Haneef: (He lays her on the couch) Honestly, you’re the cause of all your problems. If you had quit your job by now, all this stress would’ve reduced.
Nusaybah: (She looks away, avoiding eye contact)
Haneef: Oh, now it’s this method again? I’m trying to talk to you, and you’re facing the other side. This is always my problem with you.
Nusaybah: So this is what you want to do again? Yell at me? This is exactly why I hid the news from you in the first place—because you don’t even care.
Haneef: You think I don’t care? Or is it that I don’t mean anything to you? Because if I truly mattered in your life, you wouldn’t have hidden something so important from me. But it doesn’t hurt... not anymore. Let’s go to the hospital.
Nusaybah: I’m not going. All I need is rest—and to satisfy my cravings. Nothing else.
Haneef: Okay, you asked for it. Now go inside and get enough rest.
Nusaybah: (Scans him from head to toe) Okay, sir. (She gets up and heads inside)
Haneef: (Places his hands on his waist, looking worried) I can’t believe she’s pregnant! Oh my God. Why is it so hot in here?
(Curtain)
---
Despite Nusaybah’s challenging pregnancy, which leaves her physically drained and unable to carry out her usual tasks, her husband no longer shows interest in her meals. By the time he returns from work, she’s already asleep—adding to her growing worries.
Her lack of strength keeps her indoors, and the situation becomes even more distressing when her boss calls, inquiring about her unexplained absences. The strain on her marriage intensifies, and Nusaybah feels increasingly isolated, with no one to confide in.
On the other hand, Aminah—a bright, innocent, and studious young woman—is always engrossed in school activities, striving to excel in every way. One fateful day, as she strolls along a campus path, a stranger greets her with a warm “Teslim.” She responds, but they part ways before she can catch a good look at his face.
To her surprise, this strange encounter becomes a daily occurrence. Yet she never manages to clearly see who he is. Until one afternoon, as Aminah heads to a nearby restaurant for lunch, someone suddenly hands her a flower and vanishes into the crowd.
Startled, she gasps and calls out.
Aminah: “Brother! Please wait! Wait, please!” (She sniffs the rose and smiles) It’s beautiful… but why does he keep hiding his face? I’m more curious now than ever. Please, next time we meet… reveal yourself. (She sniffs the flower again) Uh! I thought flowers were supposed to smell nice... So it was fake? Anyway, I love it. (She kisses the flower and puts it in her bag) Maybe I should visit my sister instead. No need to waste money here. (She stops a bike man)
When she gets to her sister’s house, she reaches the doorstep and tries to knock—but the door is already open.
Aminah: I thought I wouldn’t find her at home. Lucky me. (She sneaks in and gently walks forward) Where is she? Sister mi! Where are you? The door was wide open. (She heads to the kitchen but finds no one there) Where could she be? Or did they forget to lock up before leaving for work? (She moves to the bedroom door and knocks) Hello? Is anyone home? (She slowly opens the door)
To her shock, she finds her sister crying on the bed. Frozen at the sight, she doesn’t even realize when she’s next to her, gently wiping her tears.
Aminah: Sister mi, why are you crying? Did something happen? Ever since you got married, everything about you has changed… Look at you. You don’t even look like yourself anymore. Please wipe your tears. I’m here now. (She embraces her sadly, hoping the sobbing would stop—but it only increases) Please… You’re scaring me.
Nusaybah: (Resting her head on her sister’s chest, crying harder) Aminahhhhh! I’m in pain...
…Aminah: (She closes her eyes bitterly as her sister’s cries awaken tears in her own) What happened? Please talk to me. Look, you’re making me emotional too. Just open up… I’m here for you now.
Nusaybah: (Coughing and crying) I’m tired. I’m so tired of everything. I’ve been trying to have sabr, but it’s hard… it’s really hard for me. I pray day and night for Allah’s mercy, but the pain just keeps getting worse.
Aminah: Did something happen to your health? Please talk to me and stop beating around the bush. If I didn’t come today, would you have continued crying all alone? For how long, sis? For how long? (Tears stream down her cheeks) Please, talk to me.
Nusaybah: I’m tired of this marriage. I know it might sound crazy or even funny… but I’m tired. I’m in pain. My emotions are so damaged that all I feel now is pain—morning, afternoon, and night.
Aminah: (Curious) But why are you tired? Your marriage isn’t even six months old... and you're already tired? What’s really going on?
Nusaybah: I don’t think I can endure this anymore. I feel like I might silently die under this roof. Please help me, Aminah… save me.
Aminah: (Wipes her tears) Don’t worry. You’ll be fine. Just stop crying, then we can talk. You know what? I’ll spend the night here. I can’t stand seeing you like this—it’s killing me.
Nusaybah: No! You need to go home. You can’t leave Dad all alone. He needs you, please.
Aminah: Right now, you need me more than Dad does. I’ll call him later, but I’m not leaving you like this. Just look at your face… so sunken. Now tell me what’s going on—and I promise I won’t judge you.
