Echoes of Agony

Chapter Thirteen

For the next two days, Zaytun was distraught, with no idea where AbdulJalal was or what to do next. She had cried so much that she had no tears left to shed, and her skin had grown pale, her eyes red. She just kept praying to Allah for help.

Tuesday morning, as always, Zaytun came to the company with a heavy heart. Her usual cheerful behavior lacked energy. Many of the team members noticed, but nobody dared to ask her.

She wanted nothing more than to finish work quickly and go back home, hoping her husband would decide to show up. She opened her laptop and began to draw on her canvas.

It felt like an eternity when the clock finally hit 5 PM. The workday was over, and everyone was packing to go home. Zaytun let out a sigh. She wasn't herself today and hadn't finished her remaining work. Just as she was about to leave the office, the door opened, and Mallam Ahmad's secretary walked in.

"Zaytun, Mallam Ahmad is requesting your attendance."

Neena jolted and looked at her with envy.

Zaytun entered Mallam Ahmad's office after getting permission. He approached her with a smile.

"Oh, Zaytun, I was looking for you."

"Hmm, yes?" She smiled tightly at him.

"You know that we have been planning a new project, right?"

"Yes."

"You've been chosen to be on the project manager team based on your last evaluation," Ahmad announced, his face lighting up.

"R-really?" Zaytun's eyes widened in surprise, and she tightened her smile, struggling to contain her excitement. This was a big deal for her, as she was an intern, and this could be the opportunity that led to a permanent job offer.

Ahmad's expression brightened as he congratulated her, and she thanked him, still trying to process the news. She felt a surge of pride and accomplishment, knowing that she had been chosen for such an important role.

After the conversation with Ahmad, Zaytun left the office, her heart beating fast with excitement. As she walked home, her mind raced with the possibilities of what this project manager role could mean for her. She was thrilled at the prospect of being able to prove herself and potentially secure a permanent job.

However, as she entered her house, her excitement turned to anxiety as she was informed that AbdulJalal was waiting for her in his home office. Her nerves were on edge, and her mind raced with anticipation as she knocked on the door to his office.

Upon entering, she saw him sitting at his desk, signing some files with a stern expression on his face. Her relief at seeing him was palpable, but she sensed that something was off. The atmosphere in the room was tense, and her heart began to race.

"Abdul," she softly called his name, wishing for at least a simple glance.

"The company is having its yearly party, and we need to be ready by 7 PM," he informed her, his head still down.

That was it? Nothing else?

Zaytun was somewhat taken aback by this sudden announcement and tried to address the recent miscommunication and arguments between them.

"AbdulJalal, I know that we—"

"Zaytun, I'm tired and annoyed by all this. I already told you what I think of what you did and gave you an ultimatum. You don't have to bring up the same subject over and over again." AbdulJalal's response was icy and authoritarian.

"I know, but do you realize that you didn't come home for three days and refused to respond to either my calls or texts? You don't know how worried I was. It's unfair to treat me this way," she finally voiced, unable to sit there and let him punish her for caring about him.