By the time Zoya pushed open the door to her room, every step felt heavier than the last.
She dropped her bag onto the chair without a second thought and walked straight to the bathroom.
The moment her bare feet touched the cold tiles, she shivered.
Winter had begun to settle over Busan. The air was crisp, sharp enough to sting her skin—nothing like Pakistan.
Back home, summer clung to everything.
"Allah... it's so hot. And the electricity's gone again."
She couldn't count how many times she had muttered those words.
Sometimes she had dreamed of living somewhere with real winters...
Now, standing in the freezing bathroom, she almost laughed at herself.
Be careful what you wish for.
She changed into warmer clothes before stepping back into the room.
Hana was sitting cross-legged on her bed, scrolling through her phone.
"Where's Ruhi?" Zoya asked.
"Outside," Hana replied without looking up. "She's talking to a few girls from the hostel."
A second later, Hana finally looked at her.
"So..."
"How was your first day at university?"
"Any ragging? You know seniors never miss the chance."
A tired smile appeared on Zoya's face.
"Actually... everyone was nice."
She sat down on her bed before continuing.
"I wasn't the only late admission. A few other students joined recently too."
"There was Minji—she's from Seoul—and Sophia from Morocco."
"They're both really friendly."
She paused before laughing softly.
"But yes... the seniors still found us."
Hana looked up with interest.
"What happened?"
"They gave us typing work."
"For them?"
"Mm-hm."
"It took me two whole days."
"Managing my own assignments and theirs together wasn't easy."
She smiled.
"But honestly..."
"I'd rather do typing than go through embarrassing ragging."
Hana nodded in agreement.
"Same."
"I've seen much worse."
The door opened a few minutes later.
Ruhi stepped inside, rubbing her hands together to warm them.
The cold had painted a soft pink across her cheeks.
"So..." she smiled, slipping off her coat. "Tell me. How was your first day? Any ragging?"
Zoya laughed quietly.
"You too?"
Ruhi shrugged.
"It's a tradition."
As they settled into the room, Zoya told her everything—from meeting Minji and Sophia to the seniors' typing task.
Ruhi listened patiently, nodding from time to time.
When she finished, Hana looked up from her phone.
"Want to go for lunch?"
"I'm ready," Ruhi replied immediately.
Zoya shook her head.
"No... I'm not hungry."
She smiled faintly.
"I just want tea."
The two girls headed downstairs together, still chatting about their day.
Left alone, Zoya filled the electric kettle and wrapped her hands around it while she waited for the water to boil.
The rising steam carried a gentle warmth that chased away a little of the winter chill.
After finishing her tea, she quietly made wudu.
She spread her prayer mat beside the window and offered Zuhr prayer.
When the prayer ended...
She remained where she was.
Slowly, she raised her hands.
"Ya Allah..."
"You know why I came here."
"You know every fear I carry in my heart."
"I have no one to rely on except You."
"So please..."
"Never leave me alone."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"This country is new."
"Every day brings another challenge."
"But if You are with me..."
"I know I can face them."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
She didn't wipe it away.
"Ya Allah..."
"Protect my family."
"Keep them safe wherever they are."
"And..."
She paused.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
"Please place the light of true faith in his heart."
"Protect him from every harm."
"And guide him to the path that brings him closer to You."
Another tear followed.
"Please..."
"Never let go of him."
Silence filled the room once more.
Only after a long moment did Zoya lower her hands.
She whispered a quiet Ameen...
Then sat by the window with another cup of tea, watching the evening slowly settle over the city.
As evening settled over Busan, Zoya sat quietly by the window which open backside street.
The streets below were alive with people rushing home, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
First... I need a job.
Then another thought followed.
A bank account... a local SIM card... and I should transfer the money I brought from Pakistan.
She sighed softly.
She had only called home once after arriving, using Ruhi's phone.
No one had called back.
Maybe they were still upset.
Or maybe...
Life had simply moved on without her.
The thought stung more than she wanted to admit.
That evening, when Ruhi returned, Zoya stopped her.
"Ruhi, can you help me tomorrow?"
"Of course. What do you need?"
