"You said you don't hate me. So, can't we start a new chapter?" she said trembling, her eyes filled with hope.
He laughed loudly. "Aliya Emdad are you a stupid or just pretending to be. Listen to me carefully. Yes I don't hate you. Actually I feel...
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(Flashback) 2 years ago
When I arrived home from the hospital, Aliya wasn’t there. I assumed she’d stepped out briefly.
After a quick shower, I went downstairs and asked Khala if she’d seen Aliya. She shook her head, saying Aliya hadn’t arrived yet.
A chill ran through me when I checked my phone and saw hers was off. I called Mom, hoping Aliya was still with her. Thankfully, Mom assured me she had just left.
I sighed, feeling a bit relieved. But as two more hours passed with no sign of her, my concern mounted. I didn’t want to worry her parents, so when I called them, I kept the conversation light, chatting about their health and daily affairs. Still, they mentioned nothing about her.
My mind struggled to stay calm, reasoning she might have some work to attend to. But what work could she possibly have at nearly 10 p.m.?
Maybe she went back to her apartment, I thought. Clinging to that hope, I rushed to my car and drove there. Thankfully, Sarah had given me the address a few days ago.
By the time I reached her apartment, it was already 11:20 p.m. I rang the doorbell repeatedly, but no one answered. Eventually, a woman passing by informed me that the girl who used to live there had gone home over a month ago. The place was empty.
My heart ached with a deep, unshakable fear. Something was wrong. Allah, please keep her safe.
Returning home, I clung to the hope she’d somehow arrived while I was gone. But as I walked through the door and saw the empty hallway, my fear only grew. The clock struck midnight, and I could no longer stay still. Just as I was about to go to the police, headlights flooded the driveway. I glanced out the window.
Aliya was stepping out of a car with a man. I watched as she smiled and waved goodbye to him.
The relief I’d felt turned to rage. Jealousy and pain surged within me. She was with him all this time while I was worried sick.
Memories of our past flashed through my mind. My chest tightened with anger and hurt. Why did she always seem to be with anyone but me?
___________________
The confrontation that night was explosive. In the heat of the moment, I said things I shouldn’t have, my accusations sharp. But when she slapped me and coldly said she regretted marrying me, it felt like a knife in my heart. She yanked herself free from my grip and ran upstairs, leaving me shattered.
The next morning, I woke up early, prayed, and went to her room. It was empty. Khala told me Aliya had already left for the hospital.
I decided to follow her there. I found her with Mom, doing her best to lighten the atmosphere with gentle jokes. She didn’t look at me once.
