Paasban

Chapter 21

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Zyra's POV:

It had been a month and a half since our wedding, and life had changed so much. Musa had become busier with work, leaving early and coming home late. He always tried his best to make time for me, but lately, his schedule seemed impossible.

Tonight was supposed to be different. We had planned a dinner date, something we hadn’t done in a while. I got ready, wearing the dress he liked, my hair done, makeup perfect. By 6 p.m., I was sitting in the living room, waiting for him to come home. But now it was already 8, and there was no sign of him.

I sighed, staring at my phone for the umpteenth time, the missed calls and messages piling up. I decided to try calling him again. The phone rang, and I held my breath, hoping Musa would answer this time. But once again, his secretary picked up.

“Hello, ma’am,” she said in a formal tone, the same tone she’d used earlier. “Mr. Jawad is still in a meeting. He won’t be available for a few more hours.”

My heart sank, but I forced a polite response. “Thank you.”

Hanging up the phone, I felt a mix of disappointment and frustration. He had promised. We hadn’t had an evening to ourselves in so long, and now this. I glanced at the beautifully set table, the candles I had lit now flickering softly in the dim light, the food sitting untouched.

I tried to hold back the wave of emotions building inside me. I knew he was working hard, that he wasn’t neglecting me on purpose, but it still hurt. I had been so excited for tonight, for just a few hours with him where work wasn’t the priority.

I stood up, blowing out the candles, the room falling into shadows. It wasn’t the first time this had happened, but it didn’t make it any easier. Maybe I was being too sensitive. Maybe I just needed to be more patient.

But as I made my way to the bedroom, I couldn’t shake the feeling of loneliness creeping in. I slipped out of my dress and changed into something more comfortable, sitting on the edge of the bed with my phone in hand, wondering if I should try calling again or if I should just let it go for tonight.

I stared at the clock as it ticked past 8:30, the silence of the room louder than ever.

.I sat there for a few more minutes, staring blankly at my phone, half hoping for a message or call from Musa. But there was nothing. The quiet felt oppressive, a reminder of how often I had been waiting like this lately.

It wasn’t that I didn’t understand his work was important—it was. But tonight, I had really thought he would come through. It wasn’t just the dinner; it was the time together, the connection we hadn’t been able to share much of lately. The distance between us felt heavier now, even though we were only a few miles apart.

I sighed and lay back on the bed, hugging a pillow to my chest. Maybe I should have expected this, knowing how demanding his job had become. Still, it didn’t change how I felt.

The hours passed slowly. By the time 10 p.m. rolled around, I had nearly dozed off when I heard the front door creak open. My heart jumped, and I sat up, suddenly wide awake. Footsteps approached the room, and soon enough, Musa appeared in the doorway, looking exhausted, his tie undone and his shirt slightly wrinkled.

He gave me a tired smile, but I couldn’t return it fully. “Hey,” he said softly, “I’m sorry. The meeting ran so late, and there was nothing I could do. I tried to get out sooner.”