Sleep had quietly slipped away from Zoya.
No sound had disturbed her.
No nightmare had woken her.
It was simply her heart.
Whenever it became too heavy to carry alone, it always knew where to turn.
She slowly opened her eyes and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling above her.
For a few moments, she remained still.
The room was wrapped in silence.
Ruhi and Hana were fast asleep, their steady breathing the only sound breaking the stillness of the night.
Zoya gently pulled the blanket aside and sat up.
Outside the window, darkness still covered the campus.
The world seemed asleep...
But her heart wasn't.
She quietly performed wudu, careful not to wake her roommates.
A few moments later, she stood on her prayer mat.
As she raised her hands...
Her eyes closed on their own.
She didn't know why.
She had asked herself that question countless times.
Out of all the people in the world...
Why did her heart always remember him in its prayers?
She had no answer.
She only knew that ever since her heart had softened toward him...
Whenever she noticed something in his life that saddened her...
Her first instinct was never to judge.
It was to pray.
There were countless people she had met.
Countless strangers she had seen.
Yet somehow...
Whenever she stood before Allah...
One name quietly found its way into her heart.
A tear escaped before she could stop it.
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
اللهم اهدني واهدِهِ واجعلنا من عبادك الصالحين
Allahumma ihdini, wahdihi, waj'alna min 'ibadikas-salihin.
"O Allah, guide me, guide him, and make us among Your righteous servants."
Her shoulders trembled as she repeated the supplication.
Again.
And again.
She wasn't asking Allah to change him for her.
She wasn't asking for him to become part of her life.
She wasn't even asking if he would ever know her name.
Her prayer was much simpler than that.
"Ya Allah..."
"If goodness is written for him..."
"Open his heart to it."
"And if this feeling in my own heart is not good for me..."
She paused, tears slipping silently onto the prayer mat.
"...then remove it."
"But don't let me lose my way while carrying it."
For a long while...
She remained there in silence.
Some conversations were too deep for words.
Only Allah knew them.
When she finally lowered her hands...
Her heart felt lighter than it had before.
The questions were still there.
The uncertainty hadn't disappeared.
But she had entrusted them to the One who never failed His servants.
She gently folded her prayer mat and returned to her bed.
Outside...
The first light of dawn was still waiting beyond the horizon.
Inside...
For the first time that night...
Her heart was at peace.
Sleep came only for a little while.
When Zoya opened her eyes again, a faint glow had begun to spread across the sky beyond her window.
A new day had arrived.
She sat up slowly and smiled to herself.
No matter where she was in the world...
There was something comforting about the first light of morning.
After offering Fajr, she remained seated on her prayer mat for a few quiet moments.
She whispered a few adhkar, then gently folded the mat and placed it back in its corner.
The room was still peaceful.
Ruhi and Hana were asleep, wrapped tightly in their blankets, completely unaware that Zoya was already awake.
Not wanting to disturb them, she quietly reached for the small electric kettle they had bought the day before.
She poured water into it and waited.
A soft click echoed through the silence as it began to boil.
A smile touched her lips.
"Let's see if I can actually make decent tea," she whispered to herself.
A few minutes later, she stood by the small table, carefully stirring powdered milk, sugar, and tea into her favourite mug.
The familiar aroma rose with the steam.
For a moment...
It didn't matter that she was thousands of kilometres away from Pakistan.
Some comforts travelled with a person.
And for Zoya...
Tea was one of them.
She picked up a small packet of biscuits before quietly stepping outside the room.
The hallway was almost empty.
Everything felt calm.
She found a bench near the large window overlooking the campus and sat down.
Holding the warm cup between both hands, she looked outside.
The morning carried a quiet beauty.
Students walked across the pathways with backpacks slung over their shoulders.
Some looked half asleep.
Some laughed with their friends.
Others hurried toward early classes.
A gentle breeze brushed against the glass.
Even from inside, she could tell the air was much colder than back home.
