That same night
Anas: (enters the room) As salam alaykum, habeebty. (finds her seated on the bed, moody) Baby…
Haneefah: (snaps back to reality) Yes? Oh, you are done praying? (gets down to meet him) So how was work today?
Anas: Well… Alhamdulillah, but I have some bad news.
Haneefah: Subhanallah. What is it? (concerned)
Anas: Actually, it is not bad news, but more like an inconvenience for you, and I really feel bad about it, wallahi.
Haneefah: Tell me already. You are making me anxious now.
Anas: (sits her down) I will be going on a business trip, and I promise I will not take long. You know this contract we have been trying to finalize for almost two months now? Yes. I finally got it, and it is a multi-million naira contract for me. And I swear, if there was a way, I would…
Haneefah: (cuts in) It is fine. You can go.
Anas: (pauses) You sure? (concerned) You are not mad?
Haneefah: Why would I be? Your success is my success now, so it is fine. (retreats back into depression)
Anas: (studies her for a few seconds) Talk to me. What is wrong? You know you are married to a very sensitive husband. Talk to me, uh? What is it?
Haneefah: Honestly, it is nothing. I am just tired. Nothing else.
Anas: Well, it does not look like that to me. Please do not hide anything from me for the sake of Allah. I cannot know all that is going on inside you if you do not tell me. I love you so much, and I hate to see you in this condition. I really love you. (kisses her forehead)
Haneefah: (takes a deep breath and stares into his eyes) I love you too. (embraces him sadly) I am going to miss you, baby. All alone in this mansion. But you have to chase our dreams and bring home goodies. You have nothing to worry about. So when are you leaving?
Anas: First thing tomorrow morning, Insha Allah.
Haneefah: Wait. To which state?
Anas: Kaduna, but I have to branch Abuja to pick some files for the project.
Haneefah: Kaduna? That far state? That Boko Haram place? Northern part of Nigeria? Baby, please, I am too young to be a widow. Have mercy on me, please.
Anas: So what are you saying? That I should not go? That I should abandon the contract?
Haneefah: No. That is not my point, please. I really mean well. I am just worried about your well-being. There is insecurity.
Anas: (sighs) I cannot believe I have to preach about iman to my religious wife. So staying with you is what guarantees my security? Look, once my time is up, there is nothing I can do about it. Where is your iman? Being here does not guarantee my safety. Allah will protect me. That is why we have our adhkar. So please, stop worrying over nothing. I will return safely, Insha Allah, and that should be your priority. (gets up and walks to the restroom)
Haneefah’s POV
Who am I kidding? I cannot believe I just said that. But I am human. I am just worried about him. Well, na me marry civil engineer, so what do I expect? (sighs) What happened today shows there is fire on the mountain. I should have seen this coming from the beginning. Not everyone will like you, especially when you marry into such a weird and mind-blowing family whose aqeedah is different from my husband’s and mine. Telling my husband everything will only cause more chaos. This is chaos fellow women bring, and it should be settled among ourselves. I just need to learn patience. This is really going to take a lot of endurance.
Anas: (comes out of the bathroom with a towel tied around his waist) So baby, let us do the do tonight since I will be traveling tomorrow.
Haneefah: Huh? Please, I am tired.
Anas: I do not take no for an answer, and you know me. Come here, jor. (grabs her hand as he climbs onto the bed)
Haneefah: Anas, stop, please. I do not have strength tonight. (chuckles) I am serious. Okay, I have not showered. Let me shower first.
Anas: Do not worry. I know down there will be fresh and sweet. Oya, come here.
Haneefah: Anas, stop naaa.
(LIGHT FADE)
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A WEEK LATER (4:23 PM)
Haneefah: (coming downstairs) See how quiet the entire house is. Just me and Chief, and he is always in his room. All the wives are at their businesses except me. (exhales softly) It is well. (heads to the kitchen as the door opens)
Aishat: (opens the door, dragging her kids inside) Ekule ooo. I will beat you ooo. Oya, go to your room. Go and watch cartoon. I will be right back. (hears sound from the kitchen) Iyawo, are you there? I have been calling your name. (joins her)
Haneefah: Subhanallah. I am so sorry. I did not hear anything. Please do not be offended, ma.
Aishat: It is fine. You do not have to apologize for anything. It is not a big deal. How have you been?
Haneefah: Alhamdulillah, ma. How is the market?
Aishat: Well, we thank God, but the market did not move today.
Haneefah: Eeyyaa. It happens sometimes.
Aishat: Yes. Umm, I really wanted to see you about something.
Haneefah: I hope all is well?
Aishat: Nothing much. Just how uncomfortable it must have been for you since you arrived in this house, and how our senior wife has been treating you lately. But come to think of it, she is really a sweet person. I guess there is a lot going on in her head these days. That is why. So please do not take everything she says to heart.
Haneefah: (takes a deep breath) Thank you so much for your concern. It really means a lot. And about our senior wife, I understand. I just need to give her time to understand me better. It is normal.
Aishat: Alright then. So what are you planning to eat since your husband is not around?
Haneefah: I am just making yam and egg.
Aishat: Good choice. Anyway, I am off to the kitchen to start mine. Take care. (taps her shoulder and leaves)
Haneefah: (faint smile) That was very kind and generous of her. (faces her cooking)
(CURTAIN)
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬___________
FEW DAYS LATER (NIGHT)
Haneefah: (on video call) Stop pulling my legs, jor.
