Chapter 11 – The Jealous Wives

 Chapter 11 – The Jealous Wives

It was a very bright morning, the kind that carried calmness in the air. A cool breeze passed gently through the windows, touching the curtains and whispering peace into the house. For the first time in many years, the house woke up without tension, without fear, without hidden bitterness.

That morning, Sakina and Maryam woke up early.

They looked at each other and smiled—something that once felt impossible.

“Let us wake Ameera,” Sakina said softly.

Maryam nodded. “She deserves rest today.”

They walked quietly to Ameera’s room and knocked gently.

“Ameera,” Sakina called. “Wake up.”

There was no response.

Maryam smiled and opened the door slowly. Ameera was still sleeping deeply, her face calm, her body clearly tired from years of carrying burdens.

Maryam whispered, “SubhanAllah… she is exhausted.”

Sakina sat beside her and touched her shoulder gently. “Ameera… wake up. Fajr time has passed.”

Ameera opened her eyes suddenly and sat up in shock. “Fajr? Ya Allah!”

She looked worried. “I overslept?”

Sakina laughed softly. “Yes. For the first time, you slept like someone who has peace.”

Maryam added teasingly, “You have been waking everyone up for years. Today, we woke you.”

Ameera looked at them in disbelief, then smiled. Tears filled her eyes. “Is this real?”

Sakina hugged her. “Go and pray in your room today. We already prayed.”

Ameera whispered, “Alhamdulillah,” and stood up, overwhelmed with happiness.

While she prayed, the children slowly gathered in her room. One sat near the door, another sat on the bed, another leaned on the wall, watching her pray quietly.

When she finished, the children rushed to her.

“Mama Ameera!”

“You slept too much today!”

“Are you tired?”

She laughed. “Very tired.”

At that moment, Maikudi returned from the mosque with the boys. As soon as they entered the house, they heard laughter coming from Ameera’s room.

Maikudi smiled. “What is happening there?”

They all walked in.

“Good morning!” the children shouted.

Maikudi laughed. “Is this Ameera’s room or a playground?”

One child replied quickly, “Daddy, today Mama Ameera is the queen!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Sakina teased, “Yes, she overslept and escaped kitchen duty.”

Maryam added, “So we took over.”

Ameera shook her head, laughing. “You are enjoying this too much.”

Maikudi looked around the room—his three wives, his children, all laughing together. His heart softened deeply.

After the laughter settled, Maikudi said gently, “Let us prepare breakfast together.”

For the first time in their lives, the three wives entered the kitchen together—not as rivals, not as enemies, but as sisters.

Sakina washed vegetables.

Maryam stirred the pot.

Ameera cut onions and spices.

They talked while cooking.

Maryam laughed, “Do you remember how we couldn’t even stay in the same room before?”

Sakina sighed. “Jealousy nearly destroyed us.”

Ameera smiled calmly. “Allah saved us.”

Sakina teased, “Ameera, you always cook like you are feeding an army.”

Ameera laughed. “Because I was feeding an army of children.”

Maryam added jokingly, “And two angry wives.”

They all laughed loudly.

Behind the door, Maikudi stood quietly, watching them. He leaned against the wall, smiling, his eyes filled with gratitude.

He whispered to himself, “Ya Allah… thank You.”

Soon, breakfast was ready.

For the first time, the family sat together at the dining table—everyone smiling, everyone calm.

Children joked.

Parents laughed.

Food was shared with love.

Maikudi looked around and finally spoke.

“Today,” he said softly, “I see what a real family looks like.”

Ameera lowered her head in gratitude.

Sakina wiped her tears.

Maryam smiled peacefully.

Nothing was perfect—but everything was healed.

And in that moment, Maikudi realized:

Allah had not blessed him with jealous wives…

Allah had blessed him with a loving family after patience, forgiveness, and faith.

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