Anas: (chuckles) Yes, Dad… I’m perfectly fine. We just came to check on you, and we also noticed you barely come out like you used to.
Chief: Well… it’s because this old man can’t walk for long anymore. I’m glad you all showed your faces. I thought you wouldn’t remember because you have families to feed.
Jamil: Don’t say that, Dad. You are everything, and without you… we wouldn’t exist. So please don’t say that. (rests his head on his leg while the rest join)
Chief: And you are living your life without your mother, and the same thing you will do without me. (laughs like the old man that he is) You all remind me of the old days… when your mother and I… hmmmm. May Allah be pleased with her.
(They stay warmly on his legs, enjoying the special moment with their father.)
Haneefah’s POV
A few months passed, repeating the same activities on every chance granted to live and breathe again. It becomes exhausting sometimes, but that’s what makes us human.
But in these past few weeks, I noticed something sweeter and amazing about my husband that even I began to wonder — is this real? Marriage shouldn’t be this perfect because he is everything women pray for. Sometimes I want to believe it, but deep down I felt this strange feeling…
My husband suddenly changed my wardrobe, replaced it with something better, changed our kids’ wardrobes, bought extra cars for picking them up from school. He cared for me so much that I felt so complete. But it was at this moment I realized… we barely have issues because it is the last thing he wants.
I tried different means to ensure we quarrelled, but trust me, none of it worked out. I was so content with everything… everything felt complete.
Until one day… I decided to give him the silent treatment and see how it turns out for us.
Sunny Afternoon
Anas: (drives into the compound and hurriedly gets down, running into the house) As-salaam alaykum! (runs to the stairs, increases his speed, barges into the room and finds her in bed pressing her phone) Haneefah!
Haneefah: (shocked to see him, but composes herself) Yes…
Anas: (panting heavily) What is going on? Why did you hang up on me like that? I kept calling your line but you didn’t pick it. What’s the matter?
Haneefah: (puts down the phone) That’s why you came running?
Anas: Yes! Because you’re very important to me!
Haneefah: Okay, stop!
Anas: (confused) What do you mean? (sighs and tries to stay calm) Okay, look… I’m sorry even if I don’t know why you are mad at me right now. (goes closer and tries to kiss her) Did you miss me?
Haneefah: (pushes him away and looks away)
Anas: Talk to me now… I promise to change.
Haneefah: I am mad at you because you did nothing wrong! You are just so perfect! Too perfect for me… We barely quarrel or fight, and you’ve been spending a lot of money on us. You even bought new cars for your kids. What is going on?
Anas: (jaw drops and pauses for a while) So… if I get you right… what you are trying to say is… you are tired of my good side?
Haneefah: Yes! Is there something you are hiding from me? Okay then… I don’t want to live in this house anymore. Take us to our new home you’ve been building for over ten years anyway. (folds arms)
Anas: Okay then… start packing while I go get the truck to pack it. I think I have one guy’s number. (brings out his phone)
Haneefah: (couldn’t believe her ears) So you’re seriously going to do that?
Anas: Anything that makes you happy, baby.
Haneefah: (jaw drops) What has gotten into you? Stop calling the driver now! (gets up, takes his phone and throws it on the bed)
Anas: (scans her for a few seconds, then gets seated) Come… come here. (taps the bed)
Haneefah: (watches him without moving an inch)
Anas: Come on… I won’t bite.
Haneefah: (couldn’t help but obey him)
Anas: (takes a deep breath) Uhmmm… I’m sorry you are feeling this way.
Haneefah: Stop apologizing now! Ahhh!
Anas: Okay… I’m sorry…
Haneefah: (glances at him)
Anas: Okay… I’m… okay fine. I will just go straight to the point… I… uhmmm… I have someone. I mean, there is someone who would love to be your co-wife.
Haneefah: (jaw drops) Subhanallah!
Anas: Wait!!! Listen to me—
Haneefah: Anas!! (hands shaking)
Anas: Hear me out!