She smiled faintly.
"So..."
"This is my new life."
She took another sip of tea.
It wasn't exactly like the tea she made with her mother.
But it was close enough to make her heart feel at home.
Finishing the last biscuit, she stood up and returned to the room.
Ruhi was still asleep, curled up in her blanket.
Hana had somehow managed to pull her pillow over her face.
Zoya chuckled.
Careful not to wake them, she walked over to her wardrobe.
She opened it slowly.
Her fingers moved across the neatly folded clothes she had brought from Pakistan.
For a moment...
She simply stood there, wondering.
What should I wear on my first day?
One by one, she looked through her dresses.
Then her hand stopped.
A soft smile appeared on her face as she picked up a simple long frock that reached her ankles.
"It'll do."
She placed it on the bed before reaching for her scarf.
As the fabric slipped through her fingers...
An old voice echoed in her memory.
"She's leaving now... just wait and see. One day she'll stop wearing these clothes. She'll stop covering her head too."
For a brief moment...
She stared quietly at the scarf in her hands.
Then she smiled.
Not because she wanted to prove anyone wrong.
But because her faith had never depended on a place.
Whether in Pakistan...
Or on the other side of the world...
The values she carried belonged in her heart before they ever appeared in her clothing.
With calm hands, she draped the scarf over her head.
Then turned toward the mirror.
A nervous smile escaped her lips.
"First day..."
she whispered.
"Let's make it a good one."
A soft yawn broke the silence.
Ruhi slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes before looking around the room.
The moment her gaze landed on Zoya, she blinked twice.
"...You're already dressed?"
Zoya looked up from the small mirror, smiling as she adjusted the sleeve of her sweater.
"Good morning."
Ruhi glanced at the clock.
"Zoya... it's still early."
"I know."
"It's my first day."
Ruhi laughed quietly.
"I think you're more excited than nervous."
"Maybe a little."
From the other bed, Hana buried her face deeper into her pillow.
"Five more minutes..."
Ruhi tossed a cushion at her.
"You said that ten minutes ago."
"It still applies."
Zoya covered her mouth to hide a laugh.
A few moments later, Hana finally sat up with an exaggerated sigh.
"I can't believe classes exist."
"They've existed for centuries," Ruhi replied.
"They still shouldn't."
The three of them laughed.
The room instantly felt brighter.
After getting ready, they left the hostel together and walked toward the university cafeteria.
The morning campus was slowly coming to life.
Students crossed the pathways carrying books and coffee cups.
Some hurried toward lectures.
Others stood in small groups, chatting before class.
Everything around Zoya still felt unfamiliar...
Yet strangely welcoming.
Inside the cafeteria, they picked up their breakfast trays.
Zoya looked over the options.
Toast.
Boiled eggs.
Salad.
Soup.
Rice.
She quietly searched the counter once more.
Ruhi noticed.
"What are you looking for?"
Zoya answered with complete seriousness.
"A paratha."
Ruhi almost laughed out loud.
"I don't think you'll find one here."
Zoya sighed dramatically.
"I knew the answer..."
"But hope is important."
Ruhi smiled.
"You've only been here two days."
"Give Korea a chance."
"I am giving Korea a chance."
She looked at her tray again.
"I'm just asking Korea to give me a paratha."
That was enough to make both girls burst into laughter.
Shaking her head with a smile, Zoya picked up a slice of toast instead.
"I suppose this will have to do."
As they found a table, Ruhi looked at her.
"Feeling nervous now?"
Zoya thought for a moment before shaking her head.
"Not really."
"Just curious."
"About what?"
"Everything."
"The teachers."
"The students."
"The language."
"The classrooms."
She smiled softly.
"I've imagined this day for so long."
Ruhi nodded.
"First days always feel strange."
"But they don't stay strange for long."
After breakfast, they stepped back outside.
The cold breeze greeted them once again.
