Chapter 9, Two Stories
As the evening settled after Asr prayer, Zeenat remained in her room, her stomach twisting in hunger. She hadn't stepped out since her fight with Rayyan the night before. The exhaustion from everything that had transpired still weighed heavily on her, and worse, embarrassment burned deep within her. She dreaded facing anyone, especially Rayyan.
She was certain he hadn't left the house-she had been listening all day for the sound of a car departing, but none had. That only made her more anxious.
But she couldn't take it anymore. Her hunger was unbearable.
Muttering a silent prayer that she wouldn't run into Rayyan, she carefully stepped out of her room, ensuring the door closed without a sound. She tiptoed down the stairs, her ears sharp for any movement.
The dining area was her first stop. She lifted the lids of the food flasks, only to find them empty. Her stomach clenched in disappointment. With a sigh, she moved to the kitchen, but there was nothing there either.
Cooking was an option, but the thought of staying in the kitchen for too long scared her. What if she ran into him?
Then, an idea struck her.
She hurried to the fridge and pulled it open, relief washing over her at the sight of the neatly stocked shelves. Snacks-plenty of them. Without hesitation, she grabbed two bottles of drinks and set them on the counter. Then, she reached for a plate, stacking it high with anything she could find. She had never eaten this much at once, but right now, her hunger drowned out any hesitation.
When she was done, she placed the plate on the counter and picked up a meat pie. Just a few bites, she told herself. She wasn't sure she had the energy to carry everything upstairs without eating first.
As she took her first bite, she felt the meat pie melting on her tongue, she felt the tension in her body ease-if only for a moment. But just as she was about to take another bite, a cold shiver ran down her spine.
A presence.
Her breath hitched. Oh Allah...
Slowly, she looked up, her worst fear standing right before her.
Rayyan.
He leaned against the kitchen doorway, one hand tucked casually into his pocket, his expression unreadable. Blank-if not slightly irritated.
Zeenat's heart pounded violently against her ribs. She didn't know what to do. What to say. How to react. His gaze flickered between her and the plate she had loaded onto the counter, the sheer amount of snacks suddenly making her stomach twist with embarrassment.
She swallowed hard, forcing down the mouthful of meat pie, and quickly averted her gaze. Maybe-just maybe-if she pretended not to notice him, she could get out of this awkward encounter unscathed.
She wanted him gone. Out of the kitchen. Away from her.
Only then could she breathe.
But before she could even process another thought, a shift in the air sent a chill down her spine.
He was closer.
Zeenat stiffened as she felt a presence just behind her. She swallowed hard and turned slightly, only to find Rayyan standing right next to her, his hand resting against the fridge door. His fingers hovered over the handle like he was about to open it-but he didn't.
A sinking feeling settled in her stomach.
Oh no. This is bad.
She had prayed for him to leave, but instead, he had moved even closer.
Her pulse quickened as he finally spoke, his tone flat, almost indifferent.
"Zeenat, or whatever your name is, if you want peace in this house, stay out of my way."
His words were like ice, sharp and cold.
"And everything you changed yesterday? Put it back exactly where it was."
He didn't even look at her. As if she were nothing more than an inconvenience.
Zeenat's hands clenched into fists at her sides.
Oh no. What have I gotten myself into?
After everything he had done to her yesterday, the least he could do was apologize. Show some regret. Some basic decency.
But no.
Instead, he was ordering her around as if she were nothing.
Her silence stretched for too long, and suddenly-
"Did you hear me?"
His voice was sharp now, harsher than before.
This time, he turned, his dark gaze locking onto her.
Zeenat flinched at the intensity, startled by the force of his tone.
She had no idea how to respond.
So she didn't.
But with the way Rayyan's sharp gaze burned into her, she had no choice but to nod.
"Now," he said.
Her heart skipped. Now?
She couldn't do it now. Not when she was this hungry and exhausted.
She hesitated, hoping he would reconsider.
"Did you hear me?" His tone was sharper this time, making her flinch.
"Okay, but... please, let me-" she stammered.
Rayyan's expression darkened. "Let you what?"
Zeenat swallowed. "Please... I'm hungry. Let me eat first."
For a moment, he said nothing. Just stared at her.
Then, without a word, he shook his head, turned around, and pulled open the fridge. He grabbed a container of yogurt.
Zeenat blinked. Wait. There was yogurt?
How did she not see that earlier? She loved yogurt.
Without thinking, she dropped the snacks in her hand, quickly grabbed a cup, and rushed to the fridge. But when she checked-there was nothing left.
Her eyes darted to Rayyan, who had already started walking away.
"Rayyan."
