Eternity

Chapter 54

As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu

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Despite their growing closeness, Ayzal and Zayan weren’t the only ones in the house. His parents were always around, especially his mother, who had taken a more active role since learning about Ayzal’s pregnancy. Yet, even with the presence of his family, Ayzal and Zayan managed to carve out moments for themselves, often laughing and teasing each other when no one else was paying attention.

One evening, while sitting in the living room with Zayan’s parents, the atmosphere was relaxed. His mother was knitting, and his father was reading a newspaper, the faint sounds of a television program playing in the background. Ayzal and Zayan sat next to each other, and though it wasn’t intentional, their legs brushed every so often, sending small, unspoken signals between them.

Zayan’s mother glanced up from her knitting, her eyes twinkling as she noticed the subtle shift in their dynamic. "It is nice to see the two of you getting along so well these days," she remarked, her voice soft but carrying a note of approval.

Ayzal felt a flush creep up her neck, and she shifted slightly, her eyes darting toward Zayan, who merely gave her a small, reassuring smile. "We are just… figuring things out," he said, his tone casual, but Ayzal could sense the hidden meaning in his words. They were figuring things out, indeed, but it was in these small, stolen moments of laughter and teasing that they were truly starting to find their footing.

After dinner, Zayan’s mother insisted that Ayzal rest, reminding her that she needed to take care of herself. "You don’t have to help with the dishes tonight. Go sit down and relax," she said with a gentle smile.

Zayan shot Ayzal a mischievous glance as they left the dining room, and once they were alone in the kitchen, he bumped her shoulder lightly. "Looks like you are off dish duty."

Ayzal grinned, playfully pushing him back. "Oh, come on, we both know you would just make a mess if I let you do them alone."

Zayan raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "Excuse me, I will have you know I am perfectly capable of washing dishes."

"Right," Ayzal teased, crossing her arms. "Just like you are ‘perfectly capable’ of folding laundry without turning everything into a ball."

He let out a dramatic sigh, shaking his head. "You are never going to let that go, are you?"

"Not a chance," she replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Zayan’s mother peeked her head into the kitchen, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What is going on in here?" she asked, though there was a hint of a smile on her face.

"Nothing," Zayan answered quickly, flashing his mother an innocent look. "Just… working out a new system for the dishes."

Ayzal rolled her eyes, her laughter bubbling up again. "Sure, that is what we are doing."

His mother chuckled softly. "Well, whatever system you have, keep it up. It is nice to hear some laughter around here."

Zayan’s father, having heard the conversation, chimed in from the living room. "Just don’t break anything, you two."

Zayan turned to Ayzal with a mock-serious expression. "You heard him. No breaking dishes on my watch."

Ayzal laughed again, shaking her head at him. "I will do my best."

Even though his parents were around, it didn’t feel like an intrusion. In fact, their presence made it easier for Zayan and Ayzal to ease into their new routines. There was comfort in the familiar sounds of family life, and as the weeks passed, they began to feel more like a team than they ever had before.

Sometimes, they’d spend evenings with his mother, chatting over tea while she worked on her knitting or flipping through old family albums. Zayan loved teasing his mother, pointing out embarrassing childhood photos or sharing stories about how mischievous he used to be. Ayzal found herself enjoying these moments more than she expected. She could see glimpses of the softer side of Zayan, the one that had been hidden behind walls for so long.

One afternoon, after Zayan had gone out for work, Ayzal was sitting with his mother, helping her sort through some baby clothes that had been gifted to them. His mother held up a tiny pair of socks, her eyes soft with nostalgia.

"I remember when Zayan was this small," she said, smiling at the memory. "He used to kick his socks off every time I put them on him."

Ayzal grinned, trying to picture a tiny, sockless Zayan running around. "I can’t imagine that. He is so particular about things now."

His mother chuckled. "Oh, he was always particular, even as a child. But he had a playful side too, one that I am starting to see again. I think… I think that is because of you, Ayzal."

Ayzal looked up, surprised. "Because of me?"

His mother nodded, her gaze kind but serious. "He has been happier lately. Lighter. And I know that is not just from the baby. It is from the two of you, finding your way together."

A warm feeling spread through Ayzal at her mother-in-law’s words. She hadn’t realized it herself, but maybe it was true. Maybe, in these quiet moments of shared jokes and laughter, they were both starting to heal.

Later that evening, as they settled into bed, Zayan turned to her, his voice soft in the dark. "You know," he began, "I think my mom is starting to get suspicious."

"Suspicious?" Ayzal echoed, confused.

"Yeah," he said, chuckling lightly. "She keeps giving me these looks, like she knows something has changed between us."

Ayzal smiled in the dark, her heart feeling light. "Well, she is not wrong."

Zayan shifted, moving closer to her under the covers, their hands brushing together. "No, she is not," he agreed, his voice gentle.

For a moment, they lay there in comfortable silence, the house quiet around them. Outside, the faint sound of crickets filled the air.

As Zayan’s fingers intertwined with hers, she couldn’t help but think about how far they had come. They still had their differences, and there would undoubtedly be more challenges ahead, but for now, in this moment, they were okay. More than okay.

They had found something in each other—something that made the quiet moments feel full and the loud moments feel bearable. And as they settled deeper into their routines, as they continued to find joy in the little things, they both realized that maybe, just maybe, this was what it meant to be a team. To share not just the hard times, but the laughter and the love, too.