Jameel's hands trembled slightly as he clutched his phone, reading the message Afrah had sent to him. His heart raced with excitement, relief, and disbelief.
Since you walked out on me yesterday, I haven't been myself. I know I can be stubborn sometimes, but please know that I never want to hurt you.
The past few days had been difficult for Jameel. He had been tormented by the growing distance between him and Afrah. Every time he tried to make a move to bridge the distance, it ended up getting wider. The once beautiful connection they shared seemed to have faded away, leaving behind a void that was impossible to bridge.
I realized that I should have put in more effort in getting closer to your mother and it's all my fault. I took my time to prepare lunch for her today because I want to build a relationship with her. For your sake and Fawaaz's too.
Afrah's nonchalance had become a constant reminder of their crumbling relationship. It hurt Jameel to know that she did not care about him enough to live in harmony with his mother. And after the argument they had yesterday, he felt his love had slowly slipped through his fingers.
I'm sorry for the things I said...for how I handled the situation. I promise to work on my temper and learn to communicate better. I don't want us to fall apart.
That simple apology message he read held the power to mend their broken relationship. Deep down, he had been waiting for some sort of reassurance or remorse from Afrah.
I never want to be separated from you. You mean the world to me, Afmeel. I love you. So much that it hurts. Come back to me, Afrah's Jameel. I miss you. I miss us. I know you miss me too because you love me like crazy. I will be waiting in our nest for you.
As Jameel read this part, a surge of emotions flooded through his veins, threatening to overwhelm him. Relief washed over him like a gentle wave, soothing the ache that had settled in his heart for far too long. A smile, long lost to the shadows of doubt, crept across his face, transforming it into a portrait of sheer joy.
After their argument, Jameel concluded that Afrah had emotionally tapped out of their marriage. He felt neglected and unloved by her. Having her apologize to him was something he never thought would happen for he knew exactly how egoist Afrah tended to get. She hated to admit her fault, and always only wanted things to go her way. Knowing this, made him confident that she indeed wanted their marriage to work. Her text message made him feel a surge of joy and hope that he hadn't felt in a long time.
Although he had been trying lately to suppress his feelings, he couldn't deny the fact that Afrah's love was his anchor, grounding him in times of uncertainty and turmoil. Her love provided him with stability and a sense of belonging. The thought of living without her, he couldn't bear. Her love was one of his greatest treasures, something he cherished with his whole heart, even when angry with her.
Picking up his car keys, Jameel jumped up from his seat. He couldn't contain his excitement. He needed to be home immediately.
•
Najah was seated on the couch in the living room when Jameel walked in.
"Jameel?" Surprise was written over her face as she approached him. "You're back? By this time?"
"Yes," he replied. "I didn't have much to do at the office."
"Oh."
"Where's Hajiya?"
"She's sleeping..."
"Okay," Jameel gently squeezed her shoulder and walked past her.
"Jameel?" Najah called, making him stop in his tracks.
He turned around. "Yes, Najah?"
"There's something I want to talk to you about."
"Not now, Najah," he spoke. "Later."
"But it's important. Can't you spare just a few minutes?"
"Later, Najah," he promised. "I'm tired right now."
"It's ab—"
"Please," Jameel cut her off. "Don't be difficult. I said later." With that, he turned back around and walked away.
Jameel shook his head. At that moment, nothing was more important to him than going to Afrah's room. Nothing at all.
As Jameel approached the door, the tension from their intense argument suddenly surged into his mind and lingered in the air. For some weird reason, he was unsure of what awaited him inside the room. Would the conversation go well? Would they end up getting into another fight?
With a deep breath, he turned the doorknob and walked in.
Jameel was welcomed by the 'I'm sorry, AfMeel. I love you.' on the bed, designed with flower petals.
With a huge smile on his face, Jameel walked further into the room, his gaze landed on the handwritten note placed delicately on the nightstand.
Quickly, he picked up the note unfolded it, and began to read the heartfelt words penned by Afrah.
From the moment we met, I knew there was something special about you. Your kindness, compassion, and unwavering support have touched my soul in ways I never thought possible. You have shown me what true love means, and I am eternally blessed to call you my husband.