At the crossroads inside the campus, the three of them came to a stop.
Ruhi pointed toward one of the buildings.
"Our department is that way."
Hana pointed in the opposite direction.
"And yours is over there."
She looked at Zoya.
"If you get lost..."
"Call us."
Zoya smiled warmly.
"I'll be fine."
Ruhi folded her arms.
"You're saying that with a lot of confidence."
"I have to."
"Yesterday both of you skipped your classes just to help me settle in."
"I'm not stealing another day from your studies."
Hana smiled.
"That's sweet."
"But don't hesitate if you need us."
"I won't."
The three exchanged warm smiles.
Then, for the first time since arriving in South Korea...
Zoya walked toward her department alone.
Each step carried a mixture of excitement...
Curiosity...
And quiet determination.
She took a slow breath.
"This..."
She whispered to herself.
"...is where my new chapter begins."
The Education Building stood quietly beneath the pale morning sky.
Zoya paused for a moment at the entrance.
Students walked in and out with practiced ease, while she stood there taking it all in.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"So..."
"This is where it all begins."
Taking a slow breath, she stepped inside.
The hallway buzzed with quiet conversations.
Some students greeted one another in Korean.
Others switched effortlessly between English and their native languages.
For a moment, Zoya simply listened.
It reminded her that she wasn't the only one who had travelled far from home.
Following the signs, she made her way to the Student Services Office.
A short queue had already formed.
When her turn came, the staff member greeted her politely.
"Your passport, please."
Zoya handed it over along with her admission documents.
The woman typed something into the computer before looking up with a smile.
"You're joining a little later than most students."
"Yes," Zoya replied politely. "My visa process took longer than expected."
"I understand."
A few minutes later, the staff member handed her a temporary student ID.
"Your official card will be ready soon."
"Thank you."
Holding the card in her hand, Zoya couldn't help smiling.
It was a small piece of plastic.
Yet somehow...
It made everything feel real.
She was officially a student in South Korea.
Leaving the office, she followed the classroom number written on her timetable.
The classroom door was already open.
Inside, students were chatting while waiting for the professor.
Some sat alone.
Others were busy introducing themselves.
Zoya quietly walked inside.
For a brief second...
Every unfamiliar face made her hesitate.
Then she reminded herself...
Everyone had been a stranger once.
She chose an empty seat near the middle of the classroom and placed her notebook on the desk.
Moments later, someone stopped beside her.
"Is this seat taken?"
Zoya looked up.
A girl with bright eyes smiled warmly at her.
"No."
"You can sit here."
"Thanks."
The girl settled into the chair before extending her hand.
"I'm Minji."
"I'm from Seoul."
Zoya shook her hand with a gentle smile.
"I'm Zoya."
"I'm from Pakistan."
"Oh!"
Minji's eyes brightened.
"I've never met anyone from Pakistan before."
"Then I'm your first."
"I guess you are."
Both of them laughed softly.
"So..."
Minji asked curiously,
"When did you arrive?"
"Two nights ago."
"And you?"
"I've been here for about a month."
"You'll have to show me around then."
Minji smiled confidently.
"Deal."
Before they could continue talking, the classroom suddenly grew quiet.
The professor entered.
Everyone immediately stood to greet him.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Professor," the class replied together.
After returning the greeting, he looked around the room with a welcoming smile.
"I see several new faces today."
"Welcome."
"I hope you'll enjoy your time here—not only by studying, but by learning from one another."
His calm voice instantly eased the nervousness in the room.
The first lecture wasn't particularly difficult.
Instead of diving straight into lessons, the professor focused on introductions and explaining how the semester would work.
One by one, students introduced themselves.
When it was Zoya's turn, she stood up.
"My name is Zoya."
"I'm from Pakistan."
"I chose Education because I believe a good teacher doesn't only teach lessons..."
She smiled gently.
"They help shape lives."
For a brief moment...
The classroom fell silent.
Then the professor nodded with approval.
