Khadijah story side.
I turned immediately, holding my cheek.
The sting was sharp… sudden… burning.
And when I saw who it was, my heart dropped.
My mother.
For a moment, I couldn’t even speak. I just stared at her, confused, trying to understand what I had done.
Mom1: So this is what you’ve been doing!
Her voice was loud, filled with anger that didn’t match the situation.
Mom1: I finally caught you today! You shameless girl. Sleeping around with men and using this your masquerade outfit to cover it up. Not today!
Khadijah: No, Mom… it’s not what you think. He’s my senior in madrasah, I was just—
Another slap landed.
Harder.
My head jerked to the side.
Mom1: You were just what?!
Senior: Ma, please… it’s not like that. You’re punishing her for nothing.
Mom1 turned to him sharply, her eyes burning.
Mom1: And who asked you to speak? Did I ask you anything? Don’t you have home training? Get out of my sight!
Senior: Sorry, ma.
He left quickly, glancing back once before disappearing.
My chest tightened.
Mom1: Now tell me… how many men have you been with?
Amirah stepped forward, her voice shaking.
Amirah: Mommy, she didn’t do anything. Why are you doing this?
Amir ran closer, almost crying.
Amir: Mommy, please leave her alone…
Mom1: Keep quiet!
She grabbed my arm tightly, her fingers digging into my skin.
Mom1: Come with me.
She dragged me all the way home. Neighbors called out, begging her to stop, but she ignored them completely.
Her grip never loosened.
As soon as we entered the house—
Mom1: Kneel down there!
I dropped to my knees, trembling.
She slowly removed her wristwatch.
Fear settled deep in my chest.
Khadijah: Mommy, I swear… it’s not what you think…
She didn’t listen.
She grabbed my khimar and tore it.
The sound ripped through the room.
Then the cane came down.
Again.
And again.
And again.
The pain spread through my body, sharp and unbearable.
My siblings burst into tears.
Then suddenly—
Mom2 rushed in.
Mom2: SubhanAllah!
She grabbed the cane, struggling to take it away.
Mom2: Please! Stop this! Fear Allah!
Mom1: Give me that cane! This is my child, not yours! Mind your business!
Mom2 held on tightly.
Mom2: She is still a child! Look at her! Whatever she did, show mercy!
Mom1 snatched the cane back and continued beating me.
The pain became too much.
My body gave up.
I collapsed, rolling weakly on the floor.
Mom2 tried to block her, pushing her away, and for a moment it looked like they might fight.
Then the door burst open.
Dad rushed in.
His face changed the moment he saw me.
Dad: What is going on here?!
His voice shook the house.
Dad: Who did this to Khadijah?!
Mom1 stood boldly.
Mom1: I did. I caught her with a man outside, hugging and kissing him.
The children gasped.
Mom2: That’s a lie! The children were there. You are just being wicked to this girl!
Dad didn’t reply immediately.
He walked toward me slowly.
His eyes took in everything. My torn khimar. My torn clothes. My weak body.
His hands shook as he tried to lift me.
But I couldn’t stand.
I was too weak.
I looked at my mother.
Something inside me broke completely.
Mom1: If you look at me like that again, I will remove your eyes!
My voice came out broken.
Khadijah: Why did you give birth to me?
Silence filled the room.
Khadijah: Why didn’t you abort me?
Tears rolled down my face.
Khadijah: You hate me so much… why? You should have killed me from the beginning!
My voice trembled.
Khadijah: You think I will be like you? Never! I will never make your mistakes!
I cried harder.
Khadijah: I regret having you as my mother. So just kill me now and let everything end!
Mom1: You dare insult me?!
She raised the cane again—
But Dad pushed her.
She fell back.
Mom1: Ibrahim! You pushed me? Because of her?!
Dad’s face hardened.
Dad: If you raise your hand on her again, I swear to God I will raise mine on you.
His voice was calm but firm.
Dad: Everything she said is true. Why didn’t you abort her?
The room fell silent.
Khalid: Dad… are you sure she is her real mother? This is too much.
Mom2: Come, all of you. Let’s give them space.
Amirah looked at her mother with tears.
Amirah: If you ever plan to treat me like this too, start now. Because I will run away.
She followed Mom2.
Dad knelt beside Mom1, his voice softer.
Dad: Please… you are destroying this girl. She will hate you forever.
He paused.
Dad: She already does.
He stood up.
Dad: I won’t say more than that.
He walked away, leaving her alone.
Fatimah story side.
When I got home, my mom gave me work to do in her room.
I was cleaning when she came in to change her clothes.
I gathered courage.
Fatimah: Mom…
Mom: What?
Her tone alone made my chest tighten.
Fatimah: It’s nothing.
Mom: Then don’t disturb me. Do your work properly. When you’re done, come to the kitchen.
Fatimah: Okay.
The words I wanted to say died in my throat.
Later in the kitchen—
Fatimah: I’m done, Mom.
Mom: Good. Blend these tomatoes and pepper quickly before NEPA takes the light.
Fatimah: Okay.
I started blending.
The noise filled the space between us.
But my heart was still heavy.
Fatimah: Mom…
Mom: What again?
Fatimah: Nothing…
Mom: What is wrong with you? Are you playing with me?
Fatimah: No, I just—
Mom: If that light goes off before you finish, you will use your money tomorrow to blend it outside. Be fast!
My shoulders dropped.
Fatimah: Okay.
I continued blending.
And swallowed everything I wanted to say.
The next day at work—
Fatimah: Shukroh…
Shukroh: Yes?
Fatimah: I tried to talk to my mom about the guy… but she just kept shouting. I don’t like the way she talks to me. It hurts.
Shukroh frowned.
Fatimah: How do you expect me to open up? What if she beats me?
Shukroh sighed.
Shukroh: Your mom sef… so what will you do now? What about your dad?
Fatimah: My dad? That one is worse. His face alone is scary. If I tell him, he might kill me.
Shukroh: But you haven’t even tried.
Fatimah: Try? You want me to die early? No. Maryam is right. I’ll just keep it to myself.
Shukroh shook her head slowly.
Shukroh: Okay… all is well.
But the way she said it…
It didn’t feel like everything was well.
Comments
Post a Comment