The day broke faster than Zynah had anticipated. She was awakened by the relentless call to prayer. Stretching, she rose, her whole body still aching. The bathroom offered her a moment of solace as she performed her ablution. .
Emerging from the bathroom, her gaze landed on Bilal who was still comfortably sleeping in the bed and snoring lightly. Waking him for prayer was a gamble. She dared not for she knew what the outcome of her action would be and she wasn't prepared to face it yet — the day had only just begun. Bilal was the type of person who didn't like his sleep to be disturbed. He would probably get up like a wounded lion ready to pounce on his prey. Breathing profoundly, Zynah retrieved her prayer mat from the top of her bookshelf, where she always put it. Facing the Qibla, she spread it neatly on the floor and began her Fajr prayer. Each movement, each whispered supplication, was a plea for strength, for guidance. After she had finished praying, she remained on the mat, pouring her heart out to the Almighty and begging Him to forgive her for all of the mistakes she had made. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she buried her face in her folded hands. Folding the prayer mat, Zynah noticed Bilal had still not woken up. She contemplated on waking him or not. He would be angry — she knew that for sure, but decided to still do it anyways, as a religious obligation. She sauntered towards the spot the always kept the mat after use and returned it to his place, then headed towards the bed. "Bi—" she was about to utter his name, but cut herself off abruptly before she could do that. Since the day he started abusing her, she had stop uttering his name from her mouth. His name alone saddened her. She used to be happy, then he came along and ruined her life. He made her feel empty inside. She was still breathing, but her life was meaningless already Swiftly, she shook her head, getting rid of the thought from her head. She inched closer to him and tapped him on the shoulder once, but got no response from him. She repeated the action severally before his eyes fluttered open. He groaned and started muttering words that were incoherent to Zynah's ears. She paid no attention to what he was saying and spoke quickly; "it's time for prayer." before he would start behaving maniacally, she turned around and fled the room. Bilal's gaze trailed behind her retreating figure, a flicker of something crossing his face before he, too, rose to perform his ablution. By the time he emerged from the bathroom, he knew he was not going to catch up with the congregational prayer so he settled for a solitary prayer at home. Zynah was just about to start preparing breakfast when she heard the doorbell ring. She couldn't fathom who was at the door in such early hours of the morning. "I'm coming." She yelled, as the doorbell continued to ring. "Who's there?" She inquired when she finally got to the door. "It's me, Khadijah," came the reply from outside the door. "What is she doing here?" Zynah gasped. "What if he sees her?" She quickly opened the door and allowed her in for it was beginning to seem rude, leaving a guest outside for a long time. "Khadi...jah" she stuttered, her voice laced with fear. "Good morning to you too." she responded, sarcastically and went ahead to take a seat on the couch in the living room. Zynah offered a weak smile. "I'm sorry, I was just so surprised to see you here at this time of the day." Khadijah didn't reply. It was as if she didn't even hear what Zynah was saying because her gaze was focused on Zynah, searching relentless for something on her body. Zynah noticed the way her friend's gaze was fixed on her and it made her feel exposed. "Hey! Are you alrigh—" "I should be the one asking you that, not the other way around." Khadijah cut her in, her voice sharp. "They say; the mouth may lie, but never the eyes, but Zynah yours are telling a different story. How do you manage to do this?" "What do you mean?" Zynah chuckled, standing up. "I'm perfectly alright. Let me get you something to eat and—" Khadijah grabbed her wrist before she could leave, "I'm not here to eat, I'm here to talk. What's wrong, Zynah?" She looked at her wearily. "I have told you; nothing is wrong." Every fiber of her being screamed to confess. She wanted to cry on her friend's shoulder and blurt out every single thing her husband had ever done to her, but fear, a cold, constricting force, held her captive. She controlled herself from showing even a tad bit of melancholia. "Nothing is wrong, okay?" her voice was a monotone. Khadijah seemed unconvinced by her words. Her brows furrowed in perplexity. "Then why did you end our call yesterday so hastily? I even heard something falling, were you the one?" "Oh that?" Zynah laughed, hysterically. "That