Shattered illusions

3:Unexpected Encounter

Manchester,England.

The next morning,hanan woke up refreshed after visiting hooriya's apartment. She realized she was running low on essentials, so she decided to head to the mall to restock on food, school supplies and clothes.

After getting dressed and having breakfast, she then decided to call mubaid to meet up for lunch or dinner.

"Hey, sis!" Mubaid's warm filled the line
"Hey,bro!" I was thinking we could grab lunch or dinner together today?" Hanan asked.

Sounds perfect. I'm free now. How about we meet at that new cafe downtown? Mubaid suggested.
"Love that idea. See you soon! Hanan hung up, smiling.

At the mall, Hanan efficiently gathered everything she needed.
Later, she met mubaid at the cafe.

At the cafe, Mubaid arrived, flashing his bright smile. "Hey sis!" He hugged hanan warmly.
Hey, bro! Hanan laughed.
You look busy. Everything okay?"
"Just football training and some other stuff. You know how it is Mubaid replied.

As they browsed the menu Hanan inquired " so, how's the team doing?"

"We are gearing up for the big match. Coach had us on intense training", mubaid shared.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly until their food arrived.
They dug in, savoring the flavors.

Mid-meal Mubaid glanced at his watch. And suddenly mentioned he had to leave. "sorry sis" I have to run. Training session awaits."

"Go, go I understand, " hanan said with a smile.

Mubaid hastily paid the bill and stood up. "Someone's waiting for me.
Hanan, respecting her brother's privacy, didn't pry
"Don't forget about the match tomorrow! "Mubaid said.
I and hooriya will be there in sha Allah. "Hanan said.
With a goodbye, Mubaid rushed off, leaving hanan to finish her lunch alone. She didn't think much of it then, accustomed by her brother's busy schedule.

As she savored her meal, admist pressing her phone, hanan's Ming wandered to her own day, feeling grateful for the relaxing morning and quality time with Mubaid, however brief.

After her busy day, Hanan returned home, dropped her bag and began unpacking the essentials she'd bought at the mall admist listening to a podcast on her phone. She put the groceries, organized her school supplies, and neatly arranged her new clothes.

With her apartment tidy, hanan felt a sense of accomplishment. She headed to the bathroom letting the warm shower was away the day's stress.
Wrapped in a plush towel, she slipped into her coziest pajamas feeling the soft fabric envelop her.

As she settled into bed, hanan's mind lingered on mubaid's mysterious "someone" as she drifted off to sleep who was this person, and why did mubaid seem so secretive? Her curiosity piqued, she couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to the story.

But as she snuggled deeper into her blankets, hanan reminded herself it wasn't her business. Mubaid would share details when he was ready. She trusted her and brother and knew he'd confide in her when the time was right.

With a gentle menatal shrug, hanan let go of her thoughts and surrendered to sleep.
Tomorrow would bring its own challenges and revelations.

——————
Hanan woke up to the gentle glow of sunrise peeking through her window. She stretched, yawned and swung her legs over the side of the bed.

She headed to the bathroom, and she took her shower and dressed in her simple yet elegant law outfit, ready to tackle her first day back at school. As she prepared for the day, her phone buzzed with a text from Mubaid!

"Hey sis, good luck today! I'll catch up with you later."
Sure, byes later! "Hanan replied."

After getting ready, Hanan headed to the university's law faculty, lost in thought. Yesterday's conversation with mubaid lingered in her mind. Who was that someone he mentioned? She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the day's task.

In the university hallway , Hanan spotted hooriya, who was rushing to her medicine lecture.

"Morning girl !" Hooriya said, out of breath. I've got a pharmacology test soon. Meet you after?". Hanan nodded, and they parted ways.
The morning flew by in a blur of contract law notes and tort discussions.

As they met up after their respective lectures, hooriya turned to hanan. "Hey, want to grab something to have and do something exciting?

"What do you have in mind?" Hanan asked.

"Manchester united is playing Liverpool today! Mubaid's playing we should go watch the match!" Hooriya exclaimed.

Hanan's eyes widened. "Oh my God!" I almost forgot, I told him we are both coming to watch the match."
Hanan showed hooriya the tickets mubaid got them.
Hooriya's eyes widened. " I forgot about the tickets!! Let's go."
Okay, but let's grab something first, I'm so hungry "hanan said." Alright let's go hooriya said.

At old trafford stadium, hanan's excitement grew as they took their seats. Mubaid's team was facing off against Liverpool FC. Hanan couldn't wait to see her brother in action.

As the match began hanan's cheers mingled with the roar of the crowd. Mubaid sprinted down the wing, his movements fluid and precise. But it was the Liverpool player, who caught her attention. His agility and ball control left her breathless.

"Who's that number 10?" Hanan asked hooriya.

"Ohh, that's AAB", hooriya replied with a smile "mubaid's friend and my cousin I was telling you about.

Hanan's eyes locked onto AAB, her mind racing. This was the someone mubaid had talked about .

The rest of the match flew by in a flung of passes and tackles. As the teams took took to the field for the second half, hanan's eyes remained fixed on a particular player.

After the final whistle blew, Hanan joined the applause, impressed by AAB's skill. As they filed out of the stadium, mubaid met hanan and hooriya in the lobby.
"Hey, what did you guys think of the game?" Mubaid asked beaming with bride.

"It was amazing!" Hanan exclaimed. " you were incredible, hooriya replied!.
Mubaid grinned and said obviously dusting the invisible dust on his shoulders. Mubaid had always been the playful and unserious type.

He then gestured to his friend, who approached them. "Hanan, this is Aamir."
Aamir's warm smile and piercing eyes made hanan's heart skip a beat. "Nice to meet you, hanan."

As they exchanged pleasantries, Hanan felt an inexplicable connection to Aamir. The air seemed to vibrate with tension, and hanan senses came alive.

I have to say, you're quite the player," hanan said her voice barely above a whisper.

Aamir chuckled "Thanks, I try my best."
Good game ya Aamir, "hooriya said." Thanks Aamir gave her a small smile and nodded.
I never mentioned him considering our distant relationship hooriya whispered to hanan and she nodded giving Aamir a nervous smile.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, like a well-rehearsed dance. Hanan discovered he is so calm and nice.

As they parted ways, Aamir's parting words lingered in hanan's mind: maybe I'll see you soon

Hanan's heart fluttered at the prospect.

Hey guys, what do you guys think
Let me know
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I will see you guys when I see you guys.

With love, Maryam💕.