The Eid We Met

18.

Note :  This chapter is mostly huge dialogues. The topics discussed might be a bit sensitive to some people but also relatable to others. I understand everyone doesn't have the same mindset and opinions. This is just my characters' thoughts and it's a humble request for you to read it with an open mind. 
Also, it's a pretty long chapter so finish up your prayers and important works before diving in.
The initial dialogues are rants about stuff which aren't that important to the later plot so feel free to skim and skip over those huge dialogues if you don't feel like reading.

Sorry for the wordy dialogues in the beginning, I didn't know what to scrap off as these were just rants which hit too close to home .

I'll add an ⭐ emoji from the point where the conversation gets juicy in case people wanna skip the initial scenes. ( I honestly won't mind 😭 )

Maha

The music changes and the familiar sweet melody of a song I used to listen to back in childhood took over the atmosphere,' Rupkothar Jogote'.

Isahaq's pupils swam with intense emotions which I couldn't find a name for as he held my gaze not looking away even for once. He seemed to be waiting with bated breath, curious to hear more.

"At first I shrugged it off as just another rumor among the million faux news circulating around gossip thirsty teenagers. But after a certain unusual event, I started suspecting it may be true. We were at an annual school party and I had worn a long, navy blue dress for a performance hosted by our class. The boys in Ahaan's class had all worn tuxedos for a play they were participating in.

Usually I wore my hair in a ponytail in school due to the dress code rules, but for the first time in a while I had left my hair open for the function. That day I noticed Ahaan looking over at me more than he usually did. After our performances were over he sneaked away from his group to come sit beside me and that's when he complimented me for the first time, saying that I was looking very beautiful. I just thanked him and said he looked pretty decent himself. But after a few minutes I turned to see him still staring at me and he once again repeated the words, ' You're looking very beautiful.' "

I could feel Isahaq's unwavering gaze observing my expression but I couldn't help the heat creeping up my cheeks thinking about the past,
"I was startled because that's the first time a guy ever complimented me. And that too twice in the span of a few minutes. From then on I was more aware of his actions and noticed how he would absentmindedly twirl my hair around his fingers as we talked during lunch break or sit closer than normal. Sometimes he would ask for a handshake as a greeting and not let go for seconds, just holding my hand as long as he could. I remember once he told me to watch an anime saying that the protagonist reminded him of me. Some of my other friends said it was an indirect confession and would repeatedly tease me, shipping us together and what not. But I refused to believe that he actually liked me. That someone could have a crush on me. It sounded absolutely absurd. I mean there were so many pretty girls in our school -"

"They might have been beautiful , but they weren't you." Isahaq interrupted me, his gaze fixated at the ground as he spoke the words softly.

My heartbeat quickened and the song in the background seemed to fade away as I digested his words.

"So- did he confess to you?" He looked back up at me.

I blinked and gathered my nerves before continuing, "No. Nothing ever happened between us. Maybe there was a time when he liked me for a short while but soon he changed drastically.

When I was 16, halfway through 9th grade, I decided to start wearing  Hijab starting from that Ramadan. Ammu and Nanu were actually not that supportive of the idea at first, saying I should wait till I was a bit older. But I knew I had already wasted enough time not doing something I should have.