Haneefah: (suddenly gets up, picks up her khimar and leaves the room)
Anas: Haneefah!!! (tries to follow her, then stops, also shocked at her reaction) Did I say it wrong? (sinks into despair) Ya Allah… I asked for Your guidance and have been praying about this for a month now… and I trust You. I don’t want to lose Haneefah! Grant me the strength to set things right and ease her heart to understand me and accept my decision and reason.
(He exits the room, heads downstairs and finds Jamil roaring at Aishat. He pauses and watches.)
Jamil: (sights him) Anas! Thank goodness you are here! Could you believe this one has been using kayanmata on me all this while?
Aishat: I can explain. Please stop shouting now.
Anas: Please act like you didn’t see me. (walks away sadly and exits the house)
Haneefah’s POV
It was at this moment that it hit me… why didn’t my head ever signal to me that he could do what Jamiu did? I thought he was different.
This news hit me really hard. I cried my eyes out in the backyard. It felt like I was dreaming… how could he? Am I not good enough for him? What else does a man want? I was submissive. I was his peace. But why would he do this to me? A second wife? Me? After bearing four children for him? Abi, is it because I said I don’t want to bear more children?
I am heartbroken… ahhhh… Anas shattered my heart into pieces. Why didn’t I prepare my mind for a moment like this? I was carried away…
Nothing can be done… he has made up his mind.
But what did I ever do to deserve this from him?
I guess those women were right… you can never please a man. They are all polygamous in nature.
Ahhhhhhhhhh!
So I will be sharing him now? What if he changes afterwards? What if I have no choice but to leave this marriage as well, like Zainab did?
Ya Allah… I am not prepared for a polygamous life. You should have given me a heads-up.
Nothing can be done…
I went mute again, staring into empty space, a lot roaming through my mind.
Why????? Anas, why?? How could you do this to me? Whyyyyyyyy…
I can’t believe I could cry over a woman like this… what if?
Ahhhhh… I didn’t realize I was pressing my chest really hard.
But I can’t say no… and I can’t divorce him.
Why isn’t life fair for we women? Why must a woman derive joy in another woman’s sadness? Why must a woman ruin a sweet home?
Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?
Anas… whyyyyyyyyyy?
****************************
FEW DAYS LATER
Haneefah’s POV
Life began to feel like a prison. We were once a happy couple, inseparable and full of laughter, but now we avoided each other so deliberately that the rest of the family began to notice. They saw the sorrow etched across my face and the heaviness weighing down his. I could no longer focus on anything. In fact, I looked miserable, and I knew it.
He tried to explain, but I was not ready to listen. After a while, he stopped trying. Perhaps he was waiting for the day I would finally be strong enough to hear him out. I could barely eat. I know it sounds crazy to say I want to kill myself over a man. Yes, I want to. Because he is a real man, the true definition of what a man should be. I suppose that is why it hurts even more deeply.
My children felt the tension too. Nothing in the house excited me anymore. The walls felt tighter, the air heavier. When the family asked questions, all I could say was that I was fine. One of them even asked if someone had died. I said yes. Because I am about to lose my husband to another woman.
I wanted to shout. I wanted to scream out my pain until the walls shook. But this is a family house. Privacy is limited. My suffering had to remain silent. Yet the truth would not stop hitting me, over and over again. I am going to lose my husband to another woman.
That same night
Anas: as salam alaykum (enter the room) dad? Are you in?
Chief: yes.. come! I’m over here..
Anas: (sight him and immediately straighten up, placing his hands behind his back respectfully) oh! as salam alaykum sir..
Chief: walaykum salam… my wise son.. come, sit with me..
Anas: (obeys and sits carefully, posture firm yet humble) you asked for my presence sir.
Chief: (sigh deeply, his aged voice carrying weight and experience) yes.. I just want to have some words with you… what is going on in your marriage?
Anas: there nothing going on! (pauses, his shoulders sinking as he exhales heavily) well.. something Is actually on and its my fault.
Chief: (smile gently, studying his son’s face) I’m listening.
Anas: I told my wife that I want to have a second wife.. that’s all I said and she wouldn’t let me explain ever since then. She changed totally and wallohi I have my reasons.. not because I don’t love her.. I don’t joke with her.. (his voice softens) so I just let her be for as long as she needs until she is ready to hear me out. I’m not saying a word.
