Eternity

Chapter 50

As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu

---

The days passed in a strange mix of routine and unexpected moments of connection between Ayzal and Zayan. The tension that had once defined their relationship seemed to ease into something different—softer, yet still fragile, as if they were both afraid to move too quickly and shatter whatever tentative peace they had found.

One night, as the moonlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across their bedroom, Ayzal prepared for bed. Zayan found himself unable to ignore the discomfort that settled in his chest. For months, he had watched Ayzal sleep on the couch, her small, curled-up form stark against the harsh lines of the furniture. This routine had become a silent emblem of the distance between them, a symbol of the emotional chasm that had deepened since their early days of marriage. The sight of her, exhausted and resigned to the cold couch, stirred something deep within him—a profound urge to change their course.

Determined to address the silent suffering between them, he approached her with a firm resolve. “Ayzal, sleep on the bed tonight. I will take the couch,” he insisted. His words, though simple, carried an earnest intent to break the cycle of estrangement. This gesture was not merely about comfort, it was an attempt to bridge the emotional gap that had strained their relationship.

Ayzal looked at him, surprise flickering in her eyes. Initially, she hesitated. She had grown accustomed to their routine, and Zayan’s sudden insistence felt both unexpected and deeply significant. “No, Zayan,” she replied gently, her tone carrying the weight of her own reluctance. “You shouldn’t have to sleep on the couch.”

Zayan’s insistence was unwavering. He saw the fatigue etched into her features, and the sight of her enduring discomfort was too much for him to bear. Without waiting for further protest, he guided her gently towards the bed. The tension in the room was palpable, yet it was softened by a shared understanding.

That night, they both lay in the bed together. The physical closeness, though devoid of overt affection, was a significant shift from their previous separation. The shared space between them, filled with the soft glow of the moonlight, marked a small yet profound step toward healing. Though they did not touch, the act of lying side by side symbolized a tentative move towards bridging their emotional divide.

Next morning, Zayan woke up earlier than usual, his mind unusually clear. He glanced over at Ayzal, who was still fast asleep, her breathing soft and steady. For a moment, he simply watched her, taking in the way her hair splayed out across the pillow, the way her hand rested near his on the bed—for a fleeting second, he felt the urge to reach out and hold her hand, but he hesitated. There was a time when that kind of gesture would have felt impossible, but now, something had shifted between them. He wasn’t entirely sure what it was, but he knew he didn’t want to lose it.

Instead of reaching out, Zayan quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb her. He moved about the room with purpose, getting dressed for the day ahead. As he rolled the sleeves of his shirt in front of the mirror, he caught sight of the small photograph on the nightstand—the one of Ayzal and Murad that she had found days ago. He had kept it hidden away for so long, a painful reminder of everything he had lost and everything he had blamed her for. But now, seeing it there, he realized it no longer filled him with the same anger. The hurt was still there, but it was different now, less consuming.

After he was dressed, Zayan made his way to the kitchen. The house was still quiet, the early morning light filtering through the curtains in soft, golden rays. He moved with practiced efficiency, preparing coffee for himself and tea for Ayzal. As the kettle boiled, he glanced out the window, his mind drifting back to the countless mornings they had spent in silence, each of them wrapped up in their own worlds of pain and resentment.