was because I had to use the bathroom urgently. I'm sorry I didn't call you back." She apologized. Khadijah nodded her head, but the demeanor she had on, anyone could tell she didn't buy the story. She was about to speak when she noticed a bruise on Zynah's hand. Her heart lurched as she quickly caught her wrist and asked; "what's this, Zynah? Who did this to you?" Zynah recoiled, yanking her hand back. "What do you mean who did this to me? You don't think—no!" she laughed, feigning humor. "My husband would never hurt me. He loves me. I burnt myself while cooking yesterday." "But it doesn't—" Khadijah began but Zynah was quick to cut her off. "If you're only here to accuse my husband of what he is not capable of doing, please leave." Khadijah shook her head. she seemed more convinced that Bilal was indeed hurting Zynah, given how defensive she got, but she decided to let the matter rest for the time being. She would bring up the topic on another day. "I guess I have overstayed my welcome." She gave a closed lip smile and got up to leave. Zynah resisted the urge to stop her from leaving. She wanted to apologize for the way she spoke to her. She wanted to tell her she wasn't the enemy like she made it look, but her abusive husband, but her feet remained glued to the floor and her lips, sealed. Hearing the door close, Zynah sat down on the couch, demoralized. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, blurring her vision and a lone tear escaped, then more followed. She had lost a good friend. Lost in her silent grief, she did not hear Bilal's approach. His voice, hoarse and laced with suspicion, ripped through her despair. "I heard voices, who were you speaking to?"Zynah flinched at the tone of his voice, but within a split second, she regained her composure. "The neighbor was here." She replied, curtly. Bilal didn't move, his gaze a dark storm cloud gathering above her. "The neighbor!" He echoed, anger dripping off his tone. "Did you just say that?" He questioned, taking a menacing step forward and invading her space. Zynah swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. "I said the neighbor was-" The sentence died on her lips as his callus palm struck her left cheek mercilessly. "How dare you! After giving you an order, you defy me?" He jabbed a finger towards his chest, his whole body taut with anger. She remained silent and it only infuriated him further. His brows furrowed and he gnashed his teeth in exasperation. "No one! I repeat, no one can ever come into this house henceforth, without my permission. You cannot go out either." He spat; his voice laced with venom. "Is that perfectly understood?" All Zynah could manage was a small, almost im
Sitting idly in the huge house all alone, Zynah felt extremely bored, as usual. Boredom had become a familiar, unwelcomed guest. A sad smile played on her lips as she continued to stare into space. Memories of the past suddenly invaded her mind again. FLASHBACK Before Zynah could react, she was yanked back forcefully and when she was turned around, a tight slap met her face. "Subhan'Allah! How dare you act so indecently in front of my house?" He asked, his voice quivering from anger. She gasped and her hand flew involuntarily to her mouth. "Dad... I— I can explain. He...he was just leaving." She turned to him. "Please leave." She pleaded as tears prickled her eyes. She could only imagine what her father was thinking of her now — what a compromising situation he had caught her in. "Why shou—" he started to talk, but was immediately interrupted by Zynah. "Please." She repeated as a lone tear escaped her eyes. She didn't utter too much words, but she was sure her eyes con
The pet name, "Zee," a nickname she used to love but had grown to hate. It was a sweet melody from the past, one that she desperately wanted to silence. Bilal tightened his hold, a possessive gesture that sent chills down her spine. Before she could grasp what was happening, his lips were already on her neck, trailing kisses down to her collarbone. Panic jolted her awake. With all the strength she could muster, she shoved him back. "Please don't touch me," she begged in a quiet, but firm voice. Bilal's brows furrowed as he took a step closer to her. "Why shouldn't I?" He hummed. "I'm your husband, aren't I?" He asked, the entitlement thick in his voice. Zynah met his gaze in a silent plea. "Please...stay back." "Why should I?" A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes, the possessiveness morphing into suspicion. "Have you been seeing someone else?" He seethed, snatching her arm forcefully. A humorless scoff escaped Zynah's lips. "That's ridiculous! With me practically a pri
