It felt unfair. Haider had spent years keeping himself at a distance from her, even when every part of him wanted to draw closer. He had liked her long before she ever knew the depth of it, yet he had never allowed that affection to become a burden she had to carry.
He respected her too much to force his presence into a life she hadn't chosen for herself. Even after their marriage, he had measured every step, every word, every moment of closeness, giving her space when all he wanted was to be beside her. He had worked so hard to earn the little pieces of trust she gave him, learning her habits slowly, patiently, as though every glimpse into her heart was something he had to be grateful for.
And then there was Saleh. He had simply returned, carrying years of memories Haider had never been part of, and somehow he could reach Ariya with an ease Haider had spent so long wishing for.
A laugh, a childhood joke, a familiar touch on the sleeve- and there it was. The closeness Haider had restrained himself from seeking because he had wanted her to come to him willingly. It wasn't Saleh's fault, and Haider knew that. That almost made it worse. He couldn't even blame him for receiving something so effortlessly when Haider had spent years denying himself the very things he longed for.
The bitter taste from before still lingered in his mouth, persistently refusing to leave him.
His heart trembled with sorrow, almost on the verge of breaking. Now, it was only a matter of time before...
He stole a quick look at her from across the room, resting against a wall while sipping his coffee. The coffee nearly spilled over his white T-shirt beneath the black cardigan. After all, his hands were shaking uncontrollably.
There were many factors behind why this situation had unfolded the way it had. At least, that was what he believed.
She only stole cautious looks at him whenever she caught his longing, jealous stare, so she immediately averted her gaze and put extra focus on the new man.
Haider couldn't explain the stinging sensation in his chest.
Every time she avoided him, it reminded him of the mistake he had made two nights ago. He had let his emotions surge in the moment and spilled everything, without considering how she might react.
He blamed himself for the way she had been acting around him. He had become a source of discomfort and distress when all he had ever meant to be was the opposite.
He shut his eyes tightly, praying that this hurdle would soon disappear, then rubbed his forehead from the stress.
And as emotions went...
Confusion, then anger, guilt, and finally, breaking down.
He could feel his subconscious growing hazy as the night went on, while Ariya remained oblivious to his anguish.
She was in her own bubble, trying to untangle the coiled wires wrapped around her mind.
"Mama, I'm sleepy..." Sarah whined, rubbing her eyes.
"Gosh, look at the time. It's past your bedtime."
Arwa answered like a mother, taking her daughter into her arms and searching for her husband among the other guests.
"We should go too. We can't disturb the married couple any longer."
Ariya's mother also got up, and soon, one by one, they bid their farewells at the door.
Saleh was the last one remaining at the entrance.
Haider was nowhere to be found.
Haider had disappeared from the room deliberately, needing a moment to regain control. He washed his face and stood alone, forcing himself to breathe. He had no right to let jealousy dictate his actions. Not after everything he had done to respect her boundaries.
...
"Thanks for today."
"Anytime. I hope things go well for you two."
"InshaAllah, it will," she added with a smile.
"Then, Assalamualaikum."
"Wa alaikumussalam."
CLICK.
The door clicked shut, and Ariya sighed as she remembered the pile of dishes waiting in the sink.
She was the type of person who wouldn't allow herself to rest before finishing every last task.
She took off her hijab, revealing the tousled hair beneath it, and ruffled it at the sides to somewhat fix it before heading toward the kitchen.
Ariya noticed his absence only after everyone had left. He had barely spoken toward the end, and now the house was quite. She couldn't explain why, but something about his silence unsettled her. It felt as though he were carrying something he refused to show.
As she walked, she heard footsteps behind her.
"Ariya."
She turned around at the voice she was searching for seconds ago.
The living room was dimly lit, concealing much of Haider's expression. Yet something felt odd. Even without seeing his face clearly, she could sense it.
His glasses were gone, and so was the cardigan. The minty aroma surrounding him was stronger than ever.
Her brown brows drew together in a frown, and she took a step back, her instincts almost kicking in.
The man standing before her appeared bigger, stronger, and threatening, as though possessed by a completely different person.
Her heart thumped against her chest, its echoes continuously ringing in her ears and filtering out the remaining white noise in the background.
Through her narrowed eyes, she caught the slight twitch of a muscle in his jaw.
After standing still for what felt like an eternity, he moved-
No.
He charged forward.