After the storm

2. Pain

Images of cries, beatings, screams, and cruel laughter flashed through Inaya's mind. She could vividly see the young Inaya sobbing inside the closet. Trapped in misery, unable to make any sounds. Whipping sounds echoed in the apartment. Her mother's immobilised body was lying on the cold floor. Her bloody image forced Inaya to open her eyes. Tears streamed down her cheeks, she was sweating profusely. " Maa", she called out crying. No voice replied her call, deads cannot reply, and they don’t have voices. Inaya felt terrible nausea thinking about her excruciating nightmare.

Her mother, a vision of beauty, embodied grace, charm, and kindness. At just 18, she found herself enraptured by a man eight years her senior, a love story that seemed ripped from the pages of a fairy tale. She saw herself as the princess, he was her prince charming. But lurking in the shadows was a malevolent force, an evil queen who seduced him away. Despite the betrayal, she clung to the fragments of her shattered dream, enduring years of agony and deceit, all to preserve the facade of a family that was rotting from within. Each day was a painful charade, concealing the bruises of domestic violence, and enduring the humiliation inflicted by her husband's mistress. In the end, her sacrifice was her very life, beaten to death by the cruelty she endured for the sake of a hollow family.
Death was an escape for her mother. In her mother's release from agony, Inaya found herself ensnared in the tangled web of inexplicable suffering. Each attempt to embrace love was shadowed by haunting memories, a relentless spectre of pain that refused to dissipate. All she yearned for in life was to break free from the cycle that ensnared her mother, yet fate seemed intent on weaving her into a similar narrative. The man she once loved, the one she entrusted with her deepest sorrows, the one who vowed to shield her from harm, proved to be the architect of her deepest wounds. The magnitude of Inaya's disdain for Abraham transcended mere words; his transgressions cut too deeply to be easily forgiven.

In the stillness of the predawn hours, Inaya found herself engulfed in solitude within the confines of her dimly lit chamber. With trembling hands, she drew her knees close to her chest, seeking refuge from the relentless ache that gnawed at her heart. As the tendrils of hatred threatened to consume her very essence, leaving a bitter residue upon her tongue, Inaya knew she stood at the precipice of despair.

Yet, in a moment of divine clarity, she rose from her bed, driven by an unwavering faith in the Almighty's mercy. With each ablution, she sought purification not only of the body but of the soul, surrendering herself to His boundless compassion. As the tears mingled with the water of her prayer, she poured out her anguish, her voice a lamentation echoing through the sacred space.

Inaya found solace in the belief that He, the Ever-Merciful, would never forsake her. For in the depths of her despair, she discovered a reservoir of strength, an unyielding resolve rooted in her unwavering trust in His divine plan.

In the hushed embrace of her prayer mat, Inaya stirred, roused from her slumber by the persistent buzz of her phone. Days had passed since its screen had flickered to life with such urgency. With bleary eyes, she scanned the onslaught of missed calls and messages, a chorus of concern from Aria, Lucas, Joon, and even the reticent William, whose repeated attempts spoke volumes of his worry.

Though Inaya had pleaded for solitude, her friends' unwavering devotion manifested in their relentless outreach. Yet, amidst the flood of notifications, one presence stood out amidst the crowd – Aria, a beacon of compassion. Each day, without fail, she silently tended to Inaya's needs, filling her home with the warmth of nutritious meals and the comforting embrace of fresh fruit and snacks.

At first, Inaya resisted the sustenance offered, her grief a heavy cloak that threatened to suffocate her. But with each tender touch to her growing abdomen, a flicker of determination ignited within her. For in the fragile life nestled within her, she found a reason to endure, a beacon of hope amidst the shadows of despair.

Though her heart seethed with resentment towards Abraham, she vowed to shield their child from harm at any cost. In the depths of her solitude, she clung to the promise of new life, her unborn child her only tether to a world once fractured by betrayal.

With each morsel that passed her lips, Inaya's heart swelled with silent gratitude towards Aria. Gratitude for her unwavering care, for respecting her need for solitude, for her constant presence and concern.

Then, amidst the quiet routine of her days, a subtle shift occurred. Two days prior, a presence lingered outside her door, a silent sentinel in the depths of her solitude. As Inaya performed her Dhuhr prayer, she felt the weight of another's presence, a silent companion in her darkest hour.

He made no sound as he settled outside her door, content to simply be present. Through the veil of her silent cries, he listened, offering solace in his silent solidarity. And when her prayer concluded, he departed without a word, yet Inaya knew it was William.

For where others may have felt compelled to call or intervene, William's quiet presence spoke volumes. He navigated the boundaries of friendship with a rare grace, never imposing but always present in times of need.

Inaya found solace in his silent vigil, a testament to his unwavering loyalty and care. Amid her anguish, her friends remained steadfast, ensuring she was never alone, even in the darkest of moments.

Inaya's reverie was interrupted by another gentle vibration, signalling Aria's call once more. With a tentative breath, she answered, greeted by the soothing cadence of her friend's voice. A small glimmer of hope flickered within her as Aria's concern washed over her.

"I'm... I'm hanging in there," Inaya responded softly, her voice strained from the weight of her tears.

"Would you like to step outside? Some fresh air might do you good," Aria suggested, her genuine concern palpable even through the phone.

"I'd... I'd appreciate that," Inaya replied, her heart-stirring at the prospect of her friend's comforting presence.

True to her word, Aria arrived sooner than expected, her eagerness to be by Inaya's side evident in her swift arrival. Inaya, too, wasted no time, donning a flowing dress and hijab in an attempt to mask the toll of her grief. As they stepped outside, Inaya was enveloped in Aria's warm embrace, a fleeting moment of solace amidst the turmoil.

As they settled into the back seats of the car, Inaya's gaze met William's, his eyes a gentle oasis amid her storm.

"Assalamu Alaikum," Inaya greeted both. William replied almost inaudibly. Aria, on the other hand, screamed, "Wa-Alaikum-Salaam, say it louder, William, she needs peace."

Inaya almost smiled at her response, but William ignored her like thin air.
Despite Aria's playful banter, William's presence surprised Inaya. It was not a "William" thing to do. Moreover, Aria didn’t say he would come. And William never joins the girls alone. Inaya's surprise at William's presence was met with a simple explanation – he wanted to ensure her safety. Aria was furious at this comment.

"Are you trying to say I can't drive? I'm a pilot, for God's sake."

"Maybe I'll trust you with a plane but not with a car."

William said sternly, but he knew himself that he joined today only to be with Inaya. Even if he couldn't hold her, he wanted to comfort her with his presence.

As they journeyed forward, Inaya felt a glimmer of hope flicker within her, buoyed by the unwavering support of her friends. Though her pain lingered, she found solace in the knowledge that she was not alone.