CHAPTER 19 - SILENCE IS THE BEST REPLY

A jamath was formed comprising Aliza and Ahmed's family, Cyra's mother and the muthavalli of the mosque with its members. Aliza had not spoken to anyone after Ahmed's truth came out in the open. She sat beside her mother, who patted her head. Cyra and her mother were made to sit away from everyone because everybody thought she was the one who allured Ahmed into this marriage. 

Aliza sat across Cyra and watched her from a distance. She took note of the woman she lost Ahmed to. She saw how they both looked so different yet the same. She could feel the pain in Cyra's eyes but was also jealous herself. Cyra's clothes looked pristine and modern, and her hair looked like it had been treated with utmost care. She saw how Cyra looked elegant and confident even during pain unlike herself. Aliza assessed her own clothes and hair and was convinced why Ahmed had to choose someone over her.

The discussion began after the head of the jamath addressed Ahmed and his family and asked for his explanation. Ahmed was told it was wrong of him to keep both of them in the dark by hiding his truth. Ahmed agreed that he had committed a grave mistake to both women but added that he was under immense pressure to do it. He explained how he had made Cyra's life miserable because of his arrival, and to make it right, he had to do what he had done. Aliza's heart crushed at every word of his. Ahmed also added that he did not go beyond the rules and stayed true to both of them. He said he was aware of what he was getting into and was ready to treat both his wives the same. He added that he had never been prejudiced towards either of them and did not neglect or mistreat Aliza even after Cyra came into his life. The jamath had listened to him speak enough and asked both the women for their verdict. 

Cyra's mother left the option to her daughter, and Cyra requested time until she decided. But in her heart, she did not want her relationship with Ahmed to end. She not only loved him but was also afraid of her future. She feared what society would frame her into if she broke this marriage. She would be left alone for life or called a home breaker. She would happily agree to stay with Ahmed, parting him with another woman. But she wanted to be sure before she even gave her away as the weaker person here. 

While the jamath was waiting for Aliza's reply, she had already packed and was ready to leave. A shocked Rabiya and Ahmed pleaded with her to stay and to forgive Ahmed's blunder. But Aliza held her ground. The jamath tried to convince her by saying that though Ahmed had committed a mistake, he had not done anything unforgivable, which made her wince. Rabiya exclaimed that she wouldn't give her up so quickly, and though Ahmed had married Cyra, she would never approve of her. Aliza's parents spoke to her privately and told her to look beyond Ahmed's mistake for the sake of her child.

'What happens to you and your child? Who will take care of them after us? You will be left alone, Aliza. It can't happen. You cannot give up your place easily to someone else.' her mother insisted, to which her father agreed. 

Ahmed pleaded with her privately not to take his child away. He begged her, threatened her of her uncertain future, reminded her of their good times, reinforced that circumstances made him do it, and appealed again, all round and round and round.

But Aliza gave in to nothing. She stared at them with unwavering silence and walked out of Ahmed's house, followed by her parents and Fahim. She would come again later after she decides the fate of their marriage to inform in front of the jamath, loud and clear.

To be continued…

#penbooksandscalpel

I am participating in #BlogchatterA2Z2023 challenge