𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐓: 𝐀 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐐𝐮𝐫'𝐚𝐧

chapter 33

"I want divorce"

Salma shouted, and Nayla felt as if the floor had been snatched from beneath her feet. Ayat's body went cold; no matter what was happening, she never considered divorce as a solution to her misery. The thought caused her eyes to widen in shock.

"Ammi!" Ayat exclaimed, her voice louder than she intended. Nayla glanced at her and then at Salma, whose face was filled with anger and disappointment.

"S-Salma, what are you talking about? Your anger is taking over you. We should talk calmly," Nayla said desperately. Her gaze fell on Ashar, who was standing at the entrance, stunned by what he had heard. "Did he overhear?" Nayla thought. Meanwhile, Ayat's eyes met Nayla's, and they both looked at him as he rushed upstairs without saying a word. Ayat continued to watch his disappearing figure until she turned her focus back to Salma, who appeared to be on the verge of collapsing. "Ammi!" Ayat shouted in fear, and they both rushed to catch her.

"Ya Allah, she has a high fever," Nayla said, checking Salma's forehead.

"Ayat, go bring me a glass of water!" Nayla instructed, her panic rising. Ayat hurried to the kitchen.

"Salma! Salma!" Nayla called, but Salma did not respond. In her panic, Nayla managed to sit Salma down on the sofa. Just then, Aadam entered.

"Salma!" he shouted, seeing her sitting there with her eyes closed.

"What happened to her, Nayla?" he asked anxiously, sitting beside her and touching her burning forehead.

"I told her not to come here. I would bring her once she was feeling better, but she never listens to me," he said worriedly.

"Does she have a fever, Aadam Bhai?" Nayla inquired, and he nodded.

"She had a slight fever this morning. We went to the clinic, but then she came here to see Ayat, even after I refused her!" he replied, looking down at Salma's faint figure. Nayla nodded in understanding.

Ayat returned with a glass of water and heard Aadam's words. She quickly sat on the other side of Salma and began splashing water on her face.

"Abbu, do you have any medicine?" she asked desperately. Aadam nodded and handed her some medicine from his pocket. Soon, Salma began to open her eyes slowly. She looked at Aadam in shock as Ayat hurriedly helped her drink the water mixed with medicine, while Nayla watched them intently.

"Ammi, what happened to you?" Ayat asked in a worried tone.

Salma saw Ayat's anxious expression, realizing that her life was already falling apart because of her, yet here was Ayat, worried for her. Salma gently cupped her daughter's veil-covered face.

"Nothing happened to me, beta. It's just a little fever, and I'll be fine after taking the medicine. Don't worry, okay?" she consoled in a soft voice, feeling tears welling up inside her but knowing she couldn't let Aadam see that.

"Salma, enough of this stubbornness. You've met Ayat, so now we should go. It's getting late!" Aadam said, and Salma nodded in agreement.

"Take care, beta. We will surely come to see you once your Ammi is feeling better, okay?" he said while helping Salma to stand up. Ayat nodded, still looking at Salma with concern.

"Take care, Ammi!" Ayat said as she reluctantly released Salma's hand. Salma nodded in response.

"Take care, S-Salma!" Nayla wanted to say more, but it seemed their friendship had been strained. Salma looked at Nayla but didn't say anything as she walked with Aadam towards the entrance.

Once they reached the entrance, Salma turned to look back at Ayat, who stood there quietly. Then, they exited the house.

"Ayat, beta, I'm going to my room. I think we should talk later," Nayla said, feeling ashamed and guilty about what had just happened. She walked toward her bedroom, unable to shake off the feeling that Salma's anger and ignorance were eating her up inside.