(The newly wedded couple keep their distance from each other. Nusaybah sits in the living room, deep in thought, while her husband locks himself in the bedroom.)
Nusaybah: (she gets up and walks to the door) Baby? (knocks gently) Can you hear me?
Haneef: (ignores her)
Nusaybah: I know you can hear me. I just want to remind you it's time for solatul Zuhr. (waits patiently) Do you need anything? Just say it — I’ll do it right away.
Haneef: (opens the door and walks past her)
Nusaybah: (she follows him) Baby, please… let’s talk after prayer.
Haneef: Talk about what? What exactly? (he raises his voice) Move out of my way!
Nusaybah: Please, my love… how long are we going to keep doing this? Let’s forgive and move on.
Haneef: That’s exactly what I’m doing — forgiving and moving on… with my life.
Nusaybah: (confused) What do you mean? That’s not what I meant! I said let’s start a new beginning. This isn’t helping our marriage. I know I made a big mistake by not being sincere with you, but I didn’t think it was necessary to say it.
Haneef: (steps closer to her) What did you say?
Nusaybah: Yes… I committed a huge sin — one that should be between me and my Creator. Just like you have sins that should stay between you and Allah.
Haneef: (tightens his fist) You're testing my patience right now.
Nusaybah: Do you think if I had told you I wasn’t a virgin, you wouldn’t have demanded sex before marriage? Based on how I know you, you definitely would have! That’s why I kept the truth from you. Do you think I wanted to get married at this age? No! Every man I met before you demanded sex before marriage. That’s why I hid the truth.
Nusaybah: I know I made a big mistake by losing my virginity before marriage. But every time I remember that day, I can’t forgive myself. Your gender drugged and raped me because I refused to sleep with him. It wasn’t intentional. I was a victim of rape. It wasn’t my choice. What could I have done? Nothing! Do you think I was happy? I wasn’t! I cried day and night, begging Allah for forgiveness even though I didn’t cause it. So why can’t you understand me — like a mature man? (tears roll down her cheeks) You’re punishing me for what’s already killing me.
Nusaybah: Who are you to be angry at me for losing my virginity when you slept with women intentionally and saw nothing wrong with it? We both made mistakes, but there’s a huge difference. I never expected you to treat me like this. Why are you so hurt? I don’t even know anymore. Is it because I hid the truth… or because you weren’t the one who deflowered me?
Nusaybah: Because I honestly don’t see a reason for you to be this mad. I didn’t lie. So did you love me… or were you just pretending? Were you trying to marry a virgin to boast to your friends and family — even after sleeping with other women?
Haneef: (panting heavily) If you don’t shut your dirty mouth right now, I might strangle you!
Nusaybah: Now you want to strangle me? I guess this is the real you now. You’re the liar. You’re the deceiver. Just because of my mistake, I can’t practice my religion anymore? Just because of my past, I don’t have the right to cover myself or protect my dignity? Let the world criticize me — I don’t care anymore! Nothing, I repeat, nothing will stop me from practicing my religion because of a mistake I never chose.
Haneef: I said shut the fuck up! You think you’re the only one worshipping Allah? We all are! Yes, I made mistakes too — but Allah forgives sins.
Nusaybah: (she cuts in) Then who are you not to forgive me?
Haneef: (speechless) Watch your mouth! Watch how you talk to me! I’m still your husband — the head of this house… unless you don’t want me to be anymore. Now I can’t even speak in my own house?
Nusaybah: (she angrily looks away)
Haneef: Since you’re trying to prove yourself right, then go ahead and live your life!
Man: Why on earth would you visit a man you aren’t married to yet? You never once paid me a visit at my house—except my parents' house. You gave yourself to him, and you call it an unintentional mistake? Can you even hear yourself? You practice Islam, yet you give yourself to a non-mahram. And now you're telling me that if you were honest with me, I’d have demanded sex from you? You think I’m that kind of man? A man who sleeps with women anyhow? Like I don’t have a conscience?
Look, men’s virginity might not be valued by society, but your gender’s own matters! Yes, I’ve always wished to marry a virgin. It was like a dream come true for me when I thought you were one. I could beat my chest in front of everyone and say I was the one who saw your nakedness first. Do you know how amazing that would have been?
Yes, virginity is something you enjoy in a night—but it becomes a lifetime memory! A lifetime honor for you. I could proudly tell our kids I met their mother as a virgin. It hurts… hurts me deeply, when all my dreams were shattered by your carelessness.
And for your information, those two women I told you about—I never met them as virgins. They were all used products. I just wanted to know how it feels to be proud of one’s wife. That should have been the most amazing gift you could ever give me.
I know in this so-called civilized world, people say virgins no longer exist. But I wanted to use you to prove them wrong. I wanted to use you as an example for my misbehaving little sisters. I wanted to boast to the world that I have the most amazing woman. But you gave it away—to a commoner!
How do you expect me to be happy? How?!
Just let me be for now. (He wipes a tear rolling down his cheek.) What was I even about to do before? (Trying to recall) Uh! Ṣalāh. (He opens the door and slams it shut.)
Nusaybah: (tears roll down her cheeks) I'm sorry. I never knew this is what’s been hurting you. I’m so sorry… Please forgive me.
---
[LATER THAT NIGHT – LIVING ROOM]
Dad: (watching a movie with his daughter) So! Just the two of us remain in this house.
Aminah: (looking down) Yeah, that’s true.
Dad: Don’t you miss your sister?
Aminah: (pretending) Me? No way! You have no idea how happy I am right now. The house is finally peaceful.
Dad: (smiles) Are you sure?
Aminah: Absolutely sure, Dad! Let’s enjoy the movie and stop distracting ourselves.
