A FEW WEEKS LATER
Nusaybah: (scrolling through her phone on social media) Hmm… I think this will be a great idea. I need to do more research on it. This could actually work for me. But I need to make dua about it. I still need Allah’s guidance. (exhales softly) I have a good feeling about this.
(her baby kicks)
Awwwh! Subhanallah! My baby just kicked. Alhamdulillah. (she rubs her tummy) I can feel you, my angel. Mummy can’t wait to meet you. Or… do you like the idea too? (she smiles and focuses all her attention on her stomach)
Aminah: (barges into the house) As-salamu alaykum onile o!
Nusaybah: (looks up with a bright smile) Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah.
Aminah: (surprised) Barakallahu feek! Finally, I see you smiling again—masha Allah. (she sits beside her) What’s the good news? Gist me.
Nusaybah: Nothing, really. (still admiring her baby bump)
Aminah: Are you talking to the baby? (tries to place her ear on the bump) Let’s hear what our little angel has to say… hmm?
(she feels the baby’s kick)
Subhanallah! She just kicked—I swear she kicked just now! Can you believe it?
Nusaybah: (smiling at her sister’s reaction) Yeah, I felt it not long ago too. I’m so happy… I just pray this child wipes away all my sorrows.
Aminah: Absolutely, sis. She’s going to be a blessing to us all. This is my first time feeling a baby’s kick—it’s so amazing! I can’t wait to see your little angel. (kisses her bump) So, sister mi… with this big tummy, haven’t you reached your due month?
Nusaybah: I have, actually.
Aminah: Really? (excited) What’s your due date? What did the doctor say?
Nusaybah: (chuckles, watching her sister’s excitement) Very soon, in sha Allah. Just pray for a safe and sound delivery for me.
Aminah: You shall deliver safely by the power of Allah. Nothing bad will happen to you or the baby—In sha Allah. But sister mi… you’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met. You’ve endured so much despite your husband’s waywardness. I salute you. I only pray Allah grants me enough sabr to deal with someone like your husband too.
Nusaybah: Let me tell you something you might not know about life—or marriage. Silence is more powerful than noise. Trust me when I say that. I don’t need to explain much, but from what you’ve seen, I’m always quiet… unless I’m forced to speak.
Aminah: Yeah, that’s true. So, what about your husband? Has he gotten himself another “toothpick” or is he still searching?
Nusaybah: I don’t even know, and honestly—I don’t care anymore. I’ve been doing my best to avoid conflict for the past three months. Alhamdulillah, we haven’t had any issues. He stays in his room, I stay in mine. We don’t interfere in each other’s lives.
Aminah: But do you find peace in that? Is this really the kind of peace you want in your marriage? You’re carrying his child, and he doesn’t care about you or the baby. You do everything by yourself—and you call that peace? No, that’s a prison. You’re stuck in this marriage, and I want you out. Please.
Nusaybah: I’ll leave… by Allah’s will.
Aminah: Will it be after he kills you? We can find you another man. There are many men out there who would die to have you—so why him?
Nusaybah: That’s the kind of statement I won’t tolerate from you. If they were truly meant for me, Allah would have destined them for me. As a Muslim, I believe this is a test from Allah—and I will gladly embrace it, hoping for a better outcome. Even the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and his family went through far worse and still praised Allah. So, who am I to complain? A true Muslimah embraces her pain with joy, because she knows that after every hardship comes ease.
Aminah: Even if the pain is slowly killing you inside?
Nusaybah: I’ll be fine, in sha Allah. I’ve started praying tahajjud more often since I find it hard to sleep at night. Allah hears me—and He’ll answer when the time is right. So don’t worry. As you can see, I’m no longer worried about him, so why should you be?
Aminah: I’m not worried about him—I’m worried about you! I care about you and the baby—no one else! Even if you hide your pain, I can still feel it.
Nusaybah: (smiles)
Aminah: Stop smiling. I know what’s behind that smile. Please stop pretending, and let’s find a way to get you out of this burden. (tears roll down her eyes)
Nusaybah: Can I tell you something?
Aminah: I don’t want to hear anything. Let’s just find a solution. That’s all that matters right now.
Nusaybah: (exhales softly) I guess you’re not ready to learn or listen. So do as you please. (she picks up her phone)
Aminah: Wait, sister mi. I’m just worried about you. Okay, I’m sorry—I’m listening.
Nusaybah: (rolls her eyes and looks away)
Aminah: I said I’m sorry na… oya sorry. (places her head on Nusaybah’s shoulder) I’m sorry… mum.
Nusaybah: (surprised) What did you call me?
Aminah: Mum. You’re my mother now… and I can’t bear to see my mum unhappy because of me. I’m sorry—and I’m listening.
Nusaybah: (puts the phone down) There’s something I’ve realized about marriage—and I wish more women knew this. If a woman keeps silent about every problem between herself and her husband or family—even when she’s right—then she’s the strongest kind of woman.
Can you believe my husband reported me again to his family and even filed for divorce? They called a family meeting where he told several lies about me. He even told them I wasn’t a virgin when we married—something he had no right to expose.
And the most amazing part? I kept silent through it all. Some of his family insulted me, called me a bad wife, and suggested divorce was the solution… but I still kept mute.
Aminah: (gasps)
Nusaybah: (smiles) That was how he kept narrating while his mother studied the two of us. They allowed him to say all the rubbish he had to, then he finally sat down. The elders spoke at last and said, "Since he's been making noise for almost an hour, did he even notice I never uttered a word?"
His mother added, "Your wife is more mature than you. Just look at her—despite all your complaints, she hasn't moved an inch. She's still composed and relaxed. And for those of you supporting him, you don't see what we see."
