Aminah tried her best to keep her sister from overthinking. She played around in the living room, trying to lighten the mood, and Nusaybah responded with a fake smile—just enough to prevent her little sister from worrying. But only she knew how she truly felt inside. Her heart was burning, yet she kept calm and played along.
Aminah: Sister mi, how about we play hide and seek… or truth or dare? Hmmm? What do you think? You know, I've always wished for moments like this with you. I used to think it was too late… but Allah is full of wonders. Nothing is ever too late. So, what do you say?
Nusaybah: (takes a deep breath) How about we call it a day? I’m so tired and exhausted right now. I need to rest. But I really appreciate the moment we shared today. It’s truly memorable. Thank you so much, my sweetheart. (rubs her head) I just wish we had more time… more time to make memories again.
Aminah: (stares sadly at her) Are you okay, sis? (her voice filled with concern)
Nusaybah: Why do you ask? Do I look like I’m not okay?
Aminah: Of course you’re not okay! Your own husband brought his mistress into your matrimonial home. The worst part? They’re sleeping on your bed! And you’re just sitting here like this? I swear I can’t take this! Honestly, it’s because you keep tolerating all this—that’s why he treats you so badly. You deserve better.
Nusaybah: What do you want me to do? Fight him? Confront him and scream? Or fight his mistress in this condition of mine? Just for a man who treats me like nothing? (smiles faintly) I can never do that. He’s not worth it. As long as I have you by my side, that’s enough for me. And promise me—Dad must never hear about what you witnessed here today.
Aminah: Sister mi, how do you expect me to hide all this from Baami? You’re suffering emotionally. It’s not until a man hits his wife before we say he’s maltreating her! He has destroyed your emotions so deeply that you barely feel anything anymore. No! I can’t stay silent. Baami must hear about this. And you’re leaving this house soon.
Nusaybah: So he should suffer another emotional blow? So you can fast-forward his journey to the grave? Hmmm? Tell me! Aminah, you and I both know Dad doesn’t need any emotional attack right now. He’s battling hypertension. Do you want to destroy all our sleepless nights keeping him alive over the years—just because of me? If Dad hears about this, I swear I will never forgive myself. And I’ll disown you as my sister. I don’t need to explain myself further. Do you understand me?! (faces her angrily)
Aminah: Fine! I won’t tell him. But you need to leave this house. I can’t bear to see you suffer like this. Emotional damage can kill, and it can make you lose your memory. Please, I’m begging you. Let’s leave this house tomorrow morning.
Nusaybah: I can see you’re strong-headed. But I’m not leaving. It’s not advisable for a woman to walk out of her matrimonial home. Besides, he’s entitled to marry more than one wife.
Aminah: Oh! So now you’re supporting his stupidity?
Nusaybah: No, I’m not...
Aminah: Sister mi, what did he do to you? What did he use on you? You’re strong, intelligent, independent—how did he turn you into this? Now you’re soft... almost melting for him.
Nusaybah: You won’t understand, dear. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine by Allah’s will. I just pray to deliver this child safely. Then, maybe… I can think of what to do with my life.
Aminah: (stares at her, stunned and disbelieving) I can’t believe all this is coming from you. Honestly… I’m scared of marriage now. If this is what women go through—just to satisfy a man’s pleasure—then I don’t want it.… Nusaybah: Don’t say that my dear, just keep praying to Allah to bless you with a spouse that you will be the coolest in his eyes… and do not give out your virginity to a boyfriend or fiancé. Reserve it for your husband. (She lies on the couch and covers herself up) Good night. You can sleep in the guest room… but I’m good over here.
Aminah: (Sadly shakes her head) So you’re going to sleep over here, while that idiot is inside with your husband?
Nusaybah: (Turns her face away and sleeps)
Aminah: Ok o, but I’m not leaving you here all alone. We sleep together. But I swear your husband will not go scot-free. (She also lies on the couch) Goodnight, sister mi.
Nusaybah: Remember your adhkar.
---
(The next morning, 6:22am. The two sisters are in the kitchen boiling water and preparing breakfast.)
