Eternity

Chapter 10

As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatu

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As Ayzal engaged in conversation with Zara, Idah awoke from her nap, craving attention. She seemed to have a particular fondness for Ayzal, and the sentiment was mutual. Idah's laughter and giggles filled the room as Ayzal made silly faces to entertain her.

"As-salamu alaikum," Zayan's voice echoed as he entered the house after a long, exhausting day.

"Wa-alaikum salam," came the unified response from the room. Upon seeing her uncle, Idah's excitement was palpable. She kicked her legs energetically and stretched out her arms, eager for Zayan to hold her.

Despite his outwardly stoic demeanor, Zayan was a soft-hearted man, especially when it came to Idah, his little bundle of joy. Unable to resist her enthusiasm, he moved towards the couch where Idah was still animatedly kicking in Ayzal's lap.

Approaching from behind, Zayan bent down and gently lifted Idah into his arms, careful not to hurt her. Unbeknownst to both, Ayzal's earring had become entangled in Idah's dress. As Zayan took Idah away, the earring was abruptly yanked from Ayzal's ear, causing a sharp pain and a trickle of blood. Ayzal winced and instinctively clutched her ear in an attempt to staunch the bleeding.

Zara immediately rushed to her side. "Are you alright, Ayzal?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Yes, I am," Ayzal replied, biting her lip to suppress the pain.

"Wait, let me get the first aid kit," Zara said, turning to go.

"Zara di, it is fine. I will take care of it myself," Ayzal insisted, grabbing Zara's wrist to stop her.

Despite her reassurances, Zara remained unconvinced. "You are bleeding, Ayzal. You need proper care."

Ayzal, attempting to downplay the situation, forced a smile. "It is just a scratch. Really, I can handle it."

Zayan, who had witnessed the incident, picked up the fallen earring from the floor. Without a word, he tucked it into his pocket with the intention of disposing it later. Holding Idah in one hand, he glanced at Ayzal, his eyes reflecting guilt. After a moment of hesitation, he finally said, "I am sorry. I didn't realize."

Ayzal, shocked to see him speaking to her, shook her head, still pressing her hand to her ear. "It was an accident. Don't worry about it"

Reluctantly, Zara released her wrist from Ayzal's grasp, though her eyes remained fixed on her injury. "At least let me help you clean it up," she insisted.

Ayzal nodded, realizing that denying help would only cause more worry. Together, they moved to the kitchen, where Zara carefully tended to the wound. She cleaned the blood and applied a small bandage, her movements gentle and precise.

"Thank you, Zara di" Ayzal gratefully replied.

"You don't have to thank me, Ayzal. Just be careful, it is your first day here and you already managed to get hurt" Zara said.

Idah's cries pierced through the serious atmosphere, echoing down the corridor as Zayan and Ayzal hurried towards the main hall. The tension from earlier seemed to dissipate as they entered, greeted by the sight of family and friends mingling under the soft glow of chandeliers.

As soon as Idah caught sight of Ayzal, her cries intensified. With a squirm and a joyful squeal, she pushed herself away from Zayan's arms, her tiny hands reaching out towards Ayzal.

Zayan sensed Idah's eagerness. He gently moved towards Ayzal, maneuvering through the crowd until he stood beside her. With a tender gesture, he passed Idah into Ayzal's waiting arms.

Idah, now nestled against Ayzal's chest, immediately calmed down. She looked up at Ayzal with wide, curious eyes, her chubby tiny fingers brushing against the bandage.

"Careful, little one," Ayzal said, laughing softly. "No more accidents today, okay?"

Ayzal, touched by the child's innocence, smiled warmly and adjusted Idah in her arms, making sure she was comfortable.

Zayan stood beside them, observing the interaction with relief. Despite the earlier mishap with Ayzal's ear, seeing them together now filled him with a sense of reassurance.

As the evening wore on, the guests began to bid their farewells, Zara reached out, gently taking Idah from Ayzal.

"She really likes you," Zara said softly, her voice carrying a hint of admiration.

Ayzal looked up at her, her heart warming at Zara's words.

"And I like her," she replied sincerely, meeting Zara's gaze with gratitude.

Zara nodded, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Thank you for being so good with her, Ayzal."

"It is my pleasure," Ayzal replied, her voice soft. "She is a sweetheart."

Zara, her face radiant with satisfaction from the heartfelt exchange, placed a reassuring hand on Ayzal's shoulder, her voice filled with genuine care and concern.

"Ayzal, whenever you find yourself facing any difficulty or need someone to talk to, please don't hesitate to contact me, alright? I will always be here to support you," Zara said warmly, her eyes reflecting her sincerity.

Ayzal nodded appreciatively, feeling a sense of gratitude for Zara's unwavering presence and support.

"Thank you, Zara di" Ayzal replied softly, her voice touched with sincerity. "I truly appreciate your kindness"

Zara smiled warmly, her demeanor showing genuine warmth and understanding. "It is my pleasure, Ayzal. We are family now, and supporting each other is what family does best."

With a final nod of affirmation, Ayzal and Zara exchanged a knowing glance. Ayzal knew she could rely on Zara's steadfast support, a comforting thought as she embraced the uncertainties and possibilities of her new life.