Chapter 7 The Jealous Wives

 Chapter 7

The Jealous Wives

It was a holiday, one of those rare days when everyone was at home at the same time. The house felt warmer than usual, filled with movement, laughter, and the noise of children running from one room to another. Food was cooking in the kitchen, and the smell spread through the house, giving a sense of togetherness that had been missing for a long time. From the outside, anyone passing by would think the family was finally whole again.

Ameera moved quietly from one place to another, doing what she had always done. She checked on the food, cleaned where needed, and made sure the children were comfortable. Her face carried calm, but inside her heart, she remained cautious. Experience had taught her that peace in the house could change without warning.

Sakina sat nearby, holding her child. As she watched Ameera move around, memories flooded her mind. She remembered the days she was weak, the nights she could not sleep, and the fear that had filled her heart after losing her first child. Through all of that, it was Ameera who stood by her. Not Maryam, not friends, not relatives—but Ameera. The same Ameera she had insulted, accused, and humiliated.

Guilt sat heavily on Sakina’s chest.

Maryam, on the other hand, observed everything with a different heart. She laughed with the children, joined conversations when others were around, but inside her, something dark remained. Every kind act from Ameera felt suspicious to her. Every calm response felt like hidden pride. She believed Ameera’s patience was not sincerity but strategy. The hatred she carried refused to fade.

Later in the afternoon, when the house became quieter and the children were outside playing, the three women found themselves in the same room. The air felt tense, even before anyone spoke.

Sakina broke the silence.

“Maryam,” she said softly, “we need to talk.”

Maryam looked at her with a guarded expression. “About what?”

Sakina took a deep breath. “About this house. About us.”

Maryam crossed her arms. “I don’t see what there is to talk about.”

Ameera spoke calmly, her voice gentle. “If there is anything in your heart, Maryam, let us talk about it openly.”

Maryam laughed shortly. “You always want to talk.”

Sakina looked at her seriously. “She is right. We can’t continue like this.”

Maryam’s eyes narrowed. “So now you’re on her side?”

Sakina shook her head slowly. “This is not about sides. It’s about truth.”

Maryam stood up abruptly. “Truth? Or guilt?”

Ameera lowered her gaze. “I don’t want trouble. I only want peace.”

Maryam pointed at her. “Peace after everything that happened?”

Sakina’s voice trembled. “Maryam, she cared for me when I gave birth. She stayed when you left.”

Maryam’s face hardened. “So you’re reminding me now?”

“I’m reminding you of facts,” Sakina replied.

Maryam scoffed. “Facts you chose to see now.”

Sakina held her child closer. “I was blind before. Hatred blinded me.”

Maryam shook her head. “No. You’re just weak now.”

Ameera finally raised her eyes. “If kindness is weakness, then I accept it.”

Maryam laughed mockingly. “You see? Always acting pure.”

Sakina stood up too. “Enough, Maryam. Ameera has never harmed us.”

Maryam stared at her in disbelief. “So you’ve turned your back on me?”

Sakina replied firmly, “I haven’t turned my back on you. I’ve turned away from hatred.”

Maryam’s voice rose. “So I’m the problem now?”

“No,” Ameera said gently. “Hatred is.”

Maryam turned toward Ameera angrily. “Don’t preach to me.”

Ameera replied softly, “I’m not preaching. I’m tired.”

Silence fell over the room.

Sakina spoke again, calmer this time. “Maryam, this house has suffered too much. We’ve all made mistakes.”

Maryam’s eyes filled with anger. “You made mistakes. Not me.”

Ameera sighed quietly. “Holding onto anger will only destroy us.”

Maryam shook her head. “You destroyed things first.”

Ameera felt her heart ache. “I’ve carried insults, accusations, and pain for years. Still, I stayed.”

Maryam replied coldly, “Because you wanted control.”

Sakina looked at Maryam sadly. “No. Because she fears Allah.”

Maryam laughed. “Now you’re defending her with religion?”

Sakina’s voice became firm. “Yes. Because Allah sees what we don’t.”

Maryam turned away, pacing the room. “I thought you were my friend.”

Sakina replied quietly, “I still am. But I won’t support injustice.”

Maryam stopped and faced her. “So you choose her over me.”

