4 DAYS TO NIKKAH
Haneefah’s Mini Supermarket
Haneefah: (directing her salesgirls with firm authority) Have they delivered the cartons of Viva and Sunlight?
Shade: Yes ma… but the truck hasn’t arrived to offload the bottled water.
Haneefah: Do the stock taking now.
Ayo: Alright ma.
Haneefah: (looks out the door and notices an exclusive car parking in front of her shop, her eyes narrowing with curiosity) New customers coming in… don’t forget your excellent customer service.
Ayo, Tunde, Shade, and Sofiat: Yes ma. (they disperse quickly to their positions)
Haneefah: (still looking through the glass window, momentarily carried away by the sight before her)
[A sleek 2020 Mercedes Benz S Class glides to a smooth stop in front of the polished glass building. Sunlight reflects off its glossy black body as the engine hum fades into silence.
The door opens slowly.
First, a glimpse of royal blue fabric, rich, deep, commanding. Then she emerges.
She is wrapped in a full flowing khimar, the material cascading from the crown of her head down to the ground like a waterfall of silk. The hijab is long, regal, unapologetically modest, brushing the floor with every graceful step. It does not simply cover her. It crowns her.
Her hands are gloved in matching blue, refined and deliberate. Oversized sunglasses frame her face, adding an air of quiet power. She steps out carefully, one elegant high heel touching the ground first, then the other. The fabric flows around her, moving with the wind but never revealing more than she intends. Everything about her presence is composed.
She stands tall beside the car, adjusts her sunglasses with a gloved hand, and closes the door with controlled elegance. No rush. No noise. Just poise.
Her walk toward the supermarket entrance is slow, confident, unbothered. The long khimar trails slightly behind her, creating a soft dragging sound against the pavement, not messy but majestic. She walks like a woman who knows who she is. Like someone carrying faith with pride. Like someone who understands that modesty is not weakness, it is authority.]
Haneefah: (in awe, whispering to herself) Now that’s when wealth touches modesty… she is gorgeous.
Tunde: Welcome to A and H Mini Supermarket ma’am.
Zainab: Thank you, gentleman.
Tunde: This way ma’am.
Zainab: No, I’m not here as a customer… I’m here to see your boss.
Tunde: Alright, this way ma’am… there she is.
Haneefah: (gets on her feet immediately, her heart pounding) Is that?… is that my wife to be?
Zainab: (bright smile on her face) As salam alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh ma.
Haneefah: Walaykum salam warahmatullah wabarakatuh ma… are you?
Zainab: Yes ma’am.
Haneefah: (smiles warmly, slightly overwhelmed) I must say… you… you look amazing.
Zainab: And you look breathtaking… you are so beautiful.
Haneefah: Oh please… have you looked in the mirror? You should start wearing niqab o.
Zainab: (chuckles softly) That’s what I’m about to say to you as well.
Haneefah: Please sit… welcome to my mini shop.
Zainab: Thank you ma’am.
Haneefah: So… what would you like? Just name it.
Zainab: Uhmmm actually I am okay… you don’t need to stress at all. That’s the last thing I want. Please sit, let’s talk.
Haneefah: You sure you are okay?
Zainab: Yes ma’am… please have your seat. (said gently)
Haneefah: Alright then. (gets seated)
Zainab: I want to start by saying… you blew my mind. What I was expecting wasn’t this hospitality. I was expecting the opposite because I’ve experienced several of it. You have won my heart with that and you have my respect forever. Thank you so much.
Haneefah: I like you already… my husband, I mean… our husband was right about you.
Zainab: (chuckles emotionally) Don’t make me cry.
Haneefah: (laughs softly) You are highly welcome into our lives. I never expected you coming here. We are the ones to take a wife… I should be the one to do that.
Zainab: Thank you ma’am.
Haneefah: No… thank you… for willing to make this family even more beautiful.
Zainab: You are so kind… thank you so much. For not being hard on me, for accepting me without even knowing me. (gets emotional) And I promise you… you won’t ever regret accepting me as one of your own. Jazakumullahu khairan.
Haneefah: Come here. (gets up to embrace her)
Zainab: (tears stream down her eyes as she welcomes her embrace) Thank you so much.