"I need to open a bank account... and buy a local SIM card."
Ruhi smiled.
"We'll go after class. There's a bank near the university, and we'll get everything done."
The worry on Zoya's face eased a little.
"Thank you."
Later that night, before going to bed, she quietly counted the money left in her purse.
Enough for now...
She hoped it would stay enough until she found a job.
That evening, the three of them decided to take a walk.
Wrapped in warm coats and scarves, they stepped out of the hostel, the chilly air brushing against their faces.
The moment they reached the main street, the atmosphere changed.
The sidewalks were alive with people. Bright food stalls lined the road, their warm lights glowing against the cold evening.
Steam curled into the air as vendors called out to passing customers.
The rich aroma of grilled meat, spicy sauces, and freshly baked snacks drifted through the crowd.
Zoya slowed her steps, taking everything in.
For a moment, she forgot the tiredness of the day.
"This place feels so different at night," she said quietly.
Ruhi smiled.
"Busan never really sleeps."
As they wandered from one stall to another, Zoya admired everything with quiet curiosity.
Golden hotteok sizzled on large griddles.
Fish cakes simmered in steaming broth.
Rice cakes bubbled in bright red sauce, filling the air with a sweet and spicy aroma.
"So..." Ruhi nudged her playfully.
"What do you want to try first?"
Zoya laughed.
"I don't even know what half of these are."
The three of them burst into laughter and continued walking, letting the lively streets pull them deeper into the evening.
They wandered deeper into the lively street, weaving through the small crowd.
Every few steps, a different aroma greeted them.
Some stalls sold sizzling street food, while others displayed colorful desserts and freshly baked bread.
Everything looked unfamiliar...
Yet strangely inviting.
Zoya slowed down at almost every stall, her eyes moving from one dish to another with quiet curiosity.
"So many things..." she murmured.
"I don't even know their names."
Ruhi laughed.
"Give it a week."
"You'll know every one of them."
They stopped in front of a stall where bright red tteokbokki simmered in a large pan.
The rich aroma made Zoya smile, but she didn't move any closer.
"Aren't you going to try it?" Ruhi asked.
Zoya shook her head.
"I'm not sure if it's halal."
Ruhi nodded in understanding.
"We'll always check first."
"If we're not sure..."
"We simply won't eat it."
Zoya smiled gratefully.
"Thank you."
A little further ahead, they bought roasted chestnuts from an elderly vendor.
The warmth spread through their hands as they cracked open the shells while walking.
For the first time that day...
Zoya wasn't thinking about university.
Or money.
Or home.
She was simply enjoying the evening with her friends.
As they continued walking, Zoya suddenly spotted two familiar faces near another food stall.
"Minji! Sophia!"
The two girls turned at the same time.
"Zoya!" Minji waved excitedly.
"What a coincidence!"
Zoya smiled and walked over with Ruhi and Hana.
"This is Ruhi and Hana," she said. "My hostel roommates."
"It's so nice to meet you," Sophia said warmly.
Minji gave them an exaggerated bow.
"Welcome to today's international gathering!"
Everyone laughed.
Without wasting another second, Minji pointed at each of them one by one.
"Alright."
"I already know Sophia."
"Now I want introductions from the rest of you."
She grabbed her fish cake skewer like it was a microphone and pointed it at Ruhi.
"You first."
Ruhi blinked.
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
"The audience is waiting."
Another round of laughter broke out.
Minji placed a hand over her heart dramatically.
"Listen carefully."
"The five of us met today."
"So from today onwards..."
"We're officially friends."
"This is a historical moment."
"You all better remember it."
Sophia burst into laughter.
"Historical? We only came here to study."
"Exactly!" Minji replied proudly.
"One day I'll tell my children about this meeting."
Hana folded her arms.
"You've already planned your future?"
"Of course."
"I like planning."
Even Zoya laughed.
It was the first genuine laugh that had escaped her since arriving in Korea.
The five girls continued walking toward the hostel together, their laughter blending with the lively streets of Busan.
None of them realized...
That this ordinary evening...
Was quietly becoming the beginning of a friendship that would change all of their lives.
To be continued...
Regards,
ZK 💌