In The Grip of Trust

Chapter 16: A Lingering Silence

The next few days passed in a haze of silence. Ayesha had mostly stayed in bed, still recovering from her fainting spell, while Amir had thrown himself into work and caring for the children. Despite being under the same roof, there was a growing distance between them, a tension that neither of them could voice.

Amir had grown more cautious around Ayesha since that night. Her refusal to pray, her distant attitude, and the undeniable pain in her eyes weighed heavily on him. He could feel it—something was deeply wrong, but he didn’t know how to address it without pushing her further away.

It was Friday , and Amir had just returned from the mosque after Jummah prayer. The house felt quieter than usual, with Amna Aunty having taken the children out for a walk. The silence was unsettling. Amir headed towards the bedroom, finding Ayesha sitting on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.

She barely acknowledged his presence as he entered the room. Her eyes were distant, her body stiff, and the atmosphere between them was thick with unspoken words.

“Ayesha,” Amir started, hesitating slightly. “How are you feeling today? You’ve been really quiet.”

Ayesha didn’t answer right away, her fingers absentmindedly twisting the fabric of her dress. She finally looked up at him, her expression unreadable. “I’m fine,” she said flatly, her voice emotionless.

Amir sighed, walking over to sit on the chair by the window, a small distance from her. “You don’t have to pretend with me, you know,” he said quietly, his tone gentle. “If something’s bothering you, you can talk to me.”

For a moment, Ayesha considered his words. She could feel his sincerity, his desire to help. But she couldn’t open up, not about the demons that haunted her, not about the past that still clung to her like a shadow.

Instead, she shook her head. “There’s nothing to talk about, Amir. I’m just tired.”

Amir’s brows furrowed, the helplessness gnawing at him. He wanted to reach out, to break through the walls she had built around herself, but every time he tried, she pulled further away.

“I know you’re tired, Ayesha,” he said softly. “But I can see the weight you’re carrying. I don’t know what it is, but I can feel it.”

Ayesha’s hands stilled in her lap, and for a split second, Amir thought he saw a flicker of emotion in her eyes. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by the same distant, guarded look.

“I’ll be fine,” she said, standing up abruptly. “I should check on the kids.”

Before Amir could say anything more, Ayesha left the room, leaving him behind, frustrated and confused.

---

Later that evening, Amir found himself in the living room with Hamza (who returned from the village 3 days ago due to his upcoming board exams), who had returned home after his day at college. The twins were already asleep, and Zain was playing with some toys in the corner, happily babbling to himself.

Hamza had noticed the tension between Amir and Ayesha but hadn’t said anything directly. However, Hamza, never one to shy away from a conversation, finally brought it up.

“Amir Bhai,” Hamza said, sitting cross-legged on the couch, “is everything okay between you and Ayesha Bhabi? You both seem… distant.”

Amir glanced at his brother, unsure how much he could say. “It’s complicated,” he replied, running a hand through his hair. “Ayesha’s… going through something, but she won’t talk to me about it.”

Sara, always the more perceptive one, frowned slightly. “She’s been very quiet since she got sick. Maybe she’s just not ready to open up yet.”

Hamza, however, leaned forward, his expression serious for once. “I don’t mean to pry, but do you think it has something to do with that crush she mentioned during the truth-or-dare game? She seemed really off after that.”

Amir stiffened at the mention of it. That night had bothered him more than he cared to admit. The way Ayesha had spoken about her past crush, dreamily at first, but then how she abruptly shut down—it had left a bitter taste in his mouth. He knew he had no right to be upset. After all, he was still struggling to let go of Layla. But hearing Ayesha talk about someone else had triggered something in him.

“I don’t know, Hamza,” Amir admitted, leaning back in his chair. “But whatever it is, it’s weighing on her. I just… I feel like I’m failing her. I promised to be a good husband, to help her heal, but I don’t even know where to start.”

Sara, ever the optimist, gave him a reassuring smile. “You’re doing your best, Amir Bhai. Maybe it’ll just take time. Ayesha Bhabi seems like someone who’s been hurt deeply. She’ll open up when she’s ready.”

Amir nodded, though the doubt still lingered in his mind. Would she ever open up to him? Or would they continue living in this uncomfortable silence, with him always on the outside, never knowing the truth?

---

Meanwhile, Ayesha stood outside on the terrace, the cool night air brushing against her skin. She leaned against the railing, looking up at the sky, her mind spinning with thoughts she couldn’t escape.

Her encounter with her past crush had rattled her more than she cared to admit. His cruel words echoed in her mind, the way he had mocked her, reminding her of how far she had fallen. The pain of that confrontation still burned in her chest, a reminder of the mistakes she had made and the life she had once dreamed of.

She had thought she could bury it all—her past, her pain—but it kept coming back, clawing its way to the surface, especially now that she was surrounded by a family that had shown her nothing but kindness. How could she live like this? How could she pretend to be something she wasn’t when she felt like she was drowning every day?

And Amir… He had been so gentle, so patient with her. But she couldn’t let herself believe in his kindness. She didn’t deserve it. Not after everything.

With a heavy sigh, Ayesha wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ward off the cold that seemed to seep into her bones. For now, all she could do was keep going, one day at a time, and hope that the pieces of her shattered soul wouldn’t completely fall apart.

As the night grew darker, she heard the door to the terrace open, and Amir stepped out, his expression soft but concerned.

“Ayesha,” he said quietly, “I’ve been looking for you.”

She didn’t turn around, her gaze still fixed on the stars. “I needed some air.”

Amir stood beside her, the silence between them stretching out once more. After a few moments, he spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper. “I know something’s hurting you, Ayesha. I just wish you’d let me help.”

Ayesha swallowed hard, her throat tight. “Some things can’t be fixed, Amir.”

He didn’t push further, but his heart ached at her words. Instead, he stood quietly beside her, both of them staring into the night, lost in their own thoughts.