I love you ( A muslim love story)

Chapter 8: I need to lower my gaze

(Anabia: 14 years old, Huzaifa:16 years old)

(Huzaifa's pov)

"So you gonna play with us today?" It was break time and we were both walking out of the doors, the humidity of the air outside blasting us with heat. 

"I don't know, maybe" I say as we trudge along the grass. The sun continues to glare it's steamy gaze as we reach the shelter of the pitch. I put my bag on the bench and start rummaging my bag for my lunch.

"Okay then I'll see ya around" Easa calls from behind and sprints towards the other playing boys. May as well watch I think as I unzip the last pocket to take out my sandwich. Sitting down in my usual spot at the bench, I stare on at Year 11 and 10s as they begin to pass the ball to each other. Today I wasn't really in the mood for playing or I would've joined them anytime. As I continue to watch, the sudden glisten of pink catches my eye as the sunlight reflects off it's surface. I try my best to focus on the object and realise it's a water bottle. Not just any but it was hers. The feeling of my heart beating abnormally resurfaces as I recall back to the time in the book store. No. I shake my head. It was all a mistake. I never meant to grab her arm. It was just out of instinct. Guilt starts overwhelming me as I continue to remember all that had happened. It was a grave sin. I shouldn't have done  that. I unwrap my sandwich and take a bite, the wonderous flavour filling my mouth with taste. It doesn't matter. She'll come get it herself. I'm not committing the same sin twice. Although is it a sin to return it? It's alright to return missing things to their owner? Yeah. That's my intention I say to myself. I have to return it to the owner. I walk down the steps and jog over to where it stood. Here we go. Picking up the bottle I take the route opposite to where she sat. Today she was sitting at the benches with some of her friends. I'll just wait for them to leave. I slowly walk over, the sound of the bell ringing in my ears as I make my way towards her. Thankfully her friends had left and her back had been turned to me so I could at least keep my gaze low and stand a few feet apart.

"You left something on your way here" I say bluntly trying to sound as serious as possible. She turns around, her hand tightly gripping onto her bag, the shuffle of her feet the only thing I see as I hold the bottle towards her. For a moment she hesitates, her hand slightly shaking and then takes it from me, surprisingly, her fingers careful enough not to brush mine.

"Th-thank you" She stutters and walks off towards the open glass doors her footsteps disappearing into the distance. I sigh with relief and raise my head towards the ceiling. Why did that feel so scary. I've been around other girls before so why did this feel so different? Maybe it's because I haven't talked to one in a while. Walking back the way I came, I slowly make my way towards the bench to retrieve my own bag as my thoughts start placing themselves back in order. I had to hurry to class or I was going to be late. As I quickly grab my bag off the bench, I start sprinting towards the open doors and make my way up the yellow stairs, panting as the weight of the books make it harder to run. Finally reaching the top, I look around if anyone was still around. Everyone was making their way inside so I still had some time. I start walking towards my classroom, my footsteps faster than usual. Inshallah I will make it in time I think to myself as I finally reach the end of the line in which everyone was filing into class. I exhale deeply and finally walk in.

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"Assalamualaikum" I call from the door as I step inside, taking off my shoes and placing them on the rack.

"Walaikumussalam. Your finally home Huzaifa." My mother says as she enters the hallway. "How was school?"

"It was fine. Just the usual." I say bluntly and walk passed her and into my bedroom.

"Well lunch is set on the table so when your done call Reena to come eat as well."

"Alright I will" I say and shut the door behind me. I sigh with relief and drop my bag on the chair as I lay down in bed, my hands over my face. Today was sort of messed up. But she didn't touch my hand. I now look at my palms still surprised at the turn of events. She isn't the type of person I thought she would be. I shake my head, frustrated. No Huzaifa. Forget about it. You need to stop looking at people like that. She's a girl your a boy, we have to keep our distance and forget about it. I get up off the bed and start pulling off my jumper, laying it down on the bed. I hate her. That's the end of it. I don't need to like her or be nice either I think as I unbutton my shirt. There's already been enough damage. I need to stop involving myself. I look at my phone now as it silently sits on the desk, it's screen completely blank. I sigh. One more text and I'm blocking her...

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(Anabia's pov)

I lay on my bed my arm covering my eyes. What is happening all of a sudden? What is up with all these sudden approaches? He hates me doesn't he? So why? Why? I groan and scramble off my bed my palms glistening with sweat. I seriously need to fix myself. This is getting ridiculous. I exhale and look back at my reflection, my cheeks glowing a tingy pink.  Your a Muslim. Your job is to worship Allah. Everything you've been taught  must be implied in your life. You pray five times a day, read Quran and do dhikr so now fix this. The lesson I was to learn years a go now came back to me. From now on I need to lower my gaze.

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Moon's note: Ciao everyone, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Thankfully I got enough time to type out my usual capacity so this chapter was a bit better. My chapters for a few weeks may be a bit crammy because I'm still working out the storyline, but inshallah I hope they get better. Thank you to everyone who has been reading this story and supporting it! :) I hope to see more readers in the future. Also share this story with your friends and Comment and vote! See you all in the next chapter! :) Ci vediamo amiche!