Chapter 12 – The Jealous Wives
It was a morning no one would ever forget.
Maikudi had left the house early that day, smiling as usual, reminding the children to behave and telling the wives he would be back before sunset. None of them knew it would be the last time they would hear his voice in strength.
On his way back from work, tragedy struck.
A terrible accident happened on the road. His body was badly injured, and by the time help arrived, he was unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Doctors worked tirelessly, but the damage was severe. Maikudi fell into a deep coma.
For three long months, he did not wake up.
The news spread like fire.
Ameera, Sakina, and Maryam rushed to the hospital with the children. When they saw him lying there, motionless, surrounded by machines, tubes, and monitors, their hearts broke into pieces.
Ameera collapsed into tears. Sakina held the bed rail tightly, shaking. Maryam stood frozen, unable to speak.
“This cannot be happening,” Sakina whispered.
Maryam cried, “Ya Allah, not him.”
From that day on, the hospital became their second home.
They took turns sitting beside him. No one wanted to leave him alone—not even for a moment. Ameera slept on a chair beside his bed. Sakina stayed awake at night reciting Qur’an softly. Maryam brought food for everyone and held the children when they cried.
Every day, they prayed.
“Ya Allah, heal him.”
“Ya Allah, return him to us.”
“Ya Allah, do not take him away.”
The children would stand by the bed, holding each other’s hands.
“Daddy, please wake up,” one would whisper.
“We are here,” another would say.
Weeks passed. Months passed.
Still, nothing.
Doctors shook their heads gently whenever they were asked. “We are doing our best. Only Allah decides now.”
One quiet afternoon, something changed.
Ameera was sitting beside him, holding his hand, reciting duʿā’. Suddenly, she felt a slight movement.
Her heart stopped.
“Did you see that?” she whispered.
Sakina leaned closer. “What?”
His fingers moved again.
Maryam gasped. “He moved!”
Moments later, slowly, with great effort, Maikudi opened his eyes.
Ameera screamed softly. “He’s awake!”
Doctors rushed in. The children cried with joy.
“Daddy!”
“Daddy opened his eyes!”
For a brief moment, hope filled the room.
But the doctors’ faces remained serious.
Later that day, Maikudi asked weakly, “Bring my family.”
They gathered around him—Ameera, Sakina, Maryam, and the children.
His voice was faint but clear.
“I know… I will not survive,” he said.
“No!” Ameera cried. “Don’t say that.”
Sakina shook her head, tears falling. “Allah can heal you.”
Maryam sobbed. “Please… don’t talk like that.”
He raised his hand weakly. “Listen to me.”
The room fell silent.
“I want peace among you,” he said. “Live as one. Love each other. Do not return to jealousy.”
He looked at Ameera. “You are strong. Take care of them.”
He turned to Sakina and Maryam. “Do not fight. Protect the children.”
Then he called the children closer.
“Hold each other,” he whispered. “Never let Shayṭān divide you.”
The children cried loudly.
“Daddy, don’t leave us.”
“We need you.”
He smiled faintly. “Whatever happens… it is from Allah.”
That night, the hospital was quiet.
Suddenly, a doctor came out with tears in his eyes.
“I am sorry,” he said softly.
The world stopped.
Sakina screamed and fell to the ground.
Maryam cried uncontrollably.
Ameera fainted.
When Ameera regained consciousness, she whispered, “What happened?”
No one could answer her.
Then she understood.
She screamed in pain like never before.
For days, she could not eat. She could not sleep. She could not speak.
The children cried endlessly.
“He is gone.”
“Daddy is gone.”
Maikudi was buried with honor. Family, friends, neighbors—everyone came. The entire community mourned.
The wives stood together, dressed in black, holding each other.
The children cried beside the grave.
“My father…”
“Our father…”
They prayed for him with broken hearts.
Though he was gone, his words remained.
And though the jealous wives had once fought, now they stood united—bound by loss, patience, and faith.
Allah had tested them.
And Allah had taken him back.
To Be Continue Inshallah.....
©AHMAD ZAHIR ENAGI ABU KHALIF
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