Nusaybah: Aminah! Hurry up with the blending, remember you have a class to attend and I don’t want you to be late.
Aminah: Ok ma, but I love your blender o… so big and fast.
Nusaybah: Please hurry up. The toast bread is almost ready.
(Haneef’s mistress, Lola, enters the kitchen wearing an exposing nightgown.)
Lola: Good morning to you two… I hope you slept well?
(The two sisters turn and scan her from head to toe.)
Aminah: (Hisses) Mttwww! Rubbish! Husband snatcher.
Nusaybah: (Focuses on what she’s doing)
Lola: I hope you aren’t referring to me?
Aminah: Of course it’s you… ashawo lasan!
Lola: (Chuckles) I will let this slide as a warning to you. Anyway, are you guys making breakfast?
(As Aminah attempts to lash out, Nusaybah quickly holds her hand and whispers to her.)
Nusaybah: Please…
Aminah: (Her weak voice flows into her heart) Ok then… (Continues blending)
Lola: So no one is going to answer me? You all lack manners in this house. You can’t even treat a guest well.
Haneef: (Roars into the kitchen) Lola! Who were you talking to?
Lola: What do you mean, honey? I’m a guest and I should be treated well.
Haneef: This should be the last time you ever talk to my wife and her sister like that.
Aminah: (Cuts in) Who are you referring to as your wife? Or you think I don’t know how you pretend to love her in front of people and when you two are alone, you turn her into your puppet?
Nusaybah: Aminah!
Aminah: Sorry ma… I just can’t stand the two of them. Like, how could you let this fool enter your home… rubbish! You know what? I’m out of here. (Removes her apron and storms out)
Nusaybah: Aminah!!! Get back here!
Aminah: (Obeys) And as for you, Mr. Husband… now that I’m going, do as you wish with her. But fear Allah! Because tables surely turn. Rubbish! (She slams the door behind her. Haneef runs after her.)
Nusaybah: Aminah!!!! (She continues shouting her name for two seconds)
Lola: (Moves closer to Nusaybah and gently pushes her with her body, taking the spatula from her hand) Please excuse me while I make food for our husband since you don’t want to do it.
Nusaybah: (Shocked, her hands hang in the air)
Lola: No wonder our husband complains all the time.
Nusaybah: (Stares at her for a few seconds and exits the kitchen. She finds her husband walking into the house) Good morning, sir. (She enters their master bedroom and shuts the door. Haneef follows her.)
Haneef: Nusaybah!! We need to talk.
Nusaybah: (Turns to him while opening the wardrobe and packing her things) We? Did you just say we? Like we need to talk?
.Nusaybah: (Turns to him as she opens the wardrobe, trying to pack her things) We? Did you just say we? Like we need to talk? About what? Oh! Your new wife material?
Haneef: Just listen to what I have to say, ok?
Nusaybah: You don’t need to say anything. I totally understand. But one thing I pray to Allah is to grant me more sabr to endure you and your new pencil you brought in here — till I put to bed under his father’s house. After that, I will leave your life for good. So you have nothing to worry about, ok? I will leave… but for you two to enjoy your haram moment together, I will gladly let you commit your adultery as much as you want, ok? So don’t worry. I will move to the guest room.
Haneef: Nusaybah! Just listen to what I have to say.
Nusaybah: (She angrily throws her clothes on the floor and walks out of the room)
Haneef: Nusaybah!! This is what I hate about you — walking out on me while I’m still having a discussion with you…
---
(At the school campus. Aminah walks angrily into class. She struggles to concentrate, her eyes fixed on her phone, watching comedies to distract herself from what she witnessed at her sister’s house.)
Abdullahi: As-salam alaykum, Sister Aminah. (Smiles brightly)
Aminah: Walaykum salam warahmatullah. (Responds aggressively) What do you want? And who are you?
Abdullahi: Oh! My bad! I didn’t mean to upset you… I just came to say hi. Do you remember me?
