Your three-story bungalow is filled with the lively sounds of guests celebrating your youngest child’s fifth birthday.

You’re busy attending to all the guests who have come to your home. They are friends and close neighbors.

"Where is your husband?" This is one of the questions you hear often, as they don’t see any sign of Nuffaiq at the birthday party. "He’s away for work; he’ll be back tonight," you reply to them.

You knew that three days before your youngest child’s birthday, Nuffaiq had to fly to Kuala Terengganu for a work assignment. He wouldn’t be able to celebrate the birthday during the day but promised to celebrate that night when he returned.

Evening arrives, and you and your three children are happily playing and opening birthday presents. You’re still waiting for Nuffaiq to come home. Soon, you hear the sound of his SUV’s engine outside.

Your children shout with joy, excited to welcome their father home. You join them until you see Nuffaiq stepping out of the car with a young woman wearing a hijab.

Your heart begins to race. Nuffaiq greets all the children and instructs them to go upstairs, as he needs to discuss something with you.

“You’re late, was there traffic? And who is this?” you ask, pointing at the woman beside him.

Nuffaiq looks uneasy and troubled. He takes a deep breath before responding, “Let me introduce you. This is Sofea, my second wife.”