It was destiny ✨

Chapter 17

Haya stepped out of the car, excitement bubbling within her as she approached her childhood home. It had been a while since she had visited her parents, and she was eager to catch up with them.

As she entered the house, she saw Erhan sitting comfortably on the couch, engaged in a lively conversation with her parents. Haya's eyes lit up, and a mischievous smile formed on her face. She couldn't resist joining in on the banter.

"Dinner smells amazing, Mom! Did Erhan help you with the cooking, or is he just here for the food?" Haya teased, her eyes twinkling with playful delight. 

The three of them laughed, their camaraderie filling the room with warmth and joy. 

After a delicious dinner and joyful conversation, Erhan passed Haya's brother a mischievous smile, "Ah, Haya! Ready for another round of our epic battles in video games? You know I'm going to defeat you this time!"

Haya laughed and playfully bumped Erhan's shoulder. "You're on, Erhan! But be prepared to lose, just like always."

Azlan observed their lively interaction, his eyebrows furrowing with a mixture of jealousy and confusion. He couldn't help but feel like an outsider witnessing their playful banter, like a spectator in a game he didn't understand.

Throughout the evening, Haya and Erhan exchanged inside jokes and shared playful jabs, their laughter filling the room. 

Azlan couldn't help but notice the ease with which Haya and Erhan interacted. A tinge of jealousy began to brew within Azlan's heart, clouding his thoughts.

She even teased Erhan playfully, something she had never done with Azlan before. Every smile and touch between them felt like a knife twisting in Azlan's heart.

It was time to bid farewell to Haya's family. As they settled into the car for the journey back, Azlan's mind felt clouded with unease.

Haya leaned towards Azlan with a cheerful tone. "So, Azlan, did you see how Erhan couldn't beat me at the video game? My gaming skills are unparalleled!"

Azlan, however, remained distant and responded curtly, "Yeah, it was just a game."

Haya's chirpy demeanor faltered, sensing something was amiss.

Haya, attempting to maintain her cheerfulness, continued to make conversation, but Azlan's responses remained monosyllabic and distant.

"Azlan, the stars are twinkling so brightly! we might even be able to view the Cancer constellation"

"Yeah." 

She glanced out the window, her smile fading as she tried to make sense of his sudden change in behavior. The silence grew heavier, with only the sound of the engine filling the car. 

 "Azlan, I noticed you've been quiet tonight. Is everything alright?"

"Hmm"

Feeling a knot forming in her stomach, Haya gathered her courage and spoke up, her voice filled with concern. "You're being distant, and I don't know why. Did I do something wrong?"

Azlan's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his tone cold and detached. "No,  I just have a lot on my mind."

Haya's brows furrowed, frustration creeping into her voice. "Azlan, I can't help if you won't tell me what's bothering you. We're supposed to be partners, supporting each other."

 "I don't need to explain myself for every little thing. Just drop it, Haya."

Her face flushed with a mix of anger and hurt.  "We're in this together. We can't build a strong foundation if you shut me out. Please, open up to me."

His tone turned defensive as he replied, "I don't need you to fix everything. I can handle my own problems."

Haya's voice grew firmer, determination in her words. "I'm not trying to fix everything. I'm trying to show you that we're a team. We support each other through thick and thin. Your burdens are mine too."

Azlan's voice rose slightly in frustration. "Well, maybe I don't want to burden you with my problems!"

Haya's eyes welled up with a mix of hurt realizing that there was more to his distant behavior than he was willing to admit. She leaned back in her seat, her gaze fixed outside the window, her mind racing with unanswered questions.

The car ride continued in tense silence, the unspoken tension growing heavier with each passing minute. Haya held back her own emotions, trying to give him the space he seemed to need, but her hurt and confusion were impossible to ignore.

Every now and then, Haya stole glances in his direction and every time she found his eyes fixed on the passing streetlights.

As they pulled into the driveway, Azlan turned off the ignition, but both of them remained seated in the car. The air grew heavy with unspoken words. The sounds of crickets chirping filled the night as they sat in silence, waiting for one of them to break the deadlock. 

Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, Haya mustered her courage and spoke in an authoritative tone. "Tell me, Azlan. What is fucking wrong?" 

Azlan's eyes met hers, his gaze filled with a mix of guilt and frustration. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his emotions pressing down on him, realizing that he couldn't keep his feelings bottled up any longer and it needed to be addressed. 

"Ever since I saw you and Erhan interacting the morning after our marriage, I felt... insecure. It seemed like you shared a connection that I couldn't be a part of. I can't understand why you and Erhan are so comfortable with each other. It feels like you're closer to him than you are to me."

Haya's eyes widened in surprise and hurt, her voice trembling as she tried to make sense of his words. "Azlan, our bond with Erhan goes way back. He's been my best friend since childhood, It doesn't diminish my love or commitment to you"

His grip tightened on the steering wheel, his frustration mounting, and he couldn't control the surge of anger that bubbled within him. 

His voice rose higher, his words laced with doubt "But it felt like there was something more between you two tonight, Haya. The way you looked at each other, the laughter you shared... It made me question where I stand."

Haya's heart sank, her eyes brimming with tears. The pain of Azlan's accusations cut deep. She could hardly believe what she was hearing.

Her voice quivered with a mix of hurt and defiance. "How dare you question my loyalty and character, Azlan? I have given you no reason to doubt me. I thought you understood me better than that."

Haya's anger burned beneath the surface. She couldn't stand the implication that her character was in question. She will not tolerate baseless accusations.

The confrontation had left her wounded, her fiery spirit ignited and she continued with conviction, "If anyone should be questioned about loyalty, it should be you, considering your past with Zaina. I will never tolerate any unfounded stain on my character."

 Azlan was taken aback by Haya's fiery response. He realized that she wasn't the timid and underconfident girl he had once assumed her to be. She was a force to be reckoned with, unyielding and unafraid to stand up for herself.

Silence hung heavy in the air as Haya's words echoed, the weight of their argument settling around them. With a wounded heart, she couldn't bear to stay in the car any longer. She stormed off to their room, the door slamming shut behind her, her steps fueled by anger and wounded pride. 

As Haya disappeared from his sight, Azlan leaned his head against the steering wheel and unleashed his pent-up frustration with a punch on the wheel, a physical release of the guilt and regret he felt for hurting the woman he loved.

Azlan sat in stunned silence, realizing the gravity of his words and the damage caused by his unchecked jealousy. He sank onto the seat, his head in his hands, consumed by remorse.

He knew he needed to make amends and work on rebuilding the trust he had unintentionally shattered.