Chief: hmmm I understand. That’s women for you.. her expression shows how much she loves you and never wants to share you with anyone.. I know you have your reasons and I respect that. But everything in life is a choice.
Anas: dad.. wallohi.. I…
Chief: you don’t owe me an explanation.. you are a wise one. For you to have made such a decision, you have thought it through and you are capable in all means. In fact, just ensure you explain in the best way. She isn’t dull either. I’m sure she will come around. So go.. I am in support of your decision and anytime you need me to show myself to your bride.. just let me know.
Anas: (gets emotional, his eyes glistening as he stares at his father, suddenly speechless)
Chief: that also reminds me… why are you always like this anytime you are with me? Always in tears?
Anas: it nothing.. it just so sad that this life is temporary and nothing good lasts forever. That’s why I always want to cherish every moment of my life with you and my entire family.
Chief: this is why I said I can never question your decision in life. I wish you were the first born but I’m glad and grateful for having you as my son..
Anas: thanks dad.. so will that be all sir?
Chief: yes.. take care…
Anas: (moves forward and gives him a warm hug, holding him longer than usual, as if memorizing the moment) eat well please.. later dad.. (moves to the door)
Chief: uhmm Anas!
Anas: (turns immediately, respectful and attentive) yes sir.
Chief: I’m sorry for how I treated you back in those days for embracing Islam with your soul. I thought I was saving you from the wrong path but you were right all along.
Anas: (a bright smile spreads across his face, his eyes moist) thank you for saying that… you have no idea of how much this statement means to me.. thank you sir..
Jamil: (open the door gently) dad! Good morning sir.. do you have a moment please?
Chief: yes my son… come in
Jamil: (obeys and steps inside respectfully) thank you sir.. abu khalid.. you are here
Anas: I was leaving actually.. later dad (smiles softly and exits his room)
Jamil: (gets seated) so dad.. you wont believe what happened to me lately? My wife…
The next day at night
Anas: (enters the room and finds his children praying together while Khalid leads the prayer, he pauses at the sight, his face lighting up with pride and tenderness) as salam alaykum… (bright smile on his face) may Allah accept it.. (gently drops his bag and moves quietly to the restroom)
Khalid: allahu akbar (goes into sujuud and they follow in unity and devotion)
(light fade)
An hour later
Anas: as salam alaykum (enters the room and finds his wife seated as though she has been waiting for him, he pauses for a few seconds, sensing the weight in the air, then gently shuts the door)
Haneefah: walaykum salam.. welcome sir..
Anas: (scans her face carefully, searching for clues in her expression) thank you my love. (studies her actions and reactions before about to move to the dressing room)
Haneefah: can we talk?
Anas: (takes a deep breath, his heart tightening) she is finally ready to talk.. gosh! And I don’t have the strength tonight.
Haneefah: hmmm? Or you don’t want to?
Anas: you know I can never say that, not in a moment like this… (sits slowly on the bed, bracing himself emotionally) I’m ready.
Haneefah: (smirks lightly, masking her pain, then sits next to him) thank you for… you know… but I have some questions that have been bothering my mind for a while now and I think you are the only one to find answers to them because I couldn’t.
Anas: (nods and listens attentively, his gaze fixed on her, serious now) go on.
Haneefah: what is my offense?
Anas: (closes his eyes and smiles lightly, not out of mockery but as if steadying himself for what is coming)
Haneefah: what did I ever do to deserve this from you? Am I not submissive enough? Am I not satisfying you enough? Do you want more children? Do you not find me attractive anymore? Because I won’t lie to you.. I am hurt badly… and it is killing me. I never thought you would bring something like this up because we both learned from your brother’s mistake. So just tell me where I’m lacking. I promise I will change. And if your mind is made up, then I understand… but please answer my question.
Anas: (smiles and chuckles softly, not out of cruelty but out of disbelief at how deeply she has misunderstood him, his eyes softening as he prepares to respond)