For those of you all who haven’t been around lately and haven’t been following what’s happening at my front; I’ll give you a quick recap.

My dearest friend Saman not too long ago married a foreigner whom she met through work. He of course converted to Islam and then soon after they had a baby together.

All was well in paradise where they lived and worked and managed parenthood and lived the blissful life. Until…

The phone rang as I was placing tea before Fawad at the breakfast table. Ibrahim was still getting ready and I answered the phone as I yelled to him to hurry it up. Ibrahim was now in middle school and we were planning another baby. But as both Noor and Ibrahim had been miracle children and then consequently losing Noor and then going into a coma after the birth of Ibrahim neither of us were really very anxious to expand our family.

Am I getting side-tracked? I think I am….

Back to my story.

“Hello! Ibrahim get ready, come on now?... eh sorry

who is this?”

There was a pause then I heard Saman’s feeble, “Hello Saima?”

“Saman? Is that you? Omg! Where are you? Are you in Pakistan?” I was still using the same tone that I had tuned into for Ibrahim so I was practically yelling. Fawad looked up from his breakfast and gestured to me to

keep it down.

“Yes, Saima. I reached a couple of day ago. I’m here with Abdullah. George didn’t come with us.”

She became quiet and I could sense something was wrong. I became serious myself. I could see that Ibrahim was finally out of his room in his uniform and I helped him get his cereal and milk. There wasn’t much time and I was also feeling worried for Saman but I really didn’t have a choice.

I quickly quipped; “Saman can I call you back. Fawad and Ibrahim and are about to leave and its kind of crazy here.”

At the back of my mind I was feeling guilty. Saman knew my hectic schedule and the fact that she called me now meant that she needed my help and I cut her off so rudely. But then again this is the reality of us women. The ball is rolling the minute we wake up and if we don’t keep up the ball gets out of hand.

I helped Ibrahim and Fawad with their last minute preparations and as they walked out of the door and I quickly dialed Saman’s number while robotically cleaning the breakfast table at the same time. I only had a few hours till school was over and there was a lot to do.

“Hey Saman! Sorry about that. So when did you come in and why didn’t you call earlier?”

As much as I was worried about her soulful voice I was excited to know she was in town! Saman was more than a friend; she was my confidante and my greatest support in so many times of crises and troubles. She got me and she was the one person I knew who would never judge me no matter what.

“Saima I came in last week and since Abdullah isn’t used to the change in climate and the atmosphere, the first few days went by with his crankiness and pseudo illnesses. I was also suffering from jet lag. And you know how family is? Everyone wanted to meet up and call me over to their home on a “dawat” etc. I just couldn’t keep up. I asked mom to arrange for a dinner or grand lunch so I could meet with everyone at the same time. We had that “Grand Brunch” on Sunday. It was crazy. I wished you were there but I knew between family you and I would never be able to spend quality time. How have you been Saima? Are you doing well?”

“Yes I am really well. Thank God for all His blessings? So when can we meet up?” Why don’t you come over now?”

I knew it was a stretch for me but I knew with Saman over I could manage with my routine. She would only help out and then we could spend some time catching up till I had to pick Ibrahim.

“Yes come over now and once I get my house chores done we can get Ibrahim from school and have lunch out somewhere. What do you say? Just like old times!”

“I will come over dear but there’s something we need to talk about so if its ok with you can we stay in? if that’s ok with you? Don’t worry about lunch, we’ll order. My treat!”

“Of course! Sounds like a plan!”

“Great! I can be there in one hour.”

With that I was spurned into action whilst all the while thinking what was so going on with my dear friend. It was definitely serious; I could tell that much but Saman was always very mature and controlled about her decisions. So at least I had that comfort that whatever it was she was already working on it. Maybe she wanted to come to Pakistan for good. Yes, it must be that and she wanted my help about schools etc. And I supposed her job at the UN was still there.

I also quickly whipped up a quick and simple lunch of pasta and salad. I made enough for dinner too. There’s nothing like a home cooked meal to comfort us inside and out.

The bell rang and I quickly opened the door. There she was with her baby in her arms and I hugged her tightly. I really missed this one. I was so glad she was here after such a long gap.

I ushered her inside and made her comfortable in the lounge and quickly sat down next to her.

“Omg I can’t believe you’re here and look at Abdullah, how old is he now? He’s so adorable. He has such beautiful eyes. The perks of marrying a foreigner I guess. But I can see he has inherited your smile!”

I couldn’t stop talking and all the while Saman was smiling away too. She looked relaxed and happy.

“I made some lemonade. It’s so hot outside. Let me get some.”

I quickly got the drinks and a bowl of chips and nuts. Saman put Abdullah down and he began to run towards Ibrahim’s room. He quickly came out with a few toy cars and stuff. He was really independent and that was good. Such a bright child; I pointed out to Saman.

“Yes, he’s the perfect baby. Life has been so wonderful with him. He’s brought so much joy and happiness to our lives.” She seemed tearful and a little pensive. I guess motherhood makes us cry in so many different ways and so many different times.

“How’s George? Why didn’t he come with you? In fact, he hasn’t come after the wedding ever has he?”

I was busy in offering Saman the treats that I didn’t notice the change of colour in her face or that she perceivably tightened up. She just touched my arm and gestured me to sit down.

I did as she told me to. And honestly I wasn’t prepared for what followed.