FLASHBACK "You're such a disgrace to this family. I pray dad never forgives you for this." Rashida seethed from the other side of the door. Sobs wracked Zynah's body, a choked, gasping sound. In all the years she had lived with her sister, she still couldn't comprehend why she was hated by her so much. She had tried to talk to her severally, but her efforts were futile. She refused to even give a listening ear to her and it always made her regret her decision to extend an olive branch. Aren't siblings supposed to support one another in time of need? Rashida was the complete opposite. They didn't share any sisterly bond. "Hey! I'm speaking to you. I hate to be ignored — you know this, right?" Rashida hurled. Her distasteful behavior hadn't just begun, but each barb felt like a fresh wound reopening. Each day brought a new, flabbergasting episode, leaving Zynah bewildered. Her sister was a master of disguise, a chameleon shifting colors depending on the audience. In front of thei
"Yes." She responded, the word dripping with condescension, followed by an eye roll. "Nazmeera. The one and only!" Zynah's chest fell and her heartbeat accelerated - Nazmeera at their doorstep? Things were definitely going to get uglier for her now. She could recall just how much she was hated by her. Nazmeera, Zynah recalled, had been a relentless tormentor the last time she visited them, making Bilal seem like an angel. She raised a brow, questionably. "Are you going to let me into my brother's house or keep me standing by the door?" Wordlessly, Zynah moved aside, giving way for her to go in. The way she left her luggage by the door for her to carry in, did not go unnoticed by her. She never stopped at nothing to make her life difficult and this time was not going to be an exception - she knew this all too well... And just as suspected, the queen bee issued her first decree. "Take my luggage to my room and be very careful with them as I have breakable things in them." N
His gaze darted to her disdainfully. "Why haven't you served her anything yet?" He questioned, gesturing towards his sister with a jerk of his chin. Here it goes again, a familiar thought whispered through her mind. "I was busy cleaning up her room." "That is not an excuse!" Bilal's voice rose a notch. "Had it been your mother in her place, would you have ignored her the same way?" Instantly, Zynah felt a pang in her heart. Whenever any of her parent's were mentioned, the pain and regret of what she did to then surged back into her in full force. She knew what he was doing - he mentioned her mother intentionally, because he wanted to add salt in her injury. He had a motive. He knew exactly how to inflict the most damage. "Just let it go already." Nazmeera smirked. "She was probably busy, like she said." "No, I won't let it go." He snapped. Through the corner of Zynah's eye, she could see Nazmeera smiling in satisfaction. "She needs to be taught a lesson. It seems
"What in the world do you think you're doing?" Zynah shrieked, her heart hammering frantically against her chest. The amount of blood oozing out from the fresh cut made her dizzy. "Exactly what you see." She smirked and within few seconds, her face scrunched up in pain. "Bilal!!" She bellowed. "Please save me!" The sound of Bilal's heavy footsteps sent shivers down Zynah's spine. Bilal appeared in the doorway, a whirlwind of concern. His gaze darted towards his wife first, taking in her trembling form, before averting to his sister. His eyes widened when he saw her bleeding arm. "What the hell is going on here?" He boomed; his brows tightening. Silence, thick and suffocating hung in the air. "Will someone give me an answer immediately?What's happening?" He moved closer to Nazmeera and grabbed a hold of her hand. "How did you get injured, Nazmeera?" Whimpering, Nazmeera spoke. "It's nothing, Bilal... I don't want you to get mad at —" "Nothing?" he roared. "You're bleedi
Flashback begins Miserable and exhausted after trying to convince her dad, but to no avail, Zynah ran into her room and began to cry her eyes out — she just wanted to be happy. Why was her dad so against the man she had chosen? Did he not want her to be happy? — she couldn't help, but have these thoughts. Entering into the room, Ramlah felt so bad, seeing the condition her sister was in. She also did not see anything bad in Bilal, she had made her stance clear to Zynah. Why did their father despise the idea of him so much then? Shaking her head in an attempt to get rid of the thought from her head, she rushed towards her sister and started rubbing her back soothingly. "Everything will be fine, ya Zynah. Trust Allah to make everything right again." "Nothing will be alright, Ramlah." She sniffled a sob. "Dad will never accept him. He told me so himself." Ramlah's heart plummeted as she gazed at her sister. Deep within her, she also knew that it would be almost impossible fo