Nusaybah: (she removes her hand from his face and touches her own head, feeling uneasy)
Haneef: (quickly grabs her before she loses balance) Baby! Are you okay? What happened?
Nusaybah: I… I don’t feel so good. My head hurts a lot!
Haneef: Come here! Have a seat, it might be due to stress. Let me get you some chilled water to cool down. (he hurries to the kitchen)
Nusaybah: Why is this so hard to remember? I almost remembered something about this house… about him… but then it faded again.
Haneef: Here, my love! Take this. (hands her the water, gently pats her back) Sorry, dear. How are you feeling now?
Nusaybah: (exhales softly) Much better. Thank you, dear. (smiles)
Haneef: (sighs in relief) Thank goodness. And our kids are still sleeping. (he carries her suddenly) Let’s go inside—you need to rest.
Nusaybah: (surprised, smiling) What are you doing? Put me down, please!
Haneef: (heading to the room) All the things I never did in the past, I’m ready to make it up to you. You deserve all the happiness in this world. (he lays her gently on the bed) Besides, we still have two hours before solat Zuhr. So get some rest.
Nusaybah: (smiling brightly) Thank you so much, honey! What about you? Won’t you rest with me?
Haneef: I wish I could, but I’m fine like this. Hmm? (he covers her with the blanket and kisses her forehead) I’ll be right back to check on you again.
Nusaybah: (chuckles) That tickles… Alright, my husband.
Haneef: (pauses as he walks away, talking to himself) Oh my God! She just called me her husband…
Nusaybah: (sighs happily, whispering) Yaa Allah, I’m grateful. (she rests until she dozes off)
An hour later…
Haneef: (gently opens the door, sees his wife and kids still asleep. He stands at the door, admiring his blessings) Why did it take me so long to see what I had? Why was I so blind? They’re right—you never know the value of what you’ve got until you lose it. And you don’t know what you’ve been missing until it arrives. But I promise you, Nusaybah… from now on, after my Creator, you will be my number one priority. I’ll do anything to make you happy. I’m sorry for all the pain I caused you and your family. (he shakes his head sadly, then quietly closes the door)
Thirty minutes later…
Nusaybah: (stretching and yawning) What a lovely nap. Alhamdulilah! (turns to the side of the bed and finds nobody) Ah! Where are my babies? (she gets down to search, but passing the mirror, she steps back and stares at her reflection for a few seconds, then walks out of the room) Jamal! Kamal! Where are you?
(She enters the living room and finds them eating noodles with their dad.)
Nusaybah: There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you two, not knowing you’re with Dada. Uh? So you guys are having lunch without me? (she joins them on the floor. The kids run to her excitedly)
Kamal & Jamal: Mama!!!
Haneef: Oh, so now you don’t know me again, abi? You’ve seen your mom, eh? Nice try, guys. (he claps playfully) Nice one! 1–0.
Nusaybah: (laughing as her kids fight over her) Stop fighting! See, Dada isn’t happy you left him all alone.
Haneef: Look at my chest! I have breast too… Come to Dada, finish your noodles, then step it down with breast milk from Dada.
Nusaybah: (bursts into laughter) Breast milk from Dada indeed…
Haneef: (happy to see her laugh) You must be hungry too. Let me go and check if your noodles are ready.
Nusaybah: You cooked for me too?
Haneef: (gets up) I will do anything for you, babe… anything. (heads to the kitchen)
Nusaybah: (couldn’t believe her eyes, thinking) Then why is my family preventing me from going back to his house if he treats me like a queen? Awwnn… He is worth forgiving. Jamal, stop it! He’s your brother. I notice you’re harsh, and naturally we’re bound to have one like you… Stop hitting your brother now. Is it because he doesn’t fight back? (she tries to separate them but fails, so she carries Jamal and places him at a distance) By the time you crawl or walk back here, you’ll have calmed down.
Haneef: (returns with a bowl of noodles) Here are your noodles, my queen.
Nusaybah: Awwnn… looks yummy! Thank you, honey, you deserve a kiss for this. (she puckers her lips, waiting)
Haneef: Really? I can have a kiss? Are you sure?
Nusaybah: I’m waiting…
Haneef: (smiles and kisses her) Thank you so much.
Nusaybah: Why thanking me? I should be saying that. You are the best.
Haneef: Let’s hurry up, it’s almost time for solat Zuhr.
Nusaybah: Yes! (thinking) Hmm… Alhamdulilah, he is religious as well. Jamal, you’ve reached here again!
Haneef: (lifts Jamal up) Boy! Let’s leave Mummy alone. Shebi we’ve eaten? (he carries both of them and sits far away, playing with them while admiring his wife with a side eye as she eats) Don’t disturb Mummy, okay?
Nusaybah: (bright smile as she eats)
---
The next morning — 5:40 a.m.
(Alarm rings)
Nusaybah: (wakes from slumber) It’s morning already? (turns off the alarm and looks at her husband and kids, all spread across the bed) Hmmm… (smiles, then checks the time and jumps up) Baby! (taps him gently) Wake up, it’s time for Fajr.
Haneef: (groaning) Hmm, are you sure it’s time? Because this sleep is so delicious…
Nusaybah: I’m serious, wake up!
Haneef: (jumps from bed) Are you serious? Oh my goodness! And I promised to lead the prayer today at the mosque!
Nusaybah: Really? You should have told me last night so I could set the alarm for you specially.
