Eternity

Chapter 17

As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu

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Ayzal’s heart sank at Zayan’s curt response, but she forced herself to maintain her composure.

“It is just one evening, Zayan. Mumma wants us all there for dinner. Can’t you make an exception for tomorrow?” she pleaded, her voice gentle yet firm.

Zayan’s expression hardened, and he turned away from her, his back rigid with tension. “I said I am busy. End of discussion.”

She bit back a retort, knowing that pushing him further would only lead to more conflict. Instead, she took a deep breath and nodded, her eyes downcast. “Alright, I will let her know.”

As she turned to leave the room, a wave of exhaustion washed over her. The constant strain of trying to reach Zayan and the lingering pain from her wrist all weighed heavily on her. She needed a moment to herself, a brief respite from the turmoil.

Ayzal retreated to the small balcony adjoining their bedroom, seeking solace in the cool evening air. The sky was painted in hues of pink and orange, a stark contrast to the storm brewing in her heart. She leaned against the railing, closing her eyes and letting the gentle breeze soothe her frayed nerves.

Inside, Zayan watched her from the doorway, his expression inscrutable. A part of him wanted to agree to her plead but his pride and anger were too deeply entrenched.

Ayzal stayed on the balcony until the last light of day faded, her thoughts a whirlwind of frustration and longing. After a while, she went downstairs to help her mother-in-law with dinner. The kitchen was already filled with the warm, savory aroma of spices and simmering dishes. Her mother-in-law was chopping vegetables and stirring pots simultaneously.

"Let me help with that," Ayzal offered, taking the cutting board and knife from her mother-in-law's hands.

Her mother in-law smiled appreciatively. "Thank you, Ayzal. You are always so helpful."

As they worked side by side, a comfortable silence settled between them, punctuated only by the rhythmic sounds of chopping and the occasional sizzle from the stove.

"Your mother called earlier," her mother-in-law said, breaking the silence that had settled between them.

Ayzal looked up, momentarily lost in her thoughts. "Yes, I know. She mentioned she would call you," she replied softly, her mind still preoccupied.

"Did you talk to Zayan about it?" Her mother-in-law asked, noticing Ayzal's absentmindedness.

She nodded slowly. Her mother-in-law called her several times while she was lost in her thoughts; a gentle nudge brought her back to the present moment.

"What is on your mind, my child?" her mother-in-law asked gently, not looking up from her task.

Ayzal hesitated, the familiar ache in her heart making it hard to speak. "It is nothing, Mother"

Her mother-in-law paused, looking at her with a mixture of concern and understanding. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

Ayzal nodded, a lump forming in her throat. "I know. Thank you."

They continued their work in silence for a few more minutes before her mother-in-law spoke again, her tone carefully casual. "How are things with Zayan?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken worries. Ayzal took a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions in check. "They are... difficult. He has been so distant, and every time I try to reach out, it feels like I am pushing him further away." She felt light-hearted after finally being able to say what she wanted for a long time.

Her mother-in-law sighed, setting down her knife and turning to face Ayzal fully. "I have noticed. He has been like this since Murad's death. It is like he has built a wall around himself, and nothing seems to get through."

Ayzal’s heart clenched at the mention of Murad. She nodded slowly, her eyes misting with tears she had long held back. "I know. Murad meant so much to all of us."

Her mother-in-law's expression softened with empathy, her own eyes whelming with tears, "He did. Losing him was a blow everyone has never fully recovered from, especially Zayan. He blames himself for what happened."

Ayzal hugged her mother-in-law tightly, feeling a deep sorrow for the loss they both shared. She gently wiped away her own tears and then her mother-in-law's, whispering softly, "We can't bring him back, but we can honor his memory by living a happy life, Mother. Murad wouldn't have wanted us to be upset."

Her mother-in-law nodded, returning the embrace with equal warmth. "You are right, Ayzal. Thank you for reminding me of that."

As they finished preparing dinner, Ayzal set the table quietly, her mind wandering to memories of Murad and the life they had all planned together.

After dinner and cleaning up, Ayzal found herself on the balcony again, seeking solace under the starlit sky. Memories of Murad flooded her mind—his laughter, his kindness, and the love they had once shared. She had grieved his loss deeply, but seeing how it had affected Zayan added another layer of sorrow.

As night fell, she returned to the bedroom and found Zayan already in bed, his back turned to her, a silent wall of indifference. Slipping under the covers, she stared at the ceiling, her mind racing. She allowed herself a moment of vulnerability, a single tear escaping down her cheek.