Zaya swallowed hard. She didn't want to lie to her friends, but she also didn't want to reveal the truth about her relationship. She didn't know what to say.
"Of course!" Zaya said, trying to sound enthusiastic, even though she felt anything but. "Kabir loves me so much and treats me like a queen. I'm really lucky to have him." He began to get teary.
But inside, Zaya felt far from lucky. She felt trapped in a relationship that wasn't making her happy.
"And what do you think about what we have just discussed?" One of Leila's friend asked.
"No sane woman should stay in a marriage where she's not respected or loved," Zaya said, her voice shaking with emotion. "I'm not going to be a doormat and allow myself to be treated badly. If my husband hurts me, I will walk away without a second thought." She said as the tears in her eyes continued to well up, threatening to spill.
