AYAT: A verse Of Qur'an

chapter 3

"So, now you're marrying someone?" Asad asked Ashar, sitting in Ashar's office. His mischievous tone was enough to annoy Ashar, who was busy with his work. He looked up at his best friend with an exasperated expression.

"No," Ashar replied flatly, his tone cold, and he returned to his work.

"Oh, come on! Don't lie. Aunty herself told me you agreed to meet that girl," Asad teased, maintaining his playful tone.

"Asad! If you don't have any work, then just leave. I don't have time for your nonsense," Ashar muttered, gritting his teeth. Asad got up from the sofa, moved to the table, and sat down in front of him.

"Oh, calm down, bro! I was just teasing you. It's not a big deal!" he exclaimed with a sudden laugh. Ashar offered a tight-lipped smile before responding.

"Are you done? Now get out." Immediately, Ashar's expression turned serious as he pointed toward the exit, causing Asad to stifle a laugh.

"Okay, I promise not to tease you anymore... but tell me one thing," Asad said, his expression shifting to seriousness. "You’ve never agreed to meet any girl before. Why this girl? What was her name? Um... Ayat? What attracted you to her?" He pressed his hands on the table, his serious demeanor reflected in his words.

"Nothing attracted me. I just agreed so I can finally escape Ammi's game of choosing girls," Ashar replied irritably, putting a file away in the drawer and focusing back on Asad, who looked doubtful.

"No! I can't believe you agreed just to avoid the conversation. There has to be something appealing about her," Asad challenged, looking directly into Ashar's eyes. Ashar's gaze flickered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Oh, do you think I would find something attractive in a girl I haven't even seen? I don’t even know if I'll get to see her," Ashar mumbled the last part, but Asad caught it.

"Why not? She's coming to Ahmed's wedding, so you could see her then," Asad noted, his concern evident.

"Because Ammi told me she wears a niqab, and I can't get a photo of her. If I want to see her face, I have to meet her in person," Ashar explained, his tone becoming less pleasant.

"Oh, so she seems like a really religious person?" Asad nodded, trying to understand.

"Yeah, seems that way... but who knows what's behind the veil?" Ashar replied, staring off into the distance.

"That's true," Asad acknowledged, rising as his phone began ringing.

"I think I should go; otherwise, Ahmed will kill me. He invited me for shopping for his wedding, and look where I am!" he laughed, answering the call as he exited the office. Ashar shook his head, returning to his work.

××××××××××××××

"Hello! Yes... where are you, Sidra? I'm at college but can't find you in class," Ayat said, standing in the corridor outside the classroom, speaking on the phone.

"Actually, don’t wait for me. I'm going to head home after I finish up my work," Sidra replied from the other end, making Ayat feel confused.

"But what work?" Ayat asked, her eyebrows furrowing in doubt.

"I just need to buy some files because we have projects to work on, right?" Sidra explained, but Ayat sensed an uncertainty in her tone.

"Okay, Allah Hafiz," she mumbled, ending the call. Turning around, she unexpectedly found Ayaan standing closely behind her. She widened her eyes and quickly moved back, shouting at him, "What are you doing? Are you out of your mind? Why were you standing so close to me?"