Eternity

Chapter 6

Asalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah wa barakatuhu

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A wedding is a sacred bond that unites not just two individuals but their entire families. It is an event where joy should be palpable, especially for the bride and groom. However, this was not the case for Ayzal and Zayan on their most anticipated day.

To them, this union felt more like a transaction, with only two people bearing the consequences. Ayzal couldn't shake the feeling that her family was finally ridding themselves of what they considered a burden. The pressure of their expectations weighed heavily on her heart, creating a sense of isolation she couldn't escape.

Her parents believed Zayan was the right match for her, but Ayzal's feelings were completely overlooked. She had always thought that marriage should be a mutual decision between both parties, so why were their parents altering the essence of this beautiful bond? The very foundation of her beliefs was being tested, and she felt powerless to change her fate.

What troubled Ayzal the most was her inability to share her distress. No one knew how many nights she spent crying, sleepless and tormented by how drastically her life had changed. The image of her future, once filled with hope and love, had become a bleak and uncertain void. She had to mask her anguish with a forced smile whenever she saw someone, presenting a facade of contentment that only deepened her internal conflict.

Everyone else seemed elated, but what about the couple getting married? The joy that should have been theirs was overshadowed by a looming sense of dread. The very essence of their union felt tainted by the circumstances, and Ayzal couldn't help but feel trapped in a situation beyond her control.

Adding to her discomfort, the dress chosen for her was excessively heavy, and her makeup, done by professionals, required her to fight back tears to avoid ruining it. Although she wouldn't mind, her mother certainly would. The physical weight of her attire mirrored the emotional burden she carried, making every step toward her new life a struggle.

As the time came for Ayzal to enter the room where the nikah ceremony was being held, all eyes were on her. She took her seat and looked at the curtain ahead, clearly seeing Zayan's silhouette. The distance between them seemed symbolic of the emotional gap that had grown since the announcement of their marriage.

She diverted her gaze to her hands, adorned with henna and clenched tightly in her lap. Ayzal was overwhelmed with a turmoil of emotions, her palms sweaty and head pounding, praying she wouldn't pass out. The intricate designs on her skin seemed to mock the chaos within her, a stark contrast to the calm exterior she was forced to maintain.

While other girls dreamed of their weddings, Ayzal always dreaded the topic. The idea of marriage terrified her, a fear known as gamophobia. But her fear had dissipated once when she met Murad. With him, she found confidence and saw her fears as baseless. But now, without Murad's presence and reassurances, her anxiety had returned. The memories of their time together haunted her, a constant reminder of what she had lost.

'You can still back out of this marriage,' a selfish voice inside her whispered, but before she could dwell on this thought, she shook her head. The internal battle between duty and desire was relentless, tearing her apart with each passing second.

"Do you, Ayzal Noor Rehman, daughter of Hassan Alyan Rehman, take Zayan Ilyas Qureshi, son of Uzair Fatihi Qureshi, to be your lawfully wedded husband in the presence of the witnesses here, with God being the best witness, and with the agreed Mahr of 10 lakh?" the Qazi asked.

'You still have a chance, Ayzal. Just say 'I don't' and live the life you once wished for,' her conscience urged.

She knew she could never love Zayan as she loved Murad. Though Murad was gone, he had taken her heart with him. The pain of his loss was a constant ache, a wound that refused to heal.

"Beware of breaking hearts. Perhaps you might break a heart God loves," her father's words echoed in her mind. But weren't their hearts already shattered? What good would come from agreeing to this marriage? The conflicting emotions made her dizzy, each thought a dagger to her already fragile state.

"Do you, Ayzal Noor Rehman, daughter of Hassan Alyan Rehman, take Zayan Ilyas Qureshi, son of Uzair Fatihi Qureshi, to be your lawfully wedded husband in the presence of the witnesses here, with God being the best witness, and with the agreed Mahr of 10 lakh?" the Qazi repeated.

Ayzal wanted to respond, but her throat was dry and her lips sealed. Everyone's gaze intensified her anxiety. The weight of their expectations bore down on her, making it hard to breathe.

Her mother stepped forward, placing a hand on Ayzal's shoulder, "Ayzal, everyone is watching, dear. Make it quick," she whispered, squeezing her shoulder. The pressure to conform to their wishes was suffocating, leaving her with no room to voice her true feelings.

A barely audible "I do" escaped her lips, and Ayzal knew she would regret this decision for the rest of her life. The words felt hollow, a betrayal of her true self.

The Qazi prompted her to repeat her words two more times, and she did, sighing deeply afterward. Each repetition felt like a nail in the coffin of her happiness.

Around her, a chorus of congratulations erupted, her cousins cheered, and everyone was joyous. Her mother shed tears and hugged her. The celebration seemed surreal, a cruel joke at her expense.

To the onlookers, Ayzal appeared to be a happy bride, but only she knew the truth. The facade she wore was a prison, one she couldn't escape. As she looked around at the smiling faces, she felt more alone than ever, her future a bleak landscape devoid of hope.