Eternity

Chapter 21

As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu

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It was Zayan's cousin's wedding, and with his family having all left for the occasion, he was left waiting for Ayzal to get ready. Sitting on the couch in the empty hall, he glanced up as the sound of heels clicking on the stairs reached his ears. His gaze followed the ethereal figure of Ayzal as she descended the stairs, her saree held slightly higher to avoid tripping. She moved with a grace that seemed almost otherworldly, unaware of Zayan’s admiring eyes.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Ayzal took a quick survey of her surroundings. Spotting Zayan in the hallway, she made her way over to him, extending her hand which cradled a delicate necklace.

"Can you please help me put this on? I tried but couldn’t manage it, and I wouldn’t have asked you—" she rambled, her words tumbling out in a nervous rush.

Before she could finish, Zayan took the necklace from her hand with a calm, deliberate motion. His touch was careful, yet firm, as he turned around and motioned for her to position her hair to one side.

Ayzal complied, pulling her hair over her shoulder, exposing her slender neck. Zayan, his face close to hers, focused on the delicate task of clasping the hook. Despite his best efforts, the clasp remained elusive, slipping through his fingers.

Realizing he was running out of options, Zayan leaned in closer, his breath warm against Ayzal’s neck. His lips brushed her skin as he tried to secure the clasp, the intimacy of the moment heightening the tension between them. Ayzal’s breath hitched, and she instinctively clutched her saree tighter, her pulse quickening at the unexpected closeness.

Zayan's proximity was overwhelming. His breath was shallow, mingling with hers as he concentrated on the delicate task. The warmth of his lips against her skin made Ayzal shiver, a jolt of electricity coursing through her as she struggled to remain composed. The sensation was both startling and oddly comforting, stirring a swirl of emotions within her.

Finally, after several moments of awkward but focused attempts, the clasp clicked into place. Zayan pulled back slightly, his fingers lingering for a moment longer than necessary, as if reluctant to break the connection they had established.

“There, it is done,” he said softly, his voice lower than usual. His gaze lingered on her, and for a moment, the formality of their relationship seemed to waver.

Ayzal met his eyes, her own filled with a mixture of gratitude and lingering tension. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She reached up to adjust the necklace, her fingers brushing against his, which sent a shiver down her spine.

Ayzal’s cheeks flushed slightly and she looked down, suddenly feeling self-conscious under Zayan’s gaze. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. The intimate moment had revealed a side of Zayan she had not seen before, adding layers of complexity to their strained relationship.

With a nod, Zayan gestured towards the door. “Shall we go?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of formality once more.

Ayzal nodded, her heart still racing from the closeness of their earlier interaction. As they walked side by side, the tension between them remained palpable, a silent acknowledgment of the fragile and evolving dynamic of their relationship.

___________________________________________

At the wedding reception of Zayan's cousin, the atmosphere was lively and joyous. Ayzal and Zayan arrived together, blending seamlessly into the celebratory crowd. The hall was adorned with twinkling lights and fragrant floral arrangements, filled with the chatter of guests and the strains of upbeat music.

Zayan greeted his cousins warmly, catching up with relatives he hadn't seen in a while. Ayzal, always unsociable, remained by his side.

As the evening progressed, Ayzal found herself near the refreshments, sipping on a glass of water. It was then Arham approached her with a warm smile.

"Hey there," Arham said cheerfully, extending his hand with a warm smile. "Nice to see you again."

Ayzal glanced at his hand, then met his gaze with a cool expression. "I don’t share that sentiment."

Arham’s smile faltered for a moment, but then his eyes sparkled with genuine interest. He laughed softly, his tone playful. "Feisty, I see. I didn’t expect that. I guess you are not one to mince words."

Ayzal raised an eyebrow, her demeanor still guarded but slightly intrigued by his reaction. "I prefer honesty."

Arham chuckled, his demeanor relaxed despite her coolness. "Well, I appreciate that. It is not every day you meet someone so directly."

Despite Ayzal’s attempts to sidestep the conversation, Arham remained engaged, seemingly oblivious to her discomfort.

Unbeknownst to them, Zayan’s eyes were locked on them from across the room. His jaw tightened with growing irritation as he watched Arham’s persistent attempts to engage Ayzal.

As Arham continued to speak animatedly, Ayzal struggled to maintain her composure, her attempts to disengage becoming more evident. Despite her polite but short responses, Arham remained completely absorbed in the conversation, unaware of the silent tension that was building.

Zayan excused himself from his conversation and strode purposefully toward Ayzal and Arham, his expression darkening with each step. His heart pounded with a mix of apprehension and possessiveness, his mind racing with scenarios.

As Zayan approached, Arham turned to greet him with a friendly nod. "Hey, Zayan! Good to see you, man."

Zayan's response was curt, his voice tight with restrained emotion. "Likewise."

Arham's easygoing demeanor faltered slightly at the coldness in Zayan's tone, sensing an underlying tension he couldn't quite place. Ayzal, sensing Zayan's presence, turned to face him with a questioning look.

"Is everything okay?" Ayzal asked Zayan, concern knitting her brows.

Zayan's gaze bore into hers, his jaw clenched with barely contained frustration. "We are leaving," he stated firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

Ayzal's confusion deepened, her eyes searching his face for an explanation. "Leaving? But why?"

Zayan's eyes flickered briefly to Arham before returning to Ayzal's, his voice low and intense. "We need to go."

Arham, sensing the tension escalating, took a step back, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Hey, if there is any issue..."

Zayan's glare silenced him instantly, his voice sharp and cutting. "Stay away from my wife."

Arham's eyes widened in surprise, his expression shifting from confusion to understanding. "Wait, she is your..."

Zayan's jaw tightened, his voice laced with bitterness. "Yes, she is." He shook his head dismissively, his anger barely contained. "Let's go, Ayzal."

Ayzal nodded reluctantly. As they made their way toward the exit, the air around them thickened with unresolved tension and hurt feelings, leaving a bitter aftertaste of misunderstanding and wounded pride in their wake.