It was already 11 am, John Alex and Zaim were sitting in the library working on their assignment. Alex noticed Zaim with his head hung low then he asked him.
"Zaim, bro where have been you lost huh? You seem off today , has something happened between you and your Dad."
Zaim shook his head, not wanting them to know about his family matters because he hadn't wanted them to worry..
Right then John said, "Oh, here they are." Alex and Zaim turned their heads in the direction of John's gaze. Zaim shifted his gaze towards John and Alex in confusion, then he heard Alex saying, "Let's go, boys. Get settled yourselves and hit the project."
Meanwhile Helena and Mia came near to them and settled into their seats while Helena kept looking at Zaim because she didn't know about Zaim as she was seeing him for the first time as the group member.
Suddenly she remembered and spoke in her heart with a pissed look.
"Yess, This is the cigarette guy from the other day, huh pathetic, I hate smokers."
Meanwhile Zaim looked up at Helena and observed the situation then he felt his heart skipped a beat after seeing Helena, he didn't understand that what was going on here, he found himself lost in Helena's hazel green orbs. Helena noticed his gaze then she said with a pissed look.
"Haven't you seen a girl before? Or I can say you have seen a ghost huh?
Zaim's thoughts were interrupted. He settled himself, looking at his notebook. After a moment, he glanced back at Helena with his innocent eyes and said while holding back his emotions,
"Ahh, no. Well why don't you sit?"
He continued to look into her hazel green orbs. Helena confused by his stare, then she pulled out a chair while moving her eyes elsewhere and settled into it. Zaim hadn't yet understood the situation, as he was unaware of what had happened and hadn't asked. He felt a mix of happiness and confusion at the same time.
Helena asked everyone while opening her laptop and notebook,
"So, are you all ready for the topics I told you?" She paused, waiting for their response. Then she again said,
"Alright guys, as we have covered the outline basic ideas, I think now we go into the details of those topics step by step. What do you all say, hmm?"
Everyone nodded their heads reassuringly. She began to deliver her ideas by describing them with her hands, using actions on the notebook.
"I think we should begin with the financial analysis."
Meanwhile, Zaim kept staring at Helena, listening carefully. Right then, Helena's gaze fell on Alex, who was also looking at her. She felt her heart racing so fast at his gaze then she paused for a while.
She confused by his stare then she settled herself, cleared her throat, and continued speaking.
While shifting her gaze to the others in the room.
"I can start working on the SWOT analysis. I'll identify the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, which will help us better understand their competitive position."
Everyone agreed with her statement then Alex looked at his laptop and suggested his ideas with a thoughtful expression,
"I think we also make sure to gather information on the company's market share and customer demographics to inform our analysis."
Zaim who had been listening carefully to Helena , spoke up confidently,
"In my opinion we should also consider the company's risk management strategies and how they mitigate financial risks."
Helena glanced up at him with impressed eyes, thinking about what an authentic and great point he had made. Then she said while pointing at him,
"That's a great point, Understanding their approach to risk management could give us valuable insights into their overall financial stability."
Zaim glared at her with innocent eyes then he lowered his head and muttered to himself in his heart ,
"What a girl with brain and beauty, how she did understand my point in a second.'
He felt himself lost again and didn't realize when a smile appeared.
Just then Alex responded in agreement.
"Yes, you are right."
Zaim's thoughts were interrupted then he again looked at Helena who was looking at Alex. They continued with their project untill 3 pm. Afterwards they all headed towards their home.
°°°°°°°°°
~Helena's POV~
It was dinner time, and everyone gathered around the dining table. Faris informed Mama while pouring water into the glasses,
"Mama, Zohan will come next Sunday."
Mama nodded her head and replied while placing a tray on the table,
"Okay, my child, I'll prepare all the meals for him and his family."
Faris hummed in response, and we all continued with our food. After dinner, we all went to our respective rooms.