Nusaybah: (She slowly lifts her eyes and begins to narrate everything, one by one, as tears stream from Aminah’s eyes)
Aminah: Your husband did that to you—and kept it hidden from the family? Sister mi… do you want to die because of a worthless man? Look at you… clearly, he’s not taking care of you at all.
Nusaybah: Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.
Aminah: Whether you say you’re fine or not, I don’t believe you anymore. You look so weak and tired. I thought I wouldn’t find you at home today—I never knew you’d been suffering this much. Have you eaten anything today?
Nusaybah: (She shakes her head)
Aminah: Subhanallah! You haven’t eaten since morning? Ahh, Sister mi! Do you want to kill us? Do you want to worsen Dad’s health? You must eat—what do you want?
Nusaybah: I’m okay like this. I just need some quiet for now.
Aminah: (Gasps and sighs) Are you kidding me? You know what? I don’t even blame you—I blame your husband. I must show him that we don’t take nonsense in our family.
Nusaybah: Please, don’t confront him. For Allah’s sake—don’t. Unless you want to make things worse for me.
Aminah: (She exhales softly) Alright then. But first, let me get you something to eat. Don’t cry again, please. Even if it’s just noodles—you need to eat. I’ll be right back. (She stands and heads out)
Nusaybah: (Sadly bows her head and breaks down in tears again)
---
15 minutes later
Aminah enters the room with a bowl of noodles. The steam fogs her face. She finds Nusaybah curled under the blanket. She sets the bowl beside her and gently helps her sit up. Then she places a fork in her hand and pats her back.
Aminah: Please eat before it gets cold. Or should I feed you?
Nusaybah: Can you believe I lost my job last month?
Aminah: Subhanallah! What? How? (She notices Nusaybah’s slightly swollen belly) What happened?
Nusaybah: I missed over a month of work. Despite all the years I worked hard there, hoping for promotion, I got fired. How am I supposed to take care of Baami now?
Aminah: I’m so sorry about that. In sha Allah, you’ll find a better job. But… Sister mi, are you pregnant?
Nusaybah: Yes, I am.
Aminah: (She hits the bed) Gosh! This is not good.
Nusaybah: What do you mean?
Aminah: Oh—don’t get me wrong. But you need to end this marriage. And now you’re carrying his child? After all he said—how you disgust him—he still touched you? Your husband is a psycho! I’m sorry to say, but he really is. But… I’m happy for you, sha. No wonder you’ve been feeling so unwell. Don’t worry—I’m here for you. I’ll take care of you and the baby. Now please, eat the noodles before it gets cold.
Nusaybah: (She nods and starts eating) I love it.
Aminah: (Smiling) I’m glad you do. (Thinking of how to cheer her up) Where’s your phone?
Nusaybah: I don’t even know. I haven’t seen it in three days.
Aminah: You’re so boring, wallahi! How are we going to find it now? I want to send you some fun movies to keep you company.
Nusaybah: (Smiles and eats faster)
Aminah: Hmm… Only Allah knows how long you’ve been starving like this. Anyway, it’s past five—what do you want to prepare for your husband?
Nusaybah: Oh, I didn’t tell you? For a month now, he doesn’t come home early. He stopped eating my food at night—except for breakfast. So he probably won’t eat anything.
Aminah: I can’t believe it’s gotten to that point. Why are some men so heartless? And you said all of this started because of virginity? Honestly, I don’t think he ever truly loved you.
Nusaybah: (She bows her head) I know.
Aminah: You’ll be fine. You and our baby will be fine. Come on, get up—you’re done eating, right?
Nusaybah: Yeah.
Aminah: Get up, please. Let’s have some fun. (She helps her up) Come with me.
Nusaybah: (Smiles) Okay, madam.
(Curtain)
---
Around 9:23 PM, the two sisters sit in the living room watching movies. Aminah does her best to cheer Nusaybah up. They laugh, gist, and play around the house, and for a while, the joy eases Nusaybah’s emotional pain.
Nusaybah: (Smiling, resting her head on Aminah’s shoulder, yawns) I’m feeling sleepy… I’m so glad to have you here, Aminah. I’m sorry for how I treated you back then. I didn’t mean to… I’m truly sorry for everything.
Aminah: Sis! I’ve been trying to make you happy since I got here. Now you want to spoil it by bringing up the past? Don’t go there. Rest your head on my shoulder and don’t even think, let alone cry. That’s how you’ll appreciate my presence.
Nusaybah: (Smiles) I’m so proud of you, my baby sister. (She kisses her forehead) I’m grateful to have you in my life.
Aminah: Do you know you’re my role model? Have I ever told you that?
Nusaybah: (Lifts her head in surprise) Really?
Aminah: Yeah. (Sadly lowers her gaze) I’ve always looked up to you. Despite everything—the rape, the struggle, the healing—you still succeeded. You made our parents proud. As a woman, you take care of our father. That’s why I don’t want to marry early—I want to help with the responsibilities. I want to reward you for all you’ve done. Thank you for being there for me… as my mother, my role model, and my sister. It means the world to me.
