Anna

He was a good person. He seemed caring.

He was a good person. He seemed caring.

Samaya Mushtaq grew up hoping to marry a nice Muslim man.

Samaya Mushtaq grew up hoping to marry a nice Muslim man.

While she was in college, Samaya met that nice man. At 21, when she was in medical school, they got married. But as the marriage progressed, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

While she was in college, Samaya met that nice man. At 21, when she was in medical school, they got married. But as the marriage progressed, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

Samaya witnessed some really difficult things when she was in med school. She tried talking to her husband about her feelings, but he couldn't go there with her. So one day, after a really hard rotation, she decided it was easier to keep her feelings to herself.

Samaya witnessed some really difficult things when she was in med school. She tried talking to her husband about her feelings, but he couldn't go there with her. So one day, after a really hard rotation, she decided it was easier to keep her feelings to herself.

Samaya realized she had to leave.

Samaya realized she had to leave.

From the New York Times, I'm Anna Martin. This is Modern Love. Each week, we bring you stories inspired by the Modern Love column. Today, Samaya Mushtaq tells us what was on the other side of that tunnel of anxiety and fear. It's a story that taught her to love, selflessly, and in a way she could never have predicted. Stay with us. Sameah Mushtaq, welcome to Modern Love.

From the New York Times, I'm Anna Martin. This is Modern Love. Each week, we bring you stories inspired by the Modern Love column. Today, Samaya Mushtaq tells us what was on the other side of that tunnel of anxiety and fear. It's a story that taught her to love, selflessly, and in a way she could never have predicted. Stay with us. Sameah Mushtaq, welcome to Modern Love.

I'm going to jump right in with you. When you finally decided to get a divorce, what was that like for you emotionally?

I'm going to jump right in with you. When you finally decided to get a divorce, what was that like for you emotionally?

Tell me about the moment where it became real for everyone.

Tell me about the moment where it became real for everyone.

So you made this really difficult decision. It sounds really hard. But I want to fast forward to after your divorce was finalized. Once it was real, how were you doing?

So you made this really difficult decision. It sounds really hard. But I want to fast forward to after your divorce was finalized. Once it was real, how were you doing?

I'm sitting here being like, you're smiling. I'm smiling. The possibility was not scary. It was exciting.

I'm sitting here being like, you're smiling. I'm smiling. The possibility was not scary. It was exciting.