Self love

14

Chapter 14
Zayd continued to act as though everything was normal, showing no signs of guilt or suspicion. He immersed himself in work, barely acknowledging Amina unless necessary. Amina, on the other hand, knew it wasn't just work keeping him away. The memory of seeing Zayd with another woman haunted her, but she chose to remain silent, bottling up her pain.

One evening after work, Amina decided to take a walk to the park where she and Zayd used to spend time together. The park was a place filled with fond memories of laughter, love, and shared dreams. As she walked, nostalgia washed over her, and she felt a deep longing for the Zayd she once knew. Her heart ached with the realization of how much she missed him.

Determined to confront him, she walked towards her old apartment, hoping to find some clarity. As she approached, she saw Zayd with a dark-skinned girl, laughing and carrying shopping bags from his car. The sight of them together, happy and carefree, shattered her heart into pieces. She felt a wave of despair and betrayal wash over her.

Returning home, Amina couldn't hold back her tears. She cried for hours, praying to Allah to make things easier for her. Her faith was the only anchor she had left, and she clung to it desperately.

Days passed, and the silence between Amina and Zayd grew more deafening. They lived in the same house but barely spoke, acting like strangers. Occasionally, Zayd would make an effort to show he cared by asking about her day, but Amina's responses were curt and distant. She had decided to stay in the marriage for the sake of their vows, but her heart was no longer in it.

At work, Fatima noticed Amina's withdrawal and insisted on a conversation. "Amina, you haven't been yourself lately. What's going on?" Fatima asked, her eyes filled with concern.

Amina hesitated before sharing a bit of her troubles. "It's...it's my marriage, Fatima. Things aren't going well."

Fatima listened intently, offering reassurance. "Before you married Zayd, I did some research on him. Everyone spoke highly of him. He's a good man, Amina. Maybe you should talk to him, clear the air."

But Amina was reluctant. The jealousy and hurt were too overwhelming. She couldn't bring herself to confront Zayd about Laila, fearing the truth might be even worse than her suspicions.

As Ramadan approached, Amina's sadness deepened. She immersed herself in prayers and fasting, hoping to find some peace. But the days passed, and the distance between her and Zayd only grew. The festive atmosphere of Eid brought a brief respite, and they traveled to Zayd's family home in Kaduna.

Zayd's family welcomed Amina warmly, treating her with kindness and respect. It was her second visit, and she appreciated the comfort it brought. Yet, even here, she and Zayd barely spoke, only meeting when they went to bed. Zayd's mother, Umma, sensed something was amiss and asked Amina directly. "Is everything alright between you and Zayd?"

Amina forced a smile and lied, "Everything is fine, Umma."

But Umma wasn't convinced. She decided to return with them to Bauchi to stay for a while. With his mother around, Zayd started coming home earlier, showing more care towards Amina. But in private, he remained distant. He believed Amina was the one ignoring him, unaware that she had discovered his secret.

One day, feeling overwhelmed, Amina visited a doctor. After answering several questions, she was diagnosed with depression. The news was devastating, and she felt even more isolated, unable to share her burdens with anyone.

The next morning, tension between Amina and Zayd reached a breaking point. They argued, and Zayd accused her of changing and not caring about him anymore. Amina's anger boiled over. "You're kidding me, right? When was the last time you came home early? When was the last time you cared about me or asked about my day? Even when we're intimate, you don't care if I'm satisfied or not. You've changed, Zayd. You're not the man I married."

Zayd was taken aback. "How is this related to what I asked you?"

Amina's voice trembled with emotion. "You only started caring since your mother came. Did you know she suspects something is wrong with our marriage? That's why she's here."

She paused, gathering her courage. "Zayd, you brainwashed me, teaching me self-love just to make me fall for you. You acted like I was the most important thing to you, but it was all a facade. You were never honest with me. I regret not knowing you better before we married. You used me."

Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. Zayd's expression hardened. "Yes, I used you. I studied you and figured out the best way to make you fall for me was to teach you self-love. My mother wanted me to marry, and I wasn't ready for love. I came here for a job, saw you, and thought you'd be easy to control. I do love you, but not as much as you think. I did what I had to do to make my mother happy. Now, it's your turn to make me happy."

He moved closer, his voice cold. "You want me to satisfy you? Fine, but you must do as I say."

Amina was shocked into silence as Zayd walked away, leaving her devastated. She sank to the floor, her heart shattered. She realized the man she loved had manipulated her from the start. Her faith and trust had been exploited, and now she was left to pick up the pieces of her broken life.