Chapter 22, Two Stories
Zeenat stretched as she woke up, blinking at the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. She was surprised to find herself still in the parlour, a blanket gently covering her. On either side of her, Salima and Hussaina were also asleep, their heads resting lightly on the cushions.
She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes, and spotted her phone lying beside her on the couch. A quick glance at the screen made her gasp.
7:00 AM.
Her heart dropped. She had missed praying Fajr on time.
But then she remembered-she had stayed up late waiting for Rayyan. It had been nearly midnight when sleep finally took her. Hopefully, he's back now, she thought anxiously.
Zeenat gently shook her housemaids awake.
"Please, wake up. It's past prayer time," she said softly.
They stirred and quickly got up, murmuring apologies before heading off to make ablution.
Without wasting a second, Zeenat rushed to Rayyan's room. Her heart was pounding slightly-half from worry, half from anticipation.
She opened the door and paused.
"Alhamdulillah," she breathed out.
Rayyan was there, fast asleep under the covers, breathing steadily. Safe. Her heart swelled with relief-so all that worry yesterday had been for nothing.
Still, something didn't sit right.
If he returned just this very late, she wondered, did he even manage to pray Fajr?
She stepped closer and sat by his bedside. "Rayyan... Rayyan, please wake up and pray," she pleaded gently.
Without opening his eyes, he mumbled, "No... I've already prayed. Just go."
His voice was groggy, barely coherent. But what surprised her most was his tone-it wasn't rude, but it was dismissive.
"Fine, Rayyan. I'll go," she said softly, her voice tinged with hurt. "But... don't you care to explain what happened last night? Why-"
Before she could finish, he grabbed a pillow and pulled it over his head.
"Please go. I want to sleep," he muttered.
Zeenat stood there, frozen for a moment.
Then, without another word, she quietly turned and walked away.
After praying, Zeenat made her way to the kitchen. She busied herself preparing breakfast for the household, her thoughts still drifting back to Rayyan. Once she was done, she wiped her hands and went to check on him, hoping they could eat together.
But he was still asleep.
She sighed quietly and returned to her room to freshen up. After a warm shower, she slipped into a simple pink gown and tied her scarf loosely over her hair.
Feeling slightly hopeful again, she walked back to his room-only to find it empty. Just as she looked around in confusion, the sound of running water from the bathroom told her he was in the shower.
With a sigh, she turned and headed to Sakinat's room, guilt nibbling at her. She hadn't checked on her since last night, too distracted with her own worries.
She knocked softly and entered. Sakinat was already dressed, standing by the mirror adjusting her clothes.
"Assalamu alaikum," Zeenat greeted.
"Wa alaikum salam," Sakinat responded with a small smile.
"How was your night? I'm so sorry I didn't check on you yesterday," Zeenat said, her voice full of sincerity.
"No worries, Zeenat. It's okay," Sakinat replied.
"I've made breakfast. Come downstairs when you're ready. I'll serve you," Zeenat offered warmly.
"Alright, thank you. I'll be down soon."
Zeenat walked to the dining room and sat, waiting for them. Fifteen minutes passed. She checked the time, fidgeted, glanced at the stairs. Still no one. She was starting to feel uneasy.
Then suddenly, Rayyan came down the stairs-fully dressed and in a rush, his car keys already in hand.
"Rayyan?" Zeenat called, surprised as he walked straight to the door.
He paused, turning briefly. "I got called for something urgent, Zeenat. I have to go now."
"Wait... what about breakfast? I thought we'd eat together," she asked, following him.
He turned to face her again, expression unreadable. "Just eat yours. Don't wait for me. I'll buy something after the meeting."
Before she could respond, he opened the door and stepped out, leaving her standing there.
And then, as if to add salt to her wounds, Sakinat walked past, also heading for the door.
"You're leaving too?" Zeenat asked, shocked. "Without breakfast?"
"Yes, I have somewhere to be. Rayyan's dropping me off. I don't want to be late," Sakinat said quickly before hurrying out.
Zeenat stood there, alone and speechless.
The food she had prepared, the table she had set-everything suddenly felt cold and unwanted.
____
It was Sunday-two full days since Sakinat arrived.
