𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐓: 𝐀 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐐𝐮𝐫'𝐚𝐧

chapter 25

After two days

Today is Chand Raat, and the past two days have passed with ease. Ayat is now fit and her pain is completely gone. She has started going back to the madarsa like before because staying cooped up in the house like a patient became difficult for her. Both Aadam and Salma did not express any concerns, and Nayla kept urging Salma to send Ayat to celebrate Ramadan with her in-laws and husband. Salma ultimately agreed, and today Ayat is going. It was also Seher who had been insistent on sending Ayat.

Ashar got the project, and now only some paperwork is left. He has decided to take one more month off without informing Nayla, wanting to clear his mind due to Ayat constantly occupying his thoughts. This has irritated him to no end, and although Ayat has been calling him to ask about his health, he hasn't returned a single call because he never thought to do so.

Right now, Ayat is packing her luggage, putting clothes into her suitcase. After finishing, she goes downstairs.

"Ammi! When will Abbu come?" she asks Salma, who is sitting on the lounge.

"Wait, let me call him, hmm?" Salma replies, heading to the kitchen to get her mobile. Ayat nods and heads upstairs to the open area. The sky is cloudy with clouds drifting lazily, and she makes her way to her favorite spot-the swing-and sits, gently rocking back and forth.

"Huh? Two days? But in these two days, he never thought to at least call me!" she sighs in disappointment. However, as an understanding wife, she doesn't complain, instead contenting herself with swinging and watching the clouds. Suddenly, her mobile rings. She glances at the caller ID and sees it's Sabeeha Aapa; she quickly picks up.

"Assalamualaikum!" Ayat greets, and Sabeeha responds in kind.

"Why didn't you come, Ayat?" Sabeeha asks in a soft voice, as someone is reciting the Quran in the background.

"Actually, Aapa, today I am going to my in-laws," Ayat replies, realizing she forgot to mention this to Sabeeha and feels a little embarrassed.

"Oh, okay... so it means you are quitting again?" Sabeeha asks, her voice still soft. Ayat furrows her brows in confusion.

"No, Aapa, I will continue from now on, but... who is reciting Quran in the background?" Ayat asks curiously. Sabeeha turns to look at a figure sitting with his back to her. His long hair cascades down his neck, and he's dressed in a pure white kurta and pajama. She smiles proudly.

"It's my brother... he is memorizing the Quran!" Sabeeha announces with a bright smile, pride evident in her voice. Ayat responds with an astonished "Mashallah!"

But then, Sabeeha is interrupted. "Appi, come here!" someone calls, causing Sabeeha to cut the call. Ayat frowns at the abrupt end of the conversation when her phone rings again. Without checking the caller ID, she answers.

"Yes, Aapa? Why did you cut the call suddenly?" she inquires, but there's no answer. Confusion settles on her face.

"Hello? Aapa?" she calls again, but instead of her Aapa's voice, a manly laugh comes through. She raises her eyebrows, realizing who it is. Her heartbeat quickens.

"As-salamualaikum, Ashar!" she exclaims, jumping up from the swing as she tries to control her trembling voice. Ashar stops laughing and simply smirks.

---

Ashar is at Asad's apartment, where he usually spends time. As Asad makes coffee, Ashar is seated on the lounge, using his mobile.

"By the way, Ashar, doesn't 'bhabhi' call you?" Asad asks as he comes over with two cups of coffee, offering one to Ashar.