Haneefah: It’s okay… we are one. Don’t make me cry too. (finally lets go of her and returns to her seat)
Zainab: (wipes her tears with a handkerchief and gets seated as well)
Haneefah: Well… (exhales deeply) that was awkward.
Zainab: (chuckles through emotion) Yeah.
Shade: (enters with Muhammed holding an apple) We are back. (moves close to Haneefah)
Muhammed: Ummi! (opens his arms wide to be carried) Brother Tunde didn’t buy the ice cream for me.
Haneefah: (carries him) Ngbo Brother Tunde… you deceived my son.
Muhammed: (staring at Zainab curiously)
Haneefah: Say hello to mummy… do your teslim.
Zainab: (drops her bag, ready to carry him)
Muhammed: As salam alaykum.
Zainab: Walaykum salam warahmatullah wabarakatuh young ustaz. (carries him warmly) Big boy.
Haneefah: That’s my last born.
Zainab: Masha Allah… he is so adorable, just like his dad. (plays gently with his cheek while he eats his apple) Allahuma barik… no… we want one more… one more. (chuckles)
Haneefah: One kini? After four kids… alhamdulillah we now have you… birth the rest. I drop my pen.
Zainab: At least just one now.
Haneefah: Nikini… don’t worry, once you experience labor pain, insha Allah you will understand why.
Zainab: Abi o. (chuckles) May Allah make it easy for us all.
Haneefah: Amin o… so you are not going to take anything from me? Even juice? Just name it… we have everything in the store.
Zainab: Wallohi I’m good… trust me… thank you ma’am.
Haneefah: Please feel free o. That reminds me… so how is the nikkah going to be? Do you need any help with anything? Getting your dress and all?
Zainab: (smiles deeply, almost in disbelief) This is just hard to believe… like I’m dreaming or something. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting this side of you. But thank you for giving me hope again… for believing some things are worth waiting for. Thank you and thank you.
Haneefah: All thanks to Allah because I’m grateful too.
Zainab: (smiles softly) I wish I could stay a little bit longer. (brings out a small brown envelope and gives it to Muhammed) It is such an honor to be your co wife.
Haneefah: Ahah. (gets up quickly) What are you doing? You don’t have to do that. Ahhh we can’t take that.
Zainab: Please don’t reject it… he is my son as well… unless you haven’t accepted me completely.
Haneefah: You are going to be good at manipulating ooo. (chuckles) Jazakumullahu khairan. I really appreciate it. (faces her son) Oya say a prayer to ummi.
Muhammed: Jazakumyallahu khairan.
Zainab: Waiyakum… my cute baby… I feel like I should be taking you home with me already. (gets up to leave) Will you follow me?
Muhammed: (about to cry, opens his arms immediately) Ummi!
Haneefah: (chuckles and carries him) Don’t worry… as time goes on you will be the one begging to follow her.
Zainab: See you again ma insha Allah… I shall be on my way now. (exits the supermarket, moves to her car, then waves at Muhammed) Byeeee.
Haneefah: (accompanies her out) Say bye.
Muhammed: Byyeeeeee. (waves)
Haneefah: Drive safe ma.
Zainab: I will… as salam alaykum ma. (enters the car and starts the engine)
Haneefah: Walaykum salam warahmatullah.
Zainab: (drives off with a bright smile on her face) Alhamdulillah.
Haneefah’s POV
I was overwhelmed with joy, happy for another woman’s success and at ease for sharing my joy with her. Now I understand my husband’s view of life. I stood still waving until the car disappeared from my sight before returning to my shop.
I opened the envelope and found multiple one thousand naira notes. I was surprised. I counted it twice and became short of words. This is too much for a child. Hmmm… my husband sure knows how to choose better women. He needs to hear about this. I couldn’t help but feel eager to get home and narrate everything to him happily. I even closed early.
Getting home, chores shocked me as usual. Moving up and down, getting things done, dealing with my kids while my co wives did the same, preparing dinner and everything. Time flew again as husbands started arriving from work one after the other. Later, they came downstairs to rest in the living room while waiting for dinner to be served.
And here I was, impatiently waiting for my husband’s arrival.
After praying Ishai, I came downstairs. There were murmurs whenever I passed my co wives, but I cared less. So far my husband is happy, I am happy too.
