To Our Doom (Paused)

Chapter 6: Bright Buds Institute

On the nerve-wracking, anxiety-inducing day of Monday, classes resumed. This day is easily everyone's busiest day.

Sarah, the early bird she is, revised Quran after Fajr then left early for the café to meet her best friend. As expected, the café just opened, leaving her and the workers the only people in the café. Since the city is far from their town, people leave early and get their coffees directly from the city before heading to work. This café was the hangout spot for college and high school students, but it was too early for school, so Sarah was the only customer. She prefers the peace and calm of the early morning café.

She left her bag on the table she and Sana usually sat at and went to order her dose of iced mocha. While walking over, she was texting Sana on the phone, asking her friend when she would arrive at the café. Once she reached the ordering counter, she lifted her gaze from her phone to the cashier to order.

"I'd like to order," she and a familiar voice said at the same time. They turned to see who the other was, and Sarah instantly recognized him. Her new neighbour. Her little brother's new best friend. Her new little friend's older brother. Her future husband with a bright, sunny smile. Wait, ignore the last part. She looked away.

He didn't recognize her through her Niqab, but her eyes felt familiar – like he had seen her before. He dropped his gaze to the cold, marble-tiled floor beneath him.

"You can order first," he offered, stepping back to give Sarah space.

"He's quite chivalrous... a quality of a future husband..." her heart snickered, making her internally curse at herself. Now's not the time to think like this!

"Jazakallahu Khairan Katheeran," she said firmly, stepping forward to order. The cashier was looking back and forth at them for a few minutes, unsure of whose order to take. She was glad when Sarah finally went ahead to order.

"Wa Iyyaki," Ibrahim returned her dua.

A familiar energetic figure rushed over to Ibrahim. Quickly, Sarah recognized the bubbly, energetic figure of Maryam in her pretty hijab.

"Akhi! Do you remember my order?" she asked, eagerly.

"Of course I remember," he started, "you drilled it to my head."

Maryam looked in front of her and noticed a ninja who was smiling down at her.

"Assalamu Alaikum, Maryam!" she greeted, hoping the little girl recognized her.

Maryam raised her eyebrows as she walked over in front to join Sarah, "Ukhti Sarah?" she asked, forgetting her elder brother existed, making him feel left out.

Sarah took Maryam over to the table she and Sana frequented, and they conversed about Maryam's school. Ibrahim ordered for himself and his little sister. He looked at his little sister yapping away with a stranger named Sarah, his gaze bouncing back and forth between them, unamused.

But he had to admit, Sarah's smiling eyes were a sight to behold. Lower your gaze, Ibrahim. Astaghfirullah.

Maryam excitedly related to Sarah about how she was going to her parent-teacher meeting with her mom, and how her elder brother was generous enough to offer to drop them off at school since it was on the way to his college. Sarah nodded and listened to Maryam's adorable voice.

"Are you settling in fine?" Sarah asked.

"Yes, Alhamdulillah!" Maryam beamed, gushing about how her school friends were welcoming and how friendly the teachers were. Sarah smiled, remembering her school days. It sounded like her school had remained the same wholesome school that she left behind. Alhamdulillah.