Chapter Four The Jealous Wives

Chapter Four

The Jealous Wives

Sakina’s work as a medical doctor demanded most of her time and strength. Her days were spent within the walls of the private hospital, moving from ward to ward, attending to patients, writing reports, and responding to emergencies. Many times, she left home early in the morning and returned late at night, exhausted and mentally drained. Her profession was respected, and the community admired her dedication, but the reality inside the household slowly began to change.

While Sakina was away at work, Ameera remained at home. Day after day, she handled almost everything alone. She cooked, cleaned, washed clothes, fetched water, cared for the children, and managed the house entirely. Maikudi also left for work daily, trusting that peace still existed at home as it once did. Ameera rarely complained. She reminded herself of patience, believing that Allah saw her efforts.

Over time, the burden grew heavier.

Ameera began to feel like a house girl rather than a wife. From morning until night, her hands were never at rest. Even when she was tired, she continued. Even when her body ached, she pushed herself. Sakina, on the other hand, would return from work and sometimes speak with authority, reminding Ameera of her position as the first wife, her words carrying a sharp tone that cut deeper than Ameera expected.

Sometimes Sakina would say things casually, yet they stung.

“You are at home all day,” Sakina would remark. “At least the house should be in order.”

Other times, she would say, “As the first wife, you should know how to manage these things better.”

Such words provoked Ameera internally. She felt hurt, misunderstood, and reduced. Yet, she chose silence. She swallowed her pain and reminded herself of her intention—to preserve peace. She remembered patience, the years of struggle, and her belief that endurance was better than argument.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Ameera’s strength slowly weakened. The continuous work, combined with caring for children and managing the home alone, took a toll on her health. She became tired, pale, and often sick, but she hid it behind forced smiles.

Then came a fateful day.

That morning, Ameera woke up feeling extremely weak. Her body ached, her head was heavy, and her strength was gone. Even standing felt difficult. The house needed cleaning, food needed to be prepared, and the children needed attention, but her body refused to cooperate.

Sakina was preparing to leave for work.

Ameera gathered what little strength she had and approached her.

“Sakina,” she said softly, “please, I’m not feeling well today.”

Sakina paused briefly. “What do you mean?”

“I am tired and sick,” Ameera continued. “The work has been too much. Before you go, please help with some of the house chores, or at least assist a little later.”

Sakina’s expression changed immediately.

“Help?” she asked sharply. “You want me to help?”

“Yes,” Ameera replied calmly. “Just today. I’m really weak.”

Sakina scoffed. “Ameera, you stay at home. This is your responsibility.”

“I know,” Ameera said quietly. “But I am human too. I need rest.”

Sakina’s voice rose. “So because I work at the hospital, you think I should now come back and start doing housework?”

“That is not what I said,” Ameera replied. “I only asked for help.”

Sakina laughed bitterly. “You are the first wife. This is your duty. You should be grateful you are even at home.”

Those words struck Ameera deeply.

“Sakina,” she said, her voice shaking, “I have been working alone here like a slave. I never complained. I never insulted you. I only asked for understanding.”

Sakina folded her arms. “Don’t exaggerate. You chose this life.”

Ameera’s eyes filled with tears. “I chose patience, not humiliation.”

Sakina’s tone hardened. “Do not forget your place. I am not your house help.”

Ameera finally raised her voice, pain replacing calm. “And I am not your servant.”

Silence filled the room for a moment.

Sakina responded angrily, “You think because you were here before me, you can command me?”

Ameera replied, trembling, “I never commanded you. I asked as a sister.”

“A sister?” Sakina snapped. “If you were strong, you would not be complaining.”

That was the breaking point.

Ameera said firmly, “You speak like this because you do not see what I go through every day.”

Sakina replied with anger, “Then suffer in silence. That is your role.”

Those words shattered the fragile peace that had existed for so long.

Ameera stepped back, tears streaming down her face. For the first time, patience felt heavier than pain. She realized that silence had been misunderstood as weakness. That day marked the beginning of division.

Sakina left for work angrily. Ameera remained at home, sick, exhausted, and broken.

From that moment onward, something changed between them. The sisterly bond cracked, and resentment quietly took its place. What was once harmony slowly turned into tension.

And thus began the true conflict of the jealous wives.

To Be Continue Inshallah..... 

The Jealous Wives (Continuation)

When Maikudi returned home that evening, he immediately sensed that something was wrong. The house was unusually quiet, and Ameera’s face showed signs of exhaustion and pain. She tried to hide it, but Maikudi had lived with her long enough to recognize when her heart was troubled.