Sakina shook her head again. “I choose peace.”

Maryam’s chest rose with anger. “Then don’t expect me to pretend.”

Ameera spoke with tears in her eyes. “I forgive you, Maryam, even if you hate me.”

Maryam stared at her. “Keep your forgiveness.”

Sakina sighed deeply. “Hatred will destroy you.”

Maryam replied bitterly, “At least it will keep me strong.”

The room fell silent again.

Outside, the laughter of children echoed, innocent and unaware of the storm inside the house. Ameera sat quietly, her hands folded, her heart heavy but calm. She had learned to live with pain without letting it poison her soul.

Sakina looked between the two women. She felt torn, but her heart knew the truth now. Ameera’s patience was real. Maryam’s hatred was consuming her.

As evening approached, the holiday atmosphere slowly faded. Smiles returned on the surface, but underneath, tension remained. Ameera continued her duties quietly. Sakina stayed close to her child, lost in thought. Maryam kept her distance, her heart unwilling to soften.

Though peace had begun to grow in Sakina’s heart, and Ameera remained firm in patience, Maryam’s resentment still lived on—waiting, watching, and threatening to rise again.

Chapter 7

The Jealous Wives (Continuation)

Maikudi became deeply confused. His heart was heavy, and his mind was troubled day and night. He watched his household closely—the silence, the hidden hatred, the forced smiles. He asked himself again and again who truly cared, who merely stayed out of convenience, and who would remain if hardship truly struck.

One evening, as he sat alone after everyone had gone to sleep, a thought crossed his mind. It was painful, but he believed it was necessary. If a serious trial came, love would reveal itself without words.

The next day, Maikudi secretly met with a doctor he trusted deeply, someone who knew his family well and respected his privacy. After a long discussion, they came up with a difficult plan—one that would test hearts, not bodies.

The doctor agreed to help.

A few days later, the doctor came to their house. His face was serious, his tone heavy. When he arrived, Maikudi called all his wives and children into the sitting room. Everyone gathered, sensing something was wrong.

The doctor cleared his throat and spoke slowly.

“I am sorry to bring bad news,” he said. “Maikudi’s condition is serious.”

Ameera’s heart skipped. “What condition?” she asked anxiously.

The doctor replied, “He has a kidney problem. It has reached a dangerous stage.”

The room went silent.

Sakina clutched her child closer. Maryam looked away. The children stared in fear.

“What does that mean?” Ameera asked, her voice shaking.

The doctor sighed. “It means he may need a kidney transplant.”

A gasp escaped Ameera’s lips. “A transplant?”

“Yes,” the doctor said. “And for that to happen, family members must be tested to see who is compatible.”

Ameera stood up immediately. “Take mine. Take anything from me.”

The doctor looked at her calmly. “There will be tests. Everyone should come to the hospital on Friday.”

Sakina frowned. “Is it really that serious?”

“Yes,” the doctor replied firmly.

Maryam spoke quietly, “Is there no other way?”

The doctor shook his head. “This is the only solution.”

Ameera was already crying. “Please, save him. I will do anything.”

Maikudi watched everything silently. He saw the fear in Ameera’s eyes, the hesitation in Sakina’s face, and the discomfort written all over Maryam.

The doctor continued, “On Friday, everyone must come for testing.”

He stood up and left.

That night, Ameera could not sleep. She sat beside her husband, crying softly.

“If Allah takes my kidney to save you,” she whispered, “I will give it happily.”

Maikudi turned away, his heart aching.

The following days were tense. Ameera prepared herself mentally and physically. She spoke to her children, comforting them, telling them their father would be fine. She prayed constantly.

Sakina avoided the topic. Maryam changed the subject whenever it came up.

Friday came.

Morning arrived.

But only Ameera and her children were ready.

Sakina said she felt unwell. Maryam said she had work and could not leave.

Ameera looked at them in shock. “This is your husband,” she said. “Our husband.”

Neither replied.

With tears in her eyes, Ameera gathered the children and went to the hospital alone.

At the hospital, tests were done. Blood was drawn. Samples were taken. Ameera sat quietly, holding her children, her heart pounding but firm in faith.

She was ready.

She had always been ready.

And that day, Maikudi finally saw clearly what patience, sacrifice, and true love really meant.

