Haneef: Wait! What exactly is your problem? Are you some kind of Virgin Mary or something that I can’t even hold your hands? I’m your husband-to-be, and you still treat me like I’m going to dump you. Let’s be sincere here, are you a virgin?
Nusaybah: (stunned) Wh… what kind of question is that? Can’t you just wait till we are married? You touching me all the time is not right. (sighs) If you truly take your religion seriously, you’d know what I mean. So, as I was saying, why did you hang up on me last night?
Haneef: (takes a deep breath) So now you want to claim you’re the holiest person on earth, right? Do you know what pisses me off about you? It’s the fact that you act like you’re the only Muslim who practices Islam with a full heart—like you’re so special or better than the rest.
Nusaybah: (surprised) No! Why would you say that? I never said I’m better than the rest, but I’m trying my best to practice Islam, and I expect you to do the same. What is bad is bad! Why do you keep distracting this conversation? I said, who were you talking to on the phone like that last night?
Haneef: (rolls his eyes) Anyway, I was a little bit stressed out last night, and I needed to rest. But seeing your call while I was in deep sleep gave me a headache. Anyway, I’m sorry about yesterday. Now can we leave?
Nusaybah: Wait! Did you just say I gave you a headache for calling you last night? Have you forgotten it’s your duty to call me? What has gotten over you, Haneef? Why this sudden change of character towards me? This isn’t how you used to be with me.
Haneef: Nusaybah! Please, I’m begging you with the name of Allah, let’s go to work. If you don’t take your job seriously, I do take mine seriously, and I’m late already. (ready to leave)
Nusaybah: So you’re just going to leave me here? While I’m still talking to you? This isn’t you, Haneef! You have changed.
Haneef: (exhales softly) If you don’t want me to leave you here, then get into the car so I can drop you off at work instead of nagging this early Monday! Is this how you’re going to treat me after marriage? Nagging? Now, for the last time, get into the car.
Nusaybah: (she stares at him for a few seconds, then angrily walks into the car and slams the door, facing the window with her arms folded)
Haneef: (he joins her in the car without uttering a word)
(7 minutes later.)
Haneef: (stops the car) Here we are at your pla—
(before he finishes, she angrily pushes the car door open and slams it)
Haneef: Yo! Nusaybah!! Oh my God! This girl is pissing me off. … I don’t want to believe my family’s words, but she’s giving me enough reasons to start believing them.
***********************
Aminah: (she opens the gate) As-salamu alaykum, ma. (she moves closer and embraces her)
Khalid’s Mother: Wa alaykum salam, Abike mi oko-in, how are you doing? And how is work?
Aminah: Alhamdulillah, ma. I’m doing great. And you?
Aisha: Sister Aminah! (she embraces her and tries to take her bag) Let me help you—we’ve missed you!
Aminah: I missed you all! Where’s my baby, Rahmat?
Aisha: She’s inside. Rahmat! Sister Aminah is here!
Rahmat: (runs out of the house and embraces her) Sister Aminah! How are you doing?
Aminah: Alhamdulillah, I’m doing great. I missed you the most.
Khalid’s Mother: Go inside, I’ll join you all soon. Let me attend to some customers.
Aminah: Alright, ma. (they walk into the house) What about your brother?
Rahmat: You mean your husband? (chuckles) He’s in his apartment. He told us you were coming today.
Aminah: He’s not my husband yet, you know. Anyway, I’ll visit him later. But right now, I need to give all my attention to you. So, how is everything?
Aisha: First, you need to eat. What would you like to eat?
Aminah: I’m fine, please don’t stress yourself.
Aisha: Let us stress, oh! We want to take good care of you before we finally marry you. Let us pamper you, Sister Aminah!
Aminah: You guys are such darlings. But wait until I’m legally your wife, okay?
(A few minutes later)
Aisha: (enjoying her company) Don’t mind her, oh! She’s lying—I was the one who designed it.
Rahmat: She’s lying, Sister Aminah. She’s a chronic liar!
Aminah: (smiles as she admires them) I just love you girls. But unfortunately, I need to go see your brother before he turns red. I’ll be right back, okay?