Haneef: I thought I would wake up early on my own… (runs into the restroom)
Nusaybah: Take it easy now! Don’t wake the kids, oh… (she opens the wardrobe, searching for clothes he can wear to the mosque)
Haneef: (rushes out of the bathroom) I’m late!!
Nusaybah: Are you sure you did your ablution well? Anyway, here’s what to wear. Take this Jalamia; the weather is cold today. And here are socks too.
Haneef: (smiles) Do you know how long I’ve waited for this moment? Anyway, thank you, my queen. (he undresses)
Nusaybah: If you’re truly thankful, anytime I make you happy, you must kiss my forehead.
Haneef: (pause) Say no more. (He moves closer and kisses her on the lips) Thank you, madam.
Nusaybah: (blushing) I said on my forehead, jor.
Haneef: (kisses her on the lips again) I want it this way.
Nusaybah: (shy as she falls into his arms) Why are you always like this now…?
Haneef: (remembering) Subhanallah! Shaytan, you are a liar! Solat! (panicking)
Nusaybah: Ahh! That’s true, hurry up!! (She throws a sweater at him)
Haneef: Thank you. (Exits the house)
Nusaybah: (still blushing) Awwwnn! No one told me he was this romantic. Oh! Solat!!! (She enters the restroom)
---
At the dining table – 9:32 am
Haneef: (rinsing his hands) Gosh, I enjoyed this meal… you have no idea how happy I am to finally taste your delicious food again.
Nusaybah: Awwwn! I’m flattered! Enough of the praising, jor… do you want my head to burst?
Haneef: Please, let me praise you. You deserve thousands of praises every minute, and thanks so much for enduring for me… no woman could do that.
Nusaybah: You know, I used to wonder what happened in the past between us… which I pray to remember.
Haneef: Noo!!! Please don’t bother yourself with that… it’s not worth it. Please, don’t ever worry about it.
Nusaybah: What if I’m eager to remember, nko? Hmm? (She gets on her feet)
Haneef: (also stands) Oh no! You wouldn’t!
Nusaybah: Catch me if you can! (She starts running around the dining table)
Haneef: Oh really? Just wait… let me catch you! You will receive thousands of kisses as my magic to prevent you from remembering.
(They begin to chase each other around the house until a door opens.)
Aminah: (gasp)
Haneef: (startled, quickly stands straight)
Nusaybah: (still laughing and running, unaware of the guests) You can’t catch me…
Dad: (smiling)
Aminah: (in disbelief)
Haneef: (stylishly trying to get Nusaybah’s attention) Baby!! Stop running, we have guests!
Nusaybah: What do you mean? So you can catch me, abi? Catch me now… why are you staring at the door? (She moves closer to him and is startled to see who’s there) Baami! Aminah! When did you get here?
Aminah: So this is why you never called us when you arrived, huh? You left us all worried.
Nusaybah: (scratching her head) Uhmm, sorry… it skipped my mind.
Aminah: How could it skip your mind when you’re busy with all this?
Dad: Be polite. (whispering to her) Well, since we see that you two are busy… we shall excuse you.
Haneef and Nusaybah: Noo! Wait!
Haneef: (walking up to him) No sir, please don’t go! Please, come have a seat.
Dad: (stretching out his hand) Shake my hand, young man!
Haneef: (bows his head to receive the handshake) Good morning, sir… how are you doing?
Dad: Alhamdulilah… and you? Well, obviously you guys are doing great. (He sits down)
Aminah: (walking up to her sister) Hmmmm! Sister mi! Tell me something… I’m so happy for you.
Nusaybah: Tell me what? Better stay away from me… besides, you were never happy to see me happy, so why pretend?
Aminah: Aucch! That hurt! You know I would never wish you bad… I was just so worried about you. But obviously, he has learnt his lesson.
Nusaybah: Never… ever… in your life again…
disrespect my husband in that manner
ok? If you do! hmm
Aminah: (rolls her eyes) Anyway, I’m sorry, but I’m not pleased yet with him… So, how are you doing?
Nusaybah: Obviously, I’m okay! (She hears her children crying from the room)
Haneef: My boys! (He rushes into the room together with his wife, leaving her family stunned)
(Dad and Aminah’s eyes meet)
Aminah: Ogbenutan!
Nusaybah: (carrying Kamal while her husband carries Jamal) See who came to visit you guys? Grandpa and your small mummy.
Haneef: (passes Jamal to Aminah)
Aminah: Look at my little gum gum! Do you miss me?
Dad: (carrying Kamal) My brave grandson… do you remember us?
(Haneef moves closer to his wife as she rests her head on his shoulder, watching them)
---
Later in the evening – 5:40 pm, in the kitchen
Nusaybah: So you can cook like this?
Haneef: Kindly pass the Maggi to the chef, please.
Nusaybah: (bursts into laughter) Chef indeed! Here you go, sir!
Haneef: Thank you!
Nusaybah: (hugs him from behind) My chef!
Haneef: My queen! (His phone rings) I’m coming… let me pick this call.
Nusaybah: (lets go of him) Okay, sir.
Haneef: Hello! Yes, Haneef is the one you’re speaking with… Yes, sir! Yes! Really? Are you serious, sir? Oh my goodness! (excited) Thank you, sir!! Thank you so much, sir… thank you!!! (He ends the call and embraces her)
Nusaybah: What happened? Tell me!