-Rahman answered my prayers.
I returned from the hospital with heavy steps and a racing heart, eager to break the news to my husband. On my way home, I stopped by the market to buy everything I needed to prepare his favorite meal. As soon as I got home, I went straight to the kitchen. One by one, everyone arrived. Hours passed. When I checked through the window, it was already night.
I longed for my husband’s presence like never before. I imagined his reaction over and over. I set the dining table while my co-wives did the same. While moving around, I bumped into Ummu Twins dragging her children to her room with a big cooler. I greeted her and she responded warmly. I asked why she was not eating with us. She said the honor of the dining table was gone and she would rather spend time with her children than sit shamefully with the family as the new wife was arriving soon. I felt her pain again and quietly walked away.
After praying Maghrib, I returned happily to setting my husband’s place. I kept checking the window. He does not usually come home this late. I called his phone but it was unreachable. Panic crept in as I paced between the kitchen and dining area until my co-wives noticed.
Maryam: (setting the table) Hajia!
Haneefah: Yes sir?
Maryam: What is wrong?
Haneefah: Uhmm nothing. I am just waiting for my husband.
Aishat: (steps out of her kitchen) Abdullah, dinner is ready. (rubs her stomach)
Haneefah: (notices her baby bump) Oh my… (thinking) Masha Allah. How did I not notice she is expecting her third child? Allahumma barik. (door opens suddenly) Is that my husband? (leans forward)
(A lady in a white abayah walks in as Jamiu helps her with her bags. The gateman follows with more luggage.)
Jamiu: Watch your steps my love.
(All the wives stand up in shock.)
Rahmah: Thank you baby.
Jamiu: Your room is upstairs. Everything is set. (notices their stares) Ekule oo.
Aishat, Maryam, Haneefah: (stunned) Ekaabo sir.
Jamiu: Say hello to your new wife.
Rahmah: (moves closer, kneels respectfully) Good evening my iyale mi. I hope I met you well. I am your new wife and I hope I am welcome in this lovely house.
(The wives glance at one another, speechless.)
Jamiu: Of course you are welcome my love. You have no choice. You must respect them.
Haneefah: (hears a car horn)
Rahmah: So… (looks around) who is my senior wife among them?
Jamiu: I think she is inside. I will introduce you later.
Anas: (enters tiredly) As salam alaykum? (pauses, confused)
Rahmah: I am exhausted from the journey. Let us go baby. (walks upstairs)
Haneefah: (spots her husband and rushes to him) Walaykum salam baby. (takes his bag) How was work?
Anas: (still processing) Alhamdulillah. Who is that?
Haneefah: Uhmm… I do not know.
Anas: Oh really?
Haneefah: Yes. Abu Twins asked her to greet us. Anyways, I prepared your favorite tonight.
Anas: Is that so? (holds her hand) Pounded yam and egusi?
Haneefah: You have no idea. (heads upstairs with him)
Aishat and Maryam hurriedly move closer to each other, lowering their voices.
Aishat: Iyale mi… this man said it and he did it.
Maryam: There is fire on the mountain.
Aishat: Ahhhh! Men are wicked oo.
Maryam: Hmm… my husband and I are currently having issues because of this man.
Aishat: Same here. When I confronted him that he might be cheating as well… kai… only Allah knows the condition Ummu Twins will be in if she finds out about this.
Zainab: (appears suddenly behind them) About what?
Maryam and Aishat: (startled, stepping back) Uh? Nothing ma… nothing.
Zainab: I thought I heard my husband’s voice?
Aishat: Yes.
Maryam: No.
Zainab: (narrows her eyes suspiciously) What do you mean by no… yes? Are you pulling my legs?
Aishat: Sorry… we meant to say yes. He was…
Zainab: (cuts in sharply) That is good. Taiye!! Kehinde!!
Taiye and Kehinde: Ma? (their voices echo from their room)
Zainab: Your father is back. Go to his room and ask for money for school. Tell him you were chased from school today and I do not have any money again. I have spent everything on foodstuff. (turns and walks into her kitchen)
Taiye: Okay mummy. (runs off)
Maryam: (lets out a heavy sigh) People are unpredictable.
Aishat: Ogbenutan. (shakes her head slowly)
(CURTAIN)
40 MINUTES LATER
Haneefah: (enters with a tray) As salam alaykum baby. Your dinner is ready.
Anas: Walaykum salam. You never disappoint. (smiles) Only me? (sits)
Haneefah: (moves closer, excitement bubbling) Baby…
Anas: Let me eat first please.
Haneefah: There is something I need to tell you.
Anas: Is that so?
Haneefah: (squats, touches his thigh) You ......are..... going... to be a..... DAD.
Anas: I am sorry? Come again?
Haneefah: I am pregnant.
Anas: (jumps up) Are you serious? (touches her stomach)
Haneefah: Yes (Nod happily)
Anas: (falls into sujood)