After settling down, he approached her gently.

“Ameera,” he said, “you don’t look well. What happened?”

At first, she hesitated. Years of patience had trained her to keep silent. But the events of the morning weighed too heavily on her heart.

She sighed deeply. “Something happened between me and Sakina today.”

Maikudi sat down, listening carefully.

She explained everything—from the workload she had been carrying alone, to how weak and sick she felt that morning, and how she had politely asked Sakina for help before she left for work. She repeated the words Sakina had spoken, the tone, the insults, and how the argument had begun.

Maikudi listened quietly, his expression serious.

When she finished, he said softly, “Ameera, I understand your pain.”

She looked at him hopefully.

“Please,” he continued, “remain patient for now. When Sakina returns this evening, I will speak with her. We will settle this calmly.”

Ameera nodded, though her heart was still heavy.

Later that evening, Sakina returned from work. Maikudi welcomed her and asked her to rest briefly. Afterward, he called both women into the parlor. He wanted the matter resolved before it grew deeper.

They sat facing him, silence filling the room.

Maikudi cleared his throat. “I called both of you because something happened this morning, and it must be addressed.”

He turned to Ameera. “Tell us what happened.”

Ameera spoke slowly, carefully recounting the events of the morning. She explained how tired and sick she had been, how she had asked Sakina for help, and how the conversation turned into insults. As she spoke, her voice trembled, but she remained composed.

Before she could finish, Sakina suddenly interrupted.

“That is a lie,” Sakina said sharply. “She is lying.”

Ameera froze.

Maikudi raised his hand. “Sakina, let her finish.”

But Sakina continued angrily, “I never insulted her. She is exaggerating everything.”

Ameera looked at her in disbelief. “Why would I lie about something like this?”

Sakina replied coldly, “Because you want to turn him against me.”

The room became tense.

Maikudi felt confused. Two different stories stood before him, each contradicting the other. He looked from one to the other, trying to read truth from their faces.

“Ameera,” he said, “are you sure of what you are saying?”

“Yes,” she replied firmly. “I fear Allah.”

“Sakina,” he asked, “did you say those words?”

“No,” Sakina insisted. “She misunderstood me.”

The situation grew more complicated. Voices rose, emotions flared, and clarity seemed distant. Maikudi realized that allowing the argument to continue would only worsen things.

“Enough,” he said firmly.

Both women fell silent.

“I do not want shouting or accusations in this house,” Maikudi continued. “Whether intentionally or not, something hurtful happened this morning.”

He paused, then spoke with authority.

“I want peace in this home. I do not want one person carrying all the burden while the other remains comfortable.”

He turned to Sakina. “From today onward, Ameera will not do all the housework alone. The children are not yet grown enough to help, so responsibilities must be shared.”

Sakina hesitated, then nodded. “Alright.”

He then looked at Ameera. “And you, if you are tired or sick, you must speak up. Silence does not solve everything.”

He took a deep breath. “For now, I want both of you to apologize to each other.”

Ameera nodded. “I am sorry if I offended you.”

Sakina replied reluctantly, “I am sorry too.”

Though the words were spoken, the hearts were not fully healed.

From that day onward, new rules were set in the house. Duties were shared more fairly, and Maikudi tried his best to maintain balance. Outwardly, peace returned. But inwardly, something had changed.

Jealousy quietly began to grow in Sakina’s heart.

She started looking down on Ameera. Her words became subtle but sharp, her actions cold. She compared herself constantly, measuring status, education, and influence. Ameera noticed, but she chose silence once again. She ignored the looks, the tones, and the quiet insults. She returned to patience, believing that Allah saw everything.

Years passed in this manner.

Then Allah tested Sakina in a way no one expected.

Sakina became pregnant.

Joy filled the household. Even Ameera shared in her happiness, helping her through the pregnancy and offering support. When the child was born, the home was filled with hope and celebration.

But that joy was short-lived.

Suddenly, tragedy struck.

The child fell ill and passed away.

The loss shook the entire family. Sakina was devastated, her heart broken beyond words. The house fell into mourning, silence replacing laughter. Grief settled heavily, marking the beginning of a new trial—one that would test hearts even more deeply than jealousy ever had.

And thus, the story took another painful turn.

To Be Continue Inshallah.

©AHMAD ZAHIR ENAGI ABU KHALIF