In the ups and downs of our marriage, you have never given up on me. Your unwavering love and belief in me have kept me going. It gives me the confidence that we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way.
You've been patient with me, and believe me, I know, and I don't take it for granted. You're the best husband and father there is. I'm sorry for all the difficulties I have put you through. I'm sorry for being stubborn most of the time. I'm sorry for yesterday. Your love has given me the courage to make peace with Hajiya. I really want us to get along, and henceforth, I promise to do all I can to make it possible. I hope we can put our problems behind us and return to how we used to be.
I miss you.
I love you.
I'm sorry.
Your Afrah.
Before Jameel could completely process the heartfelt message he had just read, he felt a pair of hands wrapped around him from behind.
Afrah's touch sent shivers down his spine. It felt almost like the first time she embraced him. A sense of warmth and comfort washed over him.
"I'm sorry," Afrah apologized in a low-pitched, remorseful tone. "I didn't ignore Hajiya because I wanted to, I was praying at that time.'
Jameel turned to face her; placing her hands back around his waist. He cupped her face, wiping away her tears with his fingers. "It's not entirely your fault. I should have listened to what you had to say before jumping to a conclusion."
More tears slipped from Afrah's eyes and ran down her face. "I feel so bad."
Jameel shook his head. "You've realized your mistake and apologized for it. That's all that matters right now. I'm sorry for getting so angry. I couldn't stand the thought of you disrespecting Hajiya. I need you to understand that hurting Hajiya in any way is equivalent to hurting me. I'd even prefer you hurt me directly instead because hurting Hajiya would be even more painful for me. That's one thing I can never tolerate from you or anyone."
Afrah nodded. "It was never my intention. I'm sorry." She burst into tears. "Please forgive me, Jameel."
Jameel pulled her into his embrace, kissing her on the forehead. "It's fine as long as you don't do it ever again. I was very hurt because it was you. I didn't expect that. You should have gone to her room afterward and explained the situation."
"I won't, I promise...I know...I'm sorry."
Jameel's heart swelled with overflowing love for the woman in his arms. He wished he could describe the feelings in words. "I love you so much, Afrah. I hate it so much when we fight. It just messes with my head. I had so many stupid thoughts running through my mind. I was weakened."
Afrah lowered her head. "I shouldn't have said those words to you. I hope you know they were said out of anger. I didn't mean any of those. You are man enough. You are not a weakling. You're the best husband in the world. There is no one else I'd rather have as my husband."
Wordlessly, Jameel planted another lingering kiss on her forehead; his eyes glassy. "You mean the world to me, Afrah.
Jameel felt Afrah's arms tighten around his waist.
"I want you to apologize to Hajiya."
Afrah released her arms from around him and stepped back. "I will, but..." Her voice trailed.
"But?"
"I don't know if she's going to listen to me, Jameel. She said really hurtful stuff to me earlier," Afrah face palmed and broke into sobs.
Jameel closed the distance between them, removing her hands from her face and making their gazes meet. "What did she say?"
"Like you wanted," Afrah began, trying her best to speak coherently amidst sobs. "I prepared lunch for her."
"And?"
"When I took it to her, I didn't expect a thank you or anything because I didn't do it because of that. I did it out of the respect and love I have for you. I did it because I wanted to be in her good book."
Jameel swallowed a lump in his throat. Afrah's sobs were breaking his heart. "Tell me what she said to you."
She shook her head, wiping away her tears. "I don't think I should. I don't want it to seem like I intend to create a rift between you and her."
"That's nonsense. What rift? No rift will be created. Just tell me what Hajiya said to you."
Fresh tears streamed down Afrah's face as she began to narrate a part of what happened to Jameel. "She made me feel extremely low about myself. She called me ugly to my face, and compared me to Najah."
Jameel heaved a sigh. "She probably said that because she was mad at you, but we both know that's not true. You're beautiful. Every time I look into your eyes, I always wonder how I got so lucky. In my eyes, no one is more beautiful than you. Don't take what she said to heart."
