HURDLES AND THEM

Chapter 05

he left me confused. I came to the class.

I saw him standing by the door. all he did was smiling. I just put my head  down and walked.

but he just infuriated because he put his hand in front of me and said "you are looking pretty" and I moved back and told "look Shazad, I am not trying to advise you. but understand, what I did was also a sin. I met you in the cafeteria alone. Who are you for me? I didn't want to hurt you, so that I came feeling that it would be a serious matter. but you made it useless and please take your hand off. you criticized me at school telling that I did not know Islam and what are you doing now? we have a lot of non Muslim friends here. what will they think about our religion? try to act like how you speak and now hands off the door please" I kept on telling and the smile in his face was reducing millimetres by millimetres and finally he took the hands and walked before I completed.

that day he stopped looking at me. but he gave a few glances when I was engaged in something else. this made me uncomfortable. but I did not bother about it because I forgot about that when I was seriously engaged in something.

a week passed in the same way. good that he understood my words without rejecting it. it's because he has iman, he feared Allah and started avoiding terrible emotions.

that was the history period. teacher came to the class and announced that we have a project to be done in pairs. I prayed that I should not get Shazad with me and he would have prayed the same. but the result was the opposite of what we expected.

"Shazad and Zanya are partners. you topic is going to be about the Nile river civilization" said that teacher. but I was shocked as well as he. "you can start planning" she said but that echoed in my mind. "what to plan? what am I gonna talk?" I thought. but Shazad started, "Zanya, shall we type it or write it?". thank God. he started. "what's better? I think we can plan about it later if we plans the contents" I said trying to be casual.

"let's discuss about the facilities provided by the river and the reasons for people to choose that place as the initial  civilization" he said and I approved. we continued and in between teacher made a notice "you cannot browse internet for this purpose, you have to use books"

when teacher told so, I turned to Shazad and asked "which library?" and before he spoke I said the answer too. "I guess students' library would be better because I have got membership there and we get help from Aashad's dad"

"that's better. fine when can we go together? when are free?" he asked. I was upset but tried not to show that. he asked again "will your parents give permission? it's okay to go alone I guess because it's has a true purpose and we don't have any alternatives".

I thought he understood what I felt. "no they won't make it an issue. but still I have to get their permission and don't forget to inform your parents. give me your number, I will drop an message" I said and took out my phone. he told me the number and saved and gave him a missed call and said "that is my number" and smiled.

I went home and told "mom, I have got a project. I have got to go to the library"
and without telling anything, she said "okay".  but I continued "mom, I have to go with Shazad. he's my partner"
my mom turned back and gave a smile and said "okay, you can go....." and she asked me back "when are you both going " and I replied back telling "tomorrow after a school".

I walked to my room wondering why mom didn't ask me anything like those days. "I can't believe my eyes! what a big surprise, you Thaiba" I shouted when I saw my cousin standing at my room door. "you my love, you look prettier than on video calls and photographs" she said and hugged me tight. I hugged her back and I asked her "what a great surprise! when did you come from Australia?".