Haneef: (couldn’t believe his eyes as his hands trembled uncontrollably) Thank you… thank you so much. (he stretched out his hand for a second round, and she hurriedly took it from him. Tears rolled freely down his cheeks as his emotions betrayed him) You are the most amazing woman I have ever known… I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything—for every single pain.
Nusaybah: (snatches the spoon from his hand and begins to rush the fruit salad) I love this combination of fruits… where did you get it? (she pulls the whole bowl onto her lap, focusing all her attention on it)
Haneef: (chuckles, wiping his tears, still in awe as he watches her eat with appetite. He could only smile as he admired her) You must be starving… this is all my fault.
(Just then, the twins walked into the room. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they spotted their mother. With tears streaming down their faces, they ran to her. Kamal, overwhelmed with emotions, cried loudly as he threw himself into her arms.)
Kamal: Mama!!!
Nusaybah: (quickly puts the bowl aside and welcomes them into her embrace, tears soaking her cheeks) My babies… I’ve missed you so, so much.
Haneef: (picks up the spoon and continues feeding her gently as she holds her kids close) They missed you terribly… and I’m so sorry, Nusaybah, for everything.
Nusaybah: (turns her face away, noticing the children searching for her breast) You want breast milk? Oh no! Your dada said no more breast milk. Didn’t he tell you?
Haneef: (smiles warmly, with a playful glint in his eyes) Of course! Young men, it’s high time you learn to live without breast milk, okay? Mama needs her rest now. If you want milk, I’ll get you some—but no breast milk. No more breast milk!
Jamal: (seems to understand, then bursts into tears) Mama!!!
Nusaybah & Haneef: (chuckle softly together)
Haneef: (admiring her radiant smile) I’m so glad to finally see that beautiful smile again. It broke me into pieces watching you in that condition.
Nusaybah: (carries the bowl of noodles and begins to eat with her kids) You can join us if you want.
Haneef: No, no… I’m fine like this. Just seeing you happy again is enough for me. Thank you… I feel like hugging you right now, can I?
Nusaybah: (raises her eyebrows sharply)
Haneef: (quickly raises his hands in surrender) Got it! Not a hugger.
---
The Next Morning (5:10am)
Nusaybah: (alarm rings) Fajr already? (she sits up, rubbing her eyes, whispering softly) Alhamdulillahi ladhi ahyana ba’dama amatana wailayhin nushur. (she gets down, walks into the restroom, performs ablution, then returns, noticing her husband’s absence) Where is he? (glances at the children still asleep in their beds) He went to pray without waking me? (steps curiously out of the room, shocked to find the living room sparkling clean) He did all this? Haneef! Where are you?
(She hears a sound from the kitchen, walks quickly, and finds him washing dishes while preparing a meal.)
Nusaybah: (startled) What are you doing?
Haneef: (turns with a smile) Baby! You’re awake? Good morning, my angel. Did you sleep well?
Nusaybah: Haneef, what are you doing in the kitchen at this hour? It’s too early.
Haneef: You know I’m leaving for the office by 8am, and I want to take care of my family before I go. You need rest, Nusaybah.
Nusaybah: But I never said I couldn’t do it. I never asked you to… What if your family shows up and sees you like this? You’ll only make things worse for me. Why are you doing this now?
Haneef: (rinses his hands, his voice low but firm) I don’t care what anyone thinks. I just want to take care of you. Look—breakfast is almost ready. I’ll do anything to make it up to you. I’ve carried so much hatred for myself, and I’m trying to forgive myself through this… maybe my conscience will be free too. You don’t deserve the pain I caused you. Despite everything, you bore it quietly—until you even lost your memory.
(He pauses, eyes wet, voice trembling.)
Haneef: If it were another woman, she would have destroyed me. But you… you chose to suffer silently, to heal, to forgive. You are a rare gem. What hurts me most is that I realized it so late. I’m sorry… (drops instantly to his knees) I’m so sorry, Nusaybah.
Nusaybah: (shocked, steps back) What are you doing? Get up, please! You shouldn’t be doing this—I’m not God. How many times will I tell you about kneeling? Please, get up.
Haneef: (shaking his head stubbornly) Let me stay like this. I deserve to remain here for months if that’s what it takes to earn your forgiveness. I can’t sleep peacefully, knowing I hurt you so deeply. Seeing you cry out of pain kills me every single day. I’m so sorry… (bursts into tears)
Nusaybah: (tries to control her own tears, blowing air over her face with trembling fingers) It’s okay… just get up. Please, Haneef.