Aminah: (Irritably scans him from head to toe and looks away)
Abdullahi: (Feels uneasy) I guess you’re not in a good mood this morning. Do have a lovely day.
Aminah: (Uses her eyes to chase him out of the class) Rubbish people. Birds of the same feather… Big pretenders. Mttttwww!
---
(Later in the evening. Aminah is in the kitchen preparing dinner for her father.)
Dad: As-salam alaykum. (He scans the room) Abike okin mi, are you home? I could sense your presence in the kitchen. (Waits for a reply, gets none) Aminah! (He enters the kitchen) Aminah! I’ve been calling your name. How are you doing? And I hope you enjoyed your moment with your sister. I was so happy to finally hear you two are back together. It’s like a dream come true for me.
Aminah: (She embraces him sadly) Baami, welcome home. How was work today?
Dad: Is something wrong? Did you two quarrel again? Come here. Tell me everything.
Aminah: No, Baami! We don’t have any issues. In fact, everything went great. I’m just not happy that I left her. I wish I could spend more time and stay with her forever.
Dad: Awww! Now you two know your value. I already knew this would happen one day. You’d feel the absence so much that you’d wish there was more time to spend together. That’s why I just watched when you two fought… because I knew a day like this would come. And I’m so proud of both of you. Come here. (He embraces her and pats her back) Don’t cry… you can visit her again soon.
Aminah: (She breaks down in tears, not wanting to let go of him) I miss her, Baami! I miss her so much.
Dad: I’m sure she feels the same way too… come on. Wipe your tears.
---
(5:49 pm. Nusaybah opens the door and finds the house in a mess.)
Nusaybah: (She drops her bag in shock) What happened here? (Looks around) Who did this? Anyone home? Hello!!
Lola: (Comes out of the master bedroom) Why are you making noise? Do you want to block my ears?
Nusaybah: (Shocked) Did you do all this mess? Is this your handiwork?
Lola: Yeah, and I was too lazy to clean it. I thought you guys had helpers to do that. I’m too hot to clean.
Nusaybah: (Takes a deep breath, trying to control her anger) I don’t really blame you now. I blame the idiot who brought you into this house. Despite so many sensible women out there, he chose you… what a shame. And I know my husband is very hygienic, and if he sees this mess made by you? You’ll have yourself to blame. Now, if you’ll excuse me. (She walks into the guest room and slams the door)
Lola: (Pants heavily and angrily hits the wall) Did she just talk to me like that? I swear I won’t let the next one slide… and for what she just said to me? She must clean this mess! Nusaybah! Or whatever your name is… come out here! (She tries to open the door)
---
(A few hours later. Haneef enters the house with Teslim.)
Haneef: (Shouts) I’m home, honey!
Lola: (Runs out of the room) Oh my angel! You’re back? (She embraces him) How was work today?
Haneef: (Notices the house looks messy) Who messed up the house like this?
Lola: It's your wife.
Haneef: You mean Nusaybah did all this?
Lola: Yes! I told her to clean it and she yelled at me. So I let her be… you know she’s still upset that I’m here. And if you call her now, she’ll blame me for it.
Haneef: (Curiously stares at her) Nusaybah did this? Are you sure?
Lola: What? You think I’m lying? Go ask her yourself then.
Haneef: I don’t need to ask her. Nusaybah can never do this… she’s so hygienic that she even complains about my mess.
Lola: Let’s say you’re right, ok? But now that I’m in your life, she’s doing all this so you’ll blame me. She did it intentionally.
Haneef: (Not convinced, but trying to believe her) Where is she?
Lola: In her new room, of course.
Haneef: (Exhales softly and walks toward her door) Nusaybah! Didn’t you hear I’m back from work? You didn’t even bother to welcome me? Hello! (Bangs on the door) Are you listening to me? Ok, fine! If you won’t listen, at least come and clean the mess you’ve made. I never knew you were pretending to be hygienic all this while. Everything about you is just pretence.
Nusaybah: (Angrily opens the door, grabs his tie, and drags him clumsily into her room, then locks the door) You were saying?