Shattered Chains

24.0 [Ali's POV]

"We stand at the edge of something fragile, both too afraid to reach out for the other."

~Unknown

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

The sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room. I woke up to an empty bed. The sheets beside me were cold, a clear indication that Amira had been up for a while. I blinked against the brightness, my mind slow to register the silence around me. The familiar ache in my chest returned, heavier than before. Every morning for the past two days had started like this: waking up alone, the warmth that had once started to grow between us now fading with every passing day. The weekend I spent away from her and she away from me. We barely talked.

I sat up, rubbing my face with both hands. My thoughts immediately returned to the conversation we had — the unspoken agreement about divorce. I hated how the word lingered between us like a thick, suffocating fog. I had agreed to move forward with it, even though deep down, it was the last thing I wanted. Yet, the silence between us was unbearable now. Each day, we moved around each other like strangers again, both avoiding the inevitable.

I got out of bed, dressed, and sat on the couch with my laptop. It was easier to distract myself with work than face the growing emotional chasm between us. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, but my mind refused to focus on the numbers and reports in front of me. Every time I tried to work, all I could think about was her.

How she had started laughing with me, sharing moments that felt real. And how quickly all of that had slipped away the moment the divorce papers became real.

The sound of soft footsteps broke through my thoughts. I glanced toward the door as Amira entered the room. Her hair was loosely tied back, and she moved quietly, not looking at me, just going about her business. I couldn't bring myself to say anything. Every word felt like it would break the fragile silence between us. I turned back to my laptop, pretending to focus on work, even though I couldn't concentrate. The distance between us felt like an ocean I had no idea how to cross.

As soon as she finished, she left the room without a word. I sat there for a moment, staring at the empty space she left behind. A part of me wanted to stop her, to say something—anything—but I couldn't. The words felt stuck in my throat, weighed down by the heavy misunderstanding between us.

After a few minutes, I grabbed my things and decided to leave. Breakfast could wait. I didn't want to sit at the table with her and pretend like everything was fine. It was easier to just leave early for the office, bury myself in work, and hope that the day would pass quickly.

As I made my way to the front door, Maa called out from the dining room, her voice warm but curious.

"Ali, breakfast is ready. Why don't you join us?"

I hesitated, the weight of her invitation pressing against the knot in my chest. I couldn't face the thought of sitting across from Amira right now, pretending like things hadn't spiraled into this mess.

"I'll pass today, Mom," I replied, forcing a smile as I turned to face her. "I've got a lot of work piling up at the office. Need to get a head start."

Ayesha frowned, concern etched on her face. "You've been skipping breakfast for 2 days now. You need to take care of yourself."

"I'll grab something at the office, don't worry," I lied smoothly, adjusting my bag on my shoulder. "Really, I'm fine."

She studied me for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly, but she didn't push further. "All right, but make sure you eat something. You look tired."