"That's a wonderful way to think about education."
Zoya smiled politely before sitting back down.
Minji leaned over slightly and whispered,
"I like your answer."
"Thank you."
For the first time since arriving...
Zoya no longer felt like a stranger.
She was beginning to find her place.
The last lecture came to an end, and students slowly began leaving the classroom.
Zoya slipped her notebook into her bag when Minji appeared beside her desk.
"Heading back already?" she asked with a grin.
"I was thinking about it," Zoya replied.
Minji shook her head dramatically.
"No way."
"Come with me."
"There's another specimen waiting outside."
Zoya raised an eyebrow.
"...Specimen?"
Minji laughed.
"Yes."
"My friend."
"She skipped almost every class today."
Zoya couldn't help smiling.
"Why?"
"I have no idea."
"But she'll definitely have an excuse."
The two of them walked out of the building together.
Near the entrance, a girl was sitting on a bench, scrolling through her phone with a paper cup of coffee in one hand.
The moment she spotted Minji, she stood up.
"There you are!"
"You left me alone."
Minji folded her arms.
"You skipped classes."
"I attended..." the girl paused thoughtfully.
"...the important parts."
Minji rolled her eyes.
"You attended the attendance."
The girl laughed without denying it.
Then Minji turned toward Zoya.
"Oh, right."
"I almost forgot."
She pointed toward the girl.
"This is Sophia."
"We met on the first day and somehow became friends immediately."
Sofia smiled warmly and offered her hand.
"I'm Sofia."
"I'm from Morocco."
"It's nice to meet you."
Zoya shook her hand with a smile.
"I'm Zoya."
"I'm from Pakistan."
"So..." Sophia looked between them.
"Since all three of us survived our first day..."
"Shouldn't we celebrate?"
Minji smiled mischievously.
"By eating."
"I knew you'd say that," Sophia laughed.
The three of them headed toward the university cafeteria together.
The university cafeteria was livelier than it had been that morning.
Students filled almost every table. Some were buried in books, others laughed over lunch, while a few simply sat in silence, enjoying a break between classes.
The three girls found an empty table near the window.
As they settled into their seats, Sophia looked at Zoya with curiosity.
"So..."
She rested her chin on her hand.
"How are you liking Korea so far?"
Zoya smiled softly.
"It's beautiful."
She glanced outside at the rows of trees swaying gently in the breeze.
"But..."
"It's very different from home."
Sophia nodded.
"I felt the same when I first arrived."
"What do you miss the most?" Minji asked.
Zoya didn't even need to think.
"My mother's tea."
The answer came so quickly that both girls laughed.
"Not your family?" Sophia teased.
Zoya smiled.
"I miss them too."
"But tea reminds me of home every single day."
Minji laughed.
"I think we're going to hear about Pakistani tea for the next two years."
"You definitely are," Zoya replied proudly.
"And one day, both of you are going to drink it."
Sophia raised an eyebrow.
"Is it really that special?"
Zoya folded her arms confidently.
"One cup."
"That's all it'll take."
"You'll understand."
The confidence in her voice made both girls laugh again.
After a few moments, Sophia looked at her thoughtfully.
"So..."
"What made you choose South Korea?"
The question lingered in the air.
Zoya lowered her eyes to the cup in front of her.
For a brief second...
A familiar face crossed her mind.
She quietly pushed the thought aside.
"I wanted a new beginning."
She looked back at them with a gentle smile.
"And I wanted to study somewhere that would challenge me."
Sofia nodded in understanding.
"I know that feeling."
"Leaving home isn't easy."
"No," Zoya admitted.
"It isn't."
Minji leaned back in her chair.
"I've lived here all my life..."
"So sometimes I forget how difficult it must be for international students."
She smiled apologetically.
"If either of you ever need help..."
"You can call me."
Sofia grinned.
"Careful."
"We're going to take that offer seriously."
"I hope you do."
