Eternity

Chapter 26

As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu

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Some weeks had passed since Zayan's initial message. Ayzal had hoped that Zayan would make an effort to mend their relationship, but it seemed like his pride was still a significant barrier. The silence between them grew louder with each passing day.

One evening, as Ayzal was helping her mother in the kitchen, the doorbell rang. Her father went to answer it, and moments later, Zayan stepped into the house. His expression was stern, and there was a coldness in his eyes that Ayzal hadn't seen before. It sent a shiver down her spine.

"Salam, Father," Zayan greeted her father, his voice lacking warmth.

"Wa alaikum assalam, Zayan. Please, come in," her father replied, his tone polite but cautious.

Zayan entered the living room, his gaze quickly scanning the familiar surroundings. He barely acknowledged Ayzal's mother, who stood in the doorway, her face a mix of surprise and concern. The tension in the air was palpable, and Ayzal felt her heart tighten.

"Have a seat, Zayan. I will bring you a cup of tea," Ayzal's mother said, her voice attempting to soften the tension that had filled the room.

Zayan hesitated for a moment, then sat down stiffly on the edge of the couch. Ayzal watched him, her emotions a whirlwind of anger and hurt. She could see that her mother was trying to create a more civil atmosphere, but Zayan's demeanor made it clear that he was not in the mood for pleasantries.

As Ayzal's mother disappeared into the kitchen, her father remained standing, his gaze steady and unwavering on Zayan. "What brings you here, Zayan?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.

"I came to take Ayzal home," Zayan announced, his tone brusque and demanding. "This has gone on long enough."

Ayzal felt a surge of anger at his words. "You can't just barge in here and demand that I come back. We still have things to discuss."

Zayan's eyes narrowed, his frustration evident. "Discuss? I am tired of going in circles. There is nothing left to discuss. We have already wasted enough time, and I am done with this. You are coming home with me, and that is final."

Her father's expression hardened as he stepped protectively beside Ayzal. "Zayan, this is not the way to handle things. Ayzal deserves respect and understanding, not orders."

Zayan's jaw tightened. "With all due respect, Father, this is between me and my wife. She is coming home with me today."

Ayzal's mother, who had been silently watching the exchange since she entered, finally spoke up. "Zayan, you are not helping the situation with this attitude. If you want Ayzal to come back, you need to show her that you care about her feelings."

Zayan let out a bitter laugh. "Feelings? What about my feelings? I have been patient and yet here we are. This needs to end now."

Ayzal's anger flared. "Patience? Is that what you call it? You have been distant and disrespectful. You haven't made any real effort to understand what I am going through."

Zayan's face flushed with anger. "Maybe because this whole situation is ridiculous! You are my wife. You belong at home with me, where you should have been all along, not hiding out here."

Her father's voice was firm as he stepped closer to Zayan. "If you truly want to make things right with Ayzal, you will have to change your approach. She deserves better than this."

Zayan's eyes flicked between Ayzal and her father, his frustration boiling over. "Fine. If you won't come with me now, then stay. But know this, Ayzal—I am done waiting. When you decide to come back, you will find me at home. But don't expect me to keep chasing after you."

With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him. The echo of the door reverberated through the house, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

Ayzal stood there, her heart pounding, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked at her parents, who both shared the same worried expression. She had hoped that Zayan's visit would be a step toward reconciliation, but instead, it felt like they were further apart than ever.

Her father gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, my child. This isn't the end. Sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better."

Ayzal nodded, though she wasn't sure she believed it. All she knew was that the road ahead was still uncertain, and she had to find the strength within herself to navigate it, with or without Zayan's understanding.

For Zayan, the entire situation was an infuriating affront to his authority and dignity. He couldn't understand why Ayzal had chosen to leave their home over what he considered minor issues.

Each day without her at home felt like a challenge to his pride, making him angrier with every passing moment. He saw her departure as a personal slight. His frustration grew, and he felt justified in his anger, believing that she was being unreasonable and overly dramatic.

When he decided to go to her father's house, Zayan was resolute. He had given her enough time to come to her senses, and now it was time to bring her back where she belonged. In his mind, it was a straightforward solution, Ayzal needed to understand that their home was with him and that she had no right to stay away any longer.

Ayzal's resistance had only fueled his frustration further. He saw her attempts to discuss their issues as pointless. Her father's protective stance and calm reprimands did nothing but irritate Zayan more. Even when Ayzal's mother tried to intervene with a softer approach, Zayan's frustration boiled over into bitterness.

As he drove home, his anger seethed. He couldn't understand why Ayzal and her family were making this so difficult. To him, it was a matter of principle and respect, and he felt that his authority was being challenged at every turn. His pride prevented him from seeing the situation from any other perspective, leaving him isolated in his frustration and anger.

Back in his own home, Zayan paced the floor, his mind racing. He couldn't shake the feeling of anger. His upbringing had taught him that a wife’s place was by her husband’s side, no matter the circumstances. This challenge to his authority was not only a personal affront but a direct challenge to his beliefs about marriage and family.

As the night wore on, Zayan found it difficult to sleep. He lay awake, his thoughts spiraling. With the anger finally dissipating, he began to question whether his approach had been genuinely effective or merely a manifestation of his stubbornness. Was he being fair? Or was his pride clouding his judgment, preventing him from seeing things from Ayzal's perspective? Could there have been a better way to handle the situation? Eventually, exhaustion overtook him, and he drifted into a restless sleep.