THE NEXT MORNING
Nusaybah: (finally opens her eyes)
Aminah: She’s awake! (jumps up in joy as her family all move closer to her, except Haneef, who rests his head against the wall, watching from afar) Alhamdulilah, she’s finally awake!
Dad: Asake mi! Alhamdulilah… I’m so proud of you. (kisses her forehead) How are you feeling now? Alhamdulilahi robil alamin… Yaa Allah, I’m grateful.
Nusaybah: (groaning softly, unable to speak clearly)
Mrs. Gbenga: Welcome, my dear… how do you feel now?
Nurse: You all need to give her some space; she needs plenty of rest.
Dad: Please, just a few more minutes.
Nusaybah: Where are my babies?
(They all exchange surprised looks.)
Mrs. Gbenga: She knew she was having twins?
Dad: I guess so! Look at my handsome grandchildren… they’re right next to you. (he carries one of the twins and places him beside her)
Nusaybah: (tears roll down her cheeks as she sees her children for the first time) They’re beautiful. (she struggles to kiss them)
Mrs. Gbenga: (smiling brightly) Gently, my dear… you’re still healing, so you need to rest. Even your husband… (noticing his absence) Where’s Haneef? (she finally spots him leaning on the wall) What are you doing over there? Come here, come and see your family!
Haneef: (nervous, taking slow steps toward them)
Dad: (smiling) You’re indeed a man! Look at your boys.
Haneef: (hands shaking and sweaty) Woooh! (takes a deep breath) Hi. (waves nervously at Nusaybah, stretching his neck to peek at the babies)
Nusaybah: (smiles faintly) Hi.
Mrs. Gbenga: Carry your children… are you scared? (tries to guide his hands, then notices his trembling) Why are you shivering?
Haneef: (wiping sweat) I can’t carry them… let me just admire them while they’re in their mother’s arms.
Aminah: (staring at him suspiciously) Mttwww.
Nurse: Please! Oya, everyone out. Haba! Are you the only family in this ward? She needs rest, and the doctor needs to attend to her.
Dad: We’re sorry for the inconvenience. Ehhn! My in-law, let’s excuse her for now.
Mrs. Gbenga: That’s true… and I’m waiting for my daughter to bring what I sent her for.
Dad: Okay, ma. I also need to follow my daughter so we can get the things she’ll need.
Mrs. Gbenga: That should be Haneef’s duty, not yours. Haneef! Let’s excuse them.
Aminah: I’ll stay with her.
Dad: Alright then… please take good care of her until we return. I’ll get something for you on the way; you must be starving.
Aminah: Okay, Baami. (turns to her sister as the doctor begins the check-up) Sorry, sister mi.
A few minutes later
Doctor: She needs plenty of rest. She’s already eaten something, so please—no one should disturb her sleep. That’s the least you can do to help her recover quickly.
Aminah: Alright, doctor. Thank you so much. Sister mi, sorry… may Allah grant you complete shifa. Get enough rest.
Nusaybah: (nods and turns to face the other side of the bed) What about my babies? They must be starving.
Aminah: We’ve been able to feed them with baby formula for now, until you regain your strength. Just rest, okay? Everything will be fine. Sorry, ma.
Nusaybah: Please take good care of my kids. Nothing should happen to them, I’m begging you. Don’t leave their sight.
Aminah: Don’t worry. I’m right here by your side. You just get the rest you need.
Nusaybah: (She nods and finally closes her eyes.)
---
Three days at the hospital
Nusaybah gradually regained her strength. She could now sit up and breastfeed her babies while family members visited one after the other. Haneef had been moving up and down the ward but still refused to hold his babies.
Because of this, Nusaybah had been in a low mood, barely responding to greetings.
Faridah: Iyawo! Your babies are crying.
Nusaybah: (Sitting up sadly to breastfeed them, she notices her husband leaning against the wall, focused on his phone.) Husband!
Haneef: (Finally realizing she’s speaking to him) Yes, dear… do you need anything? (He moves closer.) Talk to me.
