DING DING
"Aunty! Table for three over here!"
Zayne strode into the restaurant with his usual theatrical flair, a carefree grin plastered across his face. His navy-blue coat hung over one shoulder, while his once-neat buzz cut had become slightly ruffled by the evening breeze.
Haider took his seat without a word and quietly studied the menu.
Meanwhile...
Zayne had already become the loudest person in the restaurant.
"Aunty! Bring me everything you've got!"
He called out enthusiastically, leaning so far over the table that he nearly toppled from his chair.
Despite his outrageous behaviour, not a single drop of alcohol ran through his veins.
That was simply how Zayne was.
"When is Yusuf arriving?"
Haider asked without lifting his eyes from the menu.
"Relax and eat! He'll be here soon."
Zayne wasted no time digging into the dishes, happily stuffing his mouth before Haider had even managed to pick up his spoon.
Then-
Ding. Ding.
"Yusuf!"
Zayne sprang from his seat and threw his arms around the newcomer without a second thought.
Unfortunately...
Yusuf was dressed in a pristine white jubba.
And Zayne's hands were still covered in sauce.
DAMMMM!
A gigantic lump instantly swelled atop Zayne's head.
"ZAYNE!!"
Yusuf's furious shout echoed throughout the entire restaurant.
...
After what had felt like an endless storm...
The three men finally settled into their seats around the circular restaurant table, now covered with an array of mouthwatering delicacies.
One wore a furious scowl.
One absentmindedly rubbed the enormous bump on his head.
And...
The last sat in complete silence, his eyes devoid of their usual spark as his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
At length, one of them finally broke the silence.
"We gathered here because of Haider, didn't we?"
"Yusuf, guess what?"
Zayne abruptly interrupted, barely able to contain himself.
"He's having marital problems! HAHA!"
The moment the words left his mouth, he burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching his stomach as tears threatened to escape his eyes.
"Quiet! You're disturbing the other customers!"
Without hesitation, Yusuf smacked Zayne over the head once again, fixing him with a fierce glare.
His neatly styled comma haircut was partially concealed beneath a white taqiyah. A sharp jawline framed his stern features, while his naturally commanding demeanour made him seem intimidating even in silence. His brows were almost always knitted into an annoyed frown, and his arms habitually remained folded across his chest.
SNIFF
"You always hit me..."
Zayne mumbled, pretending to wipe away imaginary tears.
No one paid him the slightest attention.
"It hasn't been long since you got married, Haider."
Yusuf's husky voice remained calm yet firm.
"So what's the problem?"
"Exactly!"
Zayne immediately chimed in despite the fresh bump on his head.
"You even led their nikah as the Imam!"
Haider let out a weary sigh and rested his face against his palm. His jaw tightened before he finally spoke.
"I don't know..."
The two men exchanged puzzled glances.
Zayne looked seconds away from bursting into laughter, while Yusuf's frown only deepened.
To be fair...
Neither of them had ever been in a relationship.
Haider was the only one with any experience when it came to women.
Yusuf slowly exhaled and rubbed his forehead before asking,
"Do you love her?"
Silence.
Haider removed his slim-framed glasses and ran a hand through his hair. Leaning back against his chair, he lifted his gaze toward the ceiling.
His answer came almost instinctively.
"How could I not?"
***
Summer, 2017
Private Islamic Academy of Honour
The usually disciplined honour class was unusually noisy that morning.
Seventeen-year-old Haider sat quietly at his desk, preparing for the first lesson of the day. His tie was perfectly straight, every crease of his uniform carefully ironed.
"Guys! There's a beautiful new junior!"
A boy suddenly shouted from the classroom doorway.
The room erupted into excitement.
Several students rushed outside, eager to catch a glimpse of the newcomer.
Haider remained seated.
He had little interest in such things.
"Haider! Come on, hurry!"
A familiar face came charging toward him before throwing an arm around his shoulders.
Haider let out a quiet breath.
"What is it, Zayne?"
"Just come!"
Without another explanation, Zayne dragged him through the bustling corridors and down the staircase before stopping outside another classroom.
Several boys had already crowded around the window, shamelessly peeking inside through the glass.
The moment Haider understood what was happening, he scoffed and turned to leave.
Before he could take a single step-
"WHAT DO YOU BOYS THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"
The teacher's furious voice thundered through the hallway.
Every one of them was marched inside the classroom for a lengthy scolding.
Haider, despite being innocent, was swept up with the rest and found himself standing among the guilty students.
As the teacher continued lecturing them in front of the entire class, embarrassment settled heavily over the boys.
Haider kept his gaze lowered.
He didn't dare look up.
Then...
A sharp nudge struck his shoulder.
"There she is."
Zayne lowered his voice to a whisper.
"She's cute."
Haider swallowed.
Curiosity quietly crept into his heart.
He knew it wasn't proper to stare.
He shouldn't look.
He truly shouldn't.
Yet the temptation refused to leave him alone.
Just one glance...
Slowly-
He raised his eyes.
And for the very first time...
He saw her.