Eternity

Chapter 24

As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu

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Zayan returned home from work feeling the usual weariness of a long day. The office had been particularly demanding, and he was eager to unwind. As he entered the house, the familiar sounds of evening settled over him: the hum of the refrigerator and the soft murmur of the television in the living room.

Heading towards the living room, he found his mother seated there. “Evening, Zayan,” she greeted with a tired smile.

“Hey, Mom,” Zayan replied, dropping his briefcase on the table. He sank into the couch, needing a moment to relax.

“How was your day?” she asked, her voice gentle but worn.

“Busy, as usual. How about yours?”

“Oh, the same old,” she said, dismissing it with a wave.

Zayan noticed immediately Ayzal's absence. She always used to wait for him with a glass of water when he came home. Though it wasn’t something he particularly enjoyed, it had become a routine he had grown accustomed to.

He glanced at his mother. “Could I get a glass of water?”

“Of course, dear.”

She brought the water, which Zayan drank quickly. He leaned back, trying to shake off the unease that had settled in his chest. After a moment, he asked softly, “Where is she?”

“Who?”

“Ayzal,” he said, his voice barely more than a whisper.

His mother’s face softened with concern. “She went to her father’s house this morning. Didn’t you know?”

Zayan didn't want to admit it but his heart sank as he processed the news, his eyebrows furrowed slightly. “Oh, she left?”

“Yes,” his mother said, her worry evident. “She said she wasn’t feeling well and needed some time to herself. She is staying with her parents for a few days.”

Zayan’s initial reaction was a mix of annoyance and confusion. He hadn’t been informed, and it was inconvenient, though he wouldn’t admit how much it bothered him. He shrugged, trying to mask his unease. “Well, if she needs a break, then that is probably the best.”

His mother seemed to notice his lack of depth and pressed further. “She seemed quite upset when she left. I think she has been dealing with a lot.”

Zayan’s expression softened just a touch, but his pride kept him from showing too much concern. “She will figure it out. She is tough.”

His mother’s worry remained, but she nodded. “I just hope she is alright. It is not like her to leave like this.”

Zayan picked up his phone, pretending to scan through messages while he spoke. “I am sure she will reach out if she needs anything.”

His mother gave a slow nod, though her concern lingered. “Alright then. Why don’t you get freshened up? I will start preparing dinner.”

“Okay, Mom,” Zayan said, with a hint of gratitude in his voice. As he headed off, a flicker of worry crossed his mind, though he kept it well-hidden behind a mask of indifference.

As dinner was served, Zayan sat down at the table, his thoughts already shifting towards Ayzal’s departure. He ate mechanically, offering brief responses to his mother’s attempts at conversation.

After dinner, Zayan retreated to the living room, sinking into the couch. He turned on the television, letting the familiar noise wash over him. 

Despite his attempts to immerse himself in the show, the echoes of their last conversation lingered in his thoughts. Even as he settled into his routine, the weight of what had happened with Ayzal persisted, a subtle reminder of the rift that had formed between them.

His mother joined him with a tray of tea, setting it down on the coffee table. “You know, Zayan, it might be good to address the issues you both are facing rather than letting them fester.”

Zayan took a sip of tea, his expression neutral. “We are both better off with some space.”

His mother’s gaze lingered on him, a mixture of concern and disappointment. “It is important to at least acknowledge what is going on. Ignoring it won’t make it go away.”

Zayan shrugged. “It is just a temporary thing. She will come back, and we will see then.”

His mother gave a small sigh but didn’t push further. “Well, just know that I am here if you need to talk.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Zayan said, his tone dismissive but polite. He was already mentally checking out of the conversation.

As the evening wore on, Zayan focused on unwinding. He retreated to his bedroom, hoping to escape the residual stress of the day. His room felt oddly hollow in Ayzal’s absence. The familiar presence that had once filled the space was now missing, leaving a stark emptiness that seemed to highlight the silence. For a fleeting moment, Zayan felt a pang of disappointment, a brief, unspoken regret that he quickly pushed aside.

He surveyed the room—the unmade bed, the scattered clothes, and the quiet that now seemed louder without her. The absence was palpable, but Zayan forced himself to ignore the unease it stirred within him. He knew that this emptiness was likely a temporary state, and while it was uncomfortable, it was something he could live with.

The thought of their relationship was distant and vague. For now, Zayan focused on the fact that the space between them was perhaps a necessary break. He accepted that this distance might be exactly what they both needed, not to come back together, but to find a moment of peace and clarity apart.

Lying in bed, he replayed the moments of their last confrontation, the sharp exchanges that took place. He felt a vague sense of guilt, a faint pang of remorse for the harsh words he had used with Ayzal. But he quickly pushed these feelings aside, preferring to shield himself from deeper reflection.

The weight of his words felt heavy but he was resolute in his belief that there was no going back. An apology, he reasoned, would not mend the rift, it would only serve as a futile gesture.

He decided it was best to revert to his usual demeanor, to act as though things were just as they always had been. The pretense of normalcy seemed easier than confronting the reality of their fractured connection. In his mind, maintaining his routine was a way to protect himself from the uncomfortable truths he wasn’t ready to face.

As he closed his eyes, Zayan tried to silence the inner turmoil. Thoughts about Ayzal faded into the background. He would deal with it when the time came, but for now, he preferred to remain indifferent, letting the events of the day wash over him without further engagement.