Eternity

Chapter 25

As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu

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It had been a week since Ayzal had moved back to her father's house. The decision had not come easily, and when her mother learned about it, she was furious. Leaving one's own home was a serious matter, and Ayzal's mother couldn't understand why she would do such a thing. However, her father stepped in, gently explaining the gravity of the situation and why it was necessary for Ayzal to have some space. His words helped her mother see things from a different perspective, though she still struggled with the idea.

During her time away, Ayzal maintained contact with her mother-in-law and Yusra, speaking with them regularly on the phone. Despite their conversations, she never tried to reach out to Zayan, and he made no attempt to contact her either. The silence between them was heavy and filled with unspoken words.

From Yusra, she learned about Zayan's daily activities and how he was coping, or rather, thriving, in her absence. Yusra's updates were a bittersweet reminder of the life she had temporarily left behind.

Ayzal's heart ached for reconciliation, but she also needed Zayan to acknowledge the situation and apologize for the hurtful words he had spoken. She longed for him to realize the pain he had caused and to make amends, but it seemed like Zayan was doing well on his own. He appeared to be unaffected by her absence, which only deepened the wound in Ayzal's heart.

One afternoon, Ayzal was having her usual conversation with Yusra, catching up on everyone back at her in-laws' house.

"Bhabhi, when are you coming back?" Yusra asked, her voice tinged with a mix of impatience and longing.

"I am not sure, Yusra. I was thinking of going back to work at the office," Ayzal replied, attempting to steer the conversation away from the sensitive topic.

"Really? That is a great idea! You should definitely go for it," Yusra responded cheerfully, her enthusiasm unmistakable. "But Bhabhi, come back soon. Everyone misses you."

"I wil—" Ayzal began, but her words caught in her throat when she heard a familiar voice in the background. It was Zayan. Her heart skipped a beat, and she listened intently, suddenly very aware of the phone in her hand.

"Yusra, I told you to iron my shirt earlier. Did you?" Zayan's voice was firm, carrying the impatience she remembered all too well.

"Yes, Bhai," Yusra replied, her tone shifting slightly, hinting at her annoyance.

"Where is it?" he asked, frustration creeping into his voice.

"In your closet, Bhai. Where else?" Yusra retorted, clearly growing more irritated.

"Yusra, it isn't there," Zayan said, his patience wearing thin.

"If I go to your room and find it in your closet, you are dead," Yusra snapped back, her annoyance now fully evident.

"I am getting late, Yusra," Zayan replied coldly.

"I am going. Here," Yusra said, handing over the phone to Zayan. "It is Bhabhi on the call. Talk to her until I find your shirt."

Ayzal's breath caught. Part of her wanted to hang up immediately, to avoid the confrontation she wasn’t ready for. But another part of her, the part that still held on to hope, wanted to see if Zayan would say anything. She listened to the sound of his breathing, waiting for him to break the silence.

On the other end, Zayan was equally stunned. When Yusra handed him the phone, he was momentarily paralyzed, his mind racing. He tried to push the phone back into Yusra's hand, but she refused to take it.

"Hello," Zayan finally whispered after clearing his throat, his voice barely audible.

Ayzal's grip tightened around the phone. There was a moment of silence, thick with the unspoken emotions that had built up over the past week.

"Mom asked me to bring you home. I will come by later, be ready" he managed to say, his voice softer than usual.

Zayan hadn't meant to say this. His mother never suggested any such thing. He actually wanted to apologize but found himself tongue-tied, unable to articulate the words he desperately wanted to convey.

"That is all you have to say?" Ayzal questioned, her voice tinged with hurt and disbelief.

"Yes," Zayan said, his response short and devoid of the depth of his true feelings.

"Don't bother coming. I don't want to go back there," Ayzal said, her words laced with pain and defiance.

"I don't have time for your antics. I am coming, and that is final," Zayan replied, his frustration slipping through despite his attempt to sound firm.

"Okay, if you say so. But don't be disappointed later when you leave my house, alone," Ayzal retorted before abruptly hanging up, her heart pounding with a mix of anger and sorrow.

Zayan sighed in frustration, running a hand through his hair. The conversation with Ayzal had gone south, just as he had feared it would. He hadn't wanted it to end this way, but he knew that their emotions were too raw for a calm and rational discussion.

As he stood there, phone in hand, he wished he could turn back time and find the right words. He had wanted to tell her how sorry he was for everything that had happened. But the words had stuck in his throat, replaced by defensiveness and pride.

In her father's house, Ayzal sat down, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over her. The brief conversation with Zayan had drained her emotionally, leaving her feeling more isolated than before. She looked around her childhood room, seeking comfort in the familiar surroundings. But today, even the comforting embrace of her past couldn't ease the ache in her heart.

As she sat there, she thought about the life she had left behind. She missed Zayan, and accepting that was already difficult enough. But she also knew that things couldn't go back to normal without addressing the deep issues that had driven them more apart.

Meanwhile, Zayan paced back and forth in his room, wrestling with his emotions. He wanted to see Ayzal although he wasn't aware of his emotions. But he also knew that showing up uninvited and demanding she come back would only make things worse.

Hours passed, and the weight of their conversation hung heavy over both of them. Ayzal lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, while Zayan left for his office.