I went to the bathroom and performed my ablutions for Isha Salah. I spread my prayer mat on the floor and began my Salah, saying AllahuAkhbar.
As i finished my Salah, I remained seated on the prayer mat, raising both palms in the air to make Dua.
I asked;
ALHAMDULILLAHI RABBIL ALAMIN; ("Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe.") I'm grateful for everything my dear Lord that You have given me everything I asked for, I can't thank enough my Rabbi , please forgive me if I have ever done anything wrong , if I haven't followed the path that You have chosen for me, forgive me if i unintentionally do something wrong. You, my lord, You nearer to us than our jugular vein, You know everything about us more than our thoughts.
I don't know when and why I fell for him I'm sorry Allah but I love him to the core of my heart, I couldn't resist loving him, seeing him, admiring him. If he is good for me then make him mine if he's not then make him good and make him mine. please ya Rabbi I won't ask anything else ever again I know You are the greatest and You have the command to fulfill everything, just say 'KUN' ya Illahi as You always heard my wishes and desires. You are my only hope, iIlahi....."
I continued my Dua while crying silently, ensuring Fatima couldn't hear my whimpers. After that, i wiped my tears and stood up from my prayer mat, folding it and placing it back in its rightful place.
Then i went to my bed and fell asleep.
It was the next morning when my siblings and I reached the university. I attended my lectures. At lunchtime, Mia and I were sitting in the cafeteria where Alex, John, and Zaim were also there. When they saw me and Mia, they approached our table and settled on the chairs. I kept looking at Alex, then I asked about the assignment.
Right then, Min-hoo came to our table and informed us while looking at us, "Guys, I heard from the management that the welcome party will be held next Saturday."
Alex turned his body towards him and asked, "What's the dress code and tell me more information."
"Alex, I don't know much. I just heard that they will announce everything today. Since this party is for first-semester students, there might be a special dress code, but further details will be announced later," Min-hoo replied to Alex's question.
Alex hummed in response, and others nodded along. However, I didn't seem too excited because i wasn't in the mood for this party. I had no interest in these types of gatherings and always avoided them.
After that I excused myself and went from there to perform my Duhr Salah .
°°°°°°°°°°°
Everyone gathered at the auditorium, with some students were rehearsing dances, others preparing speeches, and some practicing dance steps or engaging in other activities. Meanwhile, I sat on the floor with Mia while observing everyone.
Suddenly, one of their classmates approached us and asked, "Hey girls, why don't you participate in any activities?"
Mia glanced at me, while making a scoffing face then she replied to Min-ji sarcastically.
"We are just not interested in these that's why."
She made an "ohh" face, then she asked Mia and I again,
"Well have you guys found your dance partner yet ? She added, "Actually I was about to ask Alex as my dance partner but you know every girl is sticked around Alex, John and zaim so I'm nervous what if Alex will deny me."
She furrowed her eyebrows and wore a worried expression while placing both palms on her mouth.
Right then I moved my gaze towards Min-ji with a shocked and stern look while raising my eyebrows, i felt as someone was trying to take Alex away from me, Mia replied while laughing at Min-ji's statement.
"Yaah Min-ji have patience , gather some courage and ask him directly if you want him to be your dance partner."
Min-ji nodded in agreement,
"Yes, you're right. Or someone will ask him before me, and I can't stand seeing him dance with another girl."
Then she left from there. Meanwhile, Mia laughed at Min-ji's reaction, but I remained silent, lost in my thoughts while recalling Min-ji's words.
After that John Alex and Zaim reached at my spot. I noticed their arrival , I became angry then stood up from the floor while saying in frustration.
"I have to go somewhere don't wait for me."
I passed by Alex. Alex and Zaim turned their heads while watching my retreating figure in confusion. Alex then turned to Mia and asked, "Where did she go?" Meanwhile, Zaim continued to stare at my going figure.
Mia shrugged her shoulders and replied, "I don't know, maybe she has some work to do."
Alex hummed in response.
