Eyes met,World Paused

Months went by, and we kept on teasing Fari and Mustafa. It was still our favorite thing to do. Everything they did, every small look or quick touch, just made us think more that they should be together. For Mustafa, though, something big had changed. He used to get annoyed by the teasing, but now he started to look for Fari. He noticed how her hair looked in the sun, and her happy laugh always made him smile, even if he didn't show it. He was starting to like Fari, a lot.

One quiet afternoon, Fari was sitting with Hani outside, talking about class. Mustafa happened to be nearby, sitting in ground with Sajjad. He was just looking around, acting like he was bored. But really, he was watching Fari. He saw her hands move when she talked and the way her nose crinkled when she laughed. It was a soft, secret moment for him.

Then, Fari looked up. Her eyes met Mustafa's. For a long moment, they both froze. The sounds of school faded away. Their eye contact was strong and deep; they seemed lost in each other's eyes. It wasn't just surprise this time; it felt like a real connection. That was our chance! From behind a bush, Daina, Adeline, Zoya, and jasmine burst out with big "Awws!" and whispers like "Look at them!" Sajjad, who always loved to join in, whistled loudly. The moment broke. Fari quickly looked away, her face turning red. Mustafa, caught off guard, scowled at us, trying to act tough, but his ears were bright red.

Later that day, in lunch break, Fari told Hani she forgot her water bottle in the classroom. She said she had to go back and get it. But it was a lie. Her bottle was already in with her friend. The truth was, she wanted to see Mustafa again. That look they shared earlier had her mind buzzing. She felt embarrassed but also something else she couldn't explain. She walked quickly, her heart beating fast, hoping and fearing she'd find him.

And he was there. Mustafa was just putting things into his bag, alone in the empty classroom. When he saw Fari walking in corridor, his face showed a soft surprise. The air between them felt thick with that moment of eye contact from before, and all the unspoken feelings from the teasing.