The sun began its descent, casting a golden hue over the horizon. The majestic mountains in the distance, kissed by the evening light, created a serene backdrop against which the day was slowly fading. After a long evening filled with laughter and debate, Aunty Sayeda's house was now filled with the soft murmur of family members settling down, preparing to return home.
Hira and I stepped outside to perform our Maghrib prayer. The air was cool, filled with the scent of fresh earth, a refreshing change after the heat of the day. I rolled out my prayer mat and placed it carefully on the ground, finding comfort in the rhythmic recitations of the prayers.
After we finished praying, I tucked my prayer mat away, glancing back toward the house. The glow from the windows illuminated the darkening sky, and I felt a sense of peace wash over me.
"Jannat, it's getting late," Hira said, breaking my reverie. "We should head home before it gets too dark."
"Yeah, you're right," I replied, still lost in the beauty of the moment. The sun's last rays danced across the mountains, a sight I wished I could capture forever.
As we walked toward the gate, I felt a tug on my dupatta, pulling me back slightly. I turned to see Zaviyaar standing just outside the entrance, his expression a mix of playful defiance and genuine surprise.
"Hey, where are you off to in such a hurry?" he asked, his voice teasing, yet there was an earnestness in his tone.
I tried to pull my dupatta free, feeling an odd mix of annoyance and intrigue. "I'm heading home. It's late, and my family is waiting for me," I said firmly, my heart racing slightly at the way he held onto the edge of my scarf.
"Just a minute," he said, his grip loosening slightly as he took a step closer, his gaze steady. "I wanted to talk to you more, maybe share some thoughts about the conversation we had earlier."
Hira, sensing the tension, smirked at me, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Looks like someone is keeping you here, Jannat. Should we let him?"
I shot her a look, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping up my cheeks. "It's not like that, Hira," I protested, glancing back at Zaviyaar, who was still holding onto my dupatta, looking unapologetic.
"Please, just a few more minutes?" Zaviyaar urged, his voice dropping a notch. "I promise I won't keep you long."
I hesitated, my heart racing at the intensity of his gaze. Part of me wanted to linger, to dive deeper into the connection we had just begun to explore. But the other part reminded me of my responsibilities, my family waiting back home.
"Zaviyaar, I really should—" I began, but he interrupted me, a playful grin spreading across his face.
"Just think of it as a way to make sure you don't forget our discussion about the 'revolution'," he teased, his grip on my dupatta softening as he stepped even closer.
"Fine, but just a few minutes!" I relented, unable to suppress a small smile at his persistence. "I don't want to keep my family waiting."
"Deal," he said, finally releasing my dupatta but not stepping back, instead leaning casually against the gate.
Hira rolled her eyes playfully, giving me a knowing look. "I'll head inside and tell Aunt Sayeda you're catching up with her son," she said with a wink, leaving us alone.
Once Hira disappeared into the house, I faced Zaviyaar, unsure of what to say. The moment felt charged again, like the air before a storm, and I felt both exhilarated and nervous.
"What did you want to talk about?" I asked, trying to sound casual, though my voice wavered slightly.
Zaviyaar took a step closer, his eyes locked onto mine. "I wanted to know your thoughts about what's happening in the country. It's not every day I meet someone who's as passionate as you are," he replied, his tone earnest.
I could feel the weight of his words, the way he was genuinely interested in my opinion. "I think it's important for us to stand up for what we believe in. We can't just let things happen without trying to make a difference," I said, finding my confidence.
Zaviyaar nodded, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Exactly. And you seem like someone who wouldn't just sit back. I like that about you."
His compliment took me by surprise, and I felt my cheeks flush again. "Thank you," I replied, a small smile creeping onto my lips.
"Let's talk more about it," he said suddenly, glancing toward the open doorway of the house. "Come with me."
Before I could react, Zaviyaar gently but firmly took my hand and led me to a quiet corner of the porch, shielded from the view of the gathering inside. The fading light cast soft shadows around us, enhancing the intimacy of the moment.
"Jannat," he said, leaning slightly closer, his gaze intense, "I really admire your passion. It's refreshing."
I felt the warmth of his breath on my skin, and my heart raced. "Thank you," I whispered, trying to maintain eye contact despite the fluttering anxiety in my chest.
He studied my face for a moment, his expression shifting to something more serious. "But I want to know—what drives you? What makes you care so deeply?"
As he spoke, I felt an inexplicable pull toward him, the way he leaned in, his eyes searching mine. It was as if time had slowed down, the noise from the house fading away.
"I guess... I just believe in my people," I replied softly, the sincerity of his gaze encouraging my honesty. "I want to make a difference, however small it may be."
"That's admirable," he said, his voice low and sincere. "But you should also think about what you want for yourself. Sometimes, we get lost in the fight."
In that moment, I was acutely aware of how close he was, our bodies mere inches apart. I could see the way the last rays of sunlight caught in his hair, framing his face in a warm glow. Just then, a strand of my hair escaped from my scarf, falling across my cheek.
Without thinking, Zaviyaar reached out, gently brushing it back behind my ear. The touch sent a jolt through me, and I instinctively stepped back, my heart racing.
"I—uh—sorry," he stammered, realizing the proximity. He cleared his throat, taking a step back as well. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"It's fine," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper as I looked down, trying to collect myself. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel the warmth of his gaze lingering on me.
"You have such a beautiful spirit, Jannat," he said softly, almost as if he were speaking to himself. Our eyes met again, and for a heartbeat, the world around us ceased to exist.
Suddenly, the sound of laughter and chatter from inside the house jolted me back to reality. "I really should get going," I said reluctantly, breaking the spell that had formed between us. The moment felt too fragile, too precious, and I didn't want to tarnish it.
Zaviyaar's expression shifted slightly, a hint of disappointment flickering across his face. "I understand," he replied, a note of finality in his tone. "But I hope we can continue this conversation soon."
"Definitely," I said, trying to sound upbeat despite the reluctance swelling in my chest.
As I turned to leave, he gently grasped my hand again, his fingers brushing against my wrist. "Promise me you'll think about the gathering? It could be the start of something important," he said, his eyes earnest.
"I will," I assured him, meeting his gaze. "I promise."
Finally, I pulled away, the warmth of his touch lingering on my skin. I wrapped my dupatta more securely around my shoulders, feeling the weight of the moment as I walked toward the gate.
With one last glance back, I found Zaviyaar watching me, his expression a mix of hope and expectation. As I stepped out of Aunty Sayeda's home, the last rays of sunlight fading behind the mountains, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something that could change everything.