For a moment, the conversation drifted from studies to food, then to languages, and finally to the places they wanted to visit while living in Korea.
It was strange.
Only that morning...
They had been strangers.
Now...
They were already laughing like classmates who had known each other for much longer.
As they stood to leave, Sophia smiled at both of them.
"Same time tomorrow?"
Minji looked at Zoya.
"What do you think?"
Zoya returned the smile.
"I'd like that."
The three girls walked out of the cafeteria together.
None of them realized it then...
But this simple meeting was quietly becoming the beginning of a friendship that would stay with them through some of the most unforgettable days of their lives.
As they walked out of the cafeteria, Sophia suddenly looked at Minji with a mischievous smile.
"Oh, tell me..."
"How did the seniors welcome the new students who arrived today?"
Minji laughed.
"You mean today's freshers?"
Sophia nodded excitedly.
"Yes! Come on, tell us."
Minji couldn't help smiling.
"They gave everyone different tasks."
"Some had to sing."
"Some had to introduce themselves in funny ways."
"And a few were given really strange challenges."
Zoya looked at her curiously.
"And... what about me?"
Minji smiled knowingly.
"I spoke to one of the seniors before you arrived."
Zoya blinked.
"You did?"
"I asked them to go easy on you."
"So instead of giving you one of those embarrassing tasks..."
"They handed you a typing assignment."
Sophia's eyes widened.
"Wait..."
"You actually arranged that?"
Minji shrugged playfully.
"I couldn't let her first day turn into a disaster."
Sophia laughed.
"You're unbelievable."
Then she looked at Zoya.
"Trust me..."
"Compared to everyone else, you got the easiest task."
Zoya smiled gratefully.
"Thank you, Minji."
Minji waved her hand dismissively.
"Don't thank me yet."
"You still have to finish all that typing."
The three girls laughed as they continued walking across the campus.
As the three of them walked across the campus, Sophia suddenly smiled at Minji.
"So..."
"Tell me."
"What did the seniors make today's new students do?"
Minji laughed.
"You really want to know?"
"Of course!"
"I heard they had fun with the freshers today."
"They did," Minji replied, trying not to laugh.
"Everyone was given a different task."
"One student had to sing."
"Another had to introduce himself in Korean."
"And someone was asked to dance in front of everyone."
Sophia burst into laughter.
"I wish I had seen that!"
Then Minji glanced at Zoya with a small smile.
"But I spoke to one of the seniors."
Sophia looked at her curiously.
"You did?"
Minji nodded.
"I told them to go easy on her."
"So instead of giving her one of those embarrassing tasks..."
"They gave her a typing assignment."
Sophia's eyes widened.
"Oh..."
"So that's why!"
She laughed.
"Compared to everyone else..."
"She got the easiest one."
Minji smiled proudly.
"I wasn't going to let her first day become unforgettable for the wrong reasons."
Zoya looked at Minji, surprised.
"You really did that?"
Minji simply shrugged.
"I'd want someone to do the same for me."
For a moment, Zoya didn't know what to say.
Then she smiled.
"Thank you."
Minji grinned.
"Now don't make me regret it."
"You still have to finish all that typing."
The three girls laughed and continued walking together.
When Zoya returned to her room, she quietly placed the electric kettle back on her desk.
The room was small, yet it already carried a comforting warmth.
Ruhi's colourful corner, Hana's neatly arranged books, and Zoya's little space by the window somehow made it feel less like a hostel room... and more like a home.
She picked up the shawl she had brought from Pakistan and held it close for a moment.
A faint familiar scent still lingered.
It made her smile.
She set it back down, made herself a cup of tea, and sat by the window as the evening slowly faded.
Today had brought new faces...
New friendships...
And a new beginning.
There were still countless unknowns waiting ahead.
But for the first time since arriving in South Korea...
Zoya felt she was exactly where Allah had written for her to be.
To Be Continued...
Regards,
ZK 💌