Nusaybah: (Stretching out her hand) Iyawo okomi, please hand over Taiye to me.
Faridah: Okay, ma.
Haneef: You haven’t answered my question. I said, do you need anything?
Nusaybah: (As she takes the baby from Faridah, she suddenly places him in Haneef’s hands) Throw him away if you can’t hold your own biological child. Throw him away. Iya okomi, please hand over Kehinde to me.
Haneef: (Hands shaking) What are you doing, Nusaybah?
Nusaybah: Just watch. (She puts the second child in his left arm.) Now throw them away if you can’t hold them.
(Her statement draws the attention of other patients, who murmur and chuckle.)
Faridah: (Chuckling) Abi now… how can someone be scared of holding his child? Like, who does that?
Nusaybah: (Gently lying down and closing her eyes) You be a father until they fall asleep. I need rest too.
Faridah: (Bursting into laughter)
Haneef: (Still shaking and sweating, struggling to breathe as he holds the twins) They’ll fall o.
Nusaybah: Let them fall.
Haneef: And you—what’s funny here? (Referring to Faridah)
Faridah: Ahh! So I shouldn’t laugh again?
Haneef: Carry one of them before they fall down.
Nusaybah: Iya okomi, please, I’m begging you—don’t listen to him. You’ve been having sleepless nights with the twins; rest small and let him take over for just one hour.
Faridah: Abi no! (She picks up her phone and starts scrolling.)
Haneef: I’m talking to you, Faridah. Are you deaf?
Faridah: Abeg, free me. As if na me born twins. (She gets up aggressively and walks out.)
Haneef: Faridah!!! Oh my God… (He gently sits down and starts cuddling the twins to sleep.)
---
The next day
Nusaybah was finally discharged, but according to Yoruba custom and tradition, she moved to her mother-in-law’s house for proper postnatal care while Haneef returned home.
He visited only twice a week. His mother reminded him that his family needed him more than ever, but his excuse was always “work.” Nusaybah didn’t bother pressing him about it—her attention was on her new blessings and recovering fully so her twins wouldn’t have to suffer from anyone.
---
Forty days later
With her sister’s help, Nusaybah returned to her matrimonial home. As they entered the compound, the noise of loud music and chatter filled the air, cars parked all over.
Aminah: (Gasping) Sister mi, wallahi you married a moron! Despite being jobless, he still threw a party.
Nusaybah: (Ignoring her as they walk inside, finding strangers dancing in the living room. She doesn’t greet anyone and instead drags Aminah to her room.) Lock the door behind you, please.
Aminah: Okay, ma. (She obeys.) Sister mi, I thought we had an agreement about this marriage.
Nusaybah: (Confused) What agreement is that?
Aminah: You promised to divorce your husband after you put to bed. But here we are, back in his house again.
Nusaybah: (Chuckles while unpacking their things) Please help me with that big carton—that’s my kids’ wardrobe. We need to arrange it first.
Aminah: Okay, ma. But you’re not answering my question.
Nusaybah: Why does it matter to you so much? Why are you so eager to see me become a single mother?
Aminah: No now. Besides, he doesn’t even cater for you… so what’s the difference between you and being a single mother?
Nusaybah: (gasps) Aminah!
Aminah: I’m… I’m sorry if my statement sounded rude, but I’m just worried about you.
Nusaybah: (exhales softly) Get me that box. Let’s hurry up with all these before my kids finally wake up.
Aminah: (obeys sadly) May Allah be with you for me.
Nusaybah: Amin.
---
Four hours later, Haneef barges into Nusaybah’s room, panting heavily. He spots Nusaybah’s phone, picks it up, and smashes it on the ground.
Aminah: (startled) Subhanallah! What was that for?
Nusaybah: (runs out of the bathroom) What happened?
Haneef: So you left there and couldn’t even call me? I tried your line almost twenty times and you ignored my calls? You made my mom yell at me, saying I’m irresponsible? So I’m nothing to you, right? You just made me look useless in front of everyone! What exactly is your problem, uh?
