The First Day I Noticed Him
The first day of resumption was always loud.
Not just with noise—but with energy. The kind that buzzed through the air like something new was about to begin, even if nothing ever really changed.
Laughter echoed across the campus lawn, students dragged suitcases across the rough pavement, and groups reunited like they hadn’t just seen each other a few weeks ago. It was chaotic, familiar… and somehow comforting.
I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder and stepped through the school gate, trying not to look as overwhelmed as I felt.
“New session, same stress,” I muttered under my breath.
“Speak for yourself,” my best friend, Zainab, said, appearing beside me like she always did—out of nowhere and full of energy. “This semester? I’m starting fresh. New mindset, new glow, new—”
“—new lies,” I cut in, smiling.
She gasped dramatically. “You’re such a bad influence.”
“And yet, you can’t stay away from me.”
We laughed, falling into step together as we made our way toward the faculty building. Around us, everything felt alive—freshers looking lost, final-year students walking like they owned the place, and couples already holding hands like lectures didn’t exist.
Typical campus life.
“Okay but seriously,” Zainab nudged me. “Are you finally going to stop pretending you don’t like anybody this semester?”
“I don’t pretend,” I said. “I just… don’t like anybody.”
“Mhm. Sure.”
“I’m serious,” I insisted. “Love is stressful. I’m here to graduate, not cry over somebody’s son.”
Zainab burst out laughing. “Let’s see how long that lasts.”
I rolled my eyes, but deep down, I knew she didn’t believe me.
And maybe… a small part of me didn’t believe myself either.
—
The lecture hall was already half full when we got there.
I hated sitting in front, so we headed for the middle—close enough to hear, far enough to not be noticed. Zainab was busy greeting people, but I just slipped into my seat quietly, pulling out my notebook.
That was when I saw him.
At first, it wasn’t even intentional. My eyes just wandered—like they always did when I was bored—and somehow landed on the row by the window.
He was sitting there, slightly leaned back, one arm resting on the desk, the sunlight hitting just the side of his face.
Calm. Unbothered. Like the noise around him didn’t exist.
I frowned slightly.
I had never seen him before.
Which was strange… because I knew almost every face in our department, even if it was just by sight.
“Who is that?” I whispered without thinking.
Zainab followed my gaze. “Who?”
“The guy… by the window.”
She squinted for a second, then her eyes widened just a little.
“Oh,” she said.
That oh caught my attention immediately.
“What?” I asked, turning to her.
But she hesitated.
Zainab never hesitated.
“What?” I repeated.
“That’s…” she lowered her voice, “…that’s Amir.”
“Amir who?”
She looked at me like I should already know.
“Amir Bello.”
I shook my head. “Never heard of him.”
“That’s because he just transferred here last semester,” she said. “But trust me—you don’t want anything that has to do with him.”
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
“I’m serious,” she continued. “He’s trouble. Not the cute, funny kind. The real kind.”
I glanced back at him again.
He hadn’t moved much. Just there, quiet, distant… like he didn’t care who was watching.
“He doesn’t look like trouble,” I said.
Zainab scoffed. “That’s exactly how it starts.”
I turned back to her. “Starts with what?”
“With you saying things like that.”
I laughed softly. “Relax. I’m just asking.”
“Good,” she said quickly. “Because whatever you’re thinking—don’t.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Who said I’m thinking anything?”
Zainab didn’t answer.
She just gave me that look.
The one that said I know you too well.
—
The lecturer walked in a few minutes later, and the room slowly quieted down. Pens came out, notebooks opened, and the usual “good morning sir” echoed half-heartedly.
I tried to focus.
I really did.
But somehow, my mind kept drifting.
Back to him.
Back to the way he sat there like he didn’t belong to the same world as everyone else.
Back to the warning in Zainab’s voice.
You don’t want anything that has to do with him.
I should have listened.
I really should have.
Because I didn’t know it yet…
But that was the exact moment everything started to change.
And the exact moment I began to want a love I shouldn’t
