Chapter Five The Jealous Wives (Continuation)

 Chapter Five

The Jealous Wives (Continuation)

From that day onward, Sakina’s heart hardened completely against Ameera. What had once been grief slowly transformed into deep hatred. Every memory of her lost child turned into anger, and that anger needed a target. Ameera became that target.

Ameera, despite all the pain, tried to humble herself even more. She lowered her gaze, softened her words, and tried to approach Sakina with calmness.

One afternoon, she gathered courage and spoke gently.

“Sakina,” Ameera said quietly, “for the sake of Allah, forgive me. I swear before Allah that I had nothing to do with what happened to your child.”

Sakina turned sharply. “Stop pretending,” she replied coldly. “Your words mean nothing to me.”

Ameera’s voice trembled. “I am innocent. Even if you don’t believe me, Allah knows.”

Sakina laughed bitterly. “Allah will judge, but until then, I will make your life miserable.”

Those words settled heavily in Ameera’s heart.

Sakina began to think of new ways to hurt her. One thought dominated her mind: If I cannot defeat her directly, I will surround her.

That was when she thought of her friend, Maryam.

Maryam was known to Sakina as someone clever, observant, and strong-minded. Sakina believed that bringing Maryam into the house as a third wife would break Ameera completely.

One evening, Sakina approached Maikudi.

“My husband,” she began softly, changing her tone, “I have been thinking deeply.”

Maikudi looked at her cautiously. “About what?”

“You should marry again,” she said. “A third wife.”

Maikudi was shocked. “Another marriage? Why?”

Sakina replied, “It is Sunnah. And I know someone good—my friend Maryam.”

Maikudi shook his head immediately. “No. I already have enough responsibility. This house is not even settled yet.”

Sakina persisted. “You need balance. And Maryam is respectful. She will bring peace.”

Maikudi sighed. “I will not do anything without speaking to Ameera.”

Sakina forced a smile. “That is fine.”

Later that night, Maikudi called both wives to sit with him.

“Ameera, Sakina,” he said calmly, “there is something we need to discuss.”

Both women listened attentively.

“Sakina has suggested that I marry a third wife,” he continued. “Before anything, I want to hear your thoughts, Ameera.”

Ameera was silent for a moment. Then she spoke gently.

“If that will bring peace to this home,” she said, “then I accept. I have no objection.”

Maikudi looked surprised. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Yes. I leave everything to Allah.”

Sakina watched her closely, confused and irritated by her calmness.

Maikudi then asked, “Sakina, are you satisfied with this?”

“Yes,” Sakina replied quickly. “Very satisfied.”

After the agreement, Maikudi met Maryam. He spoke to her honestly about his situation, his wives, and his responsibilities. Maryam listened carefully.

“If you are sincere,” she said, “then I accept.”

Everything was concluded respectfully, and preparations began.

When Maryam was brought to the house to meet the wives before the marriage, Ameera welcomed her warmly.

“You are welcome,” Ameera said with a soft smile. “May Allah place peace between us.”

Maryam smiled back politely but said little.

Sakina watched everything closely, her eyes sharp.

After the marriage, Maryam officially joined the household.

At first, she appeared calm and respectful. But Ameera soon noticed something strange. Maryam avoided her gaze, spoke coldly, and watched her with eyes full of judgment.

One morning, Ameera greeted her.

“As-salamu alaykum.”

Maryam replied briefly, “Wa alaykum salam,” without looking at her.

Ameera felt uneasy.

Later, she realized the truth.

Maryam was not neutral. She was not innocent. She was already filled with stories—stories planted carefully by Sakina long before the marriage.

Maryam believed Ameera was dangerous.

From the very first day, she looked at Ameera with suspicion and dislike. Every movement, every word, every silence was misinterpreted.

Ameera understood then.

This was planned.

She realized that Sakina’s hatred had now taken a new form, stronger and more dangerous. The house that once held patience and sacrifice was now filled with silent tension, hidden plots, and growing jealousy.

And Ameera knew, deep in her heart, that her greatest test had only just begun.

