8 months left

D-190

 To ModestMuslimah for being so supportive.

Chapter 3 : -190 days

'He who keeps his heart near Allah will find peace and tranquility, whilst he who gives his heart to the people will find restlessness and apprehension.'

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

"Hey dude!" Ahmad greeted his best friend with the usual clap of hands and fists.

"How are you feeling?" Zayd asked.

"Good." Ahmad replied opening his locker. "Can you stop asking me every two minutes please? I'm trying to live normally here"

Zayd tapped his friend's back and laughed.

"And I'm trying to be nice here." In a serious tone, he added : "you know I'm here if you need me right?"

Ahmad took his textbooks and shoved them in his bag. "Thanks but really don’t worry about me. I'll be fine. Insha’Allah”

With a smile they both went to their class.

Ahmad made it clear with his parents : he didn’t want anyone to know his disease, except his two best friends : Zayd and Amir. Of course they argued and decided to tell his teachers.

Today's class was chemistry. Needless to say he hesitated a lot before coming. Like 99% of his class, he hated it. He could be absent, his disease was the perfect motive and his teacher, Mr. Hemson would certainly understand. This latter welcomed him with a nod and as he made his way to the back, he could feel his eyes on him. During the whole class, Mr. Hemson did his best to avoid Ahmad's eyes but as they've been dismissed he called him.

"If you need a break during my class, just ask okay?"

"Thank you Sir" Ahmad simply replied. "I'll be fine"

 At this word, he left his teacher and followed Zayd to the other class.

Since his their teachers knew, they all gave him THE look, full of pity, sadness and regret. Each time he resisted the urge to roll his eyes at them but then again that would make it worse. Thankfully, no one has noticed the sudden change between him and his teachers who considered him now like a sick student who needs peace, excuses, and no homeworks. They weren’t helping him in his attempt of being "normal" and that's what infuriated him at the highest point.

At lunch they met Amir, he was sitting alone waiting for them, his tray on the wooden table.

"Salam guys" he greeted with his signature smile. He was the most optimistic of the trio, always smiling, good looking and enough shy to catch every girl's attention.

"Salam" Zayd and Ahmad both replied and sat by his sides.

"Heard you didn’t come this morning" Ahmad asked taking his medicine out of his bag.

He sighed. "Looks like the whole school knows I wasn’t here! God. Everyone noticed!"