Chapter 2: THE OTHER WIFE
For the first few months of her pregnancy, Miriam lived in a happiness she had almost forgotten was possible.
Every morning, she woke up with a hand resting on her stomach. Sometimes she smiled before even opening her eyes. After years of praying, waiting and enduring people's whispers, she finally had something no one could take away from her.
She was going to be a mother.
Omar was different too.
He became quieter, but he was more attentive to Miriam. He made sure she ate properly and sometimes returned home with fruits or small things he thought she might need. Whenever he looked at her stomach, there was a mixture of happiness and guilt in his eyes.
Miriam noticed the guilt, but she misunderstood it.
She thought he was simply overwhelmed by the thought of becoming a father.
She did not know that every time he looked at her, he remembered another woman.
Fatuma.
Omar had not told his mother that Miriam was pregnant.
He had not told his sisters either.
He told himself he would find the right time.
But the right time never came.
Meanwhile, Fatuma was also expecting.
She knew nothing about Miriam's pregnancy.
As far as she knew, she was the woman who had finally given Omar what his family had been waiting for.
And Omar's family treated her that way.
His mother visited her often.
She brought her food.
She checked on her health.
She spoke proudly about the grandchild she believed Fatuma was going to give her.
Miriam noticed the difference.
She did not understand it.
She only knew that her mother-in-law had become distant.
Then one afternoon, Miriam went to visit a neighbour.
She was returning home when she met one of Omar's relatives on the road.
The woman stopped when she saw her.
"Miriam."
Miriam smiled politely.
"How are you?"
The woman looked at her for a moment before asking a question that made Miriam's smile disappear.
"How are you coping with Omar's new wife?"
Miriam stared at her.
"My what?"
The woman immediately realized she had said too much.
"Omar didn't tell you?"
Miriam's heart began beating violently.
"Tell me what?"
The woman looked uncomfortable.
"I thought you knew."
"Knew what?"
There was a long silence.
Then the woman finally said it.
"Omar married Fatuma."
Miriam felt the world go quiet.
For several seconds, she could not move.
The woman continued speaking, but Miriam heard nothing.
She...