Nusaybah: (crying) Baby, why are you doing this to me? What did I ever do to deserve all this from you? Eh?
Haneef: (angrily jumps off the couch) What did you just say? You must be very stupid for saying that! Are you nuts? You think what you did is right, abi? You hid the truth from me all this while, and now you're acting like you did nothing wrong? I never knew this was your true color! So everything you’ve been hiding from me all this while... was a used product?
Nusaybah: (yells at him) Stop! Stop it! Stop addressing me that way! Haneef, this is unfair oh! Do you even love me at all? Did you marry me for the sake of virginity or what?
Haneef: You know when you should have found out if I truly loved you or not? The moment you told me the whole truth from the beginning! Then you would have known whether I loved you or not! Do you know what’s provoking me right now? It’s the fact that you kept this from me all these years. We've been together for over two years now! No wonder you always cut me off whenever I tried to bring up such discussions. So you were hiding the truth from me… how could you be so mean and selfish?
Nusaybah: Haneef, please listen to me. I can explain.
Haneef: Oh, so now you want to explain? What happened to all the time you had before?
Nusaybah: (tries to step closer to him) Baby please, I’m sorry. Just give me a chance to explain what really happened.
Haneef: Don’t you dare take another step towards me! You disgust me right now.
Nusaybah: (gasps) Why are you doing this to me? Please hear me out! You're getting mad at me as if you’re also a virgin! Remember, you told me you slept with two women… I never took it out on you like this.
Haneef: Can you hear your foolish self? You have the guts to say this? Do you know what’s annoying me the most right now? It's the fact that you pretended to be religious all this while. You deceived me! I thought you were different from other women out there. I never knew you were their boss. I regret the day I met you. At least I opened up to you before we got married — I told you I made mistakes in the past. Why couldn’t you do the same? Why?
Haneef: I’m not even mad at you because you lost your virginity to some random man. I’m hurt because you lied and deceived me all these years! I used you to boast in front of friends and family. I described the indescribable part of your life to them — just so they could see what I saw in you. I never knew it was all a lie. After all the love I showered you with, how can I ever trust you again? And the power of love is trust! Ahhh! Nusaybah! You hurt me! You broke me into pieces… This pain shouldn’t be from you. (tears roll down his cheeks)
Nusaybah: (breaks down in tears again) Please, I’m so sorry! Forgive me… but at least hear me out! It happened only once! And that day was the biggest mistake of my life.
Haneef: If you say one more word over there again, I won’t take it lightly with you! Whether it was once or a million times… I don’t care anymore. Keep that secret to yourself… Now get the hell out of my sight!
Nusaybah: Please! Listen to me, Haneef! Please! (she pleads in tears, crying like a baby)
Haneef: I said get out of my sight! I can’t even stand you right now. Leave!
Nusaybah: Please, my love… don’t do this to me. I know I’ve made a big mistake. (she reaches for his knees, sobbing bitterly) Please! Forgive me. I don’t want this marriage to start with hatred… please, have mercy on me..
Haneef: Let go of my leg right this instant! Nusaybah, leave my leg alone… You never cared about me — that’s why you kept that to yourself! I know you must’ve been curious about how I feel about you, right? But you could have quenched that doubt by telling me the truth from the beginning. That’s when you would have truly known if I loved you or not. But now, there’s no way you can figure that out. You and I… we’re stuck in this marriage.
Nusaybah: (panting heavily in tears) Please, okomii! I swear I love you… Please, just give me one more chance. Please.
Haneef: Let go of my leg, Nusaybah! Leave me alone! (he pushes her away with his leg, angrily walks out of the house and slams the door)
Nusaybah: (screams in tears) Please don’t go! Please! (she falls to her knees, crying bitterly) I’m so sorry! I wish I could go back in time to amend my mistakes. What have I done? Please forgive me… I really take my religion seriously! It’s not a lie… Please, find it in your heart to forgive me.
(30 minutes later…)
(Haneef enters the house and finds his wife lying helplessly on the ground, crying bitterly. He looks at her as if she were a ghost, then walks past her and heads straight to the master bedroom. She runs after him, but before she can reach the door, he slams and locks it.)
Nusaybah: (panting heavily) Please open the door! I’m really sorry! Please don’t punish me like this… Please have mercy on me!
