The school and its roof, which had become familiar.
In that corner, where the first connection between two hearts, strangers to each other, took place, Ahmed sat quietly, looking at the sky, as if he were reading its silent messages.
Soft steps broke the silence of the afternoon, and Ahmed turned to see Misaki approaching, carrying in her eyes a shadow of a smile and the warmth of a presence.
She sat next to him without a word, as if the silence between them had become more reassuring than words. Ahmed carefully took out the lunch box, opened it in front of her, and the aroma of Yemeni spices seeped out again, as if an entire homeland had poured into a small box.
Misaki: "The scent of the zanoud seems different today..."
Ahmed (laughing softly): "I added a new touch, for your gentle revenge."
They shared the food quietly, while Misaki watched every bite as if she were tasting something more than just food... she was tasting a memory, a history, and a part of his heart.
Then, without warning, Ahmed took out a small notebook with frayed edges, opened it gently, and began to turn its pages one by one.
The drawings held something that could not be described in words.
Towering mountains leaning against the sky.
Mud houses with the colors of the sun and dust.
Markets teeming with life, full of fabrics, spices, and the smiles of strangers.
And children, running barefoot, carrying dreams bigger than their feet.
Misaki stared at the drawings in silence, moving between the pages as her heart moved between the pictures.
She whispered in a voice that was barely audible:
Misaki: "This is your country... isn't it?"
Ahmed nodded in silence, his eyes on one of the drawings that showed an ancient mosque surrounded by minarets.
He said quietly:
Ahmed: "Every time I open this notebook... I go back there for a little while. But... now, I think I draw because I want to share all of this with you."
Misaki looked up at him, a calm, grateful look, filled with something that has no name... but she knew it was forming quietly inside her heart.