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5| Texts

My phone buzzed, and I saw a message an anonymous number.
It said,
Hey Aaliyah, It's Chris. Got your number from Safa. Just wanted to see how your day went. Hope everything's good.

I smiled, realising it was Chris's message. It was simple, but it made me feel seen, knowing that someone actually cares and knew I even existed.

Aaliyah: Hey Chris! It was good, thanks to Safa and Marwah. They're really helping me fit in.
Chris: Yeah, they're awesome. I'm glad they're helping you out.

There was a pause in our conversation, and I wondered if he had gone to do something else. Then another message popped up.

Chris: If you don't mind me asking... Can I ask you something about your veil?

My fingers hesitated a little. I had always known about how people react to my niqab/veil, but Chris had been nothing but kind and respectful. I decided to be open.

Aaliyah: Sure go ahead.
Chris: I hope this doesn't come off as rude. I'm just curious. Why do you wear it? I mean, I know it's part of your religion, but I'd love to understand it more from your perspective.

I appreciated how he asked with such respect. It was rare to find someone who genuinely wanted to understand.

Aaliyah: It's okay Chris. I don't mind at all. For me, wearing the veil is about my faith and my relationship with Allah. It's a way to maintain my modesty. It's my choice, and it makes me feel closer to my beliefs.

There was a brief pause before his response came.

Chris: That's really beautiful Aaliyah. I respect that a lot. Thank you for sharing it with me.
Chris: You know, I saw you helping that kid today. That was really brave of you. Most girls here are more focused on themselves, their looks, and finding a rich, good-looking guy. But you... you're different.

I bit my lip, unsure how to respond. No one had ever noticed me in that way before.

Aaliyah: Different? How so?

Chris: Well, you actually care about people. You stepped in to help that kid without thinking twice. Most people would just walk by. It's like... you see things deeper, beyond the surface. That's rare.

His words made me smile, I thought about how to reply.

Aaliyah: I guess I just believe that everyone deserves kindness. We all have struggles, and a little kindness can go a long way.

Chris: I think that's what makes you so special. You're real, Aaliyah. You have this inner compassion that's hard to find.

I blushed at his words. Before I could reply, there was a knock on my door. My mom peeked her head in, a curious smile on her face.

Kese itni batein kr rhi ho hmm??😏 (Who are you texting so much, hmm?) she teased.

I quickly put my phone down, trying to hide my blush. Koi nhi ammi bas ek dost hai school ka. (No one Ammi, Just a friend from school.)
She raised an eyebrow, stepping into the room. Ek dost, woh bhi school se? (A friend from school, you say?)

Uska naam Chris hai ammi, wo bas ek dost hai. Bas school mein thori help krtha hai
(His name is Chris, Ammi. He's just a friend, he's been helping me out at school, that's all.)

Mom sat down on the bed, her eyes filled with mischief. Bas ek dost?😏 (Just a friend?)
You know back in my day, when we said just a friend, it usually meant something else.
I laughed, shaking my head. You sound like Safa. She was teasing me about the same thing. I don't have a crush on him, okay? He's just... nice.
She patted my hand, a smile on her lips. It's good to have friends who are nice Aaliyah.
Just remember, it's okay to let people in. But make sure they are the true ones.
I nodded, her words were so wise. She had always been my best friend, the one I could talk to about anything. Thanks Ammi, You're the best.
As she left the room, I picked up my phone again, seeing a message from Chris that said

Chris: You really are something special Aaliyah. I'm glad we're friends🥹.

I smiled thinking, maybe just maybe, this new chapter of my life was going to be okay.

Aaliyah: I'm glad we're friends too, Chris. Thanks for being so kind and understanding.

I smiled at the screen, reading Chris's message one last time before putting my phone aside. I still had some homework left. I grabbed my notebook and started working through the last few math problems.
It didn't take long to finish but by the time I was done, I could already smell dinner. I packed up my books and headed downstairs, where my parents were already setting the table. Tonight, we were having my favorite chicken biryani with raita(yogurt), crispy fried samosas on the side, and some fresh salad. I could barely wait as I sat down at the table.
Bohot zyada din ho gaye hain, biryani khaye hue(it's been so long since we ate biryani) I said smiling at my mom.
Toh aaj kaafi kha lena(so eat a plenty of it today) she replied with a smile, serving me the plate.
As we started eating, my dad turned to me. Toh beta, school kaisa ja raha hai?(So how's school going?) he asked, looking at me with concern.
I thought for a moment, carefully choosing my words. It's been good, alhomduillah baba. It's definitely different from what I'm used to, but Safa and Marwah have been amazing. They're really helping me adjust.
Alhomduillah, I'm glad to hear that. It must be tough, but I know you'll manage just fine.
Aur tumhare baba ko lagta hai tumhare naye dost bhi ban rahe hain, my mom teased, elbowing me gently(And your dad thinks you're making new friends too).
I tried not to blush, knowing she was talking about Chris. But since i told her not to tell baba about Chris, she was true to it and didn't mention about him to baba. Thank you Ya Rabb(Allah) for that. I wasn't ready to have that conversation yet, especially not with my dad.
Haan, kuch naye dost bangye hain, I said keeping it casual. (Yeah, I did make some new friends.)

The rest of dinner went smoothly, afterward I helped Ammi with the dishes, drying each plate carefully while she washed them.
Tum apna zyada khayal rakha karo Aaliyah,
Ammi said softly. (Take good care of yourself Aaliyah.)
I smiled, knowing she was always looking out for me. Ge Ammi, I will.
Once the kitchen was clean, I went upstairs and started packing my bag for tomorrow. I made sure to place my psychology notebook on top and checked off everything I needed. Then, I turned to my closet, pulling out the pastel pink abaya I had chosen earlier. It was one of my favorites, simple but elegant, and I put the matching niqab next to it on the hanger, making sure everything was ready for the morning.
Finally, I crawled into my bed, exhausted from the day. As I lay there, my thoughts again back to Chris. I couldn't help but wonder, Was I starting to feel something for him? It seemed ridiculous, especially since we came from two completely different worlds—different beliefs, different lives. But he was kind, respectful, and so genuine. I hadn't expected someone like him to show such interest in getting to know me.
But even as the thought of him was in my mind, I reminded myself of the reality. Our beliefs, our faith—those things mattered.
I sighed, turning over in bed. Ya Allah guide me. Maybe tomorrow would bring some clarity, but for now, I needed rest.
With thoughts of Chris still in my head, I went off to sleep.