Loving a Princess

9. I sure did work as hard as I could.

Alhamdulillah before I knew it, the remaining four days passed, and I was eagerly waiting for Umniyah to get back. I sat down to study while I waited, but due to my anticipation, I was simply staring out of the window that my study table faced. The window gave a view of the entire front boundary of the hostel. I was on twelfth floor, but I could still see the faces of the people pretty clearly.

I continued staring out of the window for a while, then got up to drink some water. While I was at it, I also opened the minibar to get some chocolate, and then I returned back to my study table to stare out of the window again.

But the sight that met my eyes stunned me! I rubbed my eyes, blinked several times and squinted to confirm that what I saw was actually true. The hundreds of emotions that surged through me were all different, and mostly consisted of shock, anger and betrayal. I saw my own best friend Umniyah hugging some guy. I didn't catch the face of the guy because he had his back in my direction, but I saw Umniyah's face. And she was hugging the guy!

I couldn't believe my eyes. I really couldn't. I was always under the impression that Umniyah was a straightforward Muslimah. How could she of all people stoop so low and hug a guy? Leave alone date a guy, which in itself was prohibited, but go far enough to actually hug him! I squinted once again, to see that the two of them had pulled away, and Umniyah was walking towards the girls' dorms block.

Then I saw the guy's face. The guy whom Umniyah was hugging. And I literally felt like someone had just thrown a bucket of cold water on me. It gave me a nasty shock! That guy she hugged was the same guy I had a 'crush' on! That guy she hugged was Farshad! My heart was beating so painfully, and my throat felt parched. Sure, I never told Umniyah that this guy who I met at GVU's name was Farshad, so she didn't know exactly who it was that I liked. I didn't even describe him to her. But still, the shock was nasty because when Farshad stepped on me, just like me, he also lowered his gaze, and that gave me a good impression of him. But now I realise how wrong I was! Why did he even lower his gaze if he was interested in engaging in such activities with girls?

I felt horrible and couldn't control the tears that came out of my eyes. My best friend and my crush. My best friend whom I told everything to. The one I always felt was a great and amazing person! I felt like she betrayed me because what she showed me wasn't her reality. And as for Farshad, for once in my life, I felt a liking towards someone, and this person had to be one who was so low.

Suddenly, I heard the doorknob being turned, and I roughly and quickly wiped my tears, and put up a poker face.

I heard Umniyah step in from behind me, and she walked to her bed, dumping her duffle bag on it.

"Assalamualaykum, Aliyah! How are you?" She chirped, sounding very cheerful. Of course she'll be cheerful!

I was in no mood of talking to Umniyah, but I had to reply to her greeting.

"Wa'alaykumsalaam," I answered curtly.

But too bad for me, Umniyah knew me well enough to realise that something was definitely wrong and she immediately walked over to me and placed her hand on my shoulder.

"Al, is everything alright?" She asked me, her voice filled with concern. How do I know if that concern is even real?

"Yup," I answered simply, and even nodded my head for emphasis. But Umniyah could see through that lie.

"No, Aliyah. Something's definitely wrong. You are not yourself! Why? Tell me what's wrong?" Umniyah asked.

"Leave it, Umniyah. Just leave me alone!" I said though clenched teeth.