SHE

Chapter Three : Entwined Fates and New Beginnings

Exactly," Asiye responded confidently. "I don't think there's anything bad in wearing trousers, especially if you're wearing a hijab with it."

Jabir took a deep breath, his disappointment apparent. "It is said that the knowledgeable ones in Islam fear Allah far more than those who aren't," he explained. "You see, you didn't even ask me if it's in the Qur'an or Hadith? You're just stating your opinion."

Asiye felt a twinge of regret as Jabir continued. "Your opinion doesn't matter in Islam; you should do what you're asked to do if it's in the Qur'an or Hadith and it is not a fabricated Hadith."

Before Asiye could reply, Jabir's phone rang, interrupting their conversation. "I'm sorry," he said with urgency. "I have to attend to something very important. Perhaps some other time."

With that, Jabir departed, leaving Asiye deep in thought. She realized she had focused on her opinion rather than seeking clarity from Jabir. She chided herself for not expressing her viewpoint better, but it was too late; he was already gone.

Asiye decided to head home, hoping for another chance to engage with Jabir and clarify her thoughts. Fortunately, she encountered her friend Layla, and together they made their way back.

Upon reaching their home, Layla couldn't help but notice Asiye's subdued demeanor. "Your face looks dull," she observed curiously, sensing something was amiss. When Layla probed further, Asiye denied having met Jabir, but her reaction betrayed her.

Layla, perceptive as ever, had her suspicions. "Are you crushing on this guy?" she inquired.

Asiye vehemently denied it with a raised voice. "No! You can't understand," she insisted. "I'll tell you what happened later."

Meanwhile, Jabir had returned home and was ruing the missed opportunity to clarify his perspective to Asiye. He couldn't believe he had walked away from her without addressing the misunderstanding. Jabir couldn't help but replay their brief conversation in his mind, realizing he had left her with an impression that didn't reflect his intentions.

Similarly, Asiye was in deep contemplation, replaying the encounter with Jabir in her thoughts. She regretted not being able to articulate her viewpoint clearly and wondered how she could make things right.

Fate seemed to be weaving a complicated web around them, putting them in situations that pushed their paths to cross repeatedly. Their interactions had been brief, yet their impact was undeniable.

As the days passed swiftly in the academic environment, Jabir and Asiye continued with their routines, each harboring the desire to communicate better and clarify their perspectives. The passage of time in the bustling world of students seemed to accelerate, making every encounter more precious.

One day, their paths converged again as they headed to school, accompanied by Layla, Asiye's ever-curious friend. Unbeknownst to both Jabir and Asiye, the day's schedule would take an unexpected turn.

Upon arriving at their classroom, they found their MTS lecturer waiting for them, his expression one of disappointment. He addressed the class solemnly, revealing that nearly everyone had performed poorly in their recent evaluations, except for two individuals.

The lecturer's gaze fell upon Emmanuel, a newcomer who had joined them in the 200-level due to his pre-degree program. However, his voice held a note of surprise when he inquired, "And who's Emmanuel with the matriculation number PG/10/23/45/504?"

A tall, handsome figure with a bright smile from the back row responded confidently, "I'm the one Sir".

Asiye turned to look at the source of this voice, her curiosity piqued. She was taken aback by the sight of Emmanuel's striking features and romantic countenance. He was the very embodiment of her ideal type.

Little did Asiye know that their meeting marked the beginning of yet another unexpected twist in the intricate tapestry of fate that seemed to entwine their lives.