"Coincidence-love"

PART-9

Today dua's eyes opened early in the morning . She reached for her phone, squinting at the screen to see it was just 4 AM. Determined, she rose from her bed and softly called out to Irha, "Irha, wake up. Let's pray Fajr together." But Irha, deeply immersed in sleep, turned over and drifted back into her dreams.

Dua sighed but didn't push further. She headed to the bathroom, the cool water of her wudu refreshing her senses. Stepping out, she changed into fresh clothes and carefully took out her prayer mat from her bag. As she stood in prayer, the tranquility of the early hours enveloped her, bringing a sense of peace and connection.

After her prayer, she opened her phone to read the Qur'an. The verses flowed smoothly, filling her heart with serenity. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was already 5:30. She whispered a heartfelt dua, carefully folded her prayer mat, and put it away.

Dua felt a rare energy from waking up early. She decided to make breakfast, thinking, "Irha seems so exhausted. I'll let her rest a bit longer." The thought of surprising her friend with a warm breakfast brought a smile to her face, and she moved to the kitchen, ready to start the day on a nurturing note.

As Dua descended the stairs, she noticed Jimin and Jungkook entering from outside. They saw her too, dressed in her abaya, which she often wore during prayer.

Both of them stared at her intently, and she glanced down at herself, then back at them, and back at herself again before saying, "Do I look like a joker or something?"

They both burst into laughter, making her frown. "Why are you laughing?" she asked, puzzled.

"Where are you going dressed like that so early in the morning?" Jungkook teased.

Dua, maintaining her calm, replied, "I wear this for prayer. I like it."

Jungkook and Jimin fell silent, exchanging glances. Jungkook then asked, "Prayer? You?"

"Why, am I not allowed to pray?" Dua responded, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Jimin chimed in, "Are you Muslim?"

Dua looked at them incredulously. "Wow, you couldn't tell from my name? What kind of people are you? Jungkook, I get it, you're peculiar, but Jimin? I expected better from you."

Jimin scratched his head, looking embarrassed. "Oh, your name is Dua. Sorry, I didn't realize."

Jungkook shot Dua a sideways glance and said, "If you call me peculiar again..."

Dua cut him off, challenging, "Or what? What will you do? Actually, you owe me an apology for what you said about me praying."

Jungkook looked confused, "What did I say?"

"That I can't pray. What did you mean by that?" Dua demanded, her eyes flashing with irritation.

Jungkook hesitated, then smirked, "No, I didn't mean that. So-," he started, but then stopped himself. "No, forget it, I'm not apologizing."

Dua crossed her arms, "Oh, really? You should apologize."

Jungkook, with a smirk still on his face, walked away,

Dua stood there, watching him walk away, her gaze lingering on his retreating figure. Jimin, too, was heading in the same direction, and as Dua observed him, she made faces-subtle, almost unnoticeable expressions of frustration and resignation. Finally, she muttered to herself, "Let it go," before turning on her heel and heading to the kitchen.

Once inside, she grabbed a pan and filled it with a little water, placing it on the stove. Her eyes darted around the kitchen as she searched for something, her mind preoccupied. Just then, Jungkook entered the kitchen to get some water. His eyes landed on Dua, and he couldn't tear them away. He watched her intently, almost mesmerized, while she remained oblivious, focused on her task.