Eternity

Chapter 23

As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu

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The entire night was a blur of contemplation for Ayzal. She was utterly bewildered by Zayan's unpredictable behavior. At times, he was a gentle, considerate man, always mindful of everyone's needs. But in the blink of an eye, he could transform into the most heartless person she had ever encountered.

Zayan's harsh words echoed relentlessly in Ayzal's mind. She could endure many things, but disrespect was not one of them. This time, Zayan had crossed an unforgivable line.

Ayzal had always known, deep down, that their marriage was on shaky ground. Yet, she clung to a fragile hope that Zayan might have a change of heart, that he would eventually accept their reality and strive for a better future together. But now, that hope seemed like a distant, unattainable dream.

With a heavy heart, Ayzal realized that she could no longer continue to deceive herself. The pain of holding onto a crumbling hope was greater than the fear of letting go. So, she made the difficult decision to stop trying, to relinquish the faint glimmer of hope she had been holding onto. She understood that some battles were not meant to be won, and this was one of them.

As the dawn began to break, casting a soft light through the window, Ayzal felt a sense of bittersweet relief. She had made her choice, and now, she needed to gather the strength to follow through with it. The path ahead would not be easy, but she knew that it was the only way to find peace.

After Zayan left for work, Ayzal began packing the essentials. She felt a mix of determination and sadness as she went downstairs, seeking out her mother-in-law.

She found her, as usual, in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. Ayzal knew this was the right moment to speak up. Taking a deep breath, she approached her. "Mother?"

Her mother-in-law turned to face her, a warm smile on her face. "Yes, my child?"

Ayzal hesitated, her fingers nervously fidgeting. “I haven’t been feeling well lately,” she said softly. “I was thinking it might be best if I spent a few days at my father’s place.”

Her mother-in-law's expression softened with concern. "Of course, Ayzal. You don't have to ask. Did you inform Zayan?"

The last thing Ayzal wanted was to inform Zayan, so she bit her lip and gave a false reassurance. "Yes, I did."

Her mother-in-law's kind eyes softened even more. "Alright then. Please give your parents my greetings."

"Sure," Ayzal responded, forcing a smile.

Just as she was turning to leave, her mother-in-law called out to her, "Ayzal, have breakfast before you go."

Ayzal paused, her hand resting on the doorframe. She hadn't eaten anything since the previous night, her mind too consumed with thoughts. The smell of freshly cooked parathas and steaming chai filled the kitchen, making her realize how hungry she was.

"Okay, Mother" Ayzal said, her voice tinged with emotion as she returned to the kitchen.

Her mother-in-law set a plate in front of her, the warmth of the food bringing a small measure of comfort. As Ayzal sat down, her mind briefly quieted, and she allowed herself to enjoy the simple, nurturing act of eating. Her mother-in-law sat across from her, watching her with a mixture of concern and affection.

"You know, Ayzal," her mother-in-law began gently, "it is important to take care of yourself, especially when you are going through tough times."

Ayzal looked up, meeting her mother-in-law's eyes. There was so much she wanted to say, so much she needed to express, but she held back. Instead, she simply nodded. "I know, Mother. Thank you for everything."

They finished breakfast in a companionable silence, the unspoken understanding between them offering Ayzal a sense of comfort. When she had finished eating, she stood up, feeling a bit more fortified for the journey ahead.

She went to retrieve her luggage. As she carried her bags downstairs, a torrent of thoughts flooded her mind. The weight of her decision felt heavy, but she knew it was necessary. She pushed aside her doubts and fears, focusing on the immediate task at hand.

Her mother-in-law walked her to the door, giving her a gentle hug. "Take care of yourself, Ayzal. And remember, you always have a home here."

"I really appreciate it," Ayzal whispered, feeling a lump form in her throat.

As Ayzal's car pulled up to her father's home, she felt a wave of emotion wash over her. The familiar sight of the modest house, with its well-tended garden and welcoming front porch, brought a sense of relief. She took a deep breath and stepped out, her luggage in tow.

The front door opened before she could knock, and her father stood there, concern etched on his face. "Ayzal, my dear, what a surprise," he said, pulling her into a warm embrace. "Is everything alright?"

Ayzal hugged him tightly, feeling a sense of comfort she hadn't felt in a long time. The burden she carried was too heavy to bear alone. Even if she wanted to hide the truth, she couldn't bring herself to do it. Her father had always been her rock, and right now, she needed someone to rely on, someone to help her navigate through the turmoil. With a deep breath and a heavy heart, she spoke honestly, "Not really, Dad. Can we talk inside?"

"Of course," he said, guiding her into the house. They walked into the living room, where the familiar furniture and family photos made her feel a bit more at ease.

"Sit down, Ayzal," her father said, motioning to the couch. "Tell me what is going on."

Ayzal took a seat, trying to gather her thoughts. "Dad, things with Zayan have been really difficult. He has been so unpredictable, and...and disrespectful. I couldn't take it anymore."

Her father listened attentively, his expression serious but gentle. "How long has this been going on?"

"Too long," Ayzal admitted, her voice trembling. "I have been trying to make things work, hoping he would change, but it seems impossible now."

Before she could fully process her emotions, tears began streaming down Ayzal's face. Her father pulled her into a tight embrace, his own tears mixing with hers. He had hoped Zayan would be like Murad, or even better, but seeing his daughter so distressed, he felt a surge of anger and guilt for urging her to marry someone like Zayan. "I am so sorry, my child. I shouldn't have asked you to make such a sacrifice. I am responsible for this, and I promise you, Ayzal, I will make things right. You don't have to face this alone. Your father will always be with you."

Ayzal pulled back slightly, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "It is not your fault, Dad. This was bound to happen one way or another. Please don't blame yourself," she said, her voice trembling. "And i am sorry I came without giving you a heads-up. I just didn't know what else to do. I needed to get away and clear my head."

Her father gently took her hand. "You did the right thing by coming here, my dear. Sometimes we need to step back to see things more clearly. For now, focus on taking care of yourself."

Ayzal nodded, feeling a wave of relief. "I just don't know what to do next."

"We will figure it out together," her father assured her. "For now, rest and take your time. You are safe here."

Ayzal managed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Dad. I needed to hear that."

"Anytime, my dear," he said, giving her hand a comforting squeeze. "Now, let me get you something to eat. You must be hungry after your journey."

Ayzal shook her head gently. "I already had breakfast, Dad. Just having you here is enough."