Nikkah

36

Her uncle told her not to worry that she'd come out eventually, but the hours ticked by, and her door remained shut.

Two hours had passed, and still, there was no sign the door would open soon.

Haidar has left to prepare things with his family.

Her eyes were still fixed on the door, hoping for it to open.

"She'll come out, don't worry," he said again, placing a comforting hand on her back, but even he couldn't hide his growing concern.

After all, it's been so long.

"I've upset her so deeply that she's shutting me out entirely," she whispered, her voice trembling with fear and her eyes widening with anxiety.

"How can I endure a life without her, Uncle?" she asked.

"That's not what's happening. She just needs some time alone to process her emotions. Remember, you were in her shoes just days ago, wanting the same privacy?"

She hummed, trying to convince herself that it was what he said.

"But I'm confused. You're still married to Aryaan by law,' he voiced.

"Your marriage may be broken, but it's not yet officially over. How can you marry, then? I mean, he hasn't granted you a divorce yet."

"You will call and ask him for it," she said, her voice cracking as she closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face.

"Allah knows I still hold onto the hope that he will tell me I am the only one he loves, that he has left Zarah for me, and that I am the only one who holds a place in his heart, but," she paused, releasing a heavy sigh as she shook her head, clearing her mind of the painful thoughts.

"I've moved on, or at least I'm trying to. I need to end that chapter of my life to start a new one, no matter how hard it may be."

"Honestly, I want nothing more than for you to find happiness in marriage and live a joyful life forever too," he told her with a sincere expression.

"In fact, I think you should call him right now and ask for the divorce."

She stared at him in disbelief. "You know I could never..."

He chimed through her sentence. "If you truly wish to move on, you must take this step yourself," he said gently but firmly.

"You must face the pain alone, for it is the only way to truly move forward and leave the past behind forever."

"But this conversation shouldn't be had over the phone," she muttered, her heart fumbling with the weight of it.

"You're right," he agreed.

"However, I know you can't have this conversation with him in person. If you prepare him beforehand, he'll surely come, but at least then he'll understand the purpose of his visit. But if he shows up unaware and you find it difficult to speak, he'll assume you've forgiven him and wish to return."

"If I call him now, he'll be heartbroken," she reasoned, her voice filled with empathy, still hesitant to cause him pain despite his betrayal.

"Are his feelings still your concern?" her aunt asked sternly, her eyes impaling at her as she appeared from the room.

"Call him now and ask for the divorce," she nudged firmly, her tone having no hesitation.

With tears welling up in her eyes, she nodded and reached for her phone. Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through her contacts, tears spilling down her cheeks after she found his name.

She hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen.

"Go ahead," her aunt encouraged her softly.

She took a deep breath and mustered herself with strength, then dialled the number.

The call connected instantly, like he had been waiting for her to reach out.

She glanced at her aunt and then her uncle as she put the phone in her ear.

"Hello, Zoya? Are you there?" His voice sent a ringlet of pain through her heart, and tears streamed down her face.

She took a deep breath, composing herself before speaking in a whisper.

"I want to move on with my life and get married again, but I can't... because we're still married. So..."

"What?" he shouted, cutting her off before she could explain.

She sniffled, more tears falling as she whispered, "I want you to grant me a divorce. I..."

Before she could elaborate further, he interrupted again.

"Wait, I'll book a flight to come see you because I don't understand what's going on. You must be under pressure. Just wait." He then abruptly ended the call.

"He won't grant it," she sobbed, her body shaking while she cried with closed eyes.

Her uncle engulfed her in a warm hug, gently patting her head.

"Did he tell you that?" he asked.

She nodded, her eyes still closed. "I just know it. He said he's coming here today." She didn't know if she even had the strength to face him again.

"Good, just as we expected," he said.

"He'll have no choice but to grant you the divorce in the end, since you've decided to move on, or the court will."

Her aunt added, "Don't let him manipulate you, dear. This is for your own well-being."

She pulled away from his embrace, rose to her feet, and reverted to her room, closing the door behind her. There, she surrendered to her tears once more, whispering to herself, "I hope he never grants it."

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