He stopped. And Turned.
She hesitated under his gaze but finally asked, "Can you... please? The yogurt. I want to have some too."
Rayyan scoffed, let out an annoyed hiss, then turned on his heel and walked away.
Rayyan frustration bubbling inside him.
This girl really thought he was joking with around with her.
___
The Next Day
Zeenat dressed up in her stylish green jilbab, the fabric neat and elegant, enhancing her natural beauty. She wore her bag over her shoulder and slipped into her shoes, preparing to leave for work.
She knew that going to the office as a newlywed wasn't ideal, but in this house, she felt completely alone. If she stayed, what would she even do?
She has been trying to make things right with Rayyan but to no valid. Early that morning, she woke up and prepared a special breakfast for him, hoping it would ease the tension between them. Since she had already rearranged his house the way he wanted, she thought it might improve his mood. But he no. Instead, he remained locked in his room throughout yesterday night and today,and he later asked Salima and Husaina to cook something else, leaving her meal untouched.
Disheartened, she realized there was no point in trying to impress him. If things weren't going to change, she might as well focus on work. Maybe, with time, things would get better between them.
With a final glance at her jilbab, she adjusted it, pulled on her niqab, and left the room.
As she stepped outside, she spotted Rayyan's car at the gate. The gatekeeper had just opened it, signaling that he was about to leave. Zeenat's heart clenched-he was inside the car.
Oh, he's leaving too. Zeenat thought as she spotted Rayyan's car.
Without wasting a second, she hurried to the car, opened the door, and slipped inside.
"Please drop me off at work," she pleaded, her voice almost desperate.
Rayyan's grip on the steering wheel tightened. His sharp gaze turned to her, cold and unwelcoming.
"What do you think you're doing?" His voice was firm. "Did you ask for my permission before entering my car?"
Zeenat's heart sank. She had expected his indifference, but not this level of hostility.
"I... I'm sorry," she murmured.
"Get out."
She stared at him in disbelief. Why was he always being so harsh?
Rayyan met her gaze with an unwavering look, as if silently asking why she was still sitting there.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Zeenat slowly stepped out of the car, shutting the door behind her.
Without another word, Rayyan drove off, the sound of the engine fading as he disappeared through the gate. Even the gatekeeper seemed to sense the tension lingering in the air.
Zeenat stood still, the ache in her chest growing heavier. She shouldn't be surprised. He had made it clear-he wanted nothing to do with her. But why did it still hurt?
Oh my Rabb, see me through this. She whispered, gathering herself. She recited her dua for leaving the house, then hailed a keke napep outside the house and left for work.
_____
After returning from the mosque after Fajr prayer around 7:30 AM, Zayd entered his room, surprised to find Anaya already dressed. Instead of seeing her curled up in bed also today, she stood by the mirror, adjusting her earrings. She wore a soft pink gown with a matching scarf, looking as beautiful as ever.
Without a word, Zayd picked up his laptop and sat on the bed. There was nothing to say-after all, she had already done what he had asked by tidying up the room, the only task he had assigned her for the day.
Anaya turned to him.
"Zayd, are you going to work today?" she asked.
"No. Why do you ask?" he replied.
"Nothing... I just wanted to borrow your car keys," she said.
She had called Rayyan countless times, even sent him a message, but he refused to respond. It seemed like he was still upset with her.
"Why? What do you need it for?" Zayd asked.
"I'm going to work," Anaya replied.
"What? Work? It's too early. The Monday you were talking about-was it this Monday?" Zayd questioned.
"Yes. I really want to go today. I need to talk to my father," she said.
Zayd didn't look at her. Instead, he sat in silence, lost in thought, before finally rising from the bed. "Let me take you myself," he said.
Anaya went to have her breakfast while waiting for Zayd to get ready. Gratefully to her surprise, he had asked the housemaids to prepare her breakfast.
Within a few minutes, he was ready. Just when she was done eating her meal.
"Let's go," he said, walking ahead. Anaya followed, but he suddenly stopped and turned to her.
"Are you going like this? Where is your hijab or veil?" Zayd asked.
Anaya didn't have time for an argument. She couldn't wait to get to the office. Without a word, she grabbed a veil, wrapped it around herself, and hurried after him.
When they reached the office, Anaya stepped out of the car, expecting Zayd to stay behind. But to her surprise, he also got out, shutting the door behind him and locking the car.
"Are you going in too?" Anaya asked, surprised.
He simply gave her a brief nod before they both walked toward the main entrance.
Zayd hadn't planned on coming to work for a week, but if his wife was going, why should he stay home? Beside there was nothing for him to do at home anyway.