Glimpse of Destiny

Chapter 1

SARAH, a 12-year-old second-year high school student, was perched at her desk in their cozy 4 storey home in the heart of the bustling city. She was the eldest in her family, and the weight of responsibility often fell upon her young shoulders. Tonight was no different. The clock displayed 11 PM, its hands ticking away relentlessly. However, Sarah was undeterred. Her focus was singular - preparing for her upcoming exams. She had her textbooks and notes spread out meticulously.

The room was bathed in the soft glow of her desk lamp, casting long shadows on the walls. Sarah's brows furrowed in concentration as she delved into her studies, determined to excel academically.

As the minutes turned into hours, Sarah's phone, resting beside her books, suddenly chimed with an incoming message. She glanced at the screen, momentarily breaking her concentration. The message was from her dear friend, Amira, who lived in the province, a place reachable by a two-hour flight followed by an additional hour of sea travel.

Amira: "Hi Sarah! I have some exciting news. Tomorrow is Abdullah's graduation from the Quran memorization school."

Sarah's eyes widened with delight upon hearing the name of her cherished childhood friend, Abdullah. Their friendship was a bond that had been nurtured since they were children, and it held a special place in her heart. She quickly responded to Amira's message.

Sarah: "Wow, that's incredible news, Amira! Please give Abdullah my heartfelt congratulations. I wish I could be there to celebrate with him."

Amira: "I'm sure he'd be thrilled to see you, Sarah. It's going to be a special day."

Feeling a sudden urge to connect with Abdullah, Sarah gathered her courage and decided to ask Amira for Abdullah's cellphone number.

Sarah: "Amira, could you do me a favor? Could you share Abdullah's cellphone number with me? I'd like to send him a personal message."

Amira, always supportive of their friendship, quickly provided Sarah with Abdullah's number. Sarah's heart raced with anticipation as she hesitated for a moment before crafting a warm message to her dear friend.

With the message sent she returned to her books, her mind now filled with thoughts of Abdullah and the memories they had shared over the years as kids. In the quiet hours of the night, as Sarah continued to study, she couldn't help but drift into thoughts of her friend, Abdullah. They had grown up together when Sarah visited the province every vacation, their bond forged through countless adventures, laughter, and shared dreams.

The notion that he was graduating from a Quran memorization school filled her with pride. But beneath that pride was a hint of longing. As the clock struck midnight, Sarah allowed herself a moment of vulnerability, acknowledging the emotions she had been harboring. With that thought lingering in her mind, Sarah returned to her books, a mix of determination and anticipation in her heart, ready to face the challenges of both her exams and her life to come.