Chapter: 3 cute cafe

This morning was Sunday. I prayed Fajr and then went back to sleep. It's currently 11 a.m., and I was in bed scrolling through my phone, checking my messages and everything. Suddenly, Nadia texted me:

"Hi bestie, how are you? Are you awake or not?"

I replied, "Hi babe, I'm fine. I just woke up."

"Do you have any plans today?" Nadia asked.

"No, not really," I responded.

"What about you come over here?" she suggested.

I thought about it for a minute and then replied, "That would be nice, I'll come."

"Then it's settled! You're coming to my house. I'm excited," she said.

I smiled and replied, "Yes bestie, I'll come in the afternoon if that's okay."

"Perfect," Nadia responded.

I got up and went to the bathroom to freshen up, then went downstairs to eat breakfast. After taking a bath and putting on some clothes, I went down and saw that my mom was cooking breakfast, so I decided to help her.

"As-salamu alaykum, Ammi," I said.

"Wa alaykum as-salam, Dua," Ammi replied.

"What are you cooking?" I asked.

"Making some cheese omelettes and roasting some bread," she replied.

"You're making my favorite cheese omelettes, Ammi!" I said excitedly.

"Go and wake up your father," she told me.

"Ammi, Baba, can I go to Nadia's house?" I asked.

"Of course, beta, you can go—but don't be late, okay?" they replied.

I was so happy that I was going to meet Nadia. My parents are the best; they never say no to me. Since I'm their only child, it can get a bit lonely sometimes, but still, I love my life—because of my parents and my friends.

Of course, I also have my own struggles in life.

It was 2 p.m., and I was getting ready. I decided to wear a navy blue suit with white heels. I did some natural makeup, put on my favorite perfume—which makes me smell like a vanilla cupcake—wore my black hijab, grabbed my black sling bag, and headed to my friend's house.

As I was on my way, I saw a cute café and decided to stop by and buy some coffee. After buying it, I noticed a cat wandering around the café. The cat came toward me, and I tried to pet it—I was hesitant at first, but I did it anyway. There were two boys standing nearby. I tried to ignore them, but they were staring at me.

As I was walking to my car, I felt someone behind me. I started walking faster, and just as I was about to reach my car door, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and saw the same boys standing in front of me. One of them grabbed my hand.

"Leave my hand," I said firmly.

"Aare, aap toh gussa ho gayi," one of them mocked.

"I'm saying this for the last time—leave my hand."

"Agar nahi chhoda toh?" he replied.

Without thinking, I slapped him with my other hand. They both stared at me, anger burning in their eyes. Just as he was about to touch my face, I stabbed his arm with my car keys, which I was still holding. He screamed in pain and backed away.

Panic surged through my body. I tried to stay calm, but I was failing miserably. Suddenly, my phone rang. I was so thankful—it was the perfect distraction. As they looked away for a second, I ran.

I called Nadia while I was running.

"Hello, Nadia," I said.

"Hi! Where are you, Dua? And why does your voice sound so raspy?" Nadia replied.

"Nadia, it's a long story—I'll tell you everything. But for now, please come and pick me up."

"Okay, okay, calm down. I'll come. Just send me your location," she said.

I sent her my location. I was lost—both physically and emotionally—because I had been running for my life. I tried to calm myself down, but nothing was working. Panic settled in my body, and I couldn't breathe properly.

It might seem like a small incident to others, but it was the first time I had ever encountered something like this. Of course I was going to panic... and cry for a bit.

I saw Nadia coming toward me.

"Hey, are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine now," I replied.

"Let's go," Nadia said.

As we walked toward her car, I noticed her brother was with her—since she doesn't know how to drive. I felt hesitant, but somehow I managed to sit in the back seat of the car. We drove to her house. It was a silent drive, but somehow comforting for me. I felt safe now.

We arrived, and Nadia and I went straight to her room. As soon as we sat down, I broke down in tears. Nadia hugged me, trying to comfort me.

"Hey, it's okay. Stop crying," she said gently.

"Yeah... I need to be strong," I replied, wiping my tears.

"That's my girl. Now tell me what happened," Nadia encouraged.

I told her everything that had happened near the café.

"Oh God, Dua, my baby... thank God you're safe now," Nadia said, pulling me into another hug.

I simply nodded. I was already feeling much better because of her. She knows exactly how to comfort and handle me—even when I don't know how to handle myself. Maybe it's because she's my best friend and knows me so well.

But now the question was: how was I going to tell my parents? I guess I'll figure it out eventually.

"Let's eat something now, it will make you feel better," Nadia said.

"Yeah, we should eat something," I replied.

"So, what do you want to eat? I'll order it," Nadia asked.

"Hmm... let me think. Maybe Chinese?"

"Okay, so we're eating Chinese food today," Nadia smiled.