And yet, Zeenat still couldn't wrap her head around what exactly was going on between Sakinat and Rayyan. Or more confusingly, between Rayyan and herself.
Since that night, Rayyan hadn't said a word about what happened. Not a single explanation.
Every time she tried to talk to him, there was always something-some urgent meeting, some work matter. Yesterday, when he came home late and she gently asked again, he simply said he was tired and went straight to bed. This morning, he left early. And just like the previous day, Sakinat left with him, claiming she had somewhere to be and Rayyan would drop her off.
Zeenat didn't know what to make of it. She wasn't trying to come between him and his cousin, but she couldn't help but think something is wrong.
Her mind had been clouded all weekend. Confusion. Doubt. But somewhere in her heart, a soft voice kept whispering-trust him, Zeenat. Maybe trust was all she had left. Or maybe she was just being naïve.
And then there was Sakinat's stay. Wasn't she supposed to return to the States today?
As night approached, Zeenat sat on the couch with Salima and Hussaina, half-watching a movie. The house felt quieter than usual. Colder. Rayyan had already informed her that he would be home late, but still... shouldn't Sakinat have left by now? Her clothes were still upstairs. No goodbye. No sign of her departure.
Her mind drifted again. Maybe they're together, she thought bitterly. No... no, astaghfirullah. I shouldn't think that way. It's just whispers of shaitan. She shook her head, forcing her eyes back on the screen.
But the uneasiness in her chest refused to leave.
On impulse, she picked up her phone and started scrolling aimlessly. Without thinking, her finger landed on Sakinat's status.
And that was when her heart dropped.
Her breath caught in her throat.
It was a picture. Rayyan and Sakinat. Together.
Standing close.
And beneath it, a caption written so clearly-even a child could understand what was being implied.
Zeenat's hand trembled as she held the phone. Her entire body froze.
It was as if the air had been knocked out of her lungs.
It read:
"I never believed in soulmates... until you Rayyan."
Soulmate?
The words stared back at her-bold, shameless, and impossible to ignore-sitting right beneath a photo of Rayyan and Sakinat standing far too close. Too comfortable. Smiling like they shared a secret the world wasn't meant to know until now.
Zeenat's hand began to tremble. Her chest tightened. Her breathing grew shallow.
The phone slipped from her fingers and crashed to the floor with a thud-loud and jarring, enough to make Salima and Hussaina jump from their movie daze.
"Ma'am Zeenat?" Salima turned toward her, alarmed.
But Zeenat didn't flinch.
She was frozen.
Still staring at nothing-her entire world tipping over inside her.
Hussaina rushed to pick up the fallen phone. Her eyes scanned the screen, and the color drained from her face. Salima leaned in to look too, and suddenly, the silence in the room grew louder. Heavier.
They didn't need to say anything. Their faces said it all-shock, and disbelief.
Zeenat snatched her phone back with trembling hands and dialed Rayyan.
Once.
He cut the call.
Her heart shattered into a million pieces.
She tried again -desperate, trembling-but now, his line was unreachable.
That was all the confirmation she needed.
It was happening.
It was real.
The betrayal wrapped itself around her chest like a rope tightening by the second.
She stood up in silence, her vision blurry with tears. And without a word to either of them, she walked to her room and locked the door.
"Ma'am please talk to us," Hussaina's voice came softly from the other side.
But she couldn't speak.
She couldn't breathe.
All she could do was cry.
After just two weeks of marriage.
She collapsed onto the bed, sobs wracking through her body like a storm. Her pillow soaked in pain. Her heart heavy with questions.
So this was it?
After everything... after all the time they had spent together, the laughter, the quiet moments they held onto.
After his promise to make things right... to earn her forgiveness.
After his words-his promised to make their marriage work.
Was this the truth all along? That it was Sakinat he truly loved-not her?
Then why did he waste her time?
Why break her heart just when she had finally accepted him... finally seen him... finally loved him, completely?
And Sakinat
The way he looked at her...
The way she looked back...
It all made sense now.
Maybe she was blind all along.
Who was she to Rayyan? Then
A convenience? A distraction? Just someone to fill a void?
Was everything he said-every tender moment-just a lie?