Chapter 7 

The Jealous Wives (Continuation Part 3)

Amira sat quietly on the long bench at the hospital corridor, her children close to her. The smell of antiseptic filled the air, and the sound of footsteps echoed endlessly. Her heart was steady, though tired. She had already made up her mind—whatever Allah decreed, she would accept it.

After some time, the doctor came out holding a file. His face was serious, but calm.

“Ameera,” he called.

She stood up immediately. “Yes, doctor.”

He looked around. “Where are the other wives?”

“They… they didn’t come,” she answered softly.

The doctor sighed deeply. “I’m sorry. The test cannot proceed until all wives are present. This process requires fairness. We must know who matches best.”

Ameera felt a sharp pain in her chest—not from fear, but from disappointment.

“So all of this…” she whispered, “we came for nothing?”

“For now,” the doctor replied gently. “Please ask them to come.”

She nodded, thanked him, and slowly walked out of the hospital with her children. On the way home, none of them spoke. Only silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

When she got home, she found Sakina and Maryam sitting together. Ameera greeted them.

“Please,” she said calmly, “the doctor said you must come. This is about his life.”

Maryam laughed bitterly. “You are pretending.”

Ameera looked at her in shock. “Pretending?”

Maryam stood up suddenly. “You think we don’t know your plan?”

“What plan?” Ameera asked, confused.

Maryam pointed at her angrily. “You want him dead. Once he dies, you and your children will take everything.”

Ameera stepped back as if she had been struck. “Astaghfirullah! How can you say that?”

Sakina looked uncomfortable. “Maryam, calm down…”

“No!” Maryam shouted. “She is behind his sickness. She poisoned him slowly.”

Ameera’s voice trembled. “Fear Allah, Maryam. I have never harmed anyone.”

But Maryam had already made up her mind. She stormed out of the house, shouting for neighbors to hear.

“This woman is a witch! She is killing her husband!”

By evening, police officers arrived.

Ameera was confused. “What is happening?”

“You are under arrest,” one officer said.

“For what?” she asked in disbelief.

“For attempting to murder your husband.”

Her children screamed. Sakina began to cry.

“I didn’t do anything,” Ameera said quietly.

She was taken away.

At the police station, Ameera was questioned repeatedly. She answered calmly, but no one seemed to listen. Maryam’s accusations were strong, full of hatred and false tears.

The case was taken to court.

The day of judgment came.

Ameera stood before the judge, her head lowered, her hands shaking. She had no lawyer, no defense—only Allah.

The judge spoke. “You are accused of poisoning your husband and planning to take his property.”

Ameera raised her head. “I swear by Allah, I am innocent.”

Maryam stood and spoke loudly. “She hated us. She wanted him alone.”

The judge turned to Ameera. “Do you have anything to say?”

She paused, then spoke softly. “Allah knows the truth.”

The courtroom murmured.

Suddenly, the doors opened.

Everyone turned.

Maikudi walked in.

Gasps filled the room.

The judge banged the gavel. “Who are you?”

“I am the husband,” Maikudi said firmly.

Ameera’s knees weakened. “You’re… you’re alive?”

“Yes,” he said, looking at her with deep regret.

He faced the judge. “This entire case is based on a lie.”

The courtroom fell silent.

He continued, “I planned everything with the doctor. I was never sick.”

Maryam’s face turned pale.

“I wanted to see who truly loved me,” Maikudi said. “Since the day I married Sakina, peace left my home. Jealousy, hatred, and cruelty began.”

He turned to Maryam. “And you… you let hatred blind you.”

Sakina began to cry. “I didn’t know it would reach this far.”

Maikudi looked at Ameera. “She was the only one who came willingly. She was ready to die for me.”

He faced the judge. “This woman is innocent.”

The judge nodded slowly. “Case dismissed. Ameera is declared not guilty.”

Tears streamed down Ameera’s face—not of joy, but of pain.

Sakina ran to her. “Forgive me.”

Maryam collapsed into her seat, ashamed.

Maikudi stood silently. He had learned the truth—but it came at a heavy cost.

And Ameera… though free, carried wounds that no court could heal.

To Be Continue Inshallah...... 

©AHMAD ZAHIR ENAGI ABU KHALIF