And finally… the voice of my beloved husband echoed through the house. My children ran to give him their usual welcome embrace. The joy on their faces whenever they sensed his presence alone brightened their night. I imagined their life without their father. My chest tightened. I looked up at the ceiling and raised my hands.
Yaa Allah… please grant my husband a longer life to eat the fruit of his labor and grant my home ease as we are about to expand our family.
Suddenly I heard footsteps. The scent of my husband’s presence grew stronger as I turned the amala.
Anas: (deep voice, playful yet tender) As salam alaykum beautiful.
Haneefah: (happily turns around) Walaykum salam. (shocked to see a bouquet of rose flowers covering his face) Awwwnnn. (pushes the flowers aside and gives him a deep kiss) Welcome home my king.
Anas: Thank you my queen number one. (sighs happily) You know… I am so happy tonight and it is all because of you, my queen.
Haneefah: Really?
Anas: Yes. And you deserve all the respect in this world. Like… you take my breath away. (presents the flowers) This is for you milady.
Haneefah: Awwwnnn masha Allah. (happily takes it) It’s so beautiful. When was the last time I got a rose from my husband? Ten years ago. Thank you… I love it.
Anas: That’s not it… come with me. (gently grabs her hands and leads the way)
Haneefah: Where are we going?
Anas: (holds her hand tighter, his voice soft but serious) Do you trust me?
Haneefah: More than anything…
Anas: (leading her out of the mansion, his hand warm around hers) I have a surprise for you.
[As they walk past his brothers, busy with their phones, and the other wives, who can’t help but whisper and mock.]
Maryam: (mocking, loud enough for herself) Hmmm… mule! Pretender… always claiming to be the perfect man but still want to replace her. And instead of her to complain or fight back… she is there, smiling and opening teeth.
Aishat: (thinking, frowning) How can she be happy when she is about to be replaced in this mansion? Abi her husband is also using something on her ni? Ahh… if I were in her shoes… ahhh! My husband wouldn’t sleep peacefully the moment he even thought of marrying another wife… I trust him sha! He knows the kind of wife he married… ahhh… Haneefah! I feel sorry for you oo.
[At the parking lot]
Anas: (holds up a shiny car key in the air, voice teasing yet proud) Open your hand.
Haneefah: (jaw drops, eyes wide in disbelief) Subhanallah!! What? Me? Again? Another gift? (tears welling) Why?
Anas: Because you earn it…
Haneefah: But I already have a car… and even the kids have their own. Why buy an extra, bigger one?
Anas: (smiles warmly) Because that’s how much I’m ready to honor you once you honor my request… Zainab came to your place, isn’t she?
Haneefah: (confused at first, then realization hits) Who… is Zainab? (pauses, remembers) Ohhh! That’s her name? Can’t believe I didn’t even ask her name… Actually, she is so beautiful, inside and out. That’s a good taste for sure.
Anas: (chuckles happily at her reaction) Hmmm… really?
Haneefah: Yeah… that reminds me… could you believe she dashed our son fifty thousand naira? A child fa…
Anas: (nods, smiling softly) I guess she leaves her success wherever she goes… her presence is loved because she barely sees the good side of people… You have no idea how much she praises you, adores you, and respects you. She came to my office and wouldn’t stop talking about you. And for what you did? Haneefah… I will spoil you so good, you’ll question it.
Haneefah: (chuckles, holding his hands, concern in her eyes) I am already… I really like her. My love… I’ve been willing to ask you this question for months now. Ever since we got married, you never once complained about being broke or your business clashing. And now you are rich… that you don’t even know what to spend money on again.
Anas: (smiles warmly) Well… I have my purpose. Who else will I spend money on if not you and my children?
Haneefah: But some of your siblings are struggling with their businesses. You need to help them too… seeing us spend lavishly while living under the same roof might attract envy, jealousy, and evil eyes. Not that I don’t appreciate what you are doing, but it needs to stop for now… wait till I demand it myself. Please, my love? Hmm?
Anas: (pulls her closer, voice soft) Hmm… only you can tell me what to do, my queen. Always.
Haneefah: (smiles, resting her head on his shoulder) Alhamdulillah… my heart is at ease with you.