Self love

12

Chapter 12
It had been a year since Amina and Zayd's wedding, a year that had flown by in a whirlwind of shared moments and quiet contentment. Yet recently, Amina had felt a shift in their relationship. Zayd, once so attentive and warm, had become distant. The easy laughter and late-night conversations had faded, replaced by a silence that weighed heavily on Amina's heart.

Zayd had secured a new job shortly after their marriage, a role that came with significant responsibilities and long hours. While Amina was proud of his achievements, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Zayd's work seemed to consume him, leaving little room for their relationship.

One evening, as they sat at the dinner table, Amina mustered the courage to address her concerns. "Zayd, is everything okay? You've been so distant lately. Did I do something wrong?"

Zayd looked up from his meal, his expression unreadable. "No, Amina. Everything is fine. I'm just busy with work. There's nothing to worry about."

But Amina couldn't help but worry. Their conversations had become strained, and the warmth that once filled their home seemed to have evaporated. She missed the Zayd who would listen to her day, share his thoughts, and make her feel cherished. Now, it felt as though they were living parallel lives, connected only by shared space but separated by unspoken tensions.

A few days later, Fatima came over to visit. They sat together in the living room, catching up on each other's lives. As they chatted, Amina found herself confiding in her friend.

"Fatima, I don't know what's happening with Zayd and me. He used to be so attentive and caring, but now it feels like he's a stranger. He's always focused on his work, and we barely talk anymore."

Fatima listened intently, her expression sympathetic. "Amina, have you tried talking to him about how you feel? Sometimes, men get so caught up in their work that they don't realize the impact it has on their relationships."

"I have," Amina sighed. "But he just says everything is fine and that he's busy with work. I don't know what to do."

Fatima reached out and squeezed Amina's hand. "Give him some time, Amina. Maybe he's just stressed with his new job. But don't give up. Keep communicating and let him know how much you care."

That night, after Isha prayer, Amina decided to take Fatima's advice. She found Zayd in the living room, engrossed in his laptop. Taking a deep breath, she sat down beside him.

"Zayd, can we talk?" she asked gently.

Zayd glanced up, his brow furrowed. "Sure, Amina. What's on your mind?"

"I miss you," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "I miss the way we used to talk and laugh together. I know your new job is demanding, but I feel like I'm losing you. Please, tell me what's going on."

Zayd sighed, closing his laptop and setting it aside. "Amina, I know I've been distant. It's not because of you. This new job has been overwhelming, and I've been struggling to balance everything. But I promise, I'm not pulling away because of anything you've done."

Amina felt a glimmer of hope. "Then let's work on it together. I want to support you, Zayd, but I need you to be present with me too. Our marriage is important, and I don't want to lose what we have."

Zayd nodded, reaching for her hand. "You're right, Amina. I'm sorry for shutting you out. I didn't realize how much it was affecting you. Let's make more time for each other. I don't want our marriage to suffer because of my job."

Over the next few weeks, they made a concerted effort to reconnect. They set aside time each evening to talk, sharing the details of their days and their thoughts. They prayed together, seeking guidance and strength from Allah. Slowly, the distance between them began to close, and the warmth returned to their relationship.

One evening, after a particularly long day, Zayd surprised Amina with a small gesture that meant the world to her. He had prepared dinner, a simple yet heartfelt meal, and they ate together, talking and laughing as they had in the early days of their marriage.

"Amina, I know things haven't been easy lately," Zayd said, looking into her eyes. "But I want you to know that I love you, and I'm committed to making our marriage work. Thank you for being patient with me."

Amina smiled, feeling a surge of love and gratitude. "I love you too, Zayd. And I'm here for you, always."

As they sat together, Amina felt a renewed sense of hope. Their journey was far from over, and there would undoubtedly be more challenges ahead. But with faith, love, and mutual support, she knew they could overcome anything together.

Amina was sitting on the edge of their bed, flipping through a book, when she heard Zayd's phone ring from the dresser. Zayd was in the kitchen, preparing a late-night snack for them, so she decided to take the phone to him. As she picked it up, a text message notification popped up on the screen. She glanced at it out of reflex and froze when she saw the name: Laila.

Her heart skipped a beat, and an uneasy feeling settled in her stomach. She remembered Zayd mentioning Laila, his ex-girlfriend from years ago, but she had assumed that was all in the past. Why was she texting him now? And why was she calling him "babe"?

Amina's curiosity got the better of her, and she opened the message:

Laila: Babe, I miss you. When can we meet again?

Amina's hands trembled, and her mind raced with questions. She felt a sharp pang of betrayal and confusion. Why was Laila reaching out to Zayd like this? And why hadn't Zayd mentioned it to her?

She quickly locked the phone and placed it back on the dresser, deciding to act as if she hadn't seen anything. When Zayd returned to the bedroom with a plate of fruit and snacks, Amina forced a smile, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Hey, your phone rang," she said casually, trying to keep her voice steady.

Zayd looked momentarily surprised and then picked up his phone. Amina watched him closely, studying his expression. He glanced at the screen, and for a brief moment, his face registered something—was it concern? Annoyance? She couldn't tell. His expression quickly returned to neutral, and he put the phone back down.

"Thanks," he said, sitting beside her on the bed and offering her a slice of apple.

Amina accepted it, her mind still reeling from what she had seen. She forced herself to smile and engage in small talk, but her thoughts kept returning to the message. Why was Laila contacting him? And why was she calling him "babe"?

As the evening wore on, Amina felt a growing sense of sadness and doubt. She didn't want to jump to conclusions, but the message had shaken her trust. She kept replaying it in her mind, wondering what it meant for their relationship. Was Zayd hiding something from her?

That night, as they lay in bed, Amina found it hard to sleep. She kept glancing over at Zayd, who seemed oblivious to her inner turmoil. Her heart ached with uncertainty, and she felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. She turned away from him, not wanting him to see her distress.

In the morning, Amina's mood hadn't improved. She moved through her morning routine in a daze, her mind still preoccupied with the message. Zayd noticed her quiet demeanor and furrowed his brow in concern.

"Amina, are you okay? You seem a bit off this morning," he asked gently.

Amina forced a smile. "I'm fine, just a little tired."

Zayd nodded but didn't press further. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before heading out for work, leaving Amina alone with her thoughts. As the door closed behind him, she felt a tear slip down her cheek.

Amina standing by the window, watching Zayd's car pull away. Her heart is heavy with sadness and uncertainty, and she can't shake the feeling that their relationship is on the brink of something she doesn't yet understand. The unanswered questions about Laila and Zayd's past loom large in her mind, leaving her eager for clarity and resolution.

Hmmmm 🤔