CONNECTED HEARTS

5: Old Friends, New Dynamics

The family banter was in full swing.
Khairiya, arms crossed and a smirk tugging at her lips, teased, "So, when are you going back to your planet? You know, the one with the red people and tiny eyes?"

Adyan shot her a warning look, jaw tightening. Before he could clap back, their mom swooped in with her calm voice, asking if he needed anything before his departure. Laila, never one to miss her chance, leaned against the armrest and chimed in with her puppy-dog eyes:
"Take me to the mall before you leave, pleaaase. You can't abandon your baby sister without one last sibling date."

The room dissolved into laughter.

Adyan faked an offended gasp at all the teasing about his extended stay, throwing a cushion at Laila. But underneath the sarcasm, her sweet giggle gave her away she was genuinely going to miss him.

Then Khairiya, ever the instigator, dropped her bomb:
"Honestly, you should just get married already. That way, when you're gone, we'll at least have a sister-in-law to distract us."

Laila, nodding like a hype-woman, added, "You're twenty-eight. That's practically ancient. Time to settle down, bro."

Their mom, lips pursed in approval, gave the slightest nod and that was all the fuel they needed.

Adyan groaned, rubbing his temple dramatically. "Wow. Look at you three, ganging up on me. For the record, why don't you both get married first? Or is the advice only for me?"

Laila pouted. Khairiya rolled her eyes. And in the chaos, Adyan lunged at Laila, making her squeal as she bolted, with him chasing after her through the parlor. Their laughter echoed until the front door opened Alhaji Salman had arrived.

The siblings froze, then relaxed into warm smiles. Adyan stepped forward first, greeting his father with respect before the room filled with easy chatter.

Later, when Laila casually asked Adyan to jog with her, he snorted. "Evening? Don't you know mornings are better? Cooler breeze, less dust, actual peace."

She typed something into her phone, not looking up. "Evening's better, jare. Less people, more vibes."

"Is Khairi coming?" he asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"Nope. Not my thing," Khairiya replied flatly.

Laila smirked. "That's why you're always gaining weight." She broke into mischievous giggles, while Khairiya rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath.

The contrast between them was glaring Khairiya the quiet observer, Laila the playful extrovert, and Adyan somewhere in the middle, constantly balancing their chaos.

As Laila bounded upstairs, her voice trailed behind: "I'm going jogging-slash-showing off my Arabian-Chinese brother to the world later!"

Khairiya followed at her usual unhurried pace, while Adyan headed in the opposite direction. Their parents, still seated, continued a private conversation that hummed softly in the background.

⸻

Meanwhile...

Kaltoom appeared at the stairs in a dark purple Adidas tracksuit and fresh sneakers, her black veil draped neatly over her head. Her Apple headphones hung around her neck like an accessory. She looked equal parts sporty and stylish, giving Instagram baddie meets health enthusiast.

She jogged down, calling out, "Bro, I'm ready!" Her mom, glued to a cooking show, gave her one look over her glasses.

"When will you grow up, Kaltoom? Shouting like a five-year-old in my house."

Kaltoom slowed, lips pursed, but before she could shoot back, Farouk appeared, relaxed as ever. He simply tilted his head toward the door, the universal signal for let's go.

They waved goodbye and stepped out, bantering as usual.

Kaltoom: "We jog to the park, then catch a ride home. Deal?"
Farouk: "Lazy. Very lazy."
Kaltoom pouted. "'Lazy' is a strong word. Let's just see how far I can go, mister athlete."

He chuckled, tapping her shoulder, and they continued down the quiet Sunday street.

By the third street, Kaltoom spotted a familiar face. "Laila? Oh my God, hey!" Her smile was genuine, her tone surprised. They weren't close in school, but she still remembered her.

Laila's face lit up as she returned the greeting, and soon numbers were exchanged.

Then came the voice Kaltoom wasn't ready for.
Adyan.

Adjusting his long-sleeved shirt, he approached with that calm-but-intense energy he always carried. Their eyes locked for a second too long awkward, almost electric.

"Um... hi," he said.

Farouk, oblivious to the tension, finished his phone call and came over. His entire face lit up when he saw Adyan. Within seconds, the two were clasping hands and hugging like long-lost brothers, backslaps included.

Turns out, they had been classmates back in high school. Small world.

With the reunion in full swing, the jog turned into a detour. Instead of the park, the four of them slid into Adyan's car and headed to Habil Café.

Girls in the backseat, guys in the front.
Laila and Kaltoom chatted nonstop about school, Instagram aesthetics, and random little things, while Adyan and Farouk drowned in old high school stories.

At the café, Laila discovered something shocking: Adyan had already met Kaltoom in school. Her jaw dropped. "Wait,you two know each other?"

Adyan stayed quiet. Kaltoom rolled her eyes.

"Oh my God!" Laila squealed. "Kaltoom, if you marry my brother, I swear I'll serve you for life!"

Farouk cracked up, but Adyan's sharp glare shut the moment down. Kaltoom, lips twitching, snapped: "Please. I won't make that mistake."

Laila quickly backtracked, giggling. "Fine, fine. But if you ever did, you'd be lucky. Trust me."

Adyan smirked. Just slightly.

The evening was unexpectedly wholesome. By Magrib, they wrapped up, and Adyan dropped Farouk and Kaltoom off. Plans were made for another hangout before Adyan goes back.

Later that night, Kaltoom posted a group picture Laila had sent her. Within seconds, Amani had already viewed it and commented: "Couple crush 😍🔥"

Kaltoom's phone buzzed Amani calling. She answered immediately.

Before Amani could even start teasing, Kaltoom blurted out the entire story, making sure to clarify every detail.

Amani squealed. "Kaltoooom! This is literally fate. You met through mutuals, his sister likes you, the universe is shipping you guys. And the way Laila joked about marriage? Girl, jokes come from truth."

Kaltoom rolled her eyes, groaning. "Amani the fortune teller, please. He's egocentric, annoying, and no. Just no."

But the seed was planted. And by the time Laila messaged her later, suggesting Adyan might actually like her, Kaltoom found herself thinking about him more than she cared to admit.

⸻

That night, in another part of the city, Adyan's phone buzzed with Afdal's name.

"Bro, what's up? You sound off."

Adyan hesitated, then sighed. "I like a girl."

The line went silent for half a second before Afdal erupted with a laugh. "Finally! Spill everything."

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