Rahmat: As if you shouldn’t go again. But promise you’ll come back soon… don’t stay with him too long.
Aminah: I can’t promise, but I’ll try my best, okay? I’ll be right back. Later, girls! (she heads outside) As-salamu alaykum. (she opens the door gently) Anyone home?
Khalid: (pressing his phone) I’m in the room.
Aminah: Why is everywhere so dark? Can’t you lift your curtains? You know I don’t see well in the dark. Please come to the living room.
Khalid: (gets up) I’m coming out now.
Aminah: (she gets seated and admires his new apartment) This place isn’t bad at all.
Khalid: (he moves closer and embraces her, whispering) I missed you so much.
Aminah: (she receives the embrace and lets go) So, how are you doing? (she sits)
Khalid: I’m good. And you?
Aminah: What happened to you? Your face looks pale.
Khalid: I thought you said you don’t see well in the dark.
Aminah: That doesn’t stop me from seeing your face.
Khalid: (smiles) So, how are you now? (admires her) You look so beautiful today.
Aminah: Abeg! That’s enough! (blushing)
Khalid: I’m serious! (he moves closer and touches her cheeks) Kai! This girl is enjoying o. See how soft your cheeks are. I just can’t wait to have you as my wife. You’re the one wasting time, honestly. Everything is set for you, but you’re the one delaying.
Aminah: I know. Just be patient with me for a while, okay?
Khalid: (he moves even closer) I missed you so much… come here. (tries to kiss her, but she pushes him away) You’ve started again.
Aminah: This is exactly why I don’t like visiting you—always bringing trouble.
Khalid: It’s just an expression of how much I love you, Aminah! You always stop me from touching you. Besides, you’re Ahlu Sunnah too.
Aminah: You and I both know this is not right. I can only allow that after our Nikkah.
Khalid: Every time—“after Nikkah!” But when I beg you to letmarriage ur home ask for your hand in marriage, you give excuses. Sometimes, I just don’t understand you.
Aminah: (takes a deep breath) It’s not like that. I just want to achieve part of my dreams before settling down. You know, once a child is involved, it’s game over for me. It’s never too late for you, but for me, it won’t be easy. I still have two years left to graduate from the higher institution. So please, I need more time.
Besides, you can use this time to achieve your own goals too—those plans you had. You can make them happen in these two years. Then everything will balance.
Khalid: Easy for you to say. We’re human beings—body no be firewood! Aminah, I need you in my life. You know I’ll never cross the line with you, but do you think I can hold myself for two whole years? Hmm? Hearing your sweet voice every day and seeing you makes me want you even more.
Aminah: (feeling irritated) You know what? If you know you can’t wait, then go ahead and sleep with prostitutes. But as for me—Aminah—I won’t commit zinah! I’ll keep my virginity for my husband, because keeping it until marriage is a blessing for me and my parents. Nothing will stop me from achieving that—not even you! (furious)
Khalid: Relax, madam! I’m not asking you to open your legs for me—I can’t do that to you either. But let’s just keep this bond strong with some romance since you’re not ready. I promise I won’t cross the line.
Aminah: But do you know that’s zinah too?
Khalid: Since you’re here preaching about zinah, are you aware that sitting together alone like this is also zinah? If you want to practice Islam, practice it fully.
Khalid: Your full heart... all these things we’re doing are zinah! It’s either you practice Islam with your full chest, or we continue like this with no intimacy—period. How can you enjoy hugging me but not want to go further? You need to choose. That’s why I said let’s get married—simple!
Aminah: (exhales softly) Okay, I’ve heard you. (she looks away)
Khalid: Don’t tell me you’re angry about what I said. It’s the bitter truth now... (he stares at her for a few seconds) Look, I know you’re already upset for no reason, but I don’t like seeing you like this. (he drags her closer to him) Okay, I’m sorry. We’ll find a solution to this in sha Allah, okay? I’m sorry. You know how much I love you.
Aminah: (she rests her head in his arms, feeling guilty) You know, one side of me wants you... and the other side of me hates myself for choosing to be in this situation. I feel guilty—even when praying, I feel so guilty making du’a. What am I going to do?
