From Aliya to Hafiz

Thirty-five.

Aliya.

I was woken up by a searing pain coming from my arm. When my eyes fell open, I was confused for a moment, wondering why I was in so much pain. But then the events from yesterday came back to me, sobering me up.

Zane had said though the wound wouldn't be infected and would heal without any complications, it was quite deep and would probably leave a scar. The way he looked worried when he said that was kind of funny.

I couldn't care less if it scarred, I was just glad I got off with such a light injury, Alhamdulillah.

As I sat up, I groaned, the throbbing in my arm becoming even more uncomfortable. Just as I roamed around the bedside for the medicine envelope, my door pushed open and I froze.

"You're awake?" Hafiz's voice sounded just as a snap made the room light up with warm lighting.

Surprised, I stared at him as he approached me. He was dressed in loose white sweatpants, his upper body a bare display of toned and lean muscles. I looked away from him. "What are you doing here so late?" I asked, my voice was raspy so I cleared my throat.

He sat beside me, holding out two pills and a bottle of water. "Here, Zane called me a few hours ago and said the pain would disturb your sleep. He didn't want to prescribe any painkillers for you and recommended over-the-counter ones, so I got you some Tylenol," he explained, his voice quiet. "Did you wake up from the pain?"

"Mm," I hummed dazedly.

"I'm sorry, I was attending to something when he called me and it skipped my mind to tell you about it," he pushed the bottle into my hand. "Take this, you'll feel better."

It was probably psychological, but the pain I had been feeling suddenly lessened to a dull throb. A trail of goosebumps appeared on my arm when I swallowed the drug and I stuck out my tongue as I held my breath. There was nothing as terrible as swallowing pills.

"How do you feel?" Hafiz asked.

"It'll take a moment to kick in," I said through a grimace.

He frowned. "Is it that painful? Should we go to the hospital?"

"It's not that, I just really hate swallowing pills," I explained, shuddering.

"I didn't know, I would have brought you something to wash down the taste," he stood up. "Get some rest."

I stared at him as he gazed down at me, a feeling of surrealism washing over me. If we had gotten to know each other under different circumstances, would we have gotten along just like this? I didn't know what to make of his behaviour and sudden change in attitude.

Heck just the day before yesterday, he tried to hit me and warned me so disrespectfully afterwards. I couldn't pinpoint or guess what it was that led to his sudden shift in attitude. The way we interacted yesterday had me asking myself more than once whether it was okay to let down my guard around him and talk so freely, whether it was fine to enjoy his company so much.

I was confused and wary but at the same time, I was feeling hopeful. Maybe Allah had started working on our hopes and prayers and was fixing things between us.

Maybe this is the turning point for us

"Where did you go?" He leaned down so we were at eye level.

I jolted back, spooked by his sudden nearness. "N-nothing. Thank you, again."

His gaze wavered as he pulled away and when he replied, he sounded a little annoyed. "Sleep."

I grabbed his hand when he made a move to leave and he looked down at me, questioning. I quickly let go, coughing awkwardly. "Nothing."

He stared at me for a moment before nodding. He then took a step forward and reached behind me for something, which I realised was my cap when he helped me put it on.