---

After Ameela finally finished ablution, she still paused to check and reply to a few more messages before stepping out to meet Hilal, who was already waiting on the prayer mat.

When they finished praying, Hilal remained seated for a long time, pouring out supplications. Then he began asking her some questions about religion before he opened the food they had been given.

As he prepared the food, Ameela stood up and said, “I’m full already. I feel very sleepy.”

Hilal frowned gently, “Come on, Ameelatah, I know you haven’t eaten. How can you sleep on an empty stomach?”

She answered, “I’m just too sleepy. I can’t eat when I’m this tired.”

Without waiting for his reply, she climbed into bed, pulled the blanket over herself, and secretly took out her phone to continue chatting.

Hilal finished his own meal and tidied up, then switched off the light. She quickly dropped the phone so he wouldn’t see the glow. She pretended to sleep.

Hilal reached out his hand to touch her—five times—but each time he stopped, not wanting to disturb her. At last he gave up and lay down, lost in thought.

When she was certain he was asleep, Ameela crept quietly out into the living room. She opened the fridge, grabbed some chicken and juice to satisfy her hunger, and settled in happily chatting while eating.

She kept smiling to herself; the chats gave her so much pleasure. She had found a new friend on WhatsApp who entertained her endlessly—so much so, she forgot she was now a married woman on her first night.

At 1:40 a.m., her friend Hajna woke up. She had missed many messages because she fell asleep chatting. When she logged back on, she was surprised to see Ameela still online.

Hajna: “Ameela! Where did you leave your husband? You’re still chatting on your wedding night?”

Ameela: “Look, I don’t like nonsense. If we’re going to chat, let’s chat. What’s wrong with that?”

Hajna: “But tonight is your first night in your husband’s house! You should be spending it with him, letting him show you his love.”

Ameela: “He’s asleep. I’m just waiting until 3 a.m. before I go back to bed.”

Hajna: “Hmm, as for me, I’m going back to sleep. I woke up and found you still online.”

Ameela: “Enjoy your sleep. We’ve only just begun.”

So she continued chatting until dawn, almost the whole night. Only when her phone battery drained did she put it on charge and finally go to bed, smiling to herself.

---

The next morning

By 5:30 a.m., Hilal woke up from restless sleep (poor Hilal had not enjoyed the sweet rest every groom desires on his first night). He got up, made ablution, and went to the mosque.

There, he prayed and made long supplications for their marriage—that Allah bless them with good children.

When he returned home after dawn, he found Ameela still fast asleep, even snoring. He stood watching her for a while before tapping her foot.

“Hey, Ameela, wake up.”

She stretched, groaned, and spread her arms as if about to get up, then flopped back down. Hilal hissed and tapped her foot again. She sighed, half-asleep, and muttered,

“What is it?”

“Is everything fine?” Hilal asked. “It’s morning already, yet you’re still sleeping. You haven’t prayed.”

She frowned, annoyed. “Oh Hilal, really? How can you wake a bride so early? You should let me wake up on my own. Please, just go and leave me.”

Hilal’s temper flared. He felt like hitting her. “Ameela, don’t disrespect me. I said wake up.”

“Fine, just go, I’ll get up,” she said, still lying down.

Hilal hissed again, turned away, and placed his prayer beads in the drawer. He removed his robe, took a towel, and went into the bathroom.

He stayed there about ten minutes. When he came out, she was still fast asleep.

Annoyed, he went to the fridge, fetched a bottle of cold water, and poured it on her. She leapt up screaming, “Oh no, I’m finished!”

He stood over her, waiting for her to open her eyes properly. Slowly, she looked up, and seeing how angry he was, she lowered her gaze and whispered,

“Sorry, Hilal. I swear it was just sleep.”

Hilal barked, “What kind of sleep makes you miss your prayer? Look at the clock—it’s past 7 a.m. You’re still lying here. When were you planning to get up and prepare breakfast for me? Or do you want me to go out and eat—on my wedding morning?”