Anas: I am serious, babe. I love the city.
Haneefah: Yeah. (goes mute for a while)
Anas: (notices her silence) Are you okay, baby?
Haneefah: Honestly, I just cannot wait to see you. I feel so lonely. Your brothers and their wives are downstairs having dinner, but the house still feels empty without you.
Anas: I am so sorry, honey. I miss you so much. Let us do it this way. I will try to round up everything fast. We will not have time to talk during the day. I cannot wait to feel you again, to kiss those soft lips of yours. (smiles)
Haneefah: Stop it. (admires him) I miss you too.
Anas: Can you do me a favor?
Haneefah: Okay?
Anas: Can you take off your top? I just want to admire something tonight. Please. I promise I will not screen record.
Haneefah: You cannot be serious.
Anas: I am. I am dying to touch my little buddies again. Please, baby.
Haneefah: If you are dying for it, then come back home and touch it yourself. That is your punishment for leaving me behind.
Anas: Baby, please. Just once. Just for a minute.
Haneefah: (hears a knock at the door) Give me a minute. Someone is knocking.
Anas: Who is it?
Haneefah: I do not know. Let me check. (drops the phone on the bed and puts on her khimar) Who is it? (opens the door)
Kehinde: Good evening, eleha.
Haneefah: Oh, good evening, dear. How are you?
Kehinde: I am fine, ma. Grandpa asked me to call you. He said you should meet him at his mini living room.
Haneefah: Alright, dear. Tell him I will join him soon, okay?
Kehinde: Okay, ma.
Haneefah: (gently closes the door and returns to the phone) Baby, are you there?
Anas: (dozing off)
Haneefah: Babe.
Anas: (opens his eyes) Huh? Oh, you are back. Who was it?
Haneefah: Your niece. She said your father needs to see me.
Anas: Okay then. Let us call it a day. I am so tired. I love you, baby.
Haneefah: Promise you will return soon.
Anas: I will try.
Haneefah: Okay. Good night. (ends call and adjusts her khimar)
Few minutes later
Chief Olakunle: (from inside) Come in. (working on his laptop, adjusts his glasses as he scans her from head to toe, covered in her long black khimar, then smiles) I thought the angel of death had finally come to take me. You look like a queen in that hijab of yours. I knew from day one my son married right.
Haneefah: (smiles) Thank you, sir. As salam alaykum, sir.
Chief Olakunle: Walaykum salam. Come, have a seat.
Haneefah: (sits opposite him and lowers her gaze) You called for me, sir.
Chief Olakunle: Yes, I did. You and I have not had a father-and-daughter conversation. That is how I welcome your senior wives as well, because I owe them an explanation for forcing them to live under the same roof with me and my sons.
Haneefah: (smiles and nods)
Chief Olakunle: I know I have no right to force you or them, but it has always been my dream to die under the same roof with my entire family. A house where the laughter and cries of children never stop. A home built with love, fights, laughter, and pain. (glances at her) I know it is weird, but…
Haneefah: (cuts in) No, you are not. That is the most beautiful dream I have ever heard, and it is amazing, sir. I respect that, sir, and it is such an honor to be part of your dream. (smiles brightly, eyes returning to the floor) I am sorry for cutting you off, sir.
Chief Olakunle: (smiles warmly) Thank you. I do not even know what to say. I believed I owed you an explanation, but your response makes me speechless. Thank you for this statement. My son is the only one who chose a different path in life. He is a wise man, and now I see his wisdom in you. He surely married right, and I am proud of him. May Allah bless you both.
Haneefah: Ameen, sir.
Chief Olakunle: May He strengthen your bond and grant you pious children who will be the coolness of your eyes. You just made my night.
Haneefah: Ameen, sir. Thank you.
Chief Olakunle: You can go now. You need to rest. I hope you are hearing from your husband.
Haneefah: (stands) Yes, sir.
Chief Olakunle: I hope you are not feeling his absence too much.
Haneefah: To be honest, sir, yes I am. I pray he returns safely. I will take my leave now, sir. Have a wonderful night rest.
Chief Olakunle: Haneefah.
Haneefah: (pauses and turns) Yes, sir.
Chief Olakunle: I want you to see me as your father, not just your father-in-law. You can come to me for advice and talk about anything bothering you. I will always be available to listen.
Haneefah: (smiles) Thank you, sir. (leaves)
Chief Olakunle: (nods) This one is surely different from the rest.
Haneefah’s POV
Tiredly, I returned to my room and sighed. Exhausted, I jumped onto the bed, searching for my phone, then paused. He should be sleeping by now. I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling. This is indeed a new chapter of my life, and I must not waste time. I sighed again and turned to my side. The next thing I remembered was the alarm clock vibrating. I hurriedly turned it off, every human’s morning enemy. I recited my short adhkar, thanking my Creator for sparing my life again. As I stood to go to the restroom, a loud noise caught my attention. I paused, then hurriedly wore my khimar as the noise increased. I opened the door and looked downstairs. I saw Zainab rolling on the floor, crying and screaming. My co-wives came out looking rough.
Zainab: Jamiu has killed me. Jamiu has finally succeeded in killing me. After all I have gone through for you. Ahh…
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