Give her the sack, period

‘Assalamu alaikum’ Fuiraira said when finally my call went through ‘good evening Hajia Bint, please I need to see you, when can I come?’ Something is obviously wrong I can hear the desperation in her voice. ‘You can come after Magrib prayer Furaira, Cook and I are trying to round up dinner because Tahir is […]

‘Assalamu alaikum’ Fuiraira said when finally my call went through ‘good evening Hajia Bint, please I need to see you, when can I come?’ Something is obviously wrong I can hear the desperation in her voice.

‘You can come after Magrib prayer Furaira, Cook and I are trying to round up dinner because Tahir is observing the monthly three white nights fasts. By Magrib we’ll be through with his iftar meal.’ I replied.

‘I’m sorry, but Faisal will be at home by Magrib and I can’t leave home then. I was actually hoping for an appointment tomorrow morning. I can come as soon as the children have left for school. ‘ Furaira answered.

‘Tomorrow morning will be fine. I hope you are alright?’ I asked.

‘Yes I am, I just need to see you.’ She replied.

‘Ok then. See you tomorrow inshaAllah.’ And I hung up wondering what the emergency was. A little after 8 am the next day Furaira showed up at my doorstep.

‘Wa alaikumassalam, you are welcome. How is the family?’

‘We are fine Alhamdulillah but things aren’t alright with me Hajia. I don’t even know where to begin.’ She said walking into the sitting room.

‘Just come and have a sit and start at the very beginning. What went wrong?’ I asked.

‘I didn’t think anything could go wrong after the way we patched things up after our past troubles. When we went on that trip I referred to as our new honeymoon, I was extremely happy but I became totally ecstatic when my pregnancy test came out positive. After several years of being a phantom wife I was about to enjoy motherhood again. I felt the world was in my pocket. Then two days ago my husband called me to his room and said that I should sack our new house help. “But why?” I asked. “She seems to be doing so well.” I argued. “Look, just give her the sack”, he said “I can’t stand having her around here.”  He insisted. “In that case I will ask her to keep out of your way but sacking her when she’s the most competent help I’ve had in a long time will not be wise. In any case in my condition I am going to rely on her more in the coming months as my pregnancy advances.” I replied.

‘In that case you have to look for another place to keep her because I don’t want her in this house.”  He insisted.

‘But what is your problem? She is so clean and composed you hardly notice her presence because she doesn’t make much noise. I haven’t had a more decent help in a long time. Frankly I will be more than willing to sack the others if you will let me keep her.’ I pleaded.

‘Well she is the one I don’t want here. Can’t you understand a simple instruction? Get rid of her, period.’ He repeated.

‘Is there anything she did to offend you?’ I tried one more time.

‘No, not at all. I don’t think I have spoken two words to her in this house. How can she offend me? I just don’t want her here.’ He repeated.

‘But there has to be a reason, you can’t hate someone who never did anything wrong to you.’ I stated.

‘Yes there is a reason, but I don’t think you are ready for it. Let’s just sack her and look for someone else.’ He replied.

‘On the contrary I am more than ready to know why I should sack my most reliable help, if she hasn’t done anything wrong.’ I answered.

‘Well don’t say I didn’t warn you, but honestly speaking I find your house girl very attractive. I have tried to ignore the fact but each time I run into her I find her more appealing than ever. I do not wish to take another wife and I certainly don’t wish to disobey God and start anything scandalous or sinful. The safest thing for us all is to let her go. I love you and I love my children, it will break my heart to hurt either you or them. So the best all-round solution is to sack this young lady.’ He declared finally looking my way and holding my palm in his. For seconds after he had spoken I was frozen where I was. I didn’t know what I expected him to say but nothing prepared me for what he confessed. After a while, it became obvious to me that I couldn’t speak without crying or developing tantrums, I just removed my hand from his grasp and walked out of the room.

I went over to my room not noticing any of the beautiful things that make my palatial home a mini Taj Mahal. By the time I dropped on my bed hot tears were streaming down my face. Why me? I kept asking myself. How can my husband, with all his elegance, sophistication and level of education be attracted to this lowly, illiterate girl with no hint of class? It felt like the ultimate betrayal Hajia Bint. Call it a bad case of feminine pride, but I found myself unable to be angry or worried about her, I just felt disappointed that my husband could find that girl desirable. I know she is cleaner than the others and also quiet and competent but Hajia this is Faisal we are talking about, whose particular penchant for class and elegance I thought I knew. In short I haven’t stopped crying ever since and I haven’t been able to say a word to him. I am still in shock and I just can’t stand him.’ Furaira concluded.

‘And where is this girl now?’ I asked.

‘She is still in the house, I am too confused to do anything. In any case what guarantee do I have that if I sack her he wouldn’t go after her elsewhere?’ she replied.

‘You have no reason to think that way Furaira, if that is what he wanted he will never be honest with you about his feelings. He will probably just arrange for her to run away and then he will follow her there and pursue his agenda, honourably by marrying her or otherwise. Look you have to just trust him and do what he says. Since you are obviously very happy with her work, you can’t say you’ve sacked her based on poor performance. So make up any excuse, like the fact that you’ll have to travel and you’ll be gone for a while therefore you’ve decided to sack her to enable her find another job. Be generous by giving her one or two months extra salary and some items of clothing, then ask her to go. As for your husband I know it will take a while to put him back on the pedestal you placed him before, but you have to try.

Pray hard to get over your disappointment. I know things will never be the same after his confession but you can work hard on your feelings but seeing him as an honest guy who wanted to protect your marriage. Satan will always push you to see him as the fool who stooped so low as to desire a house help, but always remind yourself that he is only human and has all the weaknesses of the average adult male.’ I urged.

‘But Hajia Bint, I can’t bear to look at him, in fact I’m sure the next time he dared to touch me I will throw up. That’s how I feel.’ She protested.

‘I know how you feel but keep reminding yourself that it is Satan at work. It will take time naturally but if you tried hard you will get over your disappointment and disgust. Try hard, for the sake of this unborn baby and your two older children, you need to save your marriage, so forgive and move on.’ I urged squeezing her hand.