Haneef: When you’re done, get the hell out of there! I just hate seeing you right now. (he climbs the bed and covers himself with the blanket) Don’t disturb my ears with your cries — they’re giving me a headache.
Nusaybah: (she wipes her tears with her nightie) What can I do? I can’t bear to see my marriage falling apart already… Food! Yes, food! (she moves to the kitchen) I should prepare his favorite meal. I’m sure it’ll calm him down when he eats. (she rinses her hands and begins preparing the meal)
(An hour later…)
Haneef: (stretching) I didn’t even enjoy my beauty sleep. How am I supposed to sleep when I’m hurting… emotionally… because of her? (he gets out of bed and opens the door) I never imagined my marriage would turn into my worst nightmare. How could I ever be so foolish and dumb not to notice all this while? I was so blinded by love… This pain is enough to kill me silently. (he walks to the living room, perceives an aroma, and chuckles) You think I’m a fool to eat your meal? I don’t even know your intentions toward me. How can I foolishly eat what you prepared? When you’re done, eat it yourself. (he sits on the couch and puts on the television)
(A few moments later…)
Nusaybah: (she sets the dining table and walks toward him) Bab… Bab… (scratches her neck) Baby, breakfast is ready.
Haneef: (pretends she doesn’t exist) Where is this country heading to? How on earth do they want us to survive? This Buhari is always my problem.
Nusaybah: Baby, I’m talking to you… Please, breakfast is ready. It’s time to eat.
Haneef: (finally turns to her) Have you prayed this morning?
Nusaybah: (nods confidently) Yes, sir.
Haneef: When?
Nusaybah: The moment you left the house.
Haneef: (turns back to the TV)
Nusaybah: Baby, please. Food is ready.
Haneef: Nusaybah! Leave my sight right now!
Nusaybah: Please, okomii! Don’t do this to me. Don’t punish me like this. If only you would listen to the story behind my past… I’m sure you’d understand me better.
Haneef: I already told you not to narrate any unnecessary story now — since you couldn’t narrate it earlier. I can’t believe the woman I adored and respected is actually just like the rest. Honestly… you disgust me! (he gets up and tries to leave, but she quickly obstructs him) Are you playing games with me right now?
Nusaybah: Please, okomii! Let’s sit and talk this out. I know I’ve wronged you, but I’m human — I’m bound to make mistakes. Please, just hear me out.
Haneef: (he pushes her out of his way and heads back into the room. She follows, but he locks the door again)
Nusaybah: Okomii jor! Please! I’m begging you in the name of Allah — eat the food I prepared for you.
Haneef: Better make sure you finish that rubbish yourself. My food must not waste. And stay away from my door — your voice is giving me a headache… Leave!
Nusaybah: (she falls on her knees by the door and breaks down in tears again) I’m so sorry, Ayomii! Please… forgive me.
.
**************************
At Khalid’s apartment
Aminah: (sadly folds herself into his arms) I can’t believe she’s gone… like, she’s finally gone. I thought I could take it, but I was wrong.
Khalid: It’s okay, my love. That’s the power of blood. Everything will be fine. You can still pay her a visit sometimes.
Aminah: Me? Visit her? She’d eat me raw that day. I don’t cross my boundaries.
Khalid: Okay then, if you can’t do that, at least try to give her a call sometimes.
Aminah: I’ll try, sha, but I’m just down.
Khalid: Come here. (he cuddles her) You’ll be fine, insha Allah, hmmm? (kisses her forehead) But I’ve missed you oh. (he tries to kiss her on the lips when his younger sister barges in)
Aminah: (instantly pushes him away, feeling embarrassed and covers her face)
Aisha: Ehn! Brother Khalid, I brought the clothes you asked me to wash — they’re dry now self.
Khalid: Is that why you can’t knock? Where are your manners? You know I have a guest.
Aisha: (smiling) Oh! I’m sorry… I forgot.
Khalid: Get out of my room now! Before I descend on you.
Aisha: Sorry oh! (she exits)
Aminah: (jumps up from the couch) Gosh! I can’t believe she caught us in that position! Oh my God, I feel so embarrassed right now… (covers her face) How am I ever going to face her again? Someone as religious as we are, cuddling in a haram way? Subhanallah!
