Have you ever thought that your childhood crush would be so intoxicating that never give a chance to like anybody else? This is madness right?
This story is about Aliya and her eternal crush, her best friend Tahmeed.
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"You said you do...
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Tahmeed Ahmed.
I’ve known him for 13 freaking years!
But it wasn't until we became classmates that I truly started noticing him.
We went to the same kindergarten, though he was in another section. Back then, I was a mama’s child, clinging to my mother every time she dropped me off. Maybe that’s why I didn’t notice anyone beyond my immediate bench mates, who eventually became my friends. We were the shortest in class, adored by our teachers for being, as they called us, "human dolls."
Another quirk from my childhood: I was left-handed. I used to write with my left hand, much to my mother's frustration. She struggled to change that habit, while my father found it amusing and never pressured me. However, I eventually had to give in when my class teacher threatened to deduct marks for any exam written with my left hand.
Years flew by, and I found myself in the 4th grade. On the first day of the new school year, I saw him running toward the classroom I was heading to.
As he passed me, I heard him call out, "Hey! Are you new to this section? I’m Tahmeed," he said with a cute, carefree smile.
I was quite stiff as that was the first time a boy was talking to me other than the class captain or any boy asking for a pen or pencil.
Don't get me wrong. I was less talkative and more like introverted since childhood.
Still, I managed a reply. "Yes. I’m Aliya."
"Nice to meet you, Aliya. Welcome to our section!" He smiled warmly before running off to join his friends.
Though I made two new friends that year and even reunited with two from my previous class, I found myself quietly observing him now and then. He was so amiable, always laughing, always surrounded by friends. We didn’t talk much beyond the occasional "hi" or "hello," but a part of me wished we could be friends.
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Two years later, we found ourselves at the same high school.
And once again, we were placed in the same section. Great, I thought, a familiar face.
It didn’t take long for Tahmeed to become one of the most popular kids in class, while I was still adjusting to the new environment.
Two of my close friends had transferred to other schools, which made the transition harder, but having a couple of familiar faces around helped.
Six months into high school, I came to school earlier than usual one day, bored of sitting at home. (I’ll discuss more about my family in another chapter.) As I wandered the school grounds, I suddenly felt a tug on my backpack. I turned around, and there he was, Tahmeed..
"Hey, nerd, What's up?"
I was too stunned to respond at first, then I shot back, "Nerd? That’s not me. And who are you to say that? Do I even know you?"
He looked surprised, then smirked. "Wow. You’re not Aliya, are you? She doesn’t talk like that."
I couldn’t believe it. "What do you know about me? We’ve barely exchanged more than three sentences in the past seven months. I’m surprised you even remember my name!" I said, my tone sharper than intended.
His expression softened, a mix of realization and something else I couldn’t quite place. "I’ve just been caught up, you know? This new school, all the excitement... But I’ve noticed you, too. I saw you with your new friends."
I was taken aback. He noticed me? I wondered why, if he had been observing, he hadn’t said anything sooner.His voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Hey, All, are you mad at me for not talking to you?"
He called me All? A new nickname? I raised an eyebrow.
"Why would I be angry? It’s not like we’re friends, right?"
He made a puppy face and said," Are we not, Are you sure?". . . . Hello everyone! Asslamu Alaikum. How was this chapter? Please let me know your feedback. Please share this with others if you started to like this story. Thank You. See you in next chapter.
