Chapter: 2 hazel eyes

I woke up at Fajr to pray. I was able to wake up without any alarm; it has become a routine for me. I performed my ablution and prayed. I felt at peace, talking to my Lord while standing on the prayer mat and starting my day. This is my safe place in the whole wide world, where I can turn to Him and share my feelings and thoughts. I am so grateful for this.

I went downstairs and saw my family at the dining table. I sat beside my sister.

"As-salamu alaykum," I greeted.

"Wa alaykum as-salam," they replied.

"Nadia, pass me the orange juice."

Nadia handed me the juice.

"Should I drop you at the college?" I asked.

"Yes, Bhai, that would be nice," Nadia replied.

We all ate our breakfast in silence; we usually don't talk while eating.

"Let's go, Nadia."

I dropped Nadia at college and then headed to my office.

I had back-to-back meetings—it was exhausting. I ate my lunch in my office. I love my work, but sometimes it can be overwhelming. After lunch, I didn't have any more meetings, and I had to pick Nadia up from college, as she had texted me to come get her. I got into my car and drove to the college.

After arriving at the college, I noticed her friend from a distance—she was talking to my sister. But in that moment, my eyes were drawn to her and only her. She was wearing a brown abaya that flowed gracefully around her, and it looked stunning on her. I couldn't look away.

My sister must have seen me because I think she whispered something to her friend. Then she looked up—and our eyes met. Her hazel eyes were like a universe of their own, deep and mesmerizing. I was completely lost in them. The moment felt electric, like a soft jolt coursing through me. We just stood there, locked in an unspoken connection, our eyes speaking what words couldn't. I didn't know if it lasted a second or a minute—it felt like time stood still.

Then, my sister said something to her, and she snapped out of it, gently breaking the spell.

Nadia walked toward the car and sat down in the passenger seat. I asked her, "Who was that?"

"Bhai, she's my best friend," Nadia replied.

"What's her name?"

"Dua Suleman," she answered.

"Okay, how was your day at college?"

"It was fine," Nadia replied, as we drove home.

Soon, we arrived.

"As-salamu alaykum," I said as I entered the house and saw my parents sitting and watching TV.

"Wa alaykum as-salam, Salar," they replied.

"You came home early today," my parents said.

"I was exhausted—I had so much work today."

"Then take some rest," they said.

"I will. Call me at dinner time," I replied, and went to my room to freshen up.

After taking a cold shower, I changed into my pajamas, grabbed my laptop, and checked my emails, replying to a few of them. Suddenly, a pair of hazel eyes flashed through my mind, and I paused, my hands frozen over the keyboard. I couldn't stop thinking about the eye contact I had with my sister's friend—Dua Suleman.

As I replayed that moment in my head, I realized how her eyes were the perfect cherry on top of her beauty. My heart was racing. I had never felt this emotion before.

It was just a simple glance, nothing more, I kept telling myself.

"Salar, dinner is ready!" Ammi shouted from downstairs. I got up from my bed, set my laptop aside, and pushed the thought of her away.

"Coming," I said, then went downstairs to eat dinner with my family.

"Ab kaisa feel kar rahe ho, Salar?" my mother asked.

"Better, Ammi," I replied.

"Aaj ka din kaisa tha, Nadia?" my father asked her.

"Accha tha, Baba. Thoda boring tha, magar Dua mere saath thi, toh din accha gaya, Baba," Nadia replied.

Her words took me right back to those eyes, and I found myself completely zoning out, lost in thoughts of her. My sister snapped me out of it.

"Kya hua, Nadia?"

"Bhai, I called you so many times and you didn't answer," Nadia replied.

"Why did you call me, Nadia?"

"Pass me the water, Bhai," she said.

"Ye lo pani."

My parents watched me as I zoned out. I glanced at them, and they exchanged looks with each other.

After dinner, I went to my room, prayed Isha, and got ready to sleep. Just as I was about to drift off, there was a knock on my door, and my sister Nadia appeared. I gestured for her to come in and sit.

"What happened? Why are you here?" I asked.

"I just wanted to ask, are you okay?" Nadia replied.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"Earlier at dinner, you zoned out, so I thought something might be troubling you," Nadia said.

I smiled at her and reassured her that everything was fine.

"If something is troubling you, you can always talk to me, you know that, right?" Nadia said.

I simply nodded, and she went back to her room. I then opened my diary to write about today. This was my daily routine.

Dear Diary,

Today, I had so much work at the office, and it was exhausting and stressful. There's a girl with whom I had eye contact today, and oh God, she was mesmerizing, Mashallah.

My heart was pounding so fast when I saw her, and I couldn't stop thinking about her. Why is this bothering me now? She has almost taken over my mind. Ya Allah, what is this feeling and emotion I'm having? Please help me.

My parents must have thought I was acting a little weird at dinner, because she was on my mind again, and I zoned out. They usually don't show much affection towards me and Nadia. Sometimes it hurts, but I'm used to it. I always try to be the perfect son for them. I was good at studying, like every parent wants their child to be—and I was. But despite trying so hard, there was still no affection shown toward me.

I don't know how to show my emotions. I'm not that good at expressing them. I love them because they are my parents, and that's it.

After writing everything down, I felt a little better; it always helps me. I was starting to feel sleepy, so I placed the diary in the drawer beside the bed, lay down, and fell asleep.