Then the elder faced Haneef and said, "Do you know you're an empty barrel? Only empty barrels make noise. Everyone in this room expected your wife's behavior to be like yours, because that's usually a woman's reaction. But instead, it was the complete opposite."
They finally turned to me and asked for my side of the story. I simply said, "Whatever he told you, remember Allah sees everything done in secret. I have nothing more to say. Please pass your judgment so we can go home."
They were stunned by my answer, and I smiled.
Aminah: You really did that? So calmly? Wow!
Nusaybah: Of course! Ever since then, my husband couldn’t report me to his family again because they really blasted him that day. When we got home, I still made dinner for him—even though he ignored my food. I still offered him snacks whenever he was busy on his system. I gave him little attention, even if he didn’t care. Not because I enjoyed doing it, but because I still had a little love left—and I did it for the sake of peace. And ever since, I’ve found peace.
Aminah: But I’m sure he’s cheating outside.
Nusaybah: I know. But that's not called cheating anymore—it’s adultery. He's looking for love in the wrong place, and I’ll gladly let him do as much as he wants. Besides, we haven’t had sex for over nine months now. So I’m free.
Aminah: But sister mi, will you be okay? I know you’ve found peace, but are you happy?
Nusaybah: Little by little, I’m becoming happy, dear.
Aminah: May Allah ease your affairs, sis. I really learned something powerful from what you said.
Nusaybah: A woman’s silence is more powerful than her words. That’s her real weapon.
Aminah: Got it. That’s really amazing. So, let’s change the topic. How’s the job hunting going?
Nusaybah: Hmm… You see, I haven’t found any reasonable job that compares to my former one. The salaries are nothing close to what I used to earn, and I can't survive on that—especially since I have a family to care for.
Aminah: So what are you going to do?
Nusaybah: I’ll start a business with the little capital I have. You know I used to be a baker. I just need to take a few online classes to refresh my skills, and then I can start baking cakes and making yoghurt from home.
Aminah: Masha Allah! You’re a genius. May Allah make it easy for you. I’ll be your number one apprentice, insha Allah.
Nusaybah: Of course, you’ll be my personal assistant, insha Allah. (they both smile)
Aminah: (exhales softly) It feels so good to finally spend time with you like this. But honestly, marriage has made you look so calm… unlike before.
Nusaybah: Yeah, I know. I guess turning thirty has changed a lot about me. Maturity grows every day.
Aminah: (stares at her in admiration) Yeeaahhh… When will you start the online bakery class?
Nusaybah: Very soon, insha Allah. I’m going to the market tomorrow to get some baby items and other things I’ll need for delivery.
Aminah: Wait—don’t tell me your husband didn’t… (gasps)
Nusaybah: (rolls her eyes) Oh please, Aminah! You’re too dramatic.
Aminah: Ok oo… (she covers her lips) I won’t say anything oh. I should be on my way then, it’s getting late… I have a lot of chores to do at home. And I need to wash Baami’s clothes.
Nusaybah: What happened to the washing machine I bought?
Aminah: Nothing happened to it oh, but it’s a white occasional wear, and he insisted I wash it with my hands, so…
Nusaybah: Ok o… may Allah be with you. Go inside my room, check my pink bag, take some money there and use it for transport.
Aminah: Hmmm, you don’t have to worry about that. I have a little cash with me too… enough of the responsibility for a while.
Haneef: (gently enters the house with Teslim) As-salamu alaykum. (in a low tone)
Aminah: Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah. (whispers to Nusaybah) And here comes the devil.
Nusaybah: Watch your mouth! Remember, he’s still my husband, you know… so show him some respect! Now greet him before I send you off.
Aminah: (rolls her eyes) Welcome, sir.
Haneef: (turns to them) Aminah, thank you.
Nusaybah: Welcome, sir.
Haneef: Hmmm. (he enters his room and shuts the door behind him)
Aminah: I greeted him, he answered you, but he refused to respond to your greeting. Like, who does that?
Nusaybah: That’s not new to me. So stop overreacting and go home… your wahala is pissing me off.
Aminah: Ok, I’m sorry. (she picks up her bag) Take good care of yourself. (she embraces her) Please, if there’s any sign of labor, don’t hesitate to give me a call. May Allah be with you and your household.
Nusaybah: Ameen. And you too. My regards to Baami.
Aminah: Ok o. (she exits the house)
Nusaybah: (sighs heavily) What a day… (she turns her neck) Something is definitely wrong with him. He doesn’t look happy or cheerful this morning. (she struggles to get up due to her baby bump) I can’t wait to be free again. (she heads to the kitchen)
---
Three hours later
Haneef: (he opens the door and moves to the living room)
Nusaybah: (setting the dining table)
Haneef: (he gets seated, changes the channel, and sadly stares at the television)
Nusaybah: (she studies his mood from afar) Hmmm hmmm… dear?
Haneef: (shocked to hear her call him after two months of silence) What is it?
Nusaybah: Uhmmm… dinner is ready.
Haneef: (scans her from head to toe and focuses back on the TV) Mtttwww!
Nusaybah: (exhales softly) I know you're not happy today, and I understand, okay? Please have your dinner. Trust me, I didn’t mean any harm.
Haneef: (turns to her and looks away again) I’m not interested in your food.
Nusaybah: I know you’re not interested in my food… I know. Please come, hmm? (in a soft tone) I know you must be hungry… come, dear. (she takes a few steps toward him) Come with me. (she holds his hand)
Haneef: (he gets up and follows her to the dining table)
Nusaybah: (she stretches out the chair for him to sit) Thank you for listening… (she serves him his dinner) Please, enjoy. (she heads back into the kitchen)
Narration: By the time she returns to the dining table, he had already started eating. She smiles and pours him his favorite juice.)