A Journey of Emotions
Jabir took his time to bond sweetly with his new wife before leaving. He observed the Maghrib prayer in Naila’s house before he left.
A Journey of Emotions
Returning Home
Since he came in Habeeb’s car and Habeeb had returned home in the afternoon, he ordered a ride home. The adhan for the Ishai prayer was chanted the moment he got to his street.
Uncertainty
He alighted from the ride and went straight to the mosque. After the prayer, he headed home with a trembling heart because he didn’t know what trouble awaited him.
He was locked out in the morning, he wasn’t sure if he would be allowed in that evening. He walked home with uncertainty. He had his spare key but he wasn’t sure if the door would have been locked from inside.
A Warm Greeting
He decided to try his luck anyway and fortunately, the door wasn’t locked from inside. He walked in and saw Amirah sitting on the chair. “Asalam Alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,” he greeted her cheerfully.
“Walaykum Salam,” her response was dull. He glanced at her and realised that her eyes were swollen.
Comforting Words
He moved over to her and embraced her. “Please stop crying. I understand how you feel. I understand your worries and pain. I promise never to stop loving you. I love you ..”
“Ish!” She scoffed, pushing him away. “You must have also told Naila today that you love her so much, right?”
“Relax! The love I have for Naila cannot affect the love I have for you and vice versa,” he replied and she raised her nose unbelievably.
“You texted me that the solemnisation has been done today.”
“Yes,” he replied simply.
Doubts and Tension
“Okay. So why did you come home?”
“I’ve explained everything in my text. Her father isn’t releasing her until the wedding feast.”
“Lies! He isn’t releasing her until the wedding feast but he said you could have carnal knowledge of her that he doesn’t mind if that happens,” she said and Jabir was surprised.
“How did you know what happened at the event?”
“I told you, I have my eyes all around you.”
“Subhanallah! Are you snooping on me?”
“Do you expect me to answer that? Anyway, did you sleep with her today?”
“You shouldn’t ask me such a question.”
Protective Concerns
“Why shouldn’t I ask you? Don’t I have the right to know so as to protect myself from STD?”
“Who’s giving you STD?” He stared hard at her.
“Dumb question!” She hissed. He shook his head and headed to the bedroom. Amirah followed him.
A Confrontation
They both entered the bedroom at the same time.
“I want to talk to you,” she told him. “I’m all ears!” He replied as he undressed.
“Wait a minute! Where did you get the dress you’re wearing?” She asked, looking at him from head to toe.
“I got it somehow!”
“How?” She insisted on knowing.
“Why don’t you let us stop this back and forth.”
“Please answer my question. Where did you get the dress you’re wearing?”
“I’m not obliged to respond to you. If you hadn’t locked me out, I would have worn the dress you knew.”
Jealousy and Accusations
“Shior! Something tells me you’ve been cohabiting with Naila before today ..”
“Are you accusing me of Zina?” His countenance changed.
“Where did you get the dress you wore today? Is it not the dress you keep with Naila?”
“Keep tormenting your brain. You’ll finally get an answer to your question. Please I want to sleep,” he said and as he was about to lay down, she pulled him up.
“Amirah, please now. Your trouble is getting too much. Allow me to sleep.”
“Didn’t you hear when I said I wanted to talk to you? Why should you sleep when I haven’t even said anything?”
IVF Decision
“Okay, I’m all ears,” the frustration in his voice was deep.
“Listen to me very carefully. If you say I’m jealous with what I’m about to say then so be it. I don’t want Naila to get pregnant before me. So, I want to do IVF!” She said boldly.
“Fine. Go and do it!” He replied.
“What do you mean ‘fine, go and do it?’ Am I going to do it by myself? Your sperm together with my egg are needed,” she put it to him.
“I’ve heard you.”
“I didn’t say you did not hear me. I need you to take action. When are we going to the hospital?” She asked him.
“Let’s go after my wedding feast with Naila …”
“Why should I wait till that time? Why should your wedding feast with Naila put my own life on hold?”
