CONNECTED HEARTS

10: Love, Loss, and Duty!

Adyan POV

I couldn't believe what happened today my mom didn't just say she wanted to make things official between me and that brat of a girl, she practically sealed the deal with her smile. My mind was racing with a thousand thoughts as I drove us home.

Like... why won't anyone ask what I want? If I even like that girl?

I've never had girlfriends before. Sure, I've had plenty of girls interested in me, but relationships were never on my radar. And now, just when I've finally found the one person who feels right for me, my family decides to handpick a wife. For me. Without even asking.

There's no way I'm marrying that girl. Hell no.

We reached home around Maghrib, and I went straight to the mosque, desperate for space. I didn't return until after nine, hoping the night air and the quiet would clear my head. But when I walked in, the house looked normal from the outside eerily calm. Inside, though, I found Khairiya and Mom curled up in the sitting room, watching something on TV like life wasn't about to crash down on mine.

I greeted Mom, then trudged off to my room. I was hungry, but the thought of food didn't appeal. Instead, I found myself thinking of Laila. She can be annoying, yeah, but she's still my little sister. My adorable little sister. So, I decided to check in on her.

I knocked and entered with a soft "salam." She looked up from her laptop probably doing an assignment or chatting with her endless circle of friends and smiled.
"Hi...!" she said softly.

"Hey," I replied, plopping onto her loveseat and stealing the AC remote. "What are you doing alone?"

"Assignment," she answered flatly, her eyes never leaving the screen.

For a few minutes, we sat in silence, the quiet buzzing between us. Then Laila turned her head and asked, "What's wrong with you, Yaya?"

I let out a heavy sigh, debating whether to tell her. But Laila being Laila, I knew she'd keep pushing until I cracked. And maybe talking to her would help.

"Laila, it's about Kaltoom," I blurted, all in one breath. "I'm not into her. I like someone else."

Her eyes narrowed, curiosity sparking, and she bit her lip. "Why didn't you say so from the start? And who do you even like, Yaya? We don't even know her."

She was right. I didn't know Humaira that well myself.

"Her name's Humaira," I said quickly. "I met her at your school"

"And does she know about this?" Laila cut in, raising a brow.

I nodded reluctantly.

Laila's playful face sobered. "Yaya... you know we love you and want what's best for you. But Mom and Dad? They're smart, and they're stubborn. They already want you with Kaltoom. Do you really think they'll let you marry this Humaira girl?"

Her words hit me harder than I expected. I had considered the possibility, but hearing it out loud? It stung. My parents might never agree especially with things moving the way they were now.

"Okay," Laila said after a pause, slipping into her no-nonsense voice. "Call that girl. Right now. If she's in this with you, we'll figure it out together. If she's not, then at least you'll know. Don't waste time."

Something in her determination gave me courage. My chest tightened as I pulled out my phone, scrolling to Humaira's number. It was now or never.

I hit dial.

Humaira picked up on the third ring. "Hello, Asalam Alaikum..." her soft voice floated through.

"Waalaikumus salam," I answered, my heart skipping.