Eternity

Chapter 4

Asalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah wa barakatuhu

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Ayzal awoke the next morning in disarray. She hadn't bothered to change her clothes the night before, collapsing onto her bed and falling asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

Upon waking, she felt even more exhausted. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was 4:00 a.m.—prayer time.

It took every ounce of her strength to drag herself to the bathroom and take a shower. Moving sluggishly, she spent an entire hour cleansing herself, brushing her teeth at a snail's pace.

After cleaning up, she performed her ablution and donned some casual clothes suitable for home. She quickly laid out her prayer mat in her bedroom and offered the Fajr prayer, praying for the safety and well-being of everyone.

By then, the clock read 6:30 a.m. She hurried downstairs, knowing she had only 30 minutes left before she had to leave for work. As she entered the dining hall, she was relieved by the silence, thankful that her parents were not there to confront her.

But then, her mother's voice pierced the quiet.

"Ayzal."

Turning around, she saw her parents standing with their arms crossed, giving her pointed looks. She might have felt scared had she done something wrong, she knew she was right in this situation, even if her parents were too self-involved to admit their mistake.

"Hey! What's up, fellows?" Hiyam said, bursting through the main door.

"You should say 'As-salamu Alaykum,' Hiyam," Ayzal and her mother scolded him simultaneously, then glanced at each other.

"The air seems very thick here. What is the matter?" Hiyam asked, laughing slightly to lighten the mood.

They all glared at him, and he raised his hands in surrender.

"Ayzal, we need to talk to you. It is crucial for you to listen" her mother demanded, motioning toward herself and Ayzal's father.

Deciding to face her problems instead of running away as usual, Ayzal nodded. They walked away, signaling for her to follow.

As she passed Hiyam, he gave her a sympathetic smile, which she returned with a tight-lipped one.

Entering her parents' room, she found them sitting on the bed while she took the couch against the wall, far from the bed, waiting for them to interrogate her.

"Why did you run off last night, Ayzal?" her mother asked, her glare icy. But Ayzal responded with a question of her own.

"Why did you orchestrate my marriage without consulting me? Was I truly the intended bride, or did I merely stumble into the wrong place at the wrong time?" Sarcasm dripped from her words.

"Watch your tongue, Ayzal. We are your parents, and everything we do is for your benefit," her mother exclaimed, growing angrier by the minute.

Ayzal let out a humorless chuckle.

"Parents don't do what you did to their daughter. They don't arrange her marriage behind her back and then spring it on her as a surprise. That is very typical of you, Mom. But Dad, I didn't expect this from you. I was utterly shocked when I discovered you were part of the plan too," she said, tears welling up in her eyes.

"It was your mother’s plan, Ayzal," her father finally replied.

"Of course it was!" she exclaimed, letting out a small chuckle through her tears.

"Listen to me, Ayzal dear," her father said calmly. "I agreed to this marriage because your mother was right."

"What excuse did she give you this time, Dad?" she asked.

"Behave yourself, Ayzal! I didn’t give your father any excuse. I simply told him the truth that you all are too blind to see. And if you think I am lying, then tell me, who will marry a widow?" her mother retorted.

Ayzal was stunned. "Mom, I didn't think you would stoop so low and for the record, I am not a widow" she said.

"But that is what people are saying, Ayzal," her mother replied.

She looked at her father, too shocked to speak.

"Dad, you too?"

"Listen to me, my child," her father said with tears in his eyes. "I respect you and your decision, but I want you to be happy and have a family of your own. In today’s society, it is difficult for a girl whose fiancé died just before the wedding. I am sorry if you think I am forcing you into this and being selfish, but if thinking about your daughter’s happiness is selfish, then yes, I am."

By now, Ayzal was numb, tears streaming down her face. Her father came towards her and hugged her tightly.

"I can’t imagine how you feel, but I know my daughter is strong. You have to show everyone your strength. I am not asking you to sacrifice yourself, but Zayan is a good person who will understand your pain. He needs someone to heal him too, and we believe you are the one for that. This is the last favor I will ask of you. Please, do it for us," he said, holding her hands tightly.

Ayzal cleared her throat. "Okay, Dad. I will do it," she said with hesitation. Her father kissed her forehead and hugged her with joy as her mother joined the embrace.

"Hey! Group hug without me?" Hiyam pouted. Ayzal motioned for him to join.

He joined the hug, kissing his sister’s forehead.

As Ayzal looked at her now happy family, she knew she had made the right decision. Even if it meant her own sadness, she didn't care. All that mattered was their lasting happiness.