Love sickened and decayed

‘I have a lot on my mind.’ I replied, fiddling with the sprinkling of grey hair on his head. ‘Can’t you confide in an old friend and lover?’ He asked, smiling up at me. I couldn’t help smiling back and wondering why Tahir is particularly relaxed and romantic today. He had walked straight to the […]

‘I have a lot on my mind.’ I replied, fiddling with the sprinkling of grey hair on his head.
‘Can’t you confide in an old friend and lover?’ He asked, smiling up at me. I couldn’t help smiling back and wondering why Tahir is particularly relaxed and romantic today. He had walked straight to the settee where I sat and stretched his full length near me. Next, he put his ahead on my lap and turned to watch the TV.  Much like the good old days, when we were newly-weds and sitting apart was not an option. I remember how he used to love making my lap his pillow whenever we sat to watch TV.
‘I was at the hospital this morning….’ I started, when he suddenly rose from to a sitting position and interrupted:
‘Don’t tell me you are pregnant again?’ He asked in alarm.
‘Why shouldn’t I? I’m a lawfully-wedded wife remember?’ I answered.
‘I know but I thought we’ve gone beyond that Bint? It’s been more than eight years now.’ He observed, disturbed.
‘Well as long as you don’t keep your hands to yourself when we are alone, nothing is guaranteed.’ I replied enjoying his discomfort.
‘But this is going to be truly awkward, how will LB feel? She always thought she was our last born.’ Tahir continued, worriedly.
‘I don’t think it’s fair to hide behind what Little Bint will feel to voice your opposition. LB will love to have a younger sibling, she is crazy about babies. Whenever we visit new mothers LB will keep asking me when I will get her a little brother or sister. Admit it, it is you who doesn’t want another child. I still recall what happened when I was pregnant with our third born ….’ I began before he again interrupted me.
‘Please let’s not get into that. How far gone are you now, I mean how old is this pregnancy?’ he asked.
‘Relax Tahir, I am not pregnant. I only went to check up on Asabe’s step daughter who was on admission there. On my way out I had an encounter that’s been haunting me since.’ I explained.
‘ Wow, what a relief. I really don’t want you pregnant again Bint. I want you to myself. I mean it’s been years since we had anything to do with babies. I am busy enjoying our freedom.’ He explained, replacing his head on my lap. ‘So what happened to you at the hospital?’
‘I was almost at my car when I noticed a lady who came out of the hospital’s veranda stumbling and almost falling over. I rushed to her side and raised her up. She had on a black abaya and looked pregnant. Nothing prepared me for the way she sounded when she opened her mouth to thank me. Although she looked dark, she spoke with a distinctive British accent.’
“Thank you, thank you very much” she said steadying herself. “I couldn’t see where I was going. May Almighty Allah reward you.” She added.
“You are welcome, are you sure you can make it to your car?” I asked, while still keeping a hand on her shoulder. 
‘I didn’t come with a car. My husband went to work with it. I just want to walk to the gate and get a taxi.” She explained with a weak smile.
“Ok, why don’t I drop you where you are going? You don’t seem like you can manage it on your own.’ I offered.
“Thank you, but I don’t want to take you off your way.” She said.
“No, it won’t be any problem, unless you live out of town.”  And by the time she told me her address, I realised that it won’t take longer than ten minutes to get to her house from the hospital. She walked with me to the car and sat on the passenger seat.
“Assalamu alaikum, I am Bint.” I said as soon as I started the car.
“Wa alaikissalam, I am Jaleelah.” She replied, gratefully.
“You must have lived in England for a long time, you sound exactly like a British citizen.” I observed.
“I am a British citizen, I am only living here because I am married to a Nigerian.” Jaleelah explained.
“I see, mashaAllah.” I said driving on. After a little silence I noticed my passenger shaking silently on her seat. I stole a quick glance at her and noticed that she was crying quietly into her black veil. I ignored her at first having noticed how hard she was trying to hide the tears from me. But after a little while I got disturbed by her distress and asked.
“I don’t mean to pry but you seem to be crying so hard. Did the doctor tell you something to cause you such distress?” i asked.
“No, it is not the doctor’s doing, everything went well at my antenatal. It is my husband, he caused my distress.” She replied.
“I am very sorry to hear this.” I said, not knowing what else to say.
“We’ve been married for five years. We met in England. Last month he said to me we had to go back there to live. I asked him why and he said things were getting difficult around here and we had better chances back home in England. I didn’t want to argue too much though I was worried sick about returning to England at the time of Europe’s financial crisis. But I went ahead with his plans and we decided to auction all our household goods to raise enough money to facilitate our relocation. Finally we were through. Last week, we sold the last of the items we planned to auction, and he said that I should go and purchase plane tickets for me and the children. We have two of them. I asked why he wasn’t coming along with us and he said he needed to stay behind and round up some things.
I offered to stay with him but he wouldn’t hear of it. This morning when I woke up he had bought the tickets for me and our children. He said I had to be ready to leave by the weekend, when I protested he told me our marriage was over. He said he had planned to tell me only after I was back home in England. I was totally devastated. I asked why he wanted to end our marriage and he told me that he was just ‘fed up.’ I kept asking what he was specifically fed up with and he refused to say more, apart from the fact that we had to separate.” At this point she was sobbing so hard she couldn’t talk anymore.
“Did you have any quarrels lately?” I asked.
“No, we didn’t. We have had a fairly peaceful marriage. We had minor arguments but never a major quarrel. We got along so well I wouldn’t believe that our marriage was under any kind of tension. But suddenly this….” she added, her voice trailing away.
“Do you think he is involved with another woman? “ I asked cautiously.
“I don’t know, there was no such indication. All I know is that his family never welcomed our marriage. They all thought I was the one who made him convert to Islam, even though we met each other as Muslims in London. They still think I forced him to convert in order to marry me. I don’t know whether he took this step in order to please them.” She wondered.
“You mean they are still non-Muslims?” I asked.
“Yes and so are my parents. I reverted to Islam on my own, out of personal conviction.  And through attending Islamic events I met my husband, who told me that he had just become a Muslim and was trying hard to learn more about the religion. We soon got married in the mosque, with the blessing of my parents but with none of his. We had two children, a boy and a girl. And now I am expecting number three. We have always been happy together. At least my kids and I are happy. Now I don’t know where to start. Imagine returning to my non-Muslim parents with two children and a third on the way and telling them that my marriage is over.” With this rhetorical comment she burst into tears again.
“I am truly sorry about this. If there is any way I can be of help, please tell me. In fact I will let you have my number just in case.” I offered. I dropped her at home soon after and returned home. She called me an hour later to say that her husband had packed out of the house when she was at the hospital. He left no note or address with the nanny. She told me she had decided to leave with tomorrow night’s flight since she no longer has a home. I promised to see her in the morning. But I’ve been feeling so sad and helpless that I can’t do anything to help her situation.’ I concluded.
‘What a sorrowful story. It’s truly sad that her husband has treated her like this. Please tell her that her decision to leave quickly is the best. Let her be strong for her children and remain strong in her faith. She should trust in Allah, He will surely give her a way out. The Holy Quran says, ‘With every hardship, there is surely ease.’ Almighty Allah never fails in His promise.’ Tahir assured, patting my hand.