Did he know black magic?? Cuz I was hypnotized...my cheeks were burning from his intense gaze. Soon the moment faded, his facial expressions started changing.

"Zaynah," he whispered, I never felt my name that beautiful. He...he just said my name. Damn...I was feeling like the princess of my Dreamland. Taylor Swift's "Love story" started playing in my head.
I was dancing in my dream...

" Zaynah," he was louder this time, I snapped back to the reality.

"Huh..?" I swallowed my saliva.

"These scars..." He stopped and looked again at me and my heart shivered. I didn't see this coming. I always wore full sleeves dress but today due to my clumsiness and stupidity my sleeves were lifted and anyone could see black scars which I always tried to hide.

And again the realization hit me, he was holding my hands, he's a non-mehram to me. I jerked his hands away and adjusted my sleeves.

"What was this? Can I ask?" His eyes showed a lot of emotions, concern was written on his face.

"Nevermind," I calmed my breath and stood on my feet. Why always him? Why he had to see this?? Whyy?? I pushed back the tears which were threatening me to come.

"Okay, I gotta go" my voice cut the thick tension in the air.

" I can drop you if you want," I didn't know why today he was being so nice?

Did he just offer me a ride, Wasn't he the same guy who refused me once when I asked him in need.

"Don't I look like some serial killer?" I smirked.

"Damn, okay sorry," he smiled sheepishly.

Don't smile, please!! I don't wanna fall for you

"Let me offer Salah first, I'll drop you after this," when he didn't get any response from me, he said to me.

"Salah,? Do you pray? " I widened my eyes in disbelief.

" Huh?, Ma'am, Don't I look a Muslim to you?" He narrowed his eyes.

" Yeah I mean but still... I mean ... never mind," I didn't manage to speak.

" Just say it," he looked at me and started folding his sleeves for ablution.

"Umm... I thought you'll be one of those popular rich kids with girlfriends, and don't value religion, umm" I hesitated to speak but somehow I spat out.

" Lol," he let out a soft chuckle.
" Miss Zaynah Fatima, Don't make your scale or standard to judge someone, and the things you mentioned rich, popularity has nothing to do with Deen of a person. I never knew you're that dumb and ignorant person. Anyways try to change your mentality and next time don't judge someone that quickly," the smile was still tugging on his lips but his voice was firm
and I really felt ashamed. Astaghfirullah, I was no one to judge anyone.

"Also Farwa is not my girlfriend," he sighed.

"I know, she's your fiancee," I retorted, Damn Girl, shut your mouth... And watch your tone. You sound like some jealous chick!

He rolled his eyes at me and opened his mouth to say something but I cut him off," Listen, I ain't being nosey, it's just Farwa is my roommate and ughh Zara... Okay sorry," I lowered my head and he laughed.

How the heck could he laugh...

"Well, wait for me, I'll be back after praying," he started walking.

" Wajahat," my voice sounds foreign to me.

" Huh," he turned his head at me.

" Can I also pray? I mean I don't wanna skip salaah," I chewed my bottom lips nervously.

" Yeah sure, you can use Zara's room," he said nonchalantly and climbed the stairs.

I stepped into her room and did an ablution. I was searching for a prayer rug but I didn't find it anywhere. I searched for five minutes but still didn't find it. I had no choice now, I silently made my way towards his room.

I decided to knock but then my hands stopped mid-way. I couldn't disturb him at that time. I was standing at the door like an idiot, but Alhamdulillah the door of the room opened revealing the most beautiful boy on this planet.

"Astaghfirullah," I muttered under my breath and looked at his questioning face.

"Ummm... Actually, I didn't find any prayer rug in her room," my breath got heavy and my voice became deep.

" Ohh, it's okay, come pray with me," he asked me to follow him.

Pray with me... These were the most beautiful words I had ever heard. My heart was jolting inside and whispering a lot of weird things. Why this guy was affecting me that much?

I started praying behind him, I couldn't describe in words what I was feeling at that moment. It felt like a dream. After praying I opened my hands to make dua, I made a small Dua and tilted my head to see him, he was still making duaa, his eyes were wet from liquids and tears were rolling down his cheeks.

I've always imagined him a bad boy, rich, spoiled kid but he was different. My eyes automatically filled with tears.

"Let's go," he asked me and I nodded my head.

*******

I sat on the passenger seat and he started the car. Yesterday he said those things to me and today he's being nice. Bipolar

There was complete silence in the car, I started looking outside the window. Suddenly, a small photo caught my attention. I looked closely, it was the picture of Wajahat and Farwa, they both were smiling like a real couple. He looked so happy in the picture.

Allah wanted me to remind this, he's Farwa's love. Stop thinking about him. I felt a strong pain in my heart and stomach. I wanted to bawl my eyes out but I realized I wasn't alone.

He stopped the car in front of my hostel and climbed off. Wait... Whatt?

"Actually, Farwa wanted to see me so I thought I should drop you too," he smiled again and for the first time, I hate his smile.

So he came all way for Farwa, for his fiancee, and my stupid heart. Lol, you dumbass!

" Ohh nice," I faked a smile and ran towards my room.

As I entered the room, my eyes traveled to Farwa who was stunning in a beautiful blue dress. She was such a beauty, her brown locks were enhancing her beauty. She will look so good with him.

"Hi sweetie," she gave the last touch to her lipstick and smiled at me.

"Hi," I replied half-heartedly and laid on the bed.

"Today I'm going on a date with my boyfriend, so lock the room carefully honey," she smiled again and stepped out. I knew she told me this on purpose.

I locked the door and once again I jumped on the bed. Tears started slipping from my eyes and I didn't stop them.

It was the first time someone caught my attention and left me heartbroken. I hugged my knees and cried again.

Ya Allah gives me sabr, I don't wanna cry over some stupid guy! Ya Allah!

I couldn't believe a girl like me could fall for someone. Whyy it had to be him???

I unlocked my phone to distract myself and texted Azlan.

Azlan: How are you??

Me: I'm good, I wanna meet you

Azlan: Umm, you okay??

Me: Of course, I am... I just wanna meet you and thank you, that's it.

Azlan: I'll text you once I'll be free, anyways what are you doing?

We chatted for an hour and I felt better. I knew it wasn't right, I was doing wrong but my mind got blank. I just wanted to forget him. I wanted to hate him.

I decided to sleep when my phone rang, "Hello," I heard this voice after ages.

"Yeah," my voice came out like a whisper.

"We need you to sign some important papers,"

" Send me those papers I'll sign Asiya," I sighed. My mom left a huge piece of property for me and now these jerks were relying on her property and money. I wondered how my mom would be? Where would she be? Would she ever think about me?

My mom was just a mystery for me, and I needed to find my mom. I knew my family was hiding something from me, I just needed to find it out.

Asslamalaikum everyone! I know this is a quite boring chapter, I'm sorry for this kindly bear with me. Keep voting, keep supporting!
~Asma