Did he ever... even for a second... feel anything for her?
Zeenat clutched her blanket tight, trying to silence her sobs, but her heart wouldn't stop screaming. Not tonight.
The pain was too loud.
And as the night dragged on and her head throbbed from the weight of her tears, sleep eventually overtook her-not out of peace, but from pure exhaustion.
Rayyan still hadn't come back.
And tomorrow?
She didn't even know how she'd face the morning.
____
Zeenat woke up feeling drained, her head heavy, her eyes sore. Last night's tears had dried on her cheeks, but the ache in her chest remained, deeper than ever.
Still, somewhere beneath the sadness, a tiny flicker of hope tried to push through the cracks.
What if it was all a lie?
What if Sakinat posted that just to get to her?
After all, Rayyan hadn't said anything. No confession. No explanation. Nothing. There was still that small, unreasonable hope that maybe-just maybe-things weren't what they seemed.
She got up, wiped her face, and made wudhu before praying Fajr. Her duas were quiet but desperate. Her heart begged for clarity, for truth, for something to hold on to.
When she was done, she stood up with resolve.
Today, no matter what was going on, Rayyan was going to talk to her. Even if he was asleep, she'd wake him up.
She walked to his room.
Empty.
Her heart sank a little, but she turned toward Sakinat's room. As expected-also empty.
So they didn't come back home?
Even if they were in a relationship-which she still didn't want to believe-what kind of relationship was this?
Before her thoughts could spiral further, Salima came in.
"Ma'am Zeenat, please... how are you today?" she asked gently.
They exchanged greetings, and Zeenat tried to mask her tired voice.
"Rayyan has already left for the office," Salima added.
Zeenat blinked. "So early? Did he even come back last night?"
Salima nodded quietly. "Yes. He came back around midnight. Slept a little... then left early for a meeting. And check the time, ma'am-it's already past 8:30 a.m."
I slept this long? Zeenat thought to herself, surprised at how her emotions had been knocking her out this days.
She returned to her room and got dressed quickly, her heart beating faster as she prepared to go confront Rayyan once and for all.
But when she reached his office, the door was shut.
"He's in a meeting," the secretary informed her. "With important clients. He said not to be disturbed."
Zeenat nodded stiffly, disappointment sinking deeper into her bones. She had no choice but to return to her own staff room.
But as soon as she stepped in, she froze in place.
There-at the head of the room-was Sakinat.
Sitting in the department lead's chair.
Her project team members were gathered around Sakinat, completely focused as she explained something to them, gesturing confidently like she owned the place.
Zeenat's heart dropped. What is happening?
Before she could process it, Mariya-her closest colleague-caught sight of her and rushed over, grabbing Zeenat's hand and gently pulling her out of the room.
"Good morning, Zeenat," Mariya greeted softly.
But Zeenat didn't answer. She looked at her directly, voice low and strained. "Mariya... what's going on in there?"
Mariya sighed.
"Today at the general meeting, your husband announced that Sakinat is now our department lead... and also the new team lead for your project."
Zeenat blinked. Once. Twice.
The first part stung, but it didn't destroy her.
It was the second that did.
Wait... what?
Her voice was barely a whisper. "The project?"
Mariya nodded, apologetic. "I... I thought he told you."
Zeenat felt her throat tighten. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
Rayyan had promised-promised-that the project leadership would go to her. Just last week. He had looked her in the eyes and assured her she was the best fit, that he would find a way to make it work.
But none of that seemed to matter now.
Because this-this decision-only confirmed what her heart had feared all along: it wasn't just a ploy by Sakinat.
Rayyan was involved too.
He had chosen to break his wife's trust... her hopes... her promise.
For Sakinat.
Without even a word...
Zeenat didn't know if she should scream, cry, or walk away.
This was betrayal.
___
Rayyan was working alone in his office when he heard a knock.
"Come in," he said.
It was Zeenat. She entered the office quickly and locked the door behind her with the key. Today and now, they had to talk-no matter what.
She marched straight to Rayyan's seat. He looked at her, surprised.
"Rayyan, let's talk," Zeenat said and took her seat in front of him.
___
I'll be updating The Twins tomorrow, in sha Allah.