Puber-Dawn

| An Unconventional Ramadan Story |

Fasting is hard, but Puberty is harder.

* * *

For best friends Bilal, Omar and Yusuf, this Ramadan was supposed to be just like every other-waking up for Suhoor half-asleep, dragging themselves through the day, and counting down the minutes till Iftar. But everything changes when they wake up on the first morning of Ramadan... different.

Bilal is hit with an unfortunate surprise as he's woken up for Suhoor, leaving him panicked about whether he can even start his fast. Yusuf who had a barren chin before wakes up with two strands of beards now thinks he is a man. Meanwhile, Omar's voice has dropped overnight, making him sound like one of his infamous uncle in Nigeria.

Between embarrassing Tarawih mishaps, dramatic hunger crises, and desperate Google searches about whether puberty voids fasting, the boys realize that growing up isn't just about physical changes-it's about responsibility, resilience, and figuring out who they're becoming.

This Ramadan, they're fasting for the first time as men... or at least, they're trying.

[[ Word count: 50,000 - 70,000]]