Financial Constraints
“I’m sorry for not using the right words. I mean we should go after my wedding with Naila because IVF is not free. It’s not cheap either. I don’t have that money now. You know I just bought two buildings. And I’ve not even completed the payment of the second building which is your school. Please understand.”
“I cannot understand anything! I don’t want to understand anything. Did I ask you to marry another wife? After spending all your money on her, you’re now telling me you don’t have money. Don’t even try to emotionally blackmail me. That second building wasn’t bought for me. You bought it for Naila so be reminded that you incurred those expenses because of your second wife. If you hadn’t nursed the idea of a second wife, the money you used in purchasing that building would have been used for my IVF …”
“Why are you talking like this? That second building has eventually become your school so what manner of reverse psychology are you doing?”
“I don’t care if it’s now my school or not. I don’t care at all. Don’t try to play a pity card on me because I don’t pity you one bit. Listen, you have to provide money for my IVF and that’s the final. I’m going to have an IVF done before your wedding feast with Naila because I want to get pregnant before her. That’s what I want and that’s what you will do for me.”
Heated Arguments
“I promise you that we’ll do IVF. I will support you every step of the way. But then, I don’t have that money now …”
“Borrow it! If you don’t have money, please borrow it. See how he’s talking like Alaanu Samaria. Do you think I pity you? I do not pity you a bit because I didn’t send you to marry another wife. Follow me to the hospital tomorrow so that we can begin the IVF process ASAP!”
“Okay. Can you lend me the money? I promise to pay you back ..” he said and he didn’t land when Amirah burst into laughter.
“You’re funny! Why should I lend you money? If you were to impregnate me naturally, would you have asked me to borrow you sperm? Mr Man, it’s your responsibility to impregnate me and when that is not happening naturally, it’s your responsibility to provide money for the IVF.”
“Did I argue it? I didn’t argue with you. I said I’ll fully support you. But then, I don’t have money now. You suggested that I should borrow money and I asked you if you could lend me. If you don’t have any money to lend out to me then you have to wait till I can raise money for it.”
A Firm Stand
“Listen to me, I’ll not borrow money to please you, Amirah. And I’ll not steal to please you either. I did some freelance work and I’m expecting 10 million naira in three months’ time. I don’t mind giving you everything for the IVF.”
“Oh! That’s so sweet of you,” her countenance changed immediately after hearing 10 million naira. “You’re really a thoughtful person. I appreciate you. But then, since the money you’re expecting in three months is certain, we can borrow money then pay it back when you get the money.”
“No, I’m not borrowing money,” he was obstinate.
“Please! Three months is too far. Your marriage with Naila would have clocked two months by then. I don’t want Naila to get pregnant before me.”
“Your filthy reason is one of the reasons why I’ll never borrow money to please you. What type of reasoning is that? You don’t want Naila to get pregnant before you! Haha! You’re really something else, o, Amirah. Would you stop other people’s blessings because you don’t have that blessing yet? You need to really purify your heart because you’re battling diseases in your heart. Don’t allow jealousy and competition to push you to the extreme. I’ll support your decision to do IVF.”
“You’re not supporting me,” she cut in sharply. “You’re doing it for yourself because the child will bear your name and not mine. The proper thing for you to say is that we’ll both get the IVF done.”
“Okay. We’ll both get the IVF done when I get the money I’m expecting in three months’ time, in Shaa Allah, satisfied?”
“I’m not satisfied. I don’t want Naila to get pregnant before me,” she repeated.
“There you go again! Don’t underrate the work of Allah. You can even get pregnant naturally before my wedding feast with Naila.”
“Awwwwwww! That’s so sweet to hear,” she smiled.
“Are you indirectly telling me that you’ll not touch her until the wedding feast?” She smiled at him.
“You’re free to torment your heart with whatever you want. I think we’re done talking. Please I want to sleep,” he said and lay down to sleep.