Aminah: Is that why you smashed her phone? See how you’ve destroyed it! Why are you so mean? How is she your problem? You failed to pick up your family, and she came home by herself. Or have you forgotten she called you several times this morning?
Haneef: And as for you— (turns to Aminah)—whenever I’m talking to my wife, you shut up! Just because you’re my in-law doesn’t mean I don’t have your size at home. Show me some respect!
Nusaybah: Aminah! Get out of this room. RIGHT NOW!
Aminah: But sister mi—
Nusaybah: (roars) I SAID GET OUT!
Aminah: (gasps) Okay o. (angrily walks out of the room and slams the door)
Nusaybah: I’m sorry about that, sir.
Haneef: Why won’t you be sorry when you’ve turned me into nothing—in front of our entire family?
Nusaybah: I’m sorry, sir.
Haneef: (scans his children) How are my kids?
Nusaybah: As you can see, they’re sleeping. And congratulations on the party held in your house.
Haneef: Which party?
Nusaybah: The one that was held today.
Haneef: Oh, that one? My house was rented for a movie production since last week.
Nusaybah: Okay o. (she squats down and picks her SIM card from her shredded phone)
Haneef: Make something delicious for me to eat. I’m starving.
Nusaybah: Okay, but it’s time for Solatul Asr. When I’m done, I’ll do as you said.
Haneef: That’s your problem. (he walks out of the room)
---
Aminah: (barges in, eyes clouded with tears) Sister mi… are you sure you’re the same sister I knew? What’s gotten over you? What happened to the sister who took no nonsense from anyone? This isn’t you! Bring back my real sister. I don’t like this new you—it’s killing me.
Nusaybah: (feels like crying but holds back her tears) Please wipe your tears… and I’m sorry for yelling at you earlier.
Aminah: Why are you sorry? You never apologize to me, even when you’re at fault. Why do you easily give up on everything? Why? (breaks down in tears) This isn’t you! I’m hurt more than you now… How could you endure all this despite the fact that he doesn’t value your presence in his life? Why?? Why are you doing all this? Whyyyyy? (wipes her tears)
Nusaybah: (gently moves closer and embraces her) I’m sorry for everything.
Aminah: (yells in tears) Stop apologizing! This is not your fault, and it’s never your fault. Stop being sorry… pleaseee.
Nusaybah: (embraces her tightly) It’s okay. Stop crying, okay? I’ll do something about it. Wipe your tears. (helps her wipe her face) Stop crying now, you’re making me emotional too. Don’t wake the babies.
..
Aminah: (finally calms down) See how he broke your phone? And this is a man who doesn’t even take care of your responsibilities… I swear, I can’t take that kind of nonsense from a man. Never.
Nusaybah: I know… but the truth is, I didn’t buy the phone with my own money—he did. I bought it before we got married, I think it cost a little over a hundred. So now you see why he’s not worth my anger. Don’t worry, I’ll deal with his nonsense badly—but silently. Just watch. Patience is a virtue. The patient dog eats the fattest bone. Allah is always with those who are patient.
Aminah: Are you sure? Promise me you’ll deal with him. In fact, just divorce him—enough is enough!
Nusaybah: Aminah! Ahhh, you have a big problem oh.
Aminah: Anyway, I’m sorry. Please hug me tighter—I can’t afford to lose you. You’re all I have left.
Nusaybah: (chuckles) You’re such a darling. Don’t worry, nothing bad will happen to me unless Allah chooses to take me back. So tell me about your life—you’re getting old too. You’ll clock twenty-six in a few months.
Aminah: Abeg, free me joor. Marriage koh, marriage ni. After witnessing all the cruelty your husband has put you through, how do you expect me to even want marriage?
Nusaybah: Okay o. It’s time for solat. (her babies suddenly start crying) And here come the twins—they’re awake.
Aminah: Aww, alhamdulillah I’m done with solat. (moves closer to them) Aww, look at my Jamal and Kamal… so handsome, aren’t you? The cutie, the adorable ( making silly face)