Eternity

Chapter 22

As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu

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In the dimly lit living room of their house, the tension between Ayzal and Zayan was clear, crackling like electricity. The shadows cast by the low lamp flickered ominously, echoing the turmoil that churned between them.

"You shouldn't have done that, Zayan," Ayzal said, her voice trembling with a mix of hurt and frustration. "Confronting him about something so trivial was completely out of line."

Zayan's face twisted into a mask of anger, his eyes narrowed with contempt. "You think you can flirt with anyone you please, huh? You are pathetic."

Ayzal's jaw tightened, and her eyes flashed with frustration. "It was just a conversation, Zayan. You are blowing this way out of proportion."

"Don't lie to me!" Zayan's voice thundered through the room, making Ayzal flinch involuntarily. "I saw you. Laughing, touching him. You are such a slut."

Ayzal's face flushed with a mix of anger and humiliation. The sting of his words cut deep, but she shot back with a tremor in her voice, "How dare you call me that! You have no right to talk to me like that!"

Zayan's sneer was laced with contempt. "I have every right. Don't forget you are my wife"

His words cut through Ayzal's resolve. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought to hold them back, refusing to let him see her weakness. The room seemed to close in around them, suffocating the remnants of their shattered trust.

"I won't be treated like this," she said, her voice shaking but defiant. "I deserve better."

Zayan's laughter was bitter and mocking. "Deserve better? Who else would want you, huh? You are lucky I even put up with you."

Ayzal recoiled as if struck. The words hung in the air like a poisonous cloud, poisoning what little trust remained between them. She stared at Zayan, disbelief and hurt warring in her eyes.

"Maybe you are right," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Maybe we are both better off alone."

In an instant, Zayan closed the distance between them, his figure looming over her. He grabbed her wrist with a grip that was firm, almost painful. Ayzal winced, but her gaze remained defiant. "Let go of me," she demanded, her voice wavering but resolute.

Zayan's expression hardened, his grip tightening almost imperceptibly. "You need to understand, Ayzal. This isn't just about tonight. It is about respect."

The room seemed to shrink around them, filled with the weight of unspoken words and unresolved tensions. Ayzal's chest heaved with each breath, her eyes locked with his in a silent battle of wills. She felt a surge of frustration and anger, but beneath it all, a trace of fear flickered in her eyes.

"Let. Me. Go," she repeated, her voice steady but urgent.

For a moment, Zayan hesitated, his grip loosening just a fraction. His gaze softened briefly, a flicker of regret crossing his features. But then, as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished, replaced by a steely resolve.

"Not until you understand," he growled, his voice low and tense.

Ayzal's heart pounded as the standoff continued, the tension between them thickening. With a surge of frustration and resolve, she shoved Zayan away with all her strength.

As she turned to leave, Zayan's anger flared anew. His voice cut through the silence with bitter sarcasm. "Oh, running away now? Typical. Can't even handle the truth."

Ayzal paused, her back to him, fists clenched at her sides. She took a deep breath, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "The truth? All I see is your insecurity turning you into a monster."

Zayan's face twisted with fury. "You ungrateful bitch. After everything I have done for you?"

Ayzal whirled around, tears streaming down her cheeks, her rage matching his. "Everything you have done? You mean controlling me, belittling me, making me feel worthless?"

Zayan advanced towards her, his fists clenched. "Watch your mouth, Ayzal. You have no idea..."

"No idea what?" Ayzal interrupted, her voice rising in defiance. "That you think you own me? That you can dictate who I talk to and where I go?"

"You are mine," Zayan growled, towering over her. "And you will damn well act like it."

Ayzal's fear melted into anger. "I am not yours, Zayan. I am not anyone's possession."

Zayan's eyes flashed with rage as he grabbed her arm roughly. "You are nothing without me."

Ayzal winced at his grip, but her voice was resolute. "I'd rather be nothing than be with you."

With a sudden burst of strength, she twisted free from his grasp, pain and defiance fueling her actions. Zayan stared at her, breathing heavily, his fists trembling with suppressed rage.

"You will regret this," he spat, his voice low and threatening.

Ayzal shook her head, wiping tears from her cheeks. "No, Zayan. I won't. Not anymore."

She turned away, leaving him standing alone in the darkened room, the echoes of their bitter confrontation hanging heavy in the air.