Part 12: Best friends forever

"My apologies your highness."

Helena shot him a stern gaze then she asked,

"What are you doing here, do you live nearby?"

Zaim felt his heart racing fast then he replied,

"Uhh n.... Oh yeah nearby. I was just passing by and saw you."

She made an ohh face then made her way to go just then Zaim stopped her and asked,

"Are you going alone? I can drop you."

"No need i can go on my own."

She replied firmly.

"Ah I can drop you as I live nearby."

Zaim insisted,

"Zaim I can't let anyone gossip about my character that I'm going with a boy at this hour."

Helena replied firmly, and declined his offer.

However Zaim lied to her to ensure her safety. He didn't insist further also he didn't want to let her go alone at this hour. He followed her from a distance until she reached home, but suddenly he saw two tough-looking guys were approaching Helena.

Zaim was about to intervene but stopped himself.

As Helena had already gone through a similar situation before so she was mentally prepared.

The boys started harassing her but she responded a loud determined voice and shot them a death glare, ,

"Done you dare to move a step closer or else see your death angels right here."

Zaim chuckled at her boldness and watched in awe as Helena defended herself with perfect and skilled moves. His jaw dropped with a shocked look on his face as he had never seen her this side ever,

Before he could approach them, the thugs grabbed their mouths and stomachs in pain and retreated.

Helena headed home and Zaim was still impressed by her moves and following from a distance until she reached home safely.

When he saw Helena enter her home, Zaim sighed in relief before heading home himself.

It was Sunday when everyone finished their lectures they were sitting in the cafeteria, suddenly Helena saw a post on her phone about Palestinians, she decided to help them, she stood up from her chair and went to the middle of the cafeteria and said with a loud and determine voice,

"Guys, assalamualaikum, may I have your attention please?"

Everyone looked at him in confusion then one of the students asked,

"Yeah sure Helena, what do you wanna say, go ahead?"

She smiled , bowing a little then she said,

"Guyz I've been thinking a lot lately about our Palestinian brothers and sisters, as you know that what are they going through. It breaks my heart to know that they are suffering from what Israelis do to them since six months I just want to help them, I know we can't stop Israelis for doing these except pray for Palestinians."

Everyone was listening her carefully and attentively then she continued,

"Imagine for a moment being a child in Gaza, hearing bombs explode outside your window, there are kids just like our kids who can't go to school or play outside because of the fighting and the things happening in their country.

Imagine living with the constant fear of losing your home, your family, your future. This is the reality for many Palestinian children and families right now.

We can't ignore their sufferings. We can't turn a blind eye to the injustice they face every day. Think that how they spent the whole Ramadan and kept fast without getting scared when they hadn't have much food to break their fast , I know many of you are not Muslim but just think about that as a human.

No matter from which religion you belongs to you have a faith on your God. Just like them, they have a strong faith on their God. They are protecting Al-Aqsa , they are stronger than us that they are dying rather to give them our precious mosque to the Zionists.

Israelis are worst than human, who let them suffer like hell, but my friends Palestinians are a real heroes who fights every day and never give up but deep down they are helpless but they have Allah and I'm impressed that their emaan is stronger than ours, they never let down their emaan for the sake of death.

Despite all the challenges they face, they still find the strength to pray. Just think as a human being it's really hard to even think about that. We are lucky that we have enough food to eat we have enough clothes to wear we have everything that we desire and get easily, we can go anywhere safely without any fear, I want for them too.

We should learn a lot from them. Their resilience, their strong faith it's truly inspiring for me and for you all. And it makes me want to do whatever I can to help them. A Little, a more. As much as we can afford.

As students and as human beings, we have a responsibility to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Let's show them that they are not alone, that we are stand with them in solidarity, and that we will continue to fight for a better.

I just want to help them to the best.

We can't just sit back and ignore their pain. We have to help."

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement and whispered to each other that Helena was right they needed to do something for Palestinians.

Just then Mia raised her hand and asked with determined look on her face,

"How can we help them Helena? We are ready to do whatever it takes."

Helena smiled as the brightening evident on her face, she replied with twinkling eyes.

"We can donate to organizations that provide food, shelter, and medical aid to those in need, we can send them some amount and also donate to organizations that are helping families over there.

Even if it's just by spreading the word or donating a little bit, every little thing counts. We can make a difference. We'll do whatever it takes to help them rebuild their lives."

Just then Zaim stood up from his seat and approached Helena then he said,

"I know some trustworthy organizations I'll talk to them and provide whatever we collect. how do you want to help them. Just write your name, do your sign, and provide contact details on the paper, then send it to me."

