Eternity

Chapter 20

As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu

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In the days that followed, Ayzal gradually opened up more to her mother-in-law, finding solace in the older woman's understanding and support. However, Zayan's frustrations with his injury persisted.

Ayzal wasn't known to easily give up on things she valued, and right now, her singular focus was on repairing their marriage. She had made a silent vow to break through Zayan's emotional walls, no matter the effort required. Despite the hurtful rebuffs and unpredictable mood swings, Ayzal remained steadfast. Each day, Ayzal approached Zayan with patience and understanding, even when met with his sharp retorts and cold demeanor.

One evening, as Ayzal attempted to help him apply a fresh bandage to his hand, he winced and pulled away abruptly.

"I can handle it myself," Zayan snapped, his tone sharp and dismissive. He avoided Ayzal's gaze, clearly irritated by her presence.

Ayzal sighed inwardly, wounded by his sudden coldness. She had braced herself for this reaction, yet each rejection cut deeper than she anticipated.

"A little help won't hurt," Ayzal replied calmly, masking her disappointment.

"I said I can handle it," Zayan insisted, his voice tinged with annoyance as he continued to tend to his wound with deliberate movements.

A tense silence settled between them, heavy with unspoken tension. Ayzal bit her lip, unsure of how to respond without escalating the situation further.

Zayan finished wrapping the bandage and stood up abruptly. "I am going for a walk," he announced curtly, his voice clipped.

Ayzal watched him leave, her heart sinking. She understood his need for space, but it didn't make it any easier to bear his harsh words and dismissive attitude.

As days turned into weeks, Zayan's mood remained unpredictable. There were moments of warmth and engagement with others, but when it came to Ayzal, he consistently withdrew into himself, distancing himself from her efforts to assist him.

One afternoon, Ayzal found Zayan in the study, his brow furrowed in concentration over some paperwork. She approached quietly, hoping to engage him in a casual conversation.

"Hey, how is your hand feeling today?" Ayzal asked softly, standing by the doorway.

Zayan glanced up, his expression darkening. "I don't need your sympathy" he snapped sharply, his voice tinged with bitterness.

Ayzal recoiled slightly, hurt flashing across her face. She took a step back, stung by his callousness.

"I am just trying to help," Ayzal replied quietly, her voice tinged with sadness.

Zayan's frustration boiled over as he shot back at Ayzal, his voice cold and cutting.
"How many times do I have to make you understand that I don't want your help?" His words hung heavily in the air, sharper than he intended, carrying with them the weight of weeks of strained interactions.

"I know you think you are helping," Zayan continued, his tone laced with frustration. "But I don't need it. I can handle things on my own."

"Okay" Ayzal bit her lip, fighting back tears of frustration. She had tried so hard to mend their relationship, to be there for him in his moments of vulnerability. Yet, Zayan's walls remained firmly in place, shutting her out whenever he felt overwhelmed or conflicted.

That evening, as Ayzal sat alone in the living room, her thoughts consumed by their turbulent relationship, she couldn't help but question why Zayan pushed her away so relentlessly.

'I don't understand why he treats me like this,' Ayzal murmured softly to herself, her voice heavy with sadness.

Despite her efforts, Zayan continued to rebuff her attempts to connect. His behavior left Ayzal feeling isolated and hurt, unsure of how to break through his defenses without sacrificing her own well-being.

In the weeks that followed, Ayzal learned to navigate around Zayan's unpredictable moods. She found solace in her conversations with his mother, who offered quiet reassurances and shared her own experiences of navigating familial challenges.

One morning, as Ayzal prepared breakfast, Zayan entered the kitchen with a tense expression. His mother noticed his demeanor immediately.

"Zayan, my child, is everything alright?" she asked gently, concern lacing her voice.

Zayan hesitated, his gaze flickering briefly towards Ayzal before he replied tersely, "Yes"

Ayzal kept her focus on the food, trying not to let Zayan's coldness affect her. She knew better than to expect warmth from him at moments like this.

As they sat down for breakfast, Ayzal noticed Zayan's withdrawn demeanor. His mother attempted to engage him in conversation, but his responses remained clipped and distant. Ayzal exchanged a concerned glance with her mother-in-law, both women silently acknowledging Zayan's struggle to communicate his emotions.

Later that day, Ayzal found herself in the garden, caring for the flowers. She couldn't help but wonder what it would take to bridge the gap between her and Zayan, to break through the walls he had erected around himself.

In the evening, as Ayzal prepared dinner, Zayan quietly entered the kitchen once more. His expression remained guarded as he observed her graceful movements around the stove. Ayzal sensed a presence and looked up, surprised to find Zayan standing in the doorway, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity she couldn't quite decipher.

Caught off guard by his scrutiny, Zayan shifted uncomfortably before gruffly breaking the silence, "Need any help?" His tone, though less harsh than usual, betrayed a hint of awkwardness as he attempted to mask his unexpected vulnerability.

"No, I am almost done," Ayzal replied evenly, unsure of how to interpret his sudden change in demeanor. She continued with her task, feeling the weight of their unspoken tension hanging in the air.

Zayan nodded and leaned against the kitchen counter, his eyes avoiding hers. Ayzal sensed an unspoken tension between them, a fragile truce hanging in the air.

After dinner, Zayan retreated to the study once more, leaving Ayzal to clean up the kitchen. She moved through the tasks with practiced efficiency, her mind drifting back to the uncertain rift that seemed to have settled between them.

As the days passed, Ayzal found herself navigating a delicate balance with Zayan, but her efforts seemed in vain. Their interactions were marked by moments of distance and silence but she learned to brace herself against the inevitable setbacks.