Chapter 4: His Heart, My Faith

Episode 4: A New Beginning

A Night of Prayer and Reflection

Tonight is one of those nights when my heart is heavy with thoughts. I don't wake up for Tahajjud regularly, but whenever my heart is full of emotions, something pulls me out of my sleep. Tonight is one of those times. I check the clock—3 AM. The world outside is silent, but inside me, a storm of emotions is raging.

I leave my bed, perform wudu, and stand for prayer. As I raise my hands, tears already blur my vision. My heart whispers the words my tongue cannot express. I pray for him. I don't know why, but from the very first moment I felt something for him, my prayers always included him. When I saw certain things in his lifestyle, my heart instantly turned to prayer. There were others around him, but my heart chose to pray for only him.

I place my forehead on the ground, and the words spill out from the depths of my soul:

اللهم اهدني واهدِهِ واجعلنا من عبادك الصالحين

Allahumah-dini wa ahdihi waj'alna min 'ibādikas-sāliheen.

(O Allah, guide me and guide him, and make us among Your righteous servants.)

Tears wet the prayer mat as I repeat the supplication, asking Allah to open his heart to the right path, to let him see the beauty of truth. I don't ask for him to change for me—I ask for him to change for himself, for the sake of his own soul.

After finishing my prayer, I return to bed, but sleep doesn't come easily. My mind drifts back to the past, to the moment when I first prayed for him. I didn't understand it then, and maybe I still don't fully understand it now, but something in my heart always whispered that he was different.

Morning & Dressing Up for University

I must have dozed off for a little while, but the soft tune of my alarm wakes me—it's time for Fajr. I offer my prayer, and after that, I don't go back to sleep. Today is my first day at university, and I want to start it well.

Since I have extra time, I decide to make myself some tea. Using a teapot is a bit tricky, but I manage. With a cup of warm tea and some biscuits, I step outside my room. The crisp morning air is colder than in Pakistan, making my teeth chatter, but the sound of birds chirping makes the moment peaceful.

After finishing my tea, I return to my room to get ready. I walk toward my wardrobe, opening it to pick an outfit. My fingers move over the different fabrics, each one carrying a memory.

What should I wear on my first day? I think for a moment before choosing a long frock that touches my ankles, paired with a sweater to stay warm. As I take out my scarf and carefully drape it over my head, a past memory surfaces.

"Ye ja to rahi hai, dekhna kapray chhorray ho jayenge, dupatta lena chhor de gi," someone had once said. (She's leaving now, let's see how long she keeps wearing her traditional clothes, let's see when she stops wearing a dupatta.)

Their words echo in my mind, but I smile to myself. My values are not so fragile that distance can erase them.

As I finish getting ready, Ruhi and Hana wake up. They look at me in surprise.

"You're ready this early?" Ruhi asks.

I smile. "It's my first day. I don't want to be late."

Hana laughs. "You're not late, you're too early!"

I shrug. "I woke up for Fajr, and after that, I couldn't go back to sleep, so I thought I might as well get ready."

Breakfast & University Arrival

Once all three of us are ready, we head to the mess hall for breakfast. But as soon as I see the breakfast menu, my excitement fades. No parathas, no traditional taste—just simple options that feel unfamiliar. I sigh, already missing my home-cooked breakfast.

After breakfast, we leave for campus. Ruhi and Hana look at me with concern.

"Are you nervous?" Hana asks.

I shake my head. "No, I'm fine."

"If you feel alone, just let us know. We'll come to your side," Ruhi offers.

I smile at their kindness. "No, dear, thank you. Yesterday, both of you skipped your classes just to help me settle in. Today, you should focus on your studies. I'll manage."

They nod, smiling. "Alright, good luck!" They wave before heading toward their business department. While they are studying Business, I am studying Education.

I take a deep breath and step toward my own campus.

First Day Experience

Before attending my first class, I go to the student services area to apply for my student card. Once that's done, I head to my class. Since I joined late, I'm not sure what to expect.

The first class is mostly spent with new students like me, introducing ourselves and getting familiar with the environment. Some students have been here for a month, some are seniors, and some are even younger than me. I observe everything carefully, taking in the new atmosphere.

A girl sits beside me. She looks friendly, so I smile and introduce myself.

"I'm Zoya. And you?"

She smiles back. "I'm Minji. I'm from Seoul."

We chat for a bit before the professor enters and starts the lecture. The day passes smoothly, moving from one class to another. By the end of my university hours, I feel satisfied. It was a normal day, but it felt like the beginning of something bigger.

Meeting Sofia & Study Discussion

After classes, I meet Sofia. She is also a new student, just like me, but she's from Morocco.

As we walk outside, she asks, "How was your first day?"

"It was good," I reply. "A little overwhelming, but interesting."

Sofia nods. "Same here. But tomorrow might be harder."

"Why?" I ask.

"Some classmates were discussing notes with us today. It seems like we have a lot to catch up on," she explains.

I sigh. "Since we both joined late, we'll have to work extra hard to cover the missing lessons."

"Exactly!" she agrees.

We decide to visit the cafeteria before heading back. The warm atmosphere and casual chatter make us feel a little more comfortable.

As we sit down with our drinks, I turn to her with curiosity.

"So, Sofia, why did you choose to study in Korea?" I ask, stirring my tea.

She smiles, taking a sip of her coffee. "Morocco is beautiful, but I wanted a new experience. Korean universities are more advanced in research and education. Plus, I've always been fascinated by the culture. What about you?"

I pause for a moment. "I wanted to explore new opportunities. And honestly, something in my heart always pulled me toward this place."

She nods, understanding the depth of my words. "Adjusting must be difficult, right?"

"A little," I admit. "Especially the food! I miss my traditional breakfasts."

Sofia chuckles. "Same here! But I guess we'll get used to it."

As we continue talking, I feel a sense of comfort. Though we come from different backgrounds, we both share the experience of being new in a foreign land. It makes me realize—this journey isn't just about studies, it's also about friendships, experiences, and discovering who we are in this new world.

And with that thought, I feel ready to embrace whatever comes next.