In The Grip of Trust

Chapter 17: Shattered Facade

It was an ordinary day—or at least it seemed that way. Amir had gone to work early, while Ayesha remained at home with the children and Amna Aunty. Her routine was settling, though her heart was still weighed down by her inner battles. She spent time with Zain, Amina, and Bilal, managing household chores, forcing herself into a rhythm she didn’t feel.

But today was different.

In the middle of the afternoon, Ayesha received a call from an unknown number. The ringing echoed loudly in the silence, cutting through her thoughts. Without thinking, she picked up.

“Hello?”

There was a pause, a cold silence before a voice crackled through the line.

“Ayesha.”

Her blood froze. The voice was unmistakable, and it sent a chilling wave through her body. It was him—her past crush. The man who had not only humiliated her at the university but whose harsh words had once broken her spirit.

“What do you want?” she whispered, her voice betraying her fear.

The man on the other end chuckled darkly. “What do I want? Just to remind you of who you really are, Ayesha. You think you’ve moved on? That you can run away from your past?”

Ayesha’s heart pounded in her chest. She clenched the phone tightly, her knuckles turning white. She didn’t respond, hoping the silence would be enough to end this nightmare.

But he continued, his voice dripping with malice. “You’re nothing, Ayesha. Still the same pathetic girl, hiding behind this facade of marriage and family. Do they even know who you are? Does your perfect little husband know the lies you’ve wrapped yourself in? Or are you too scared to show him?”

Her breath caught in her throat, fear squeezing her chest. “Stop it,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Just leave me alone.”

“Leave you alone?” He laughed cruelly. “Oh, Ayesha, you can’t run from your past. You think you’ve escaped? You haven’t. I know you better than anyone, and I know the truth you’re hiding. What would your new family think if they knew how easily you throw people away?”

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought them back. “I’m not that person anymore,” she stammered, trying to muster the strength to defend herself.

“Oh, but you are,” he hissed, his tone growing more menacing. “And you’ll always be that person. No matter how much you pretend to be this perfect wife, you’re nothing more than a broken shell. And sooner or later, they’ll all see it.”

Ayesha felt a wave of nausea wash over her. She wanted to hang up, to block out the venomous words that seemed to creep into every dark corner of her mind. But her hand was frozen, trembling with fear.

“You don’t deserve this life,” he continued, his voice softer now, almost taunting. “You don’t deserve him. You don’t deserve their love. And when they find out the truth, they’ll see you for what you are—nothing.”

The phone slipped from her grasp and clattered onto the floor. Her breath came in shallow gasps as the walls of the room seemed to close in around her. Panic set in, her chest tight and her thoughts swirling. The voice was gone, but its impact remained.

---

Amna Aunty, busy in the kitchen, hadn’t noticed Ayesha’s state until Zain came running to her. “Ayesha Mamma isn’t moving,” he said, his voice full of worry.

Amna rushed out, finding Ayesha collapsed on the floor. She was pale, her body trembling as if she were fighting to stay conscious. “Ayesha, dear, are you alright?” Amna’s voice was panicked, but Ayesha didn’t respond.

“Ayesha, talk to me!” Amna cried, but it was as if Ayesha was trapped inside her own mind. She could hear Amna, could see her through blurred vision, but she couldn’t respond. The phone call kept playing in her head, the hateful words echoing over and over.

---

By the time Hamza returned home from college, Amna was still by Ayesha’s side, trying to get her to stand. “What happened?” Hamza asked, rushing over, his face stricken with concern.

“I don’t know. She was on the phone, and then…” Amna’s voice cracked as she gestured helplessly toward Ayesha.

Hamza knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Ayesha Bhabi, can you hear me? What’s wrong?”

Ayesha struggled to pull herself together, forcing her body to move even though her mind was still reeling from the vicious attack. “I’m fine,” she whispered, her voice hoarse. “Just... dizzy.”

Hamza frowned, clearly not convinced. “Are you sure? You don’t look fine.”

“I’m fine,” Ayesha repeated, pushing herself up from the floor. Her legs wobbled, but she managed to stand, leaning heavily against the wall for support. “I just... need to lie down.”

Zain tugged at her hand, his wide eyes filled with fear. “Ayesha Mamma, are you sick?”

Ayesha’s heart clenched at his words, at the innocence in his voice. She crouched down, resting her hand on his cheek. “No, Zain. I’m okay, I promise.”

Zain wasn’t convinced, but he didn’t push further, only nodded and wrapped his small arms around her. Ayesha hugged him back, blinking away the tears that threatened to spill. She couldn’t break in front of them. Not now.

---

When Amir returned later that evening, Ayesha had composed herself enough to act normal, though her body still felt shaky. They had dinner as usual, with Zain and the twins playing happily in the background. But Amir, ever observant, knew something was off.

“Ayesha,” he said softly as they sat in the living room, the children having been put to bed. “Hamza told me you weren’t feeling well earlier. Is everything alright?”

Ayesha’s heart raced, panic rising again. She couldn’t tell him. Not about the call. Not about the past. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice steady but hollow. “It was just a headache.”

Amir frowned, clearly unconvinced. He stepped closer, his concern evident. “Are you sure? You don’t have to hide anything from me.”

The words hit her hard. Hide anything? She was hiding everything. But she forced a smile, trying to reassure him. “I’m fine, really. I just need some rest.”

Amir studied her face, his eyes searching hers for something more. But she had perfected the art of pretending, and after a long pause, he nodded, though his worry didn’t fade. “Alright,” he said softly. “But if there’s something bothering you, you can tell me.”

Ayesha nodded, but the weight of the secret she carried was suffocating.

---

That night, Ayesha lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. Amir slept beside her, his breathing steady and calm, but her mind was anything but peaceful. The words from the phone call played over and over in her head.

You don’t deserve this. You’re nothing.

Tears slipped down her cheeks, and she curled up tighter, her body shaking with silent sobs. She was breaking, and she didn’t know how much longer she could keep up the act.

The storm inside her was growing, and soon, she feared, it would consume her completely.