Khalid: Everything will be fine. My parents keep pressuring me to come to your house—especially my mom. She loves you so much. Even my siblings do. You’re all we want. But you’re still the problem here—Mrs. Dream Achiever!
Aminah: I’m sorry.
Khalid: It’s okay, my queen. May Allah guide us all.
---
(Later that night, 9:50 PM)
Nusaybah: (worried as she tries her fiancé’s number) Why isn’t he picking again? Please... just pick this one. Please… okay, I’m sorry now. (she walks past Aminah in the living room, who smiles and laughs while on a phone call) Rubbish.
Aminah: (their eyes meet) As if you exist. (she murmurs)
Nusaybah: (she moves to the corridor) Please pick my call now.
Haneef: (he finally picks up) What is it? Why are you disturbing my beauty sleep, you this woman?
Nusaybah: (breaks down in tears) Baby, I’m sorry. Please, I’m sorry. I’m not happy with the clash we had. Let’s go back to how we used to be. I’m sorry, please forgive me.
Haneef: (exhales softly) You’re the problem, Nusaybah. You’ve been giving me so much pain these days—why? See how you walked out on me today. Me! Your husband-to-be—eh? Like I’m nothing to you, just because you were upset for no reason. And now you want me to be happy with you? Better wipe those fake tears of yours.
Nusaybah: I’m sorry, please. Okay, I promise to change. I miss you so much, baby.
Haneef: I held your hand today and you flung it away! Fine, maybe I crossed a boundary, but I only did it to calm you down. You’re not the only one practicing Islam, woman. So please!
Nusaybah: Anyway, I’m sorry. But you know the rules between us. Just because I’m practicing Islam shouldn’t be your problem. And you’re not supposed to have a problem with it. What is bad is bad, no matter how you try to cover it up.
Haneef: I’ve heard you, madam. I’m sorry for everything too. Let peace reign.
Nusaybah: Settled. I’ve missed you so much, baby.
Haneef: I missed you too. But to practice Islam properly, we need to stop all communication till after Nikkah. At least that would be better.
Nusaybah: (sighs) Okay then. If you insist, so shall it be.
Haneef: Goodnight. I love you so much.
Nusaybah: I love you too. (hangs up)
---
(The next morning)
Aminah: (on a video call) Baby, hurry up now! I’m late for work.
Khalid: Almost done, jor! Learn to calm down—I just went to use the restroom.
Aminah: Who sent you English? Mr. “Restroom.” Just say you went to ease yourself or excrete—simple!
Khalid: Okay then, I went to excrete. Happy now?
Aminah: (laughs out loud) Oh my God! I hope you excreted well? I hope you washed your buttocks well too?
Khalid: Maybe you should come help me then. Seems like you’re not late after all.
Aminah: (as Nusaybah walks past her and opens the door) Baby, I’m missing you already.
Khalid: I missed you more. Wait, isn’t that the bride-to-be?
Aminah: I don’t know for you, oh. So you’re seeing her instead of watching me?
Khalid: Ahh, women! So you’re trying to say you’re jealous, right?
Aminah: No, I’m not.
Khalid: Obinrin! But it’s cute, though. Don’t let me keep you waiting—you should get going. I’m late for work too. Bye… much love.
Aminah: How many times will I tell you to stop saying those words?
Khalid: “Much love” now. It also means “I love you.”
Aminah: It’s not as passionate as “I love you.”
Khalid: You’ve got to be kidding me! See you later, abeg.
Aminah: Whatever! (she hangs up)
Khalid: Ahh! Aminah has big problems…
---
(At work)
Sarmoroh: Hmm... bride-to-be. (she draws her seat closer) So, what’s up now?
Nusaybah: Madam, please focus on your work while I focus on mine. I’m not in the mood for chit-chat.
Sarmoroh: What’s wrong, babe? Talk to your best lady now. Your Nikkah is in three days and I expect you to be happy. Why the long face?
Nusaybah: I’m fine. Just focus on your work, please.
Sarmoroh: (in a calm tone) Babe, what’s wrong? Talk to me now.
Nusaybah: I said nothing! (she yells angrily, drawing the attention of their colleagues)