Take off your Hijab (Rewriting)

As a Friend or as a Wife✅

"Firstly, we need to acknowledge that trust has been broken, yet they have been blessed with a second chance—hopefully, they will make it right."

Third persons POV.

"So you called?" a familiar voice says from behind, causing Amal to tense up, her shoulders instinctively tightening.

"Yeah," she trails off, her heart racing as she turns to see Zach. He leans casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, but there's an intensity in his stance that makes her pulse quicken.

"What is up this time, then?" Zach asks, taking a seat across from her. The intensity of his gaze makes her cheeks flush—how weird is that? She fidgets with the hem of her shirt, unable to hold his stare.

"I just wanted to talk," Amal finally admits, glancing down at her hands, where her fingers twist together anxiously. Zach raises an eyebrow, his blue eyes shining under the stars.

"Okay, about what?" he asks, leaning forward slightly, curiosity etched on his features.

"Everything! Like, when did it all happen?" Amal's voice is a mix of eagerness and anxiety, her legs bouncing slightly as she tries to contain her nervous energy.

"When did what all happen?" Zach replies, obviously confused, tilting his head slightly, making her feel even more exposed.

"When did you fall for me? When did you convert? Why did you convert? When did you ask my dad if you were never there when I needed you the most?" Amal's questions tumble out, frustration bubbling to the surface as she runs a hand through her hair, pushing it back from her face.

Zach nods, absorbing her words. "As for when I fell for you, I don't really know. One minute, you were just a girl I didn't want to lose, and then I got to know you better. I realized it was more than that—maybe I was already in love with you since the beginning. Maybe that's why I didn't want you to lose your identity; I loved you just the way you were, and still do."

He trails off, his gaze intense as he studies her, his brow slightly furrowed with concern. Amal's eyes are fixed on the ground, her lips pressed together, hiding her reaction. Zach lets out a deep breath, running a hand through his hair in a gesture of frustration and determination before continuing.

"As for why I converted, it was my choice, not anyone else's. Trust me, I did research during finals when you thought I was ignoring you. I wasn't—I was just trying to find my identity without any outside influence."

Amal's frown deepens as realization crashes over her like a tidal wave. "You changed while we were in high school?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"No," Zach states, shaking his head slowly, his posture shifting as he leans back slightly, as if to create distance from the heavy truth.

"Then when?" she asks, a spark of curiosity igniting in her voice, leaning forward with anticipation, her hands gripping the edge of the table.

"A few years later. HOWEVER when I first started researching every religion that ever existed. I found myself ordering a whole lot of holy books online eventually my grandma came to a random conclusion that i had started to doing drugs in my room" he admits, a chuckle escaping his lips, his body relaxing as he recalls the absurdity of it all.

Amal's eyes widen in disbelief before she bursts into laughter, the tension between them dissolving momentarily. "oh my goodness, That's hilarious!" she exclaims, throwing her head back, the laughter bubbling up from deep inside her.

Zach can't help but smile, the warmth of her laughter seeping into his own heart. "Yeah, well, it was a weird phase," he replies, his tone light, but the underlying weight of their conversation lingers in the air.