fated hearts

chapter 9

The next day was Monday, and Asiya woke up with a renewed sense of excitement. She dressed carefully, choosing her best uniform. She knew Ibrahim liked it when she wore her uniform well, and she chose the set she knew he often complimented with "Tabarakallahu ahsanul khaleeqeen." As she got ready, her heart raced with anticipation. She couldn't wait to see him at school.

At breakfast, she tried to act normal, but her mother noticed her unusually cheerful mood.

"Dan makarantan kune kenan?" her mother asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

Asiya, busy smiling as she tried to get bread from Ya Mariya, didn’t even realize her mother was talking to her.

Ya Mariya made a sign with her eyes. The sisters communicated silently in situations like this.

"Who?" Asiya replied, trying to hide the excitement her face had already shown.

Mama replied, "Kinsan wa! Ai duk jiya gidan nan babu wanda yaga smile inki. Asiya, so kike sena saɓa miki? Kibari kitafasa mana. Neman konewa kike ido rufe? Haka kikaga yayyanki nayi?" she scolded.

"Mama, bafa kowa," Asiya said as she tried to get her lunch bag. Ya Mariya handed her the keys.

"Kiyi hakuri, kinji? Mamana, babu kowa dagaske?"

Mama just replied, "Hmmn, Allah ya tsare. Kuje kun makara."

"Amin," they replied together.

---

Asiya arrived at school, scanning the crowd for any sign of Ibrahim. Finally, she spotted him by the entrance, waiting for her. The moment their eyes met, she felt a rush of happiness.

"Aşkim!" she called out, running over to him.

"Sia'm!" he greeted her, his face lighting up with a smile. "Kinyi kyau, sossai," he said, reaching to trace her eyebrow with his finger.

"I missed you," she whispered.

"I missed you too," he replied, his eyes filled with warmth.

They walked to their first class together, holding hands and exchanging affectionate glances. It was a relief to be back in each other's company. They didn't want the day to end.

During their lunch break, they found a quiet spot behind the classes where they could talk without being interrupted. Asiya leaned against a tree, her hand intertwined with Ibrahim's.

"How are you feeling today?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Better, now that I'm with you," she replied. "Yesterday was so hard. I kept thinking about you."

"I know, it was hard for me too," he said, squeezing her hand. "But seeing you now makes everything better."

Asiya looked up at him, her eyes shining with emotion. "I love you so much, Aşkım."

"I love you too, Sia'm," he replied, leaning his head against her shoulder gently.

They talked about their plans for the future, their hopes and dreams, and how they would navigate their relationship despite the challenges. Each word, each promise, strengthened their bond.

"Do you think our parents will ever understand?" Asiya asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

"I think they will, eventually," Ibrahim said thoughtfully. "We just have to show them how much we care about each other and that our love is genuine."

"I hope you're right," Asiya said, playing with her nails. "I don't want to lose you."

"You won't," Ibrahim assured her. "We'll face everything together, remember?"

Asiya smiled, feeling a sense of comfort in his words. "Yes, together."

The bell rang, signaling the end of their break. Reluctantly, they stood up and made their way back to class. Asiya felt a surge of gratitude for these stolen moments with Ibrahim.

---

During lunch, Ibrahim had to serve his punishment in the library. Asiya always joined him, wanting to spend more time together. They settled into a quiet corner, surrounded by rows of books.

"I can't believe it's the third week," Asiya said, handing him a book to put on the top shelf.

"I know, right?" Ibrahim laughed. "We got so caught up with everything that we forgot our special task is coming to an end."

"Well, we still have nine days," Asiya said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

They worked together, Asiya helping Ibrahim organize the shelves and clean everything. Every so often, they would pause to share a quiet moment, their hands brushing or their eyes meeting across the table.

At one point, Asiya leaned over to point out something in his book, and their faces were inches apart. Ibrahim couldn't resist the urge to gently give her a quick peck on the forehead.

She blushed, her heart racing. "We should be working," she said, though her smile betrayed her.

"We are," he replied, grinning. "I'm just multitasking."

As the afternoon wore on, the library grew quieter. They finished Ibrahim's task and shared stories, dreams, and whispered secrets, their bond growing stronger with each passing minute.

---

When detention finally ended, they packed up their things and walked out of the library hand in hand. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the school grounds. Asiya felt a sense of contentment, knowing that their love could overcome any obstacle.

"I can't wait to see you tomorrow," Ibrahim said, stopping to face her.

"Neither can I," Asiya replied, her eyes shining with happiness.

They shared one last lingering embrace before parting ways. Asiya walked home, her heart full of love and hope. She knew their journey wouldn't be easy, but with Ibrahim by her side, she was ready to face whatever came their way. Their love, strong and unwavering, was a beacon of light guiding them through the darkness.