Chapter 11
Just before Zainab went to sleep, she dialed Zara's number. As they exchanged warm greetings, Zainab couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss.
"Hope you are okay, dear?" Zainab asked Zara, her concern evident in her voice.
Zainab made a simple request, "I just want you to pass the phone to Lukman today, please." It was a familiar ask, as Zainab often inquired about Lukman or asked to greet him through the phone. However, Zara had always declined in the past.
This time, Zainab sensed a different tone. Zara hesitated before responding, "He's not close." Zainab's curiosity was piqued, and she suddenly wondered what was really going on.
Zainab's concern deepened as she asked again, "Zara, hope all is well?" She couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss.
Zara's pause was telling. After a few seconds of silence, she responded, "All is fine, alhamdulilah." But Zainab wasn't convinced. She knew Zara well enough to sense that she might be hiding something. Zara wasn't one to openly share her problems with others, which made Zainab's suspicions grow.
As the phone call ended, Zainab's mind lingered on Zara's situation. She couldn't help but wonder if Zara was truly happy with Lukman, the love of her life. Zainab had always envisioned their marriage as perfect, but now doubts crept in.
To shake off her concerns, Zainab attempted to distract herself. Maybe, she thought, it wasn't Lukman that was the issue, but something else entirely. Perhaps Zara wasn't feeling well, or was dealing with a personal struggle unrelated to her marriage. Zainab tried to reassure herself, but the seed of uncertainty had already been planted.
The night drew to a close for Zainab, but her mind remained restless, consumed by worries about her twin sister Zara.
_____
The next morning, Mubarak stepped out of his room, dressed sharply in his usual office attire. His neatly pressed shirt and perfectly knotted tie added to his striking appearance. Just then, Zainab emerged from her room. She wore an elegant milk-and-red patterned atampa, paired with a small matching milk-colored veil. A light touch of makeup enhanced her radiant beauty, making her look even more captivating.
Mubarak's heart skipped a beat as he caught sight of her, just as it always did when he saw her. He opened his mouth to say something, but Zainab spoke first.
"I need to visit Zara," she said, her tone calm yet firm, her expression serious as she met Mubarak's gaze.
"Why? Is everything okay?" Mubarak asked, his brow furrowed in concern as he studied her face, searching for answers.
"Yes," Zainab replied simply.
"Are you sure?" Mubarak pressed, his eyes still fixed on her.
"Yes," she said again, her voice steady.
"Alright," he conceded, his tone softening. "But only if you cover up properly. Don't you have a bigger veil than this?"
Zainab shot him a sharp glare before retreating to her room. A few minutes later, she returned, now draped in a larger veil that concealed her even more modestly.
"Now you look perfect," Mubarak said with a faint smile.
Without further delay, Mubarak drove them to Zara's house. Thankfully, he knew the way, as Zainab had never been there before.
As he drove, the silence between them was filled only by the soft hum of the car's engine. Mubarak couldn't help but glance at Zainab now and then. She seemed lost in thought, her expression distant. Mubarak's mind raced with questions, wondering what could be troubling her so deeply.
____
Zara sat quietly in her room, staring blankly at the wall. Her mind was a storm of conflicting emotions, and the words kept replaying in her head: What happened between Lukman and me shouldn't have happened.
She let out a deep sigh, I need to make things right, she thought. Maybe I overreacted… or exaggerated the situation. The pang of regret settled heavily in her chest.
I shouldn't have forced him into that conversation, Zara admitted, biting her lower lip. She replayed every detail of the encounter in her mind—the words exchanged, the tension that had built between them, and the way things had escalated.
Was I too insistent? Too pushy? She shook her head, frustration rising. I should have handled it differently.
Her heart ached at the thought of how distant Lukman seemed now.
"Zara, calm down," Nafisat's voice broke into her thoughts, the memory of their conversation from the night before resurfacing. "I don't think you're to blame. He raised his hand against you," Nafisat had reminded her, her voice firm. "You are not the one at fault, but him."
Nafisat's words echoed in Zara's mind, providing a fleeting sense of validation. But even so, doubt lingered.
Maybe with proper care, Lukman would come back to me, Zara thought, her heart holding onto the faint hope of reconciliation. Yet, deep down, uncertainty gnawed at her, leaving her torn between self-blame and the desire to mend what had been broken.
Zara was determined to make things right with Lukman. The guilt of their unresolved tension weighed heavily on her heart, and she knew she needed to take steps to bridge the gap between them.
Very early in the morning, after performing the Fajr prayer, Zara set out on her morning routine with renewed focus and with Nafisat's help. She meticulously cleaned the entire house, paying extra attention to Lukman's room. She made sure every corner was spotless and personally picked up his used clothes, carrying them off to wash with care.
Instead of relying on Anty Atika's cooking as usual, Zara decided to prepare a meal herself. It was a gesture from the heart, a way to show Lukman that she cared and was willing to make an effort for him. She took her time in the kitchen, ensuring every dish was made with precision and love.
