The cold and the fog were both intensifying when suddenly Aizal spoke in a low voice,
"Please stop the car at a safe place… I need to offer Isha prayer."
Without looking at her, Salar gave a slight nod, and after a while, he turned the car into the Sukheki service area. At that hour, it wasn't crowded. Very few people were visible, and the cold had reached its peak.
Aizal glanced around. She was about to ask someone where the arrangement for women's prayer was when Salar himself went to inquire.
It turned out that a ladies' section did exist—and fortunately, it was still open at that time, although it was usually closed by nine. However, the area was relatively deserted, which created a faint sense of unfamiliarity.
As they walked toward the ladies' section, a young man's gaze kept lifting toward Aizal again and again. He wasn't staring openly, but it was enough that it did not escape Salar's notice.
For a moment, something sharp stirred within Salar. His jaw tightened. An unbidden anger rose in his heart… as if he wanted to go and warn that boy harshly.
But the very next moment, he restrained himself.
Why did it bother him?
What right did he have to feel this way?
With an expressionless face, he walked past Aizal, and she silently followed behind him.
The ladies' section was indeed somewhat isolated. For a brief moment, Aizal felt the weight of solitude, but when she noticed Salar standing nearby—apparently occupied with his phone—a strange sense of reassurance settled over her.
She was surprised too… why was he still here?
Aizal performed wudu and began to pray. During the prayer, for a moment, she felt the warmth of someone's gaze upon her, but she dismissed the thought and focused entirely on her prayer.
Salar stood at a distance, watching her in an almost unnoticeable manner. There was no smile on his face, no visible expression—only silent observation.
As soon as the prayer ended, Aizal made her supplication and stood up. Without saying anything, both of them walked back toward the car.
As they sat inside, Salar asked briefly,
"Do you want something to eat?"
Aizal refused immediately.
"No… it's getting late. The night will only get worse. It's better to leave."
For a moment, her insistence displeased Salar, but the weather was indeed worsening. He did not consider further argument appropriate and turned the car back toward the motorway.
The fog had grown thicker than before.
Silence lingered in the car for some time. Outside, the fog deepened further.
Salar asked seriously,
"Where should I drop you in Lahore?"
Aizal replied briefly,
"At the metro stand."
Salar looked at her in surprise.
"Do you even know where you're going from there?"
"No."
"What?"
"You don't even know where to go next… then why did you leave your home?"
"It was my compulsion."
"Because of Mustafa?"
Aizal replied in a cold tone,
"I don't consider it necessary to answer every question of yours."
For a moment, a hardness appeared in Salar's eyes.
"How interesting… you can marry me and travel overnight to Lahore, but answering one question of mine is too much for you. Fine… as you wish," he said with faint annoyance. "You saved my life that day, and today I returned the favor. Salar Shah does not like to remain indebted to anyone."
A slight sting appeared in Aizal's eyes.
"For you, all this may be a joke… for me, it isn't."
Salar's voice turned slightly harsher.
"Leaving your home for a boy… who couldn't even stand up for you in front of his parents? Interesting."
"I didn't run away for anyone!" Aizal's voice rose for the first time. "It was my compulsion… you won't understand. Just stop the car—I will go on my own."
Looking toward the door, she added,
"I'll tell you where to send the divorce papers."
Silence fell inside the car for a few moments.
Without directly responding to her, Salar said,
"Then why did you marry me? And if you didn't trust me… why come with me? According to you, I am the most undesirable person in your life. I could have done anything to you."
Aizal took a deep breath.
"I had to reach Lahore. At that time, this felt right. And as for trust… it was not in you," she said quietly, "not before, not now. My faith was in Allah. I did nothing wrong… and He will not let anything wrong happen to me."
At that very moment, the car stopped at a station where the metro service was operating. Aizal opened the door.
A gust of cold air rushed inside.
Salar stepped out immediately as well.
"This journey of five hours, forty-nine minutes, and thirteen seconds…" he said with a faintly sarcastic smile, "was quite an adventure."
Aizal looked at him. There were no tears in her eyes… only exhaustion.
"For you, life may be an adventure. For me, it is reality. And when reality becomes clear… it shakes a person to their very soul."
She paused for a moment.
"Thank you. Perhaps we will never meet again."
Salar could not say anything.
Aizal walked forward into the fog… until her figure gradually faded and disappeared from sight.
And for the first time, a strange unease settled within Salar—as if something had slipped from his grasp.
He silently returned to the car… and turned back on the road.
---
Will fate bring Aizal and Salar to a new turn…?
To find out, make sure to follow—only then will I publish the next part. ✨