Chapter 11 Continuation – The Jealous Wives
That evening, the sun was already leaning toward the west when the sound of a car engine echoed faintly from outside the compound. The children were scattered around the house—some doing homework, some playing, some helping in the kitchen.
Suddenly, one of the children shouted, “Daddy is coming!”
Before anyone could say another word, excitement exploded in the house.
“Daddy!”
“Daddy is back!”
“He is home!”
The gate opened slowly, and Maikudi’s car rolled in. Before he could even switch off the engine properly, children surrounded the car, laughing, jumping, knocking lightly on the doors.
As he stepped out, he was holding plastic bags in both hands.
“What did you bring?” one child shouted.
Maikudi laughed. “Slow down! Am I a guest or a delivery man?”
Just then, Ameera, Sakina, and Maryam rushed out together.
“Welcome back,” Ameera said warmly.
Sakina laughed and hugged him. “You are late today.”
Maryam teased, “We were already missing you.”
The children quickly grabbed the bags.
“Ice cream!”
“Chocolate!”
“Shawarma!”
They shouted happily.
“Careful!” Maikudi said jokingly. “At least greet me properly.”
The children rushed back, hugging him again.
“Welcome, Daddy!”
They all entered the house together. Ameera quickly brought water.
“Drink first,” she said gently.
Sakina added playfully, “You look tired.”
Maryam laughed. “Or maybe hungry.”
Maikudi drank the water and sighed. “Ahhh… peace.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
They moved to the parlor, spreading mats and sitting comfortably. The children shared the chocolates, passing ice cream around, laughing when one of them dropped a spoon.
“Don’t eat too fast,” Ameera warned jokingly.
One child replied, “Mama, today is happiness day!”
Maryam laughed. “Every day is happiness day now.”
As they ate, jokes flew around.
“Daddy, you bought more for Mama Ameera,” one child teased.
Maikudi smiled. “Because she eats for everyone.”
Ameera laughed. “That is a lie!”
Sakina added, “It’s true. She eats and still gives us food.”
Everyone laughed loudly.
After the eating slowed down, Ameera cleared her throat.
“Do you want to hear a story?” she asked.
“Yes!” the children shouted together.
Maikudi smiled knowingly. “Uh-oh. Which story?”
Ameera looked at him playfully. “The university story.”
The children turned to their father excitedly. “Tell us!”
Ameera began.
“Your father,” she said, smiling, “was very shy when we met in university.”
Maikudi protested, “That is not true!”
Maryam laughed. “Tell us more.”
Ameera continued, “He wore one shoe that was almost crying for help.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
“And he used to pretend he was rich,” she added.
Maikudi laughed helplessly. “Ameera!”
Sakina clapped. “Please continue.”
Ameera smiled. “One day, he wanted to impress me. He bought one meat pie and divided it into two.”
The children laughed loudly.
“And he said, ‘Eat slowly, it is expensive,’” Ameera added.
Maikudi covered his face. “This woman has no mercy.”
Maryam wiped tears from her eyes. “So this is how love started?”
Ameera nodded. “Yes. With patience and sincerity.”
Sakina looked thoughtful. “You stayed with him through all that?”
Ameera replied softly, “Yes. Because I believed in him.”
The room became quiet for a moment.
Maryam spoke gently, “Now I understand.”
Sakina nodded. “You didn’t just love him—you built him.”
Maikudi looked at Ameera with deep respect. “Allah rewarded me with you.”
The children smiled proudly.
One child said, “Mama Ameera is our hero.”
Another added, “Daddy is lucky.”
Everyone laughed again.
That night, laughter filled the house until late. No fear. No jealousy. No hatred.
Only family.
And in that joyful home, the jealous wives were no longer jealous— they were healed.
To Be Continue Inshallah.....
©AHMAD ZAHIR ENAGI ABU KHALIF
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