Eternity

Chapter 12

As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu

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It was Murad's death anniversary. The atmosphere at the Qureshi house was filled with deep sadness. The family had dreaded this day, knowing it was an unavoidable reality they had to face, yet it was incredibly hard to deal with. Murad's presence had once filled their home with joy, a joy that seemed forever lost since his tragic passing.

Two years had passed since that painful day when they lost Murad to suicide. The first month after his death had been unbearable, with grief crashing over them like a relentless wave. Over time, they managed to put together a semblance of normalcy, but the pain never completely went away. The family struggled with mixed emotions, torn between the belief that Murad's act was a grave sin and their deep love for him. All they could do now was pray for his forgiveness and hope for his eternal peace.

On the day of his anniversary, the house was wrapped in a solemn silence. Every corner seemed to echo with memories of Murad. In one of the rooms, Ayzal sat on the prayer mat, her heart heavy as she begged her Lord to forgive Murad and grant him entry into Heaven. For Ayzal, speaking to God has always been easier than speaking to people. The pain in her chest seemed to flow through her tears as she fervently prayed for her late fiancé.

Ayzal's sobs filled the room, her shoulders shaking with each desperate plea for mercy. The door creaked open, and she glanced up to see Zayan standing there. She quickly looked away and returned to her prayers, trying to ignore his presence. Zayan gave her a long look before moving towards the bed. When Ayzal finally finished her prayer and stood up, she found him lying on the bed, one arm over his eyes, the other resting beside him.

Trying not to disturb him, Ayzal tiptoed around the room towards the door. Her hand was just on the doorknob when Zayan's voice cut through the silence, "Who were you praying for with such intense emotions?"

Ayzal turned slowly, her voice barely above a whisper, "For Murad."

A bitter laugh escaped Zayan's lips. "Who gave you the right to even say his name?" he sneered.

Ayzal's eyes widened in shock. "No one needs any kind of right to pray for someone," she replied, her voice shaking but firm.

Zayan's expression darkened, his grief turning into anger. He rose from the bed, his movements slow and deliberate. As he walked towards her, Ayzal instinctively backed away until she felt the cold wall against her back. Zayan's hand shot out, grabbing her throat and pushing her against the wall.

"You might have talked to Murad without thinking when you were his fiancée," Zayan hissed, his face inches from hers, "but remember, you are my wife now. When you speak to me, think twice before replying. I am not him; I won't tolerate your behavior like he did. And this is your last warning, I don't want to even hear his name coming from your mouth ever again. Do you understand?"

Ayzal gasped for breath, her hands clawing at Zayan's to loosen his grip. Her vision blurred as she felt herself on the edge of fainting. Just when she thought she would black out, Zayan released her. She crumpled to the floor, gulping in air, her chest heaving.

Zayan stood over her, his eyes blazing with an emotion she couldn't decipher. His voice, a dangerous mix of fury and frustration, cut through the air, "Get out of my sight right this instant, or else I will do something I might regret later," he snarled.

Ayzal's heart pounded in her chest as she gathered herself. She knew it was safer to stay out of his way. Without a word, she turned and hurried to the restroom. Once inside, she locked the door behind her and slid down to the cold, tiled floor. Tears welled up in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around her knees, trying to steady her breath. The confrontation had left her shaken, and she needed a moment to compose herself.

As Ayzal sat there, struggling to pull herself together, she realized that the man she had married was very different from his brother; the man she had once loved. The realization brought a fresh wave of despair, and she curled up on the floor, crying for the life and love she had lost.

Time went by and her tears slowly dried, leaving a dull ache in their wake. She knew she couldn't stay there forever, but the weight of her sorrow pinned her down. After a while, she forced herself to stand, her body trembling as she did. She wiped her face with the back of her hand and took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.