Life Under the Hijab | ✔

{17} Bahiya In Between

Zakir Khan

"How could you?" Bahiya's mother yelled as she walked into my house with her family.

Bahiya was a girl that wanted to marry me. I thought she was intriguing once, but not enough to call her my wife. Yeah she wore a hijab, had a fair knowledge of Islam, and practiced the religion, but not to the full extent. She was just the average Muslim girl and I wanted more than that. 

When I rejected the proposal, Bahiya's parents went crazy. They didn't understand why I didn't want to marry their daughter. I told them my reasons and at the time they understood. However, right at this moment, they looked like they wanted to murder me.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked them. I hope Zaynub didn't hear all this shouting.

"You turned down Bahiya to marry that woman?" she yelled.

"What's going on here?" asked Deeliyah while walking into the conversation. She looked between Bahiya and me and her mouth formed an "O" shape. Then Deeliyah walked until she was at my side. "Auntie, there are many great Muslim men out there for your daughter. I don't understand why you're mad," said Deeliyah calmly.

"It's cause I wanted him to marry me!" shouted Bahiya with tears in her eyes. "It's not fair. She doesn't deserve him. She only acts like a good Muslim. Trust me I've seen her at school. She's not exactly what you call a good Muslim"

That's not true. I know Zaynub wouldn't act like that. She's lying.

I turned to face Bahiya. "I know my wife. She would never do that. I know who I married."

"Your wife is a liar. She doesn't deserve you, Zakir. You need someone strong, beautiful, smart, and religious. You need a wife like me. Not a broken brat," she seethed.

I clenched my fists. How dare she say that about my wife? I really wanted to punch this girl right now. Before I could say anything Bahiya's mother spoke up.

"Zakir, You know I love you as my own son. That's why I'm telling you that you should marry Bahiya. She has all the qualities to be a good wife. Why go for a weak person? She's not even pretty. She's fat and is a liar. Why go for that when you can do so much better?" she said calmly.

That was all it took for me to burst. "How dare you walk into this house and say horrible things about my wife in front of her husband? Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never taught us to act like this. Zaynub is not weak. She's very strong and she went through so much that should have broken her, but she's still standing tall. She's not fat, she's beautiful. Zaynub is also a very intelligent girl. Not many girls have as much Islamic knowledge as her. The best part about Zaynub is that she is a practicing Muslimah. That's all I could ever ask for," I finished off my rant.

"You're blind Zakir. There is nothing special about her. Her own sister tried to commit suicide. If she can't even help her family, how can she help you?" questioned Bahiya, narrowing her eyes.

"She helped me so much. Zaynub helped me realize that I needed to change. She's my bright light and I'm proud to call her my wife. And I don't care if anyone doesn't approve of us being together. I know the choice I made and I know Allah does things for a reason," I said softly.

Bahiya's face turned red at this. Then, she screamed in frustration.

"I can't believe this. She's destroying my chance of love!" she screamed.

I rolled my eyes, this woman is so annoying. Bahiya didn't love me. She just loved my wealth and looks. That wasn't love. That was called being hormonal.

"Bahiya, you don't love me. You love the idea of me. That's not love," I stated, flatly.

"She doesn't deserve you. She couldn't even support her sister and you think she can support your new family. She is weak and pathetic," Bahiya's mother hissed.