It was a Friday, and we were all at the university garden, with everyone busy with their activities. Alex asked us, "Have you found your dance partner?" He looked at me and added, "You tell Helena, who will be the luckiest man at tomorrow's prom night." He smirked a little.
I felt my heart skip a beat. I looked up at Alex, clearing my throat, then I replied while glaring at him, "I'm not going to come tomorrow. I'm not even interested in these types of stuff."
Everyone stared at me in shock, while Zaim glared at me with narrowed eyes. Then John quickly asked, "Why?"
Right then mia asked while looking at me with furrowed eyebrows.
Babe why? Why won't you come huh? Don't do this please you know na you are my only friend and I'll be alone without you, please come Helena , this is our first party together and I want to make it memorable."
Zaim kept glancing at me , getting curious about my answer.
I kept looking down at my lap, rubbing my palm with my another thumb. Then I looked up at Mia while saying,
"Mia try to understand, I can't stay out late, I've to be perform my Isha Salah and I can't miss it you know very well, also I'm not into these kinds of stuff and all."
Mia lowered her head in disappointment then Alex spoke up,
"Helena this is your first function in the university you will be regret it if you don't attend."
John kept looking at Alex and thought,
"Man, what are you saying? Why are you scaring her? You don't know anything."
Then, john rolled his eyes towards me and said me in an understanding tone,
"Alright, Helena, there's no need to worry if you don't want to come. Just think about it. You're a merit student, and your presence is important for all the teachers. Every merit student will be praised and awarded by the heads and principals."
Zaim continued looking at me, hopping to get a 'Yes' from me. He pressed his lower lip worryingly. I smiled a little but remained silent while looking at my lap. Zaim got disappointed, he realized that he would not feel better if i wasn't there.
Then he said to himself in his heart while lowering his head in disbelief.
"How can I see her then? Will I have to wait until Monday to see her, agghh this will be too much distance, What I do man, how do i convince her to come to the party, how? Think Zaim think something, I have to do something to make her come.
He scratched the back of his neck in annoyance.
Then he continued,
"Okay now I'm also not going if Helena will not, what will I do without her there, it had better to be alone at my room than go there."
After that Zaim stood up from his place then Alex asked him with furrowed eyebrows,
"Where are you going man, we need to discuss the party,"
Zaim replied with in disappointed look,
"It's a no from me."
Right then John asked in confusion,
"What do you mean huh.?"
Zaim replied with the same tone,
"I'm not in the mood to come tomorrow, don't wait for me and go without me."
He then left, and John and Alex kept looking at his retreating figure in confusion. However, they didn't stop him; instead, they decided that they would go to his house and ask him there.
There was a moment of silence. They all understood my silence, so no one asked me any further questions.
Right then Mia turned towards me and held both of my palms, then she started insisting me,
"Yahh Helena please come na , if you won't come I won't come and you know well how stubborn I'm, you also know how desperate I'm to go since this will be our first party together, yahh girl please say yes na, you always say that I'm your only and dearest friend and you will do whatever and whenever i ask , if you won't come I'll not talk to you ever, mark my words Helena."
She then made a sad pout and kept looking at me with her innocent pleading eyes.
I laughed but suppressed my laughter seeing Mia pleading so hard to convince me, i made a dramatic face, caressing her check with my one palm then i said in a baby voice,
"Oh my baby girl you are so dramatic huhh, ok ok I'll come just for you, ok ..? Now happy don't give me that look you look like a joker Mia."
I couldn't suppress my laughter and burst out laughing. Mia slapped my arm and hugged me while smiling.
John and Alex kept looking at both of us. John smiled a little, and Alex scoffed, telling them,
"Okay, guys, since you all are coming, let's meet tomorrow. See you then."
He then turned his head towards John, grabbed his shoulder, and said,
"Let's go, John. We have to go shopping, man."
Then they both left from there.
_______________________________________
A/N
"Just being near you makes my day brighter."
Love from Ann🤌♥️