Just One Day By The Golden Voice

Chapter One

As I emerged from the exam hall, a sense of calmness and relief washed over me. The long-awaited moment has finally arrived, and it felt more incredible than I had ever imagined. Surrounded by the cacophony of laughter and chatter of my friends, I felt overwhelmed, not just because I had aced the paper, but also because I was hopeful it was the last exam I would ever take in this school.

"Mira," a soft whisper echoed in my ear, sending my heart skipping a beat. I turned to find Fahid standing beside me, his eyes locked on mine.

"I know you've already packed your bags, ready to head home today, right?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of longing.

I smiled, shaking my head slowly. "What am I supposed to do? Wait for you? We live in two different part of the world, Fahid" I replied my voice barely above a whisper.

"So, you're really not going to stay, add just for two days?"

"What am I going to stay and do for you, Fahid? We're done with exams. I'm tired of this school. I'm missing home and can't wait to get back," I said, my words concealed with a sense of finality.

He wore a sad expression on his face, trying as much as possible to look forlorn. I looked him in the eyes, my heart aching with a mix of emotions. "It's not working, Fahid. I'm going home tomorrow."

I said finally, turning to walk away, leaving him standing alone in the crowded hallway.

Later that day, Sima reminded me, "Don't forget the fridge and the kettle." I quickly picked the kettle up and packed it together with my things, my mind already drifting to the journey ahead.

"I can't believe you're finally leaving. I'm going to miss you like crazy," Sima said, stepping out of the kitchen and giving me a tight hug.

"I still have one night. I have to tie up some loose ends inside school today. Hopefully, I will finish everything today, and tomorrow I'm heading home," I said, spreading my hands in the air like a bird taking flight and collapsing onto the bed.

Suddenly, my phone started ringing, shrill and insistent. I quickly picked it up, my heart racing with anticipation. Immediately I saw the name appear on my screen, I quickly kept it aside.

"Who is it?" Sima asked curiously.

I was quietly refusing to answer her, my eyes fixed on the phone. She picked it up, then smiled mischievously. "Why are you doing this to him? You know he likes you, right."

"I know what he will say. He will beg me to stay, and I don't want to. Plus, I have already told them at home I'm coming back tomorrow, so it has been agreed," I replied, my voice firm and resolute.

Sima sat next to me, her eyes locked on mine. "Stop using that as an excuse. You know you can make up something and spend just two days. Plus, you don't know maybe he has something special planned for you. I mean, he sends you gifts a lot, so maybe there's something he has planned for you, and you're dodging it."

Later that night, Fahid and I went for a walk inside school, the moon casting a silver glow over the deserted hallways. "I'm going to miss this," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, me too. It's actually been my favorite thing to do, most especially with you," I replied, my heart aching with a mix of emotions.

He was amazed by my words, lifting his eyebrows in surprise. "Can you say that again, please, because I didn't hear you."

I playfully hit him with my purse on the shoulder, my heart racing with anticipation. "Don't be silly; I know you heard me."

I will surely miss him. No one would believe it if I told them we didn't get along in our first encounter. We had a fight on our first meeting, a very silly fight that made us dislike each other for long. But now, as I stood beside him in the moonlit hallway. I recall the moment,
I kept a sit for my friend and he sat there, refusing to get up even after I told him who the sit was for. Rather he plugged in his earpods and continued listening to music, I couldn't help but think about our tumultuous past. Since that day, I had made it a point to ignore him whenever we crossed paths, but the memory of our initial encounter always left me in stitches. He caught me smiling and asked what was on my mind, but I just brushed it off, saying "nothing."

We decided to grab some popcorn and sit at the basketball court, watching the empty field as we reminisced about old times. As the evening drew to a close, he received a call, and I could sense his hesitation.

"No, I'm not going. I don't feel like it. Why didn't you tell me sooner? I won't change my mind, so stop begging," he said firmly.

After the call, he explained that his friend was inviting him to a birthday party the next day. I encouraged him to go, saying, "What's the harm? He invited you anyways" I said.

But he was hesitant, and I could sense a hint of longing in his voice. "If you insist, you have to come with me to the party. If not, I'm not going."

I playfully declined, saying, "Okay, then don't go." Increased my pace leaving him behind, but he caught up to me, his eyes locked on mine. "It's just tomorrow, and you can come with Sima. Is a get together, is not really a party. Just a small gathering with close friends and all. It'll be nice, and it'll be boring without you."

I hesitated, knowing that I was leaving the next day. "He invited you alone, and I'm going back home tomorrow."

He shook his head "To be honest, I don't care if you go to the party or not. I just want to spend one more day with you. I don't want to say goodbye so soon. I'm enjoying this walk, and I don't want it to end."

I couldn't deny the truth - I was enjoying it too. And when he escorted me home, I told him I would think about it. After discussing it with Sima, she convinced me to go, and I agreed.