Dad: (smiles and bows his head) You know, when you and your sister were little, you always defended each other… and fought each other too. Your mother and I always adored the two of you. Her dream was to see you both get along really well. I hope you’ll grant her wish one day.
Aminah: (she stares at him for a few seconds, then smiles) I hope so too… (Her phone rings.) Oh, sorry. I have to take this. (She gets up and moves to the corridor.) As-salāmu ʿalaykum?
Khalid: Wa ʿalaykum as-salām wa raḥmatullāh! My angel… how are you doing?
Aminah: What do you want this time?
Khalid: Nothing—absolutely nothing, my love. I just want to say I’m so sorry about what happened yesterday. But trust me, I’m doing all of this because I love you so much. Please, find it in your heart to forgive me.
Aminah: Is that all?
Khalid: No! Not just that. Why don’t we find a solution to all our problems? I’m tired of your constant rejection.
Aminah: So, what exactly are you insinuating?
Khalid: I’m not insinuating anything. Just listen to me this time. I want your full cooperation—because I’m right in front of your house right now.
Aminah: Wait, what?!
Khalid: Yes. If seeing your dad is what will speed things up between us, then I won’t hesitate. So I’m coming in.
Aminah: (panicking) Wait! Are you serious? Please, I beg you in the name of Allah—don’t come inside. In fact, don’t even knock at the gate! Just give me a few seconds to put on my hijab… Don’t move!
Khalid: (smiling) She really can fear! Anyway, I’m waiting.
---
[FEW MINUTES LATER – OUTSIDE]
Aminah: (opens the gate and sees him leaning against the wall) What are you doing? Like, what were you about to do?! What is wrong with you, Khalid? Why do you hate to see me happy?
Khalid: Is this how you welcome me? I’m doing all this for your sake — for our sake.
Aminah: No! You’re not doing it for my sake or ours, but for your own selfish interest. Marriage shouldn’t be all about sex alone. Marriage is a lifetime commitment, and I’m not ready for that right now — not when marriages nowadays crash so easily. You’ll hear “married last month, divorced this month.” I have a dream to achieve first… I have a parent to reward for his labor. I wasn’t born for you alone. Just like you want to take care of your parents, I want to do the same. You need to understand me. Look, I understand how you feel—
Khalid: (he cuts in) Do you? Do you really understand how I feel? Because if you did, you wouldn’t stop me from seeing your dad. Or do you think I don’t love you? That I’m only after your body?
Aminah: Then if not, be patient with me. If you truly love me, you’ll be patient. Look at my elder sister — she’s now an independent woman. I look up to her. At least she has done something for Dad, but I haven’t. And you know once marriage and children are involved, it’s hard to achieve your goals. All I need is just two years, and I promise you I won’t stop you from seeing my dad again.
Khalid: And you expect us to keep communicating for two years? You’re the one pushing me to zinah! You don’t want us to end this relationship, yet you want me to wait for two years and still stay in touch? I don’t think you understand your religion well. I’m done here. (he walks away)
Aminah: Wait!! Khalid! Wait now! We’re not done talking. Why are you leaving? (doesn’t move from her spot) If you leave, it’s over!
Khalid: (he doesn’t look back until he disappears from her sight)
Aminah: Khalid!!! (she hits her legs on the ground in anger)
Dad: (opens the gate) What are you doing out here late at night? And who is Khalid?
Aminah: (startled) Sir? Oh! I was on a phone call. Just a friend… he’s pissing me off.
Dad: Get inside.
Aminah: Okay sir.
---
(In the kitchen)
Nusaybah: (serves the dinner into a dinner set) I just hope he eats this food… (she moves to the dining table and finds him by the door, trying to lock it) Baby! Dinner is ready.
Haneef: (he turns a deaf ear and walks away)
Nusaybah: Please don’t walk out on me… for Allah’s sake. Don’t punish me this way… please. Come and eat what I prepared for you. Please, okomi.
Haneef: (exhales softly and moves to the dining table)
Nusaybah: (a bright smile on her face) Thank you so much. (she presents his dinner and dishes out his food) I hope it’s okay or should I add more?
Haneef: (demonstrates with his hands)
Nusaybah: Okay sir… (she hurries to the kitchen and gets a glass of juice from the refrigerator) Here is your juice. (she stands next to him, waiting for him to take his first bite)
Haneef: Why are you standing like a security officer?
Nusaybah: I’m okay like this.
Haneef: Did you poison the food or what?
Nusaybah: (shocked) Why would you say that?
Haneef: You know what? Why don’t you taste it first? I don’t know why I find it hard to trust you. (he removes his hand from the food)
Nusaybah: So you think I poisoned your food?
Haneef: Are you going to taste it or should I walk away?
Nusaybah: No problem. I’ll taste it. (rinses her hands and eats the swallow)
Haneef: Good. (he rinses his hands and digs in) Hmm.
Nusaybah: (asks sadly) I hope you like it?
Haneef: (no response)
Nusaybah: Please, if you’re done, I’d like us to sit and talk.
Haneef: Again? What now? Why is it that anytime I try to tolerate you in this house, you just add more fuel to the fire?
Nusaybah: It’s not up to that now. I just want to talk to you about something different.
Haneef: What is it? (he pauses)
Nusaybah: Don’t worry, just eat.
Haneef: (hisses) If you can’t offer me anything good in life, at least offer me peace of mind.
Nusaybah: (closes her eyes sadly, hearing that) I’m sorry.
---
(An hour later — in the room)
Nusaybah: (she finally enters the room and finds him sleeping on the floor) Why are you sleeping there?
Haneef: You sleep on the bed. Sleeping on the same bed disgusts me.