Chapter Six
The Jealous wives
Maikudi became completely worn out by everything that was happening in his home. Every single day came with a new quarrel, new accusations, new tears. His heart was heavy, his mind restless, and his body tired. No matter how hard he tried to be fair, no matter how many rules he set, peace refused to stay. At last, he decided that the matter had grown beyond him alone.
One evening, he gathered courage and said, “This problem is bigger than me. I will call our families. Maybe when elders speak, hearts will soften.”
Messages were sent to everyone. Parents, uncles, aunties, elders, and respected relatives from both his side and the wives’ families came together. The house was filled with people, but instead of comfort, the air was tense and cold.
Ameera sat quietly at the edge of the room, her eyes lowered. Sakina sat upright, her face filled with sorrow. Maryam sat beside her, nodding gently as if already agreeing with everything Sakina would say.
Maikudi stood before them and spoke with a tired voice.
“My people, I called you here because my home is breaking. I have tried everything I know. I beg you, help me bring peace back into my family.”
An elder cleared his throat.
“Let us hear from everyone.”
Sakina stood up immediately. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“My elders,” she said, “since I entered this house, I have known no peace.”
People murmured in sympathy.
“I lost my child,” she continued, crying loudly. “Since that day, my heart has never rested.”
A woman from her family exclaimed, “Allah knows how painful that is.”
Sakina wiped her tears and said slowly, “And since then, I have been living in fear.”
“Fear of what?” someone asked.
Sakina looked briefly toward Ameera, then away.
“Fear of someone who pretends to be patient but hides evil in her heart.”
Whispers spread across the room.
Before Ameera could speak, Maryam stood up.
“I support everything Sakina said,” she declared firmly. “From the day I entered this house, I felt unsafe.”
An elder frowned. “Unsafe how?”
Maryam replied, “I was always afraid, even for my unborn child. Some people smile too much.”
A woman shook her head. “This is serious.”
Then all eyes turned to Ameera.
One of the elders said sternly, “You, speak. What do you say to all this?”
Ameera stood slowly. Her hands trembled.
“By Allah,” she said softly, “I am innocent.”
Some people scoffed.
She continued, “I sacrificed my job for my husband. I welcomed my co-wives with peace. I never harmed anyone.”
A man interrupted her.
“If you are innocent, why do two women complain about you?”
Ameera froze.
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “Allah knows my heart.”
Another elder said coldly, “Too much patience can hide many things.”
Her heart broke at those words.
Maikudi stepped forward quickly.
“She has never answered insults with insults,” he said. “She has endured everything.”
But one of Sakina’s relatives replied sharply,
“Then why did our daughter lose her child?”
Maikudi had no answer.
The voices rose louder.
“She is pretending.”
“She cries to gain sympathy.”
“Where there is smoke, there must be fire.”
Ameera felt dizzy. Her ears rang.
Her father finally stood up.
“My daughter fears Allah,” he said calmly. “She would never harm anyone.”
Someone replied, “Fear of Allah should bring peace, not trouble.”
Her mother began to cry.
“She has suffered enough. Please.”
But the hearts of many were already closed.
In the end, the elders spoke again.
“This matter needs patience.”
“She should endure.”
“Time will reveal the truth.”
Ameera understood what that meant. She was to carry the burden alone.
Later that night, she returned briefly to her parents’ house. She collapsed into her mother’s arms, crying uncontrollably.
“They all believe lies,” she said. “Even without proof.”
Her father held her gently.
“My daughter, this world is not a place of justice. Allah is.”
Her mother wiped her tears.
“This is a test from Allah. Patience is bitter, but its reward is sweet.”
Ameera nodded through tears.
“Does Allah really see everything?” she asked weakly.
“Yes,” her father replied firmly. “And He never forgets.”
She returned to her home quieter than before. She stopped defending herself. She spoke less. She prayed more. Every insult, every accusation, she placed before Allah.
Though everyone turned against her, she held tightly to patience, unaware that Allah was already preparing a moment when truth would speak louder than lies.
To Be Continue Inshallah......
©AHMAD ZAHIR ENAGI ABU KHALIF
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