👑 12th of May 2020 👑

Imani slurped her flavoured milk and stared at her tray absent mindedly, the chicken salad stared back at her defiantly, but Imani paid no notice..

she was in the cafeteria on the second floor of her campus which over looked the busy Colombo roads at midday through the giant glass walls, Amidst the usual bickering of the students,the tables placed along the edge of the glass walls, facing the road side usually gave her solitude and peace while she enjoyed her lunch breaks..

She has resumed her studies a week back and was perfectly on track.. even if her classes were usually on the fourth and seventh floor, Imani always preferred the cafeteria on the second floor merely because of the view..

But today even the breath taking view had to try a bit harder to capture the girl's attention because her mind kept drifting back to one specific incidents which took place a few days ago..

Imani and Muradh were out shopping at the mall, while Imani was busy amongst the book racks, walking through aisles, Muradh stood at the counter lazily flipping through a business today magazine..

Imani stopped in her tracks when an exuberant voice broke the serene silence of the book store..

"Aiya (brother) is that really you?" A girl clad in a peach colour hijab looked at Muradh expectantly..

Imani edged towards Muradh who had his back to her..

she trudged in gaiting steps all the while listening to the girls bickering..

"Aiya were you in Colombo all this time? oh gods, I cant even believe my own eyes.. I am so so glad I met you aiya.." she talked on animatedly while Muradh stood rooted on his spot..

Imani reached them and put her hand on Muradh's arm who seemed too dazed to acknowledge her presence ..

the girl shifted her eyes towards Imani, scanning her from top to bottom. eyes raking over her jeans, her tee and finally resting on her face.. The girl's face fell..

"aiya, you're still with her?" he questioned shrilly while Muradh still maintanined his stoic façade..

"you do know that she is your downfall.." she spat disgustedly, a heavy bitterness edged her voice.. with that she was gone, not sparing a glance back..

Muradh stood frozen on his track, staring voidly, while Imani's confusion knew no bounds..

"Muradh,.." she called out.. bringing him out of his lone stupor, looking at her he smiled quickly..

"funny isn't she.." he chuckled.. "I think she misunderstood me for someone else.." he shook his head but his eyes said otherwise..

"you sure? the way she spoke, it was as if she knew you for ages.." Imani Implored..

"yup pretty sure, I have no idea who she is.." he mumbled suddenly turning his attention to the books in her hand.. "so if you are done, shall we make a move?" he asked for which Imani nodded.. he plucked the books out of her hand and made way to the counter..

Later that day, Imani  brought up this topic with the hope of peeling some information from him.. but he simply waved her off saying that she didn't have to worry about other girls trying to hit on her husband because he had eyes only for her..

she was hardly bothered about that.. the girl didn't seem like she was trying to make a move on him.. besides she called him "aiya" (elder brother).. it wasn't so difficult to connect the dots that something else was the case.. nevertheless she gave into Muradh's claim that she mistook him for someone else..
since that day a distant look settled upon the pair of brown eyes she has come to love, they seemd to be drowning in rivers of buried melancholy which greatly worried her..

Coming back to her sense.. she slurped the dredges of her milk cartoon and stood up in search of dustbin when she knocked in to a girl walking down the aisle, who fell butt first in onto the floor..

"oh my foot" she screamed as the cold coffee stain spread across her white scarf and seeped into her pale yellow blouse..

Imani's jaw hung open in shock.. she rushed to the girl's side helping her up, all the while gushing apologies back and forth.. the girl was busy dabbing at the stain when a teasing voice sounded from her right..

"That is one awesome thing you did there.." she looked up to see a guy of her age, smirking, laying back on the table to her right.. Imani's eye widened in dread..

"excuse me.. Mr.. that wasn't intended.. It was a mistake.." she spoke defiantly..

"its ok friend.." he forwarded his hand for a fist bump..

"Friend? Imani questioned his hands still in mid air..

"An enemy of my enemy is always my friend..' he laughed..

"But no.. It was purely an accident.. I didn't meant to push her.." she reasoned.. but he paid no heed as he was busy smirking at the girl who in turn was glaring daggers at him..

"its time to celebrate.. lemme go get some drinks.. you deserve one too loser.." He guffawed and walked away..

Imani turned back to the girl.. " im really sorry.. it isn't how he put it.. it is an accident.. my fault actually" she spoke meekly..

A flash of recognition flitted her eyes on meeting the girl's face.. before she had time to think.. she was engulfed in a bear hug.. "Imani.. Its you.." the girl screamed in her ears exuberantly..

" Im glad to see you too Azweena.." She smiled.. recognizing the stranger on the beach who had seen her so vulnerable at her lowest and has offered her words of wisdow which lead her towards a path of transformation..

Azweena pulled back.. beaming happily..
"I didnt know you study in my campus.. How come I didnt meet you the last 3 years.. " she yelled in awe.. settling in the nearest table..

"You couldn't have anyways cause it's just my first week in here.." imani replied sitting beside her..

"Wait what's happening here..I thought you are my friend" The same guy broke in to their banter sitting opposite to them.. 3 cans of coke clutched in his hand..
Azween plucked one from his hand and  offered it to Imani and grabbed another one for herself..

"On your nose, jerk face. She is my friend since ages.."she snorted..  putting her arm around Imani..

His face fell.. raising his eyebrows in questioning he shot an expectant look at Imani..

"Yupp.." Imani declared.. "we are beach buddies.."

"Oh man.." he growled why are all the good ones in the bad side? He scrunched his nose in disgust looking at Azzu who smirked back..

"Arey Yaar.. only the good ones deserve the best.."

"Well are you guys implying I'm the good one or the best one." Imani joked..

"That's for us to know and for you not to..by the way I'm sorry for the havoc caused by this thing.. "she pointed at the guy.. "he is Danish.. My jeeju's nephew..  but unlike Shezaad jiju who is  sweetheart..he is a total waste of space.." Imani spoke as if the guy wasnt seated in front of her and glaring daggers..

"As if you actually seem like Ahaana cachi's sister.. how can someone as pathetic and whining as you be her sister I wonder.." he retorted..

"Shut it Jerk face..." Azzu screamed..
"You shut it donkey face.." Danish screamed back..

"Danish this is the limit.. "
"Azweena this is the limit.. "

"You started it.."
"You dont even have the gut to start a-"

"Guys Guys I'm still here.. " Imani cut through there banters clearly amused..

"Jerk.." Azzu muttered..

"Well Imani is it.." Danish asked..
"Nice name for a nice girl..  I swear that was one amazing incident.. donkey face down on her butt.. Imma buy you a ring for that.." he winked flirtatiously..

"You I'll mannered fellow..behave okay.." Azzu's face flared up..

"Well young man.. if you are tryna hit on me.. sorry I'm already married and I've a handsome hunk for a husband.." Imani replied cheerfully..

"Oh crap..if all the good ones are taken  in this rate.. me pretty boy is gonna end such a donkey face.. he murmured..

"You wish jerk face.." Azzu replied lick starting their banters and Imani fell in love with the pair..

Assalamu Alaikum W.w. people..

So here is my update after a long time..

Do you guys remember the lil kids from oath of love? Well here they are all grown up..

Bwy who do you think is the mystery woman..
Is Muradh hiding something or is he himself unaware of the truth??

Answers await.. so until next time do vote.. comment and share..

And while we are in the glorious month of ramadan.. do include me, my family and the whole of Muslim ummah in your valuable prayer..

Love: Marwa..❤