"Are you sure this would help you out?" Nafisat asked, her tone tinged with doubt as she observed Zara's restless demeanor.
"I don't know," Zara replied, her voice heavy with uncertainty. "But isn't it my duty to take care of my husband and please him?" Her gaze was distant, as if trying to convince herself as much as Nafisat.
Nafisat stayed silent, biting back the words on the tip of her tongue. She didn't want to push the conversation further, knowing her place in the household. She was just a maid, after all. Still, deep down, she thought Zara was blinded by love, unable to see the harm Lukman had caused.
If only I weren't just a maid, Nafisat thought bitterly. I would have reported Lukman long ago—for Zara's sake. But for now, all she could do was stand by and watch, hoping Zara would one day see the truth for herself.
Once her work was done, Zara retreated to her room to prepare herself for the day. She chose her blue atampa gown, one of her best outfits that fit her perfectly, accentuating her elegance. She paired it with a beautifully wrapped turban headtie that added an extra touch of grace.
She lightly applied makeup, enhancing her natural features with a subtle yet captivating look. It wasn't that she hadn't been dressing well lately, but today, she put in extra effort.
Finally, she spritzed herself with a fragrant perfume, ensuring she smelled as pleasant as she looked. From head to toe, Zara had transformed herself, hoping to create an atmosphere of reconciliation and warmth in her home.
Zara carefully carried the neatly ironed clothes she had washed earlier to Lukman's room. She arranged them in his wardrobe with care, making sure everything was in its proper place. As she was about to leave, the door opened, and Lukman walked in, dressed in his sports attire and covered in a light sheen of sweat from training.
When his eyes fell on Zara, he quickly looked away, his expression unreadable. Without saying a word, he went straight to his bed and sat on the edge, removing his shoes.
"Zara, what are you doing here? Leave," he said curtly, his tone firm.
Zara hesitated, gathering her courage. "I just came to apologize to you about yesterday. I'm sorry…" she began, but before she could finish, Lukman raised his hand to stop her.
"Zara, I want to shower. Just go," he said, his voice calm but dismissive.
"Fine," Zara said quickly, sensing she had pushed too far. She tried to soften the tension by adding, "Please, I'll be waiting for you downstairs for breakfast. Would you come?" She smiled at him, hoping to coax a response.
But Lukman's face remained blank. He didn't say a word. Instead, he stood up and began to undress, signaling the conversation was over.
Zara, caught off guard, quickly turned away, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. She hurriedly left the room, closing the door behind her. As she descended the stairs, she couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and determination. Though Lukman's wall seemed impenetrable, Zara silently vowed to keep trying to mend the rift between them.
Zara sat in her room for a few minutes, gathering her thoughts and replaying the earlier encounter with Lukman. Determined not to give up, she decided to check on him to see if he was ready for breakfast.
When she entered his room, she found it empty. Puzzled, she headed downstairs to look for him, but the parlour was equally deserted. Just as she was about to turn back, a faint sound caught her attention.
Curious, she followed the sound toward the kitchen. Her steps slowed as she reached the doorway and saw Lukman. He was standing by the cooker, focused on cooking something.
Zara's heart sank. He hadn't eaten the breakfast she'd prepared or even Atika's food. Instead, he had chosen to cook for himself, Her face fell.
Summoning her courage, she stepped forward, ready to speak to him, but before she could say a word, her phone rang. Startled, she quickly pulled it out of her pocket and glanced at the screen. It was Zainab her face light up a bit, she picked it.
Zara hastily made her way to the door, opening it to reveal Zainab and Mubarak standing outside. "Zainab!" Zara exclaimed, embracing her twin sister tightly.
As they hugged, Zara struggled to hold back tears, but she composed herself before releasing Zainab. With a warm smile, she invited them in, leading them to the parlour where they could sit and talk.
Zara warmly greeted both Mubarak and Zainab. They smiled and returned her greeting, creating a pleasant and cordial atmosphere.
Zainab and Mubarak sat together on the couch, exuding a sense of harmony. Zara, seated across from them, beamed with delight. She was thrilled to see her sister and Mubarak radiating happiness.
Zainab had earlier reassured Zara over the phone that her married life was now on track. Seeing them together, Zara felt grateful and relieved.
However, Zara suspected that Zainab's visit might be motivated by concerns about her own relationship with Lukman. Determined not to fuel her sister's doubts, Zara vowed to keep her emotions in check. She could only hope that Lukman wouldn't inadvertently ruin her plan.
Zara called out to Nafisat, requesting refreshments for them. Nafisat was delighted to see Zainab visiting and hurried to prepare the treats.
She returned in just a few minutes, carrying a tray laden with snacks and drinks. Zara and Zainab chatted warmly, enjoying each other's company, as Nafisat discreetly set out the refreshments. Meanwhile, Mubarak sat quietly, observing the sisters' joyful reunion in comfortable silence.
