Affairs Of The Hearts |✅

20| Memory Lane.

A few hours into her sleep, Jalilah felt someone hyperventilating, which she initially thought was a dream. She jerked awake when the sound persisted, only to find Jalal beside her.

"Subhannallah, Ya Jalal, what's the matter?" she exclaimed, yanking the duvet off her body and taking hold of his arm.

When he didn't respond, she hurried to the kitchen and returned shortly with a glass of water.

"Please, have some water," she said softly, sitting beside him and helping him drink. After a while, he calmed down.

Jalilah stared at him, concern filling her eyes. What could be wrong? Had he been sick all along, unnoticed by everyone?

"Ya Jalal... what's wrong with you, please?" she asked gently.

Instead of answering, he abruptly stood up and left for the bathroom. He emerged shortly after, beginning to pray nawafils incessantly until Jalilah could no longer keep her eyes open and drifted back to sleep.

He woke her for Fajr and left for the masjid afterward. Jalilah decided to stay awake and wait for him, but as time passed with no sign of Jalal, concern began to gnaw at her. By 6:30 AM, he still hadn't returned. She tidied the room before leaving, her mind racing with questions.

Should she tell Banina? After much contemplation, she decided against it. What was going on with him?

***

Jalal checked his wristwatch and saw it was already 7 AM. He placed the Qur'an back on its rack and left the masjid. A sigh escaped his lips as he noticed Jalilah's absence; she had left. He hated that she had seen one of his weaknesses, and he wasn't ready to face her questions.

He took a shower, dressed in office casuals, and left his home. Twenty minutes later, he parked in front of a large building where other cars were lined up.

He checked his watch, hoping he wasn't late for his appointment. The smell of antiseptic hit him as he stepped into the reception, a place he despised.

Taking the lift to the office, he arrived five minutes later at the door marked with the owner's name. After knocking, he entered at the silent invitation.

"I had the dream again," he blurted out.

Doctor Naznin looked up, confusion etched on her face, her lips forming a pout.

"And my wife witnessed it..." he added.

"And that's what you never wanted to happen, right? At least not this soon with her?" Dr. Naznin raised her brows, to which he slowly nodded.

"Jalal... I've told you countless times, I can't help you alone in this situation. You need to put more effort into letting go of the past. It's been years," she said, her voice softening.

"Please, Jalal," she urged.

"It's not as easy as it seems, Naznin," he sighed.

"I know what happened back then was unforgettable, but please try to get rid of it, Jalal. You were never like this before! It's been years since I last saw you smile." Her tired sigh echoed in the room.