Haneef: I will only get up if you truly forgive me. I’m ready to remain here for as long as it takes. Please, forgive me.
Nusaybah: (finally breaks down, her tears flowing freely as her voice cracks with emotion) Please, get up. I don’t want to see you like this. I forgave you yesterday already. I decided to move on. It was such a hard decision to make… but I still love you, Haneef.
(He looks up at her, shocked, tears rolling down.)
Nusaybah: What hurts most is… if you had known how much I loved you from the very beginning, you wouldn’t have hurt me like this. Despite everything… despite finding out the truth… I still forgive you. Because I love you. Wallahi, I really do. You’ve hurt me a thousand times, but I will still forgive you again and again and again… that’s how much I love you.
Haneef: (embraces her knees tightly, sobbing) I’m so sorry. I’m truly sorry.
Nusaybah: When I love, I love with everything in me. And when I hate, I hate with passion. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t hate you. I wanted to… desperately. But my heart wouldn’t let me. I endured so much, yet I still couldn’t fight you back. This time, if you hurt me again, I won’t fight you. It will be between you and your Creator. I’ve forgiven you already… now please, get up. Oh my goodness, Salat! See what you’ve caused now. (she hurriedly wipes his tears and tries to pull him up) Get up, please!
Haneef: (reluctantly rises, wipes her tears gently) I have one request… will you grant it before we pray?
Nusaybah: It’s time for Solat! Okay, what is it—say it quickly.
.Haneef: Please… can I hug you? Just once, please? (before she could answer, he pulls her into a tight embrace) I know I don’t deserve to touch you again, but I can’t help it. I’ve wanted to do this for weeks, but I held back because I didn’t want to add to your pain. Thank you… thank you so much. I’m truly grateful for this moment.
Nusaybah: (softly, yet firmly) Let’s go and pray. Do you want Allah to be angry with us? It’s already 5:43 a.m.
Haneef: Oh! (he quickly lets go, switches off the gas, and gently grabs her hand as they rush into the room) I’ll go make ablution now.
Nusaybah: (hands him his jalabiya and socks from the wardrobe) That’s better.
---
A month later
The reunited couple lived peacefully, their love and marriage blossoming stronger each day. But today was different—special. Nusaybah had finally decided to visit her family after her recovery.
Let’s see what happened…
Nusaybah: (knocks at the gate, nervous)
Haneef: (smiling) I’m so excited.
Nusaybah: (sighs) Well, I’m nervous though.
Aminah: (opens the gate, scans them coldly from head to toe without a greeting, then storms back inside. Suddenly she pauses, turns back, and snatches the twins from their hands) You two can go back to wherever you came from. You’re not welcome here! (She carries the kids inside)
Haneef and Nusaybah: (exchange a surprised glance, then chuckle softly) Let’s just go inside.
(They walk in and see the house bustling with relatives, food, and wedding preparations.)
Nusaybah: Masha Allah! We’ve missed so much. (greets everyone warmly before slipping away) Baami! Where are you?
Dad: (adjusting his cap, smiling when he sees her) Who do we have here? Come in, my dear.
Nusaybah: (rushes to hug him) I’ve missed you so much, Baami. How have you been?
Dad: Alhamdulilah. And you? Where are my little warriors?
Nusaybah: They’re with the latest bride. (giggles)
Dad: (his tone shifts) That reminds me, I heard you two are at it again. Fighting? When will you grow up? She’s getting married soon, and I expect you, as her elder sister, to be more mature. You should draw her closer, not push her away. Do I have to keep reminding you of this every time?
Nusaybah: (bows her head, regretful) I’m sorry, Baami. I know I hurt her, I know I offended her. That’s why I’m here—to make it right. I only came to see her.
Dad: Excellent! That’s wisdom, my child. Go on then, make things right. I’ll be waiting to hear good news from you.
Nusaybah: (smiling) Thank you, Baami.
(She leaves his room and heads toward her sister’s.)
Nusaybah: Iyawo! Iyawo! Where are you, oh? (stops at the door, knocks gently) As-salaam alaykum. Can I come in?
Aminah: (coldly) No.
Nusaybah: (pushes the door open anyway, smiling faintly) Okay then… I’m in.
(She finds Aminah playing with her kids.)