The silence was broken when Lukman suddenly appeared, holding a plate of food. "Honey, your food is ready," he said, his voice shattering the stillness.
Zara's eyes widened in confusion as she turned to look around, unsure who Lukman was addressing. She glanced to her sides, and even at Zainab and Mubarak, before finally realizing that Lukman was indeed speaking to her.
The endearment "honey" caught her off guard, and Zara felt a surge of surprise. Lukman hadn't called her that since before thier wedding, and the familiar term sounded strange coming from his lips.
Zara's mind was racing with questions. What was going on? Was Lukman up to something, or had he finally changed and come to his senses? She didn't have time to ponder these thoughts, so she decided to play it cool.
Composing herself, Zara forced a smile onto her face. "Oh, you didn't have to," she said, trying to sound casual. "You shouldn't bother." Her words were laced with a hint of detachment, as she struggled to reconcile her doubts with Lukman's sudden display of affection.
Lukman's gaze shifted to Mubarak and Zainab, and a look of surprise crossed his face. "Oh, Zainab, Mubarak, I didn't know you were here," he said, his voice warm and welcoming.
He set the plate of food beside Zara and turned to greet Mubarak and Zainab with a gracious smile.
Zainab and Mubarak exchanged pleased smiles, their faces radiant with warmth and friendliness. They seemed oblivious to the tension that lingered in the air.
As Zara and Lukman's gazes met, a fleeting moment of uncertainty passed between them. Zara's eyes searched Lukman's, wondering if his sudden display of affection was genuine or just a pretense. Was he truly trying to make amends, or was this just a clever facade?
Lukman offered Zainab and Mubarak some food, but they graciously declined, saying they had already eaten.
Lukman then sat beside Zara, and the four of them chatted together. Zara played along, putting on a facade of warmth and camaraderie, all for the sake of her sister Zainab. Despite her reservations about Lukman's intentions, Zara didn't want to ruin the moment for her sister.
As Zainab observed the warm interaction between Lukman and Zara, she couldn't help but think that her concerns had been unfounded. Lukman seemed genuinely caring and attentive towards her sister, and Zainab's anxiety began to dissipate. She felt a sense of relief wash over her, thinking that maybe she had worried for nothing.
After a while, Zara and Zainab excused themselves and retreated to Zara's room, leaving Mubarak and Lukman to continue their conversation.
As they settled into the quiet space, Zara turned to her sister with a warm smile. "Zainab, how is your marriage with Mubarak?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Zainab's face flushed slightly as she replied, "All is fine, alhamdulilah."
Zara's heart swelled with joy for her sister. She was genuinely happy to see Zainab thriving in her marriage.
As they chatted, Zainab's expression turned serious. "Zara, are you truly happy with Lukman?" she asked, seeking confirmation.
Zara replied, "Yes, I am happy," trying to sound convincing. However, Zainab ask again, "Are you sure?"
Just then, Lukman entered the room, phone in hand. "Zara, I'm sorry to disturb you, but the doctor just called - we need to go," he said, his words interrupting the conversation.
Zara's mind began to race as she processed Lukman's statement. She thought to herself, "Wait, I have no doctor's appointment. Is he trying to send my sister away?" A surge of suspicion and unease rose within her.
In that moment, Zara's doubts about Lukman's intentions crystallized into certainty. She became completely convinced that his displays of care and affection had been nothing more than a facade, designed to deceive Zainab and Mubarak.
Zainab's expression turned concerned. "Oh, she's not alright? Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, surprise etched on her face.
Zara quickly reassured her, "Oh, sorry, I didn't want to bother you. It's nothing serious to worry about." She then turned to Lukman, "Okay, I'll get ready."
Lukman handed Zara her bag and veil, saying, "I just hope you've packed all the documents in here." His tone seemed matter-of-fact.
Zara nodded as she and Zainab stood up. Zainab's expression turned concerned, and she gazed at Zara with newfound worry.
It dawned on Zainab that Zara had been hiding an illness all along. She had initially suspected that Zara's issue was with Lukman, but now she realized that wasn't the case. A wave of relief washed over Zainab, grateful that Zara's problem wasn't more serious.
Despite her relief, Zainab's concern for her sister's health remained. She hoped that Zara would receive the necessary care and recover soon.
As Lukman and Zara walked Zainab and Mubarak out, the sisters shared a tight, emotional hug. "Get well soon, dear," Zainab whispered, her voice filled with concern.
Zainab's eyes locked onto Zara's as she added, "Please do call me after the doctor's appointment." Zara nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I will."
As they parted ways, Zara fought back tears, her eyes welling up with emotion. She waved goodbye to Zainab as Mubarak drove her away, the sound of the car fading into the distance.
Zara walked back inside, lost in thought as she replayed the recent events in her mind. Upon entering the parlour, she noticed Lukman was no longer there, having already retreated to the solitude of his room.
Please don't forget to vote and comment if you like