Chapter five

The Jealous Wives (Part Three)

Maikudi entered the third marriage with a hopeful heart, believing that by expanding the family, peace would finally return to his home. He did not know that beneath the surface, hatred had already taken deep roots. He was unaware of the alliance that had silently formed between Sakina and Maryam, and how their bitterness toward Ameera had united them.

At first, he thought the tension was normal—adjustment struggles, differences in character. But soon, the house began to feel divided, as though invisible walls had been built within it.

Every day, arguments arose. Every day, Maikudi found himself called to settle disputes. His heart grew tired, his body exhausted, yet he kept trying, believing patience would fix everything.

One afternoon, a loud argument erupted in the house.

Ameera had just finished cleaning and was resting briefly when Sakina stormed into the room, followed closely by Maryam.

Sakina spoke first, her voice sharp.

“So now you are resting while we do everything?”

Ameera stood up slowly. “I have been working since morning. I only sat down for a moment.”

Maryam scoffed. “You always have excuses.”

Ameera looked at her calmly. “Maryam, I have not offended you.”

Sakina laughed bitterly. “She always pretends to be innocent.”

Ameera replied softly, “Allah knows my heart.”

Maryam stepped forward angrily. “Stop using Allah to cover your evil!”

Ameera’s eyes widened. “Fear Allah, Maryam. What evil have I done to you?”

Sakina joined in, her voice rising. “You destroyed my happiness. Now you want to act like a saint?”

Ameera shook her head, tears forming. “I did nothing to you. I stood by you when your child passed away.”

Maryam shouted, “Lies! You are a witch!”

At that moment, Maikudi rushed in.

“What is going on here?” he demanded.

Sakina spoke quickly. “She is provoking us.”

Maryam added, “She always wants to make us look bad.”

Ameera, trembling, spoke through tears. “By Allah, I have done nothing.”

Maikudi raised his hands. “Enough! This house cannot continue like this.”

But the fighting did not stop.

Day after day, Sakina and Maryam turned against Ameera. Their words were cruel, their actions harsh. They accused her of things she could not even imagine. Ameera cried almost every day—sometimes silently in her room, sometimes openly in sujood, pouring her heart out to Allah.

Despite everything, Allah blessed Ameera with children—almost four in number. They became her comfort, her strength, her reason to endure. She focused on raising them with love and faith, even while her own heart was breaking.

Time passed, and Allah tested the household again.

Maryam became pregnant.

Sakina was overjoyed. She celebrated, comforted Maryam, and stood by her constantly. Ameera, despite her pain, was also happy.

“This is a blessing,” Ameera said gently. “May Allah protect the child.”

When Maryam gave birth, Ameera tried to help her like a sister—bringing water, offering assistance, caring for the baby when Maryam was tired.

But instead of gratitude, hatred returned stronger than before.

One day, as Ameera rocked the baby gently, Maryam entered the room and froze.

“Put my child down!” Maryam shouted.

Ameera was shocked. “I was only trying to help.”

Maryam stormed toward her. “Don’t touch my child with your witchcraft!”

Ameera’s hands trembled as she placed the baby down. “Maryam, how can you say such a thing?”

Sakina appeared at the doorway, watching silently.

Maryam screamed, “You killed Sakina’s child! You will not touch mine!”

Ameera broke down. “By Allah, I am innocent!”

Maryam laughed cruelly. “You cry every day—do you think that will save you?”

Ameera fell to the floor, crying uncontrollably. “Why do you hate me so much?”

Maryam replied coldly, “Because you are a witch.”

Those words echoed in Ameera’s heart.

She cried day and night. Her tears soaked her prayer mat. Her children watched her suffer, confused and afraid. Maikudi tried to intervene, but the conflicts had become endless. Every day brought a new accusation, a new insult, a new wound.

And Ameera, despite everything, remained patient—holding tightly to her faith, unaware of when or how Allah’s justice would finally unfold.

 

©AHMAD ZAHIR ENAGI ABU KHALIF