Chapter 3: His Heart, My Faith
Episode 3: A New Beginning
After Fajr, I walked back to my room. It was still dark and quiet—both Hana and Ruhi were asleep. I slowly closed the door behind me, trying not to make noise. The only light in the room was the faint glow from the streetlights outside, peeking through the curtains.
I sat on my bed, letting out a deep sigh. The reality of being in a new country, a new place, with new people was slowly sinking in. The room felt strange yet safe, like an unfamiliar place that was slowly becoming mine.
As I lay back on my pillow, a thought suddenly crossed my mind—how different my mornings were in Pakistan.
Back home, my mother would wake me up for Fajr. If I was still sleepy and tried to delay, she would remind me with her soft but firm voice,
"Uth jao, Fajr ka waqt khatam hone wala hai." (Wake up, the time for Fajr is ending.)
Thinking about it, I smiled with teary eyes. How simple yet beautiful those moments were—the warmth of a mother's care, something I never truly appreciated until now.
But now, I had to wake up on my own, manage everything alone. Life was changing, and I had to be strong.
A Verse That Touched My Heart
I wasn't feeling sleepy yet, so I picked up my mobile and opened my Quran app. I started with my last lesson, and as I began reciting, I felt a miracle—today's verses were about couples!
My heart smiled, my eyes softened, and I couldn't help but feel that Allah was speaking directly to me.
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
"And among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find tranquility in them. And He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who reflect." (Surah Ar-Rum 30:21)
Tears welled up in my eyes. Listen, Zoya, now you are here, where you always wanted to be. First, you need to fix things you have today so that you can manage things tomorrow. These thoughts circled in my mind as I wiped my tears.
The reality was, I was alone here—far from my homeland. But I had no family or financial burden to worry about because everyone was settled in Pakistan. I left my country, my people, my comfort zone. Now, I have to learn to adjust here. Life has brought me to this point, and I must make the best of it.
My Mother & Father
My mother was happy with my siblings. She was settled in Pakistan, surrounded by love and warmth. But once I settled, I had already decided—I would apply for her visa. Everything takes time, but one day, she would be here with me, InshaAllah.
As for my father, he could never come. He was happy where he was—in the next world. My heart ached as I thought of him, but I found comfort in praying for him. I opened my bag and took out a handkerchief—his handkerchief. Holding it close, I kissed it softly and inhaled its scent. It still carried his fragrance, his essence. I always carried it with me—it was my way of keeping him close. My eyes teared up, but I whispered a prayer for him, May Allah grant him Jannah.
A New Day Begins
After my emotional moment, I went back to bed for a little nap. We woke up around 11 AM—all three of us. It was my first day here. Yesterday, I arrived at night, but today, everything felt real.
Hana and Ruhi had taken the day off to help me adjust. They wanted to show me around the campus and help me settle in. I also needed to talk about a job—not immediately, but for later. However, they informed me that outsiders can't work without permission. Still, I knew I had to figure something out for my future expenses.
First things first, we went to the mess for breakfast. The food was completely different from Pakistan—but this was my new life, and I had to learn to adjust to this country's ways.
Exploring the Campus & Market
After breakfast, we decided to explore the campus. Everything felt fresh, exciting, and a little overwhelming. But with Hana and Ruhi by my side, I felt a little more comfortable.
Later, we went to the nearest market. The first thing I bought was a tea electric pot, sugar, tea packs, and powdered milk. Tea was my lifeline. I could compromise on food, but never on tea! And Pakistani tea? Wao! It was my comfort drink, something that made me feel at home even in a foreign land.
Ruhi and Hana laughed at my excitement over tea, but they understood—everyone had their little comforts.
Lunch at a Restaurant
For lunch, we went to a restaurant. The meal was simple: white rice, steamed fish, some salad, and pickles. As soon as I saw the plate, my face fell. I didn't even realize how obvious my disappointment was until Ruhi and Hana burst into laughter.
Ruhi smirked, "You're already tired after one day? You have a long time to spend with this food!"
I sighed dramatically, "Ruhi, if I eat this regularly, I'll go into depression!" I switched to Hindi, whispering, "Agar ye roz khaana pada, toh mein pagal ho jaungi!"
She laughed and shrugged. "No option."
But I refused to accept that. "We need to find a solution. But for today, this is enough. We'll think about it later."
Adjusting to Prayer Times
One small challenge I faced was prayer timing. The salah schedule here was different, and I had to adjust. I quickly set up an app on my phone that would notify me when each prayer time started. Now, whenever it was time for salah, my phone would ring as a reminder.
Tonight, I faced my first real problem—Isha prayer. The timing was so late that I could pray only when I was free.
As Hana and Ruhi went out, I stayed back. I performed wudu, laid out my prayer mat, and offered Isha salah. Afterward, I sat in deep prayer.
I made dua for my father and mother, for my siblings, and for my love—the one my heart longed for. I never forgot to pray for him. My duas always included,
"Ya Allah, guide him to the right path. Make him understand the beauty of faith. And if he is written in my fate, bring him closer to me in a way that pleases You."
I sat there, whispering azkar, feeling peace in my heart.
This was just the beginning. A new journey, a new life, and new challenges awaited me. But deep down, I knew…
I was ready for this.