Those Honey Brown Eyes (A Muslim Love Story).

Chapter : 9 How it started💞

(Flashback)

We grew up a lot, both physically and mentally, when we moved to class 8.

Although I didn’t grow much, Tahmeed had already reached 5'8" and started looking more handsome, which was a bit unusual for me.

Well, okay, I did like his eyes from the first day we met, but recently, I found myself appreciating his presence more than just a friend.

For the past few days, my eyes were always searching for him. Was something wrong with me? I started feeling something strange in my heart every time he gave his famous dazzling smile.

One day, I overheard two of our seniors whispering in the ladies' washroom.

Girl No 1: Nitu, what should I do? I can't stop falling for Ratul. My heartbeat rises whenever he talks to me. I love the way he pays so much attention and care."

Girl No 2: Oh Rabeya, you like him already. Just tell him you have a crush on him."

Rabeya replied, "How could I? He’s my best friend."

Hearing this, my heartbeat rose. Did I have a crush on Tahmeed too, just like that girl? Oh Allah, was I going mad?

How could I have a crush on my best friend? This wasn’t good.
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As time passed, my fondness for him grew day by day. Meeting him became my favorite part of the day. Rima noticed the changes in me and often teased me for it.

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It was November. And it was the last week before the final exam started. There was a class party at school. The dress code for the party was saree for girls and formal suits for boys.

Everyone was so excited for the party except me. Because I don't know how to wear a saree. My mother has gone to visit my father. She will come the day after the party. So I decided not to attend.

Rima insisted that I have to come at any cost. I could tell her to help but she also didn't know the craft. She lastly told me to come to her house for this as her mom could help me to wear a saree. But my family won't allow me to go because her house is quite far from ours. Besides my mother is not at home. My chachis (My uncle's wifes) will not help me for sure so I'm not going to ask them.

The day before the party my mood was grumpy seeing other girls' excitement at the class. Tahmeed came and sat beside me. "Hey, All, why are you looking like you took some bitter medicines?"

"Hey, don't start this. I'm not in the mood" I said to him.

"Why is my girl's mood off? Is everything okay?" he asked worriedly.

My heart skipped a bit hearing the phrase, 'my girl's'. How can he say something like that so easily?

I sighed and said, "I'm not attending the party because I don't know how to wear a freaking saree. And my mother is not at home. Why do they have to make a saree as a dress code for the party!" I exclaimed.

He shushed me, "Relax All, they can hear you" looking at other girls who just gave me a questioning look.

"Look at me, do you really wanna come? I can help you" he asked

I nodded, "But how. Don't tell me you are going to wear me a saree!!!" I said in a horrified tone.

"Aliya Emdad! Is your brain in the right place?" he glared.

"Let's get out of class at first. Then I will tell you" he pulled my hijab and started walking.

"Hey, leave my hijab you idiot. I am coming" I said running behind him.