Saman gave me no fair warning as she blurted out; “Saima; George and I have parted ways. For now, we’re separated but once I get back we’ll start the divorce procedures. I came here to mentally prepare my family and also to have some clarity before actually deciding. We both agreed that “absence makes the heart grow fonder” so why not give that a try and then see what happens.”

I had absolutely no idea that this was what Saman had to talk about. I didn’t fathom that it would be so serious.

“But you’ve only been married like what three years? What happened? Why…?”

I couldn’t even say it out loud.

“It’s simple. He cheated on me and I tried Saima but it is

what it is.”

And with that she got up and started to play with Abdullah.

I just sat there stunned.

I just sat there unable to say anything. I thought Saman and George had the perfect marriage. Their love story was no less than a fairy tale. Two people coming from different cultures and different religions; heck even different countries and races. It was nothing short of a miracle that they came together and stayed together and he accepted Islam and his family accepted her and her family accepted him…the list went on and on.

I looked at Saman and I knew that she wouldn’t throw it all away simply on a fluke; simply on a misunderstanding. Something terrible must have happened.

She set up Ibrahim’s train set and Abdullah was sufficiently absorbed playing with the train. I checked the time. I didn’t want to miss Ibrahim’s off time.

I thought I’d quickly go get him and we would all have lunch together and chat about stuff. I wasn’t expecting this bombshell to explode on us.

“Saima don’t look like that. It’s already been a while and we’re more than decided on this.”

“What happened Saman? And what about now? I mean what is he saying?”

“He wants me back of course. Tells me he loves me and is sorry about what happened. He even went to the Islamic center and consulted a scholar and asked for forgiveness from God repeatedly. I know he’s sorry but I am unable to forget or forgive. I haven’t told anyone yet. I think you’re the first person I’ve told outside of our friends and of course the scholars and marriage counselor. I haven’t had the courage to tell anyone at home. Mom is so happy to have me after such a long time what with Covid and the lockdowns and dad can’t get enough of baby. They all ask me about George and he even calls to talk to them. I don’t know what to do Saman. I’m so broken”

With that she couldn’t keep her cool and broke down crying. She slumped into my lap and sobbed uncontrollably. Abdullah looked up and ran to her and kept his hand on her face. He started to whimper too.

It was such a tragic sight. I couldn’t believe that my dearest friend could be so unhappy. After a few minutes she sat up and picked up Abdullah and cradled him to comfort him.

“I’ve tried Saima, I really have. This is not a hasty on the spur of the moment decision. I just cannot get over the hurt. Can you imagine someone loving you to the point of practically worshipping the ground you walk and then betraying that trust so callously, so insensitively?”

I wanted to ask what happened but I knew it was all too painful for her right now. I just stroked her arm and sort of held her. As if sensing my thoughts she began to tell me.

“It was an old friend of his, a lover of sorts. But after meeting me he left his past behind. He accepted Islam in all practicality. Going to the mosque, saying his prayers. He even learnt how to read Arabic so that he could read the Quran in its original and also fasting. I didn’t know what I had done to deserve him. It was so perfect. And he loves Abdullah. He takes part in bringing him up. He’s never let me feel alone in any way, with parenting, in the marriage, in our work. We were the dream team. And it’s all over now.”

With that she began to cry again. In between sobs she told me what happened.

It was a work related trip and he was in his old city. She got in touch with him and they had dinner together.

“He doesn’t drink anymore but I don’t know why he had a few drinks. She probably coaxed him into that and one thing led to another. He was immediately sorry. He cut his trip short faking an emergency at home and came back to me only to confess and turn my world upside down. He vows it was the alcohol and her familiarity. Whatever it was Saima she didn’t force anything on him. She probably held her hand out but he was the one who took it. He forgot everything we had for that one night, for her.”

She reached out for her glass of lemonade and drank it all in one mouthful. I think she felt worn out.

“Now what?” That’s all I could muster, I was in such a state

of shock.

“I know he wants us back and he’s sorry. He has done more than his fair share to make things right. I mean he came back to me immediately because he didn’t want to lose me and now look where we are. If it was me would he take me back? What man would Saima? But he expects me to take him back. I don’t have the strength anymore.”

I could sense her strength and her fortitude ebbing away and I didn’t press her anymore to talk about it. I asked her to lie down and I would take care of Abdullah. I set him down to play and realized that it was time to get my own child

from school.

My mind was a buzz. I faintly remembered the time that I thought that Fawad was having an affair and I recalled how broken I was. It was obviously a misunderstanding but I could sense the pain that Saman

was in.

I saw that she had her eyes shut. I gently nudged her and told her that I was leaving and she should keep an eye on Abdullah. Our house was baby safe but you never know with the kids.

I couldn’t process what happened, if I couldn’t process it how could my friend? I now knew why she needed my complete and total attention and why she wanted us

to be alone.

That’s the kind of friendship we had. And now I knew what I had to do for her. I could not let her go on with it. I would make her realize that she had to work on this and she had to give him another chance. I mean there were men out there who were unfaithful to their wives for years and didn’t let them find out. And this man was openly sorry and he didn’t want to lose his family. He deserved another chance. He did. And my friend deserved her happy ending.

She deserved more than worry and sorrow.

I know divorce is not the greatest injustice in life and life goes on after divorce but from what my friend told me I think she could get it all together and save her marriage because it was worth saving. It was not a lost cause.

With that resolution I drove back home with my child happily playing in the back seat oblivious to life’s burdens and pain and that’s the kind of life I wished on Abdullah. No child deserves pain and I would make sure that Saman understood that. and not just for the child but for herself and George; she owed her marriage another chance.