She thought the question was a challenge.

She thought the question was a challenge. Her husband's personality is the Achille's heel of her life. She forced a smile and said, "I am an independent wife. My life is not mixed up with his. I accompany him only to special parties. We both believe in our rights to live free." "How strange it sounds to me!" Sumayah remarked. "You always say that a woman should follow her husband anywhere he goes.

Now you say you are free and have the right to do as you like." Fitnah told her, "You misunderstand me. I mean to say that I accompany him on some occasions, but I do not allow him to follow me anywhere I go. I am sure of myself, but I doubt my husband. A smart woman should never believe her husband and should never allow him to play his own way." "Do you love your husband?" Fitnah hesitated and said, "Of course I do. He is a wonderful man. I will introduce him to you.

We may visit you soon." Sumayah shook her head, "I am sorry, but I won't meet him unless Ahmad is present." "Oh, Ahmad again! I see he is an obstacle in your way." Sumayah said, "Please be careful with what you say. He is to be my husband and I love him. I won't allow you to undermine his character." "Had I been here before your engagement, I would have prevented it" Fitnah declared.

Surprised, Sumayah said, "You don't have the right to deprive me of a happy life!" Fitnah told her, "You are being silly. How could you agree to such an engagement without knowing him first?" "It makes no difference; I came to know him soon after our engagement. I am neither silly nor was he imposed on me. I have free will and I am sure I won't regret my choice in the future. You believe a couple should enjoy close friendship before engagement. Yet a boy or a girl can deceive each other.

Things usually are uncovered in the long run during marriage." "You are wrong. Society does not consider matters as you do. You are the only one with such old-fashioned ideas," Fitnah said. "By society, you mean your own friends. As for me, I do not believe you. There are many like me." "I have not seen any of them", her cousin retorted. Sumayah continued, "Of course you cannot see things my way. Your way of living has blinded you and you won't believe what you see or hear!

Just like those who live in utter darkness." Fitnah said sarcastically, "Go on! I enjoy your fanatic ideas. You lack nothing but a sanctuary, where you can pray and…