Zawad's P.O.V.

This girl is something else! Last night I was so angry with her giving me advices like an adult that I spit out all my anger on her. But when she left out sobbing, I felt really guilty and ashamed of my behavior.

The whole night I thought about her. I have to apologize to her. But for what? Was I wrong? Fine, even if I admit that I was wrong and I should change my perspective,what should I do? How am I going to keep faith in my Creator and wait for the result? I should talk to her. I won't let her misunderstand me. She has to know that I was out of my mind today.

That's why I went to her directly to clear up all the mess I created. I just wanted to say sorry to her though I had no wish to hear her advices again.

But her every word felt so trustworthy that I couldn't just ignore that. I instantly agreed on praying to keep contact with her.

I don't know what got into me when I asked her like a stupid if she would come with me or not. I was insane. I just know that I need Shayba by my side whose company will soothe my broken heart. I just know that I like everything she says and does and that influences me a great deal without any reason. I just know that she is the one I need right now to be back to my real self again. I just know..... That I like her.....A lot....

In the afternoon,I went to the library to study as I have to go to my home tomorrow. These repetitive journeys won't let me lead my normal life again.

As soon as I sat down with my books, I got a call from an unknown number. I received it and asked hushedly as I was in the library, "Hello! Who is this?"

"Assalamu Alaikum Bhaiya, it's me Shayba." I heard a mild,shy voice.

My heart fluttered. "What?"

"It's Asar's time. Go say your prayer now, quick!"

I became quite beamed with amusement to hear her talking to me in such an administrative tone. "Uhh I have come to the library now. Can I pray a bit later?"

"The sooner, the better. You have just an hour left to do that."

"Ok. Thanks."

She remained silent.

"Uhhh Shayba are you there??"

"Can you please say Jazakillahu Khair instead?"

I couldn't help but laugh at this girl's behavior. She is so cute! "Oh sorry I forgot. Jazakillahu Khair."

"BarakAllah Feek." happiness clear in her voice. "Allah Hafez."

"Allah Hafez. Wait, what does THAT mean???"

Beep.... She cut the call.

I went to the washroom to perform ablution and there it really surprised me to find out a praying room beside that. I never knew it's existence! I went inside to pray the Salah and solicit for mom's happiness. and after my prayer, I honestly had a pleasant and fresh feeling. It felt like I have completed a really important task. This amazing feeling provoked me to pray again. Maybe she is right. Maybe I should just keep faith in Allah and wait for the future patiently.

I came to study in a delightful mood after weeks. It's been a long time I smiled genuinely.

Shayba's P.O.V.

That was tough. I just hope that my endeavors will not go wasted. I hope he will understand the true perspective of Islam one day.

I texted him in the time of Maghrib too. I don't want to talk to this guy directly again and again. He texted back right away, "Do I have to say JazakAllahu Khair every time??? That's a long word... :( Rather won't it be better if I pray for you after my Salah??? :)"

I smiled as soon as I read that.
"I'll be honored...^_^" I replied and then went to perform my Salah. I begged Allah for guiding us all and giving us the mental strength to follow His directed way.

Alhumdulillah... Life is beautiful if you just have the eyes to see it.....

"Will you like to explain what happened?" I heard as soon as I stepped inside my room in the evening after a long tiring day.

I looked up and found Farhana,Nadia and Biva giving me an interrogative look.

"Sorry?" I really didn't know what else to say.

Nadia replied,"You know very well what we mean. Just explain the relationship between you and Zawad bhai."

"Oh come on! There's nothing going on between us."I snapped.

"Then how do you want to explain today's incident?"

"Guys I don't understand why you are teaming up against me and interrogating me!"I almost cried.

"Zawad bhai came to me to ask something about Islam,ok?? He was just curious about Salah and wanted to say his prayers regularly. That's why he asked for my help and nothing else,ok????"

Everyone looked confused.

"Why? Are there no religious people whom he knows? Why it's you of all people, huh?"

I couldn't believe what Biva asked just now! My eyes dilated as I looked at her with surprise. Tears reached at my eyes peak as I replied in a determined tone,"I have said it before and I am saying again, there is
nothing going on between us. I was never involved in any Haram relationship and never will be if Allah wills. There is nothing to misunderstand me."

Farhana came to me at once and caressed my face,"Oh dear we didn't want to upset you. It's just today's incident made Tonima so frustrated about you that she hasn't taken a single pile of food all day. Everyone thought you two were in a relationship. And if it's not true, why did you disappear and where did you go? No one even saw the shadow of you two. What was the need of such privacy,huh?"

I kept quiet for a while. "He didn't want to show his curiosity about Islam to all people. That's why." I couldn't find any better answer for that.

"Go talk to Tonima. She is upset with you." Nadia told softly coming near me.

This time I was totally pelting . "Why do I have to give excuses to her for such a simple thing? Is she Zawad bhai's girlfriend or something??" I snapped again.

They remained silent. "This is not it. We just don't want to see you guys fighting or avoiding each other. That's all."

"Fine. I'll talk to her."saying this I entered the washroom to cool down my anger.

Getting out, I wrapped my hijab again and headed for Tonima's room. I knocked twice and her roommate opened the door for me. "Oh it's you, Shayba! Come inside. How you doing?"

"Alhumdulillah." I really had no mood to gup. "Tonima?" I called her firmly.

I could easily understand that she saw me but had no wish to reply to me. It made me more vexed. I didn't wait for her to answer and said at a stretch,"I heard you haven't eaten since noon. Look, I don't know what you are thinking about us but I can assure you at least this. We are NOT in a relationship! So please stop thinking nonsense about me. I gotta go. Make sure you eat your dinner." telling this, I headed back to my room making her roommates spellbound. I have done more than enough for her. Unbearable!

At night after finishing some tasks as a CR, I went to pray my Salah. My mind was completely scattered because of today's events.

I texted Zawad bhai again, "Please pray your Isha prayers on time. And make sure you install a prayer app on your phone to remind you every time. I don't want to get misunderstood by my friends just for this. I'm sorry, Zawad bhai." I was teary eyed again.

How can my roommates and the persons I got closest with since the beginning misinterpret my attitude so easily? How can they think I'm betraying them although they know how I actually am?

I got a call immediately,so I didn't even need to see from whom it was.

I went to the balcony so that Nadia and Farhana don't hear me. Then I received the phone with great weariness. I was too tired of all this drama.

"Assalamu Alaikum."

"Walaikum Salam. Tell me everything that happened because of me."he asked in a furious voice.

"Please don't try to interfere into this Zawad bhai. You will make it more complicated." I am damn tired already.

"What do you mean? If I'm the reason for your problems, I should get you rid of them, right?"

"Pleeeeease let me handle this. Girls will get more furious if you try to defend me."

He stopped in the way of saying something.

So I said again,"You know what? I'm sick of all this. So please do what I say. Install a reminder app so that I don't need to call you every time. I just don't want to meddle in your life anymore. I'm not that type of girl who will be the main character of all those false unjustified rumours. Besides I don't want to call a non mahram 5 times a day. You understand what I mean,right?"

He said nothing.

"Allah Hafez,Zawad bhai."

I hung up the phone without waiting for him to reply. Then I began to sob like a kid when I held up my hands to pray to Allah.

Help me Allah. Please get me rid of these fuss as soon as possible.