"Yeah," I nodded.

After eating, I decided to go home since it was getting late, but I didn't have my car—I had left it near the café.

"Nadia, will you drop me off?" I asked.

"Of course, I'll tell Bhai to drop you if that's okay with you," Nadia replied.

"Can't you come with me?" I asked.

"I will come," Nadia said, which made my anxiety calm down a little.

Nadia's brother was driving, and I was in the back seat with Nadia. I didn't know his name, but I knew he was older than me. It was currently 5:30 p.m.

"How are you feeling now?" Nadia asked.

"Much better, because of you," I replied.

"Anything for you," Nadia said.

As we were talking, I felt someone's eyes on me. I looked up and saw him staring at me through the rearview mirror. He was watching me from that mirror. I quickly looked down, feeling nervous—or maybe shy—because of his stare. I wasn't sure why it made me feel that way.

I looked up again and saw that he was now looking at the road. I glanced at the mirror, and suddenly, we made eye contact again. This time, I didn't break the gaze. I also stared at him intensely, my heart racing, and my face starting to heat up. His honey-like eyes were mesmerizing. I didn't know why, but his eyes were like a magnet, drawing me in.

We arrived at my home. I got out of the car and thanked Nadia for dropping me off. As I glanced at her brother, I just smiled at him, and he stared at my face without smiling back.

"Nadia, if you don't mind, can you do me a favor?" I asked.

"Anything for you, Dua. Just tell me," Nadia replied.

"Actually, as you know, I left my car at the café. Can you ask your brother to bring it, please?"

"Okay, I'll ask Bhai," Nadia said.

She went to her brother, and they talked for a minute. Then she came back to me.

"Bhai will bring your car," Nadia said. I was a little shocked because I never thought he would agree to bring my car.

"Thank you, Nadia. You're the best. And also, please thank your brother from my side, will you?"

"Of course, I'll tell him. Be safe, and I'm going now. Call me if you want to talk about anything, okay? I'm always here for you," Nadia said.

"Hey, the car keys," I suddenly remembered.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot," Nadia replied.

I handed her the car keys, and tears welled up in my eyes. I love her so much.

"As-salamu alaykum," I entered the house.

"Wa alaykum as-salam," Ammi and Baba replied to my salam.

"Kaisa raha aaj ka din, Dua?" Baba asked.

I felt my anxiety coming back, but somehow, I gathered the courage to answer. I didn't want to lie to my parents.

"It was eventful, Baba."

"Kya, kya hua hai? Bato, Dua, aur jhut mat bolna," Baba said.

I told them everything that had happened at the café. I didn't want to cry in front of my parents, so I held myself back from crying.

"Come here, beta," Baba said.

The moment he called me, I couldn't hold back my tears and broke down in his embrace.

"Shhh, stop crying, beta. Nothing happened to you, right? You're safe—that's what matters. And it's not your fault, so stop crying," he said gently.

I looked at my Baba through tear-filled eyes. Ammi also came and hugged me from the side. I love them so much. I don't know what I would do without them in my life. My Allah has truly blessed me with the greatest gift ever.

"And one more thing—Nadia's brother will bring my car tomorrow, so don't worry about that," I added.

My parents stared at me for a moment, then nodded.

"I would have brought your car, Dua. Why did you ask him?" Baba said.

I looked at him and replied, "Baba, it was just a favor I asked Nadia, since she came to pick me up from the café. I honestly never thought her brother would agree—but he did."

"Okay, but invite him over to the house and thank him properly," Baba said.

I just nodded at him.

I went to my room after dinner, freshened up, did my skincare, put on my pajamas, and prayed Isha. While making dua, I felt tears rolling down my cheeks as I spoke to my Allah, telling Him everything that had happened. Those boys had tried to touch me—if they hadn't been distracted and I hadn't run, I don't know what would have happened.

After talking to Allah, I felt a deep sense of peace—a comfort that no one else could give me. I got up from the floor, folded my prayer mat, and placed it in the drawer. Then I lay down on my bed and texted Nadia, reminding her to bring the car tomorrow.

"Hey Nadia, are you asleep?"

"Heyy, I was just about to sleep," Nadia texted.

"Acha, I just wanted to tell you—please pass a message to your brother to drop my car off tomorrow around noon."

"Okay, I'll tell him," Nadia replied.

"Also, Baba said to invite your brother for lunch tomorrow, so let him know he's invited."

"Okay, I'll tell him that too," she texted.

"Bye."

"Bye," Nadia replied.

Now I was starting to feel sleepy, but my brain decided to replay the eye contact that happened earlier in the car. I don't know why he always stares at me whenever we're together. I was genuinely curious now. I'm not even that beautiful to be stared at like that... but anyway, it's time to sleep.