Inna came out into the living room and stood there, holding her items, glaring at everyone. She felt immense annoyance toward them, believing that their laziness and impatience were causing unnecessary trouble and creating problems that would be difficult to solve later, at least in her opinion. Imran, meanwhile, moved to a chair and sat down confidently, gathering all his courage, acting as if he was unaware of Inna's angry glares as if he had just been robbed.
"Honestly, ever since I came to this city and stayed in this house, it's been nothing but trouble and calamity for me. May Allah forgive me, but what else could it be but a disaster that I've never had a moment's peace since I arrived for this postpartum stay," she said, looking at Sadiya, who had her head bowed.
No one responded to her, so she continued speaking angrily.
"If not for disrespect, how could Imran be chasing after this young woman in her delicate postpartum period right under my nose? Does that mean I have no value? Or is it because you don't understand the hardship of carrying a pregnancy, labor, and raising a child? All you know is to impregnate a woman. People even avoid permissible acts out of shyness," she said, feeling like she wanted to hit Imran.
"Please, Inna, calm down. Nobody knew you were back at home," Sadiya tried to say.
"Shut your mouth, you insolent girl! You people, after the fortieth day, start engaging in debauchery. Have you forgotten the severe labor pains you endured? Now you're following a man to impregnate you again due to ignorance. The moment a man sweet-talks you, you fall for it and get left to suffer with pregnancy and childcare, which are no easy tasks," Inna interrupted Sadiya angrily.
Sadiya stayed quiet, not saying anything, but in her mind, she thought, "Inna, are you the one facing calamity or is it us who are dealing with various troubles? Since you arrived, has anyone had peace? Today's drama is different from yesterday's, and tomorrow's will be different again. If not for the constant complaining and denying us peace, why would we even bother about this pregnancy?" Sadiya thought to herself.
"And you, Imran, I noticed you have no shame. When people were being given common sense, you were probably sleeping. I was standing in the room, and you were busy holding a woman, thinking you're the man of the world," she said, staring at Imran as if she would whip him.
"Is she not my wife?" Imran asked arrogantly, pretending as if he didn't just make the statement.
Inna was stunned, her mouth hanging open in disbelief at Imran's words. She was speechless.
"I paid the bride price, didn't I? Or was she given to me for free?" Imran continued.
"Well, in life, you see strange things. Imran, are you telling me Halima is your wife? Except that you've seen my bed, let me remind you in case you've forgotten: I am Azumi, the mother of Sadiya's father, before you were even thought of. When did you even meet Halima? You only knew her after her mother finished cleaning her afterbirth and her poop," Inna retorted.
"I'm going to the mosque," Imran said, looking at Sadiya, pretending not to know that Inna was talking to him.
"Oh, look at the madwoman speaking. That's why you left me here rambling. I don't even know why I left my room. I was in my husband's house under his protection, but I brought myself here where I'm being disrespected. Without seeing me in your house, Imran, you dare to dismiss my words and say you're going to the mosque? Even the call to prayer has barely started, yet you're saying you want to pray?" she said, wiping away a tear of frustration.
Imran didn't even look in her direction as he walked out, feeling pushed to the edge by Inna's constant nagging whenever she visited. She often made him speak more than he wanted to. She continued to sniff and wipe her tears, while Sadiya found a place to sit quietly.
"Halima, do you hear this mute husband of yours? He thinks he's wise now and can talk back. He even has the nerve to speak to me as he pleases," Inna complained.