Khalid: (rolls his eyes) It’s okay, baby. Nothing to be embarrassed about. (tries to touch her)
Aminah: Don’t even think about it! How do you feel anything when all your focus is always on romance? (picks up her bag) I have to go now.
Khalid: (surprised) What are you doing? It’s not up to that now. Okay! I’m sorry on her behalf. Don’t leave me here, my love…
Aminah: (shakes her head in pity) What happened to you? What happened to the guy who once told me we should avoid contact until he’s ready to ask for my hand in marriage? What happened to the guy who once told me he felt guilty about what we were doing? You’ve changed, Khalid. And sometimes, I wish you were your old self. (opens the door and leaves) Don’t follow me — unless you want to cause a scene in front of everyone.
Rahmat: (gasps) Aha! Sister Aminah! You’re leaving already? Why so early?
Aminah: Oh, my dear. It’s not like I don’t want to stay, but I have to go somewhere. It’s really urgent right now, that’s why.
Rahmat: So… till when then?
Aminah: Honestly, I don’t know yet. But I’ll let you know when I’m coming again.
Rahmat: But we’re going to miss you a lot!
Aminah: (embraces her) I’m going to miss you even more, my love. (she sights Khalid sadly staring from afar) I shall get going now, dear. Bye… (waves at her and walks away)
---
At Haneef’s house — 1:45 PM
Haneef: (stomach grumbling) I’m starving right now, but I don’t want to see her… (closes his laptop and jumps out of bed, searching for what to wear) This jalabia is fine. (he puts it on, and as he gets to the door, he finds his wife lying helplessly by the doorstep) What’s she doing here? (he carefully steps over her and walks out)
---
(20 minutes later…)
Nusaybah: (looks worried) Where did he go again? I know I’m doomed already, but please take it easy on me, Haneef… This isn’t how I planned my marital life. Marriage issues were the main reason I focused on my career first. And now, what I’ve been avoiding all these years is finally fighting me physically…
Haneef: Why won’t it fight you physically? It’ll fight you spiritually self, you know! No wonder you took so long to marry. I guess you were rejected by many men once they discovered your true identity. But you used our beautiful religion to cover it all up. I’m going to make you pay for hurting me this way. You’ll surely pay — in a good and hard way. I got married to you yesterday, but even eating your food scares me! A married man… eating outside food again. I thought marrying you meant the end of my lonely days, but I never knew it was just the beginning. How could you be so cruel, Nusaybah? Why?
Nusaybah: Why do you keep bringing this up? I said give me a chance to explain — but you won’t let me!
Haneef: Oh, okay! Let me guess your excuses. You were raped by some random guys? No, wait — not that one! You were drugged and raped by your brother? No, that can’t be possible. Or maybe… you weren’t in your right senses when it happened?
Fine, let’s assume I understand your reasons. But it’s killing me that I bragged so much about you to my family and friends. My family warned me so well about you, but I ignored them… all because I was blinded by your stupid love! Honesty matters in love. Trust is very important in love. Sincerity is the friend of love. I was honest with you. I was faithful — even when you acted like a demon, I stayed by your side because I thought I saw something amazing in you.
Nusaybah: So you think my love for you was all a lie?
Haneef: Of course, it was! Obviously! You used me to complete your deen! You used me just to escape singlehood and lied to me all along. All you care about is yourself. You know… I always wondered why you were still single when I met you two years ago. You were 27 back then. All your mates are mothers of 3 or 4… but you were still single.
Nusaybah: I was waiting for you, that’s why.
Haneef: Waiting for who? Can you even hear yourself? Look, I don’t have the strength to listen to this trash anymore. I’m starving. (he digs into a bag) I’ll never taste your food until you're out of my life for good. (he sits and begins eating from a takeaway)
Nusaybah: Please, okomii, don’t punish me like this… please.
Haneef: Do you want me to leave the house for you as well? You want me to pack out of my own house? If that’s what you want — so be it.
Nusaybah: No!!! Please don’t do that… Okay, I won’t bother you again. Just please… find it in your heart to forgive me. Please.
Haneef: (as he tries to get up, she holds him back)
Nusaybah: I’ll leave your presence if that’s what you want — just don’t leave me. Please. (sadly walks away)
Haneef: Rubbish! Liar! Green snake under green grass.