"It still hurts to hear her say those words to me. That's not even what's making me cry. It's the fact that she said she wished I wasn't the one who gave birth to Fawaaz. Not forgetting how she called me a witch too."
Jameel couldn't believe his ears. "Hajiya said all these to you?"
"I'd never make this up. She did. She even said she would do everything in her power to ensure you kick me out. She clearly doesn't like me even a bit, but it's fine," Afrah forced a smile. "For your sake, I'm willing to endure everything. I will keep trying my best to lessen the hate. I will take anything and everything she throws at me. That's how much I love you and want this relationship to work."
"This is unacceptable." Jameel shook his head. His mother was beginning to do too much.
"Please," Afrah beseeched, grabbing his hands. "Don't say anything to her on my behalf. I don't want her to think you're also disrespecting her. I honestly think I'm to blame, and I deserve every insult. I should have been more respectful and hospitable. I promise to make everything right again. Just give me more time. I will start by apologizing to her."
Jameel furrowed his brows. "Where is my wife?"
"She's probably in her ro—"
Jameel tickled her side. "Shut up," he chuckled. "You know exactly what I mean. Where is my Afrah? Who is this understanding woman standing before me?"
Afrah rolled her eyes.
Jameel pulled her into his embrace once more. "I'm sorry for the things she said to you. Just continue to do your part and in Sha Allah, her attitude towards you will change."
Afrah nodded against his chest.
"Najah mentioned Hajiya was sleeping when I arrived. I should go and check up on her. I'll be back soon." Jameel said and unwrapped his arms from around her.
"Alright, but please don't say anything to her."
Jameel smiled. "I won't."
Walking out of Afrah's room and heading to Hajiya's, Jameel emotions were all over the place. While he felt relieved and excited that the distance between him and Afrah had been bridged, he equally felt frustrated and sad about how his mother treated Afrah. He felt it was unfair and unacceptable. He wanted so badly to talk to his mother about it and make her realize that treating Afrah like an outcast was wrong, but Afrah had made him promise not to say anything and leave everything to her in the meantime. He admired the fact that she was willing to do everything she could to mend her relationship with his mother. It just proved to him that she equally valued him.
"Assalamualaikum," he mumbled as he pushed over the door to Hajiya's room.
"Wa alaikum salaam," Najah responded.
"Hajiya," Jameel sat beside her on the bed. "Najah told me you were sleeping. I didn't want to disturb you. How are you feeling?"
"Did Najah also tell you that your wife insulted me today?"
"Hajiya," Jameel sighed. He couldn't believe his mother was trying to pin everything on Afrah. He would have believed his mother if he hadn't spoken to Afrah first. "Afrah would never do that."
"If Hajiya is saying she did, don't you think you should listen to her first befo—"
"I'm talking to my mother," Jameel cut Najah off. "kindly stay out of this."
"Why are you shouting at her?"
"I'm not, I'm just telling her to stay out of this."
"And why should she?"
"Hajiya...did Afrah cook for you or not?"
"She did but—"
"You didn't eat it," Jameel said, pointing to the untouched food on the tray. "Can you please give her a chance to prove herself? She's trying."
Hajiya's gaze traveled from Jameel to Najah and finally settled on Jameel. "Where she comes from, they are known to be witches. All Nupe people are. I won't be surprised if she's bewitched you because it's obviously not you speaking. But not on my watch. I won't allow her to succeed. I'm putting an end to this right now."
Jameel heaved a sigh. It had become clearer to him that his mother indeed hated Afrah because of her tribe. She was becoming the exact person he accused her father of being. "Haba, Hajiya, how can you say that? No one bewitched me. I know exactly what I am doing."
"No, you don't, and that's why I'm going to tell you what to do right now. Divorce her!"
Jameel's breath hitched in his throat. "I—"
"I cannot continue to live under the same roof as the person that is praying for me to die. She literally said it to my face," A tear dropped from Hajiya's eye. "How am I sure she's not going to poison me one of these days? It's either you divorce her or I disown you and leave your house immediately."
•
Assalamualaikum/hello?
How are y'all doing?
And the war rages on 😪
Who will triumph over the other?
Looks like both of them have played their best card. Let's see who wins. Who's your money on?
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