Nusaybah: (they breaks down in tears at the same time and embrace eachother tightly) I love you so much my little sister..
Aminah: I love you too, I love you more sis…(as they were busy with their emotional moment,
Nusaybah felt her husband footstep as he opens the door)
Haneef: (he enters the house with a lady holding her hands) as salam alaykum.
Aminah and Nusaybah: walaykum salam.. (they wipes their tears and let go of eachother)
Haneef: (shocked to see Aminah and he felt like disappearing from their sight with
he lady he brought) uhm, my in law.. how are you?
Aminah: (scan them from head to toes sadly) alhamdulilah I‟m fine.. and who is she?
Haneef: uhmm, you mean she? (point her the lady) uhm, she is my colleagues.. she
couldn‟t get to her house on time so i told her to spend a night here then.
Aminah: oh really? (she gets on her feet) sister mi, is this all you take in this house?
(by the time she could turn to Nusaybah, all her focus in the movies, she acted like she sees nothing) sister mi!!! answer me now.
Nusaybah: I could see all that, let him do whatever he wish..
The lady: (thinking) she doesn‟t even react that I‟m here, wow! I love that.. now I‟m going to enjoy what is mine.
Aminah: (disappointed) I‟m highly disappointed in your sir.. very disappointed.
Haneef: I‟m only helping my colleagues nothing else, so please don‟t get the situation wrong.
Nusaybah: (held her sister‟s hand) come! Sit with me… lets continue our moment
Aminah: (face her) sister mi, so you wont do anything nor say anything about all this? What has gotten over you, this isn‟t how I know you?
Haneef and his guest walk into the master bedroom together.
Aminah: can you see them? They walk into your matrimonial bedroom together.
Nusaybah: ok then, what do you want me to do? fight them? Stress myself over a man who treats me like trash? With this my condition.. no!
Aminah: this isn‟t you sis, you don‟t take rubbish now!
Nusaybah: (she drag her to the couch ) marriage will test patience.. martige will test your will… the same marriage will weak your bones.. I have fate in Allah
and as you ones said to me, this is a test from Allah.. and I pray to overcome all this one day.
Aminah: (sadly stares at her) only Allah knows the pain inside you right now… (she embrace her again)
Nusaybah: (inside her) I feel like burning this house upside down right this instant, I feel like breaking that lady‟s bone, I feel like hitting my husband so hard.. but they don‟t even worth my affection.. (she close her eyes bitterly as tears roll down)
Nusaybah: (both break down in tears and embrace each other tightly) I love you so much, my little sister...
Aminah: I love you too. I love you even more, sis… (As they stay wrapped in their emotional moment, Nusaybah suddenly feels her husband’s footsteps as he opens the door)
Haneef: (He enters the house holding a lady’s hand) As-salam alaykum.
Aminah and Nusaybah: Wa alaykum salam... (They quickly wipe their tears and let go of each other)
Haneef: (Shocked to see Aminah; he suddenly feels like disappearing with the lady beside him) Uhmm… my in-law, how are you?
Aminah: (Scans both of them from head to toe, sadly) Alhamdulillah, I’m fine. And who is she?
Haneef: Uhmm, you mean her? (Points to the lady) She’s my colleague… she couldn’t make it home tonight, so I told her to spend the night here.
Aminah: Oh really? (She gets to her feet) Sister mi, is this what you’ve reduced yourself to in this house? (By the time she turns to Nusaybah, Nusaybah is focused on the movie and acts like she sees nothing) Sister mi! Answer me now!
Nusaybah: I saw it all. Let him do whatever he wants...
The Lady: (Thinking) She’s not even reacting to my presence. Wow! I love this… I’m really going to enjoy what’s mine now.
Aminah: (Disappointed) I’m highly disappointed in you, sir. Very disappointed.
Haneef: I’m only helping my colleague—nothing else. Please don’t misunderstand the situation.
Nusaybah: (Holds her sister’s hand) Come. Sit with me… let’s continue our moment.
Aminah: (Faces her) Sister mi, so you won’t say or do anything about this? What’s gotten into you? This isn’t the woman I know!
(Haneef and the lady walk into the master bedroom together)
Aminah: Can you see that? They just walked into your matrimonial bedroom together!
Nusaybah: Okay then… what do you want me to do? Fight them? Stress myself over a man who treats me like trash? With this condition of mine? No.
Aminah: This isn’t you, sis. You never used to take rubbish!
Nusaybah: (Drags her to the couch) Marriage will test your patience... marriage will test your will... and sometimes, marriage will break your bones. I have faith in Allah. As you once told me, this is a test from Him — and I pray I’ll overcome it one day.
Aminah: (Stares at her sadly) Only Allah knows the pain inside you right now… (She hugs her again)
Nusaybah: (In her thoughts) I feel like burning this house to the ground. I feel like breaking that woman’s bones. I feel like hitting my husband so hard… but they don’t even deserve my anger. (She closes her eyes bitterly as tears roll down)