Eternity

Chapter 27

As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu

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Ayzal sat by the window of her room, watching the rain pour down in relentless sheets. The gray sky mirrored the turmoil in her heart, casting a somber pall over the cityscape. It had been weeks since she had left Zayan's house, weeks filled with confusion, pain, and unanswered questions.

She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ward off the chill that seemed to seep into her very bones. The sudden buzz of her phone broke the silence, making her jump. She glanced at the screen, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Zayan's mother's name flash across it. With trembling hands, she answered the call.

"Mother, assalamu alaikum. How are you?" Ayzal asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Wa alaikum assalam, my child. I am fine, but I missed you. It has been too long," Zayan's mother replied, her tone softening slightly. "Can you come back home now?"

Ayzal's heart pounded in her chest. This was the moment she had been waiting for, a chance to reconcile and mend the broken pieces of her life. "Mother, I am so sorry for not coming back when you sent Zayan to take me home"

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Ayzal could almost hear the wheels turning in her mother-in-law's mind. "What are you talking about, Ayzal? I never sent Zayan to bring you back. I haven't even spoken to him about this."

Ayzal's confusion deepened. She furrowed her brow, trying to make sense of what she was hearing. "But he told me you wanted me to come back, that you needed me at home."

"No, Ayzal," Zayan's mother replied firmly, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "I never said that. If Zayan came to you, it was on his own. I just called you now because I truly want you back."

Ayzal's mind raced, struggling to comprehend the implications of this revelation. Why would Zayan lie about something like this? Her thoughts swirled in a chaotic mix of confusion and joy. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

"I will come, Mother," Ayzal said finally, her voice resolute despite the storm of emotions raging inside her. "I will come home."

As she hung up the phone, Ayzal couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that Zayan had lied about something so seemingly small. She packed a small bag, her movements automatic and detached. Her mind was elsewhere, lost in the maze of memories and questions.

Ayzal walked into the living room, where her parents sat watching television. She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Mom, Dad, I just got off the phone with Zayan's mother. She asked me to come back home," she said, her voice wavering. "I know I have been here for weeks, and you both have been so supportive, but I think it is time I go back."

Her parents exchanged worried glances but nodded, understanding the weight of her decision. "We are here for you, Ayzal," her father said gently. "Do what you need to do, but remember, if things get hard again, come back to us."

After bidding her parents goodbye, Ayzal set out for Zayan's house, her heart heavy with a mix of hope and apprehension. The journey was a blur, the streets and buildings merging into a monochrome haze. Ayzal's thoughts were consumed by the impending confrontation.

When she finally arrived, the house loomed before her like a fortress of secrets. She hesitated for a moment, steeling herself for what lay ahead, before pushing the gate open and walking up to the front door. Her heart pounded in her chest as she rang the doorbell.

Zayan's mother opened the door, her face etched with lines of worry and fatigue. She pulled Ayzal into a tight embrace, her relief palpable. "Thank you for coming back, Ayzal," she murmured.

Ayzal returned the embrace, feeling a warmth she hadn't experienced in weeks. But her resolve remained firm. She needed to see Zayan. "Where is he, Mother?"

"He is in his study," Zayan's mother replied, her voice tinged with sadness. "He has been working late, trying to keep himself busy"

Ayzal nodded, her mind already on the confrontation ahead. She made her way to Zayan's study, her footsteps echoing in the silent house. The door was slightly ajar, and she could see him inside, hunched over his desk, absorbed in his work.

She took a deep breath and knocked lightly on the door. Zayan looked up, surprise covered up with annoyance flickering across his face when he saw her. "What are you doing here?" he snapped, rising to his feet.

Ayzal stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. "We need to talk, Zayan."

Zayan's expression hardened, a mixture of irritation and indifference. "About what?"

"About everything" Ayzal said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "Why did you tell me that your mother wanted me to come back when she never did?"

Zayan's face darkened, and he looked away, a scowl forming on his lips. "I did what I had to do," he retorted, his tone cold. "You wouldn't have come back otherwise."

Ayzal's confusion deepened, her voice trembling with a mix of hurt and anger. "Why would you manipulate me like that? I thought you didn’t care about what I did or didn’t do."

Zayan's eyes narrowed, a sneer twisting his lips. "I don’t care about your choices. You left on your own and made me out to be the villain. So don’t pretend you are the innocent one here."

Tears welled up in Ayzal’s eyes, but she stood her ground. "I left because you treated me with such disrespect! You threw harsh words at me when I had no idea what I had done wrong."

Zayan's expression grew cold, his voice laced with disdain. "Maybe you should have thought about that before doing such a thing to Murad."

Ayzal’s heart ached at his words, but she struggled to keep her composure. "What are you talking about?"

Zayan’s shoulders slumped as he sank back into his chair. "I don’t want to discuss this any further. Please, just leave."

Ayzal’s anger began to fade, replaced by deep sadness. She took a step closer, her voice softening. "Zayan, we can’t resolve anything without communication. We need to talk things through."

Zayan looked at her with a blend of frustration and resignation. "You are right, Ayzal. Communication is crucial, but I fear it is too late for us. It would be best if you leave now, before things get any worse."