Helena felt happy hearing Zaim's offer. She looked at him, and he turned his head towards her, his eyes were sparkling. He smiled and reassured her with a blink. Helena smiled back at his gesture. After that, everyone wrote their details on the paper and gave it to Zaim.

                       °°°°°°

After a week Zaim, John and Alex gathered at Zaim's house. John informed them,

"I've prepared everything for my birthday, should I ask Helena and Mia to come over tomorrow?"

Before Zaim could respond, Alex remarked,

"Yeahh bro why not? they are our friends you should invite them."

John agreed and replied while putting peanuts in his mouth,

"Ok done then."

However, nervousness was evident on his face as he added,

"Guyz I'm gonna propose to Emma tomorrow, I'm gonna give her a surprise."

Zaim then grabbed his neck and shook him a little while saying with a smile on his face.

"Ahann our baby boy has grown up huh?

I wish you the best buddy."

The next day, John and his friend gathered at John's mansion to celebrate his birthday.

As the party started, John made an attention to everyone while raising his wine glass ,

"Uh, good evening, everyone. Thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate with me. I want to express something special to someone special."  fixing his eyes on Emma he continued,

"There is a girl whom I love the most, a girl who has made every moment brighter, every day better, Stepping forward towards Emma." he indicated with his finger and said,

"That person... That incredible, and amazing person... I can't imagine my life without her.

Will you be my girlfriend Emma Smith?"

Everyone cheered and hooted as Emma said yes, and they both cut the cake together, receiving well-wishes from everyone.

Later Alex and Zaim came near John with Zaim grabbing his neck and saying,

"Our baby boy has given surprised the love of his life now its time for him to get a surprise from his best friends, what do you say Alex? Should we reveal it or not?"

John surprised after listening Zaim's words then he turned his body completely towards them and warned,

"What do you mean by this huh? Don't you dare to do anything cringe I'm warning you both."

He made a sad pout and added,

"Yahh bros don't put eggs on me huh, I'm warning you."

Everyone laughed at his statement then Alex and Zaim led him to the backyard, John's eyes widened in shock as he saw a BMW iX M60 with a big red ribbon tied to it.

Alex asked,

"How is it ?"

"This is too much guys."

Overwhelmed with emotion, he hugged his friends tightly.

As dinner began Helena stood with Mia but didn't eat anything and Zaim kept admiring her as he always did then, he noticed Helena wasn't eating anything and approached her, clearing his throat.

"Ro.... Umm Helena why aren't you eating anything?"

Helena looked at him and said,

"You are pretending like you don't know."

"What?"

Zaim replied while joining his eyebrows,

"Everything is Haram here I can't eat."

Helena explained,

"Ohh you are right , wait for a while, I'm just coming back."

Zaim replied and left the house without letting anyone know and bought some halal packet food. Upon returning home he placed the food on a plate and moved forward it to Helena, saying,

"It's all halal now you can eat."

Helena looked at him in wonder and replied hesitantly,

"It's ok I will eat after going home."

Zaim replied while grabbing her hem of the sleeve and placing them on her palm then he said,

"As I'm letting you do this, Com'on eat up."

"You want everyone make fun of me that Mohammad Za'im bought food for me even though there's food at the party."

Zaim's heart raced as he heard his full name from Helena. With a smile on his face, he reassured her.

"No one would dare to say something like that, Rose." However, Helena shot him a death glare at being called "Rose." Chuckling awkwardly, Zaim corrected himself,

"Ahh I'm sorry it's a slip of the tongue you know."

He then murmurred in his heart while smiling at her,

"A pretty beautiful slip of the tongue."

Olivia observed the entire scene, noticing how Zaim became unusually kind around Helena.

After the party everyone headed their home.

_______________________________________

PS. "Please don't forget to talk about the Palestinians. Pray for them, that Allah may have mercy on them. My heart aches when I see those little children suffering; they don't deserve it, yet they are bearing it and fighting against those beasts. May Allah deliver them from this war.

The plight of the Palestinians is not just a distant tragedy; it is a wound that affects all of humanity. We witness innocent lives caught in the crossfire, children who should be playing and learning but are instead facing unimaginable suffering and fear.           

We must raise our voices in prayer and solidarity. Let us pray to Allah, the Most Merciful, to have compassion on the Palestinian people. O my beloved Allah, ease their suffering, protect their lives, and bring peace to their land and restore their homeland. Grant them strength and resilience in the face of oppression, and shield them from harm."

Love from Ann 🤌♥️

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