Aminah: (glares) What are you doing here?
Nusaybah: To get my kids, of course.
Aminah: (snaps) In that case, you’re not getting them.
Nusaybah: (sits beside her calmly) How are you, Aminah?
Aminah: (sarcastic laugh) Since when do you care?
Nusaybah: (turns to her kids) Kamal, Jamal… go and play with Dada in the living room.
Twins: Dada!!! (they run out happily)
Aminah: (looks away bitterly) What is it this time? You know I don’t want any problems from you. So just… avoid me, as much as you can.
Nusaybah: (studies her for a few seconds) I remember everything… every little thing.
Aminah: (surprised, unconsciously grabs her hands) You… remembered? How? What happened?
Nusaybah: (narrates everything) I’m so sorry for the way I yelled at you. You sacrificed so much for me, yet I was ungrateful. I never meant to hurt your feelings. My husband is also here to beg for your forgiveness. You’re all I have as my blood, and I can never trade you for anything. Having you in my life is like a dream come true… like a gift to my soul. Aminah, I can’t even imagine my life without you. I’m deeply sorry for being such a terrible sister.
Aminah: Sister mi… wallahi, you didn’t offend me. In fact, I should be the one apologizing for how disrespectful I was. Out of anger, I spoke so rudely without realizing the damage. Baami noticed I was walking on the wrong path, and I’m so glad he pulled me back. I carried life so heavily against your husband that I forgot—we are all sinners. I was harsh, I admit… too harsh.
Nusaybah: No, Aminah! You’re not harsh—you only gave him what he deserved. You did it out of love, because you never wanted harm to come to me. That makes you a true fighter, a warrior! You made me earn respect from my husband and even from his family, because you showed them nobody messes with your sister. How can I ever thank you enough? You are the true definition of a sister. I’m so sorry for everything. Please… forgive me? Forgive us?
Aminah: (a bright smile spreads across her face) Awwww… I love you so much! Come here. (they embrace tightly) I’ve learned so much from you, and I hope this becomes a lesson for all women—to have an enduring heart like yours. So… your husband is finally back to his senses?
Nusaybah: (grinning) To his full senses, my sister. He’s now my dream man. He even said that after leaving here, a surprise is waiting for me. I’m so curious.
Aminah: (laughs) Really? Awwn, I’m so happy for you! That surprise had better be amazing.
Nusaybah: I hope so too.
Aminah: Ehen, that reminds me… I was thinking… (blushing)
Nusaybah: (curious) Hmm? I’m listening…
Aminah: I was hoping you could be my best lady on my walimatu nikkah. My best part and my best friend for life.
Nusaybah: (gasps) Are you serious?! You don’t mean it? Masha Allah! (she jumps up in excitement and embraces her again, tears of joy rolling down) Why are the tears flowing again?
Aminah: (wipes her tears) I’m sure Maami is up there watching us right now. She must be proud of us. So don’t cry, okay?
Nusaybah: (sniffles) I think so too… but wait oh, (wipes her face) I’m a married woman, in fact a mother. How can a married woman be a best lady?
Aminah: (chuckles) It doesn’t matter. There’s no rule about who can be a best lady. Besides, you’re still young and beautiful—no one will even know you’ve had twins. So don’t worry.
Nusaybah: (smiling) Are you sure? Okay then, if you insist. So how’s the preparation going? Just a month left?
---
Few hours later — In the car
Nusaybah: (nervous and curious) What’s this surprise about? I’m anxious right now. Haven’t we arrived already?
Haneef: (chuckles) Almost there, my love. Just be patient.
Nusaybah: (fidgets) Are you sure? Because this patience is about to run out.
Haneef: (smiles) We’re here, baby.
Nusaybah: (eyes widen) Really? Oh my God!
Haneef: But first, I need to blindfold you. Your reaction means everything to me. That’s why I brought this long handkerchief. Can I?
Nusaybah: Do you have to? Hmm… okay, go ahead.
Haneef: (blindfolds her gently, then helps her out of the car) Steady now… take it easy, don’t rush. Careful, there’s a gutter here.
Nusaybah: (laughs nervously) Okay! Please just take it off already.
Haneef: (guides her until they finally reach the spot) Now I can remove it. (he takes off the blindfold) Open your eyes.
Nusaybah: (her jaw drops, eyes wide with shock and delight) Whattttttt?! Ya salam!