HAANI

HAANI By: Miss Khan Episode 1 – The First Clash Genre: Islamic Fiction / University / Hate to Love The first thing Hania Malik learned about her new university was that not everyone would welcome her. It happened on a cold morning in London. The university library was unusually quiet. Students sat between tall bookshelves, working on assignments and preparing for their lectures. Hania had chosen a seat near the window, hoping to finish her research before the afternoon classes. She was a new student, far from home, and still unfamiliar with the busy campus. Wearing a modest Pakistani shalwar kameez and a neatly arranged hijab, she placed her books and laptop on the table. Her project file was open on the screen. "Just a little more work," she whispered to herself. Her topic was The Relationship Between Religion and Society. She had always believed that education should help people understand one another, not create more divisions between them. A few minutes later, the library doors opened. A group of six friends walked in, talking and laughing. They were familiar faces on campus: Sophie, Emma, Jack, Leo, Chris, and Eric Johnson. Eric was the most noticeable among them. He came from a wealthy family, dressed expensively, and carried himself with an air of confidence that often crossed the line into arrogance. His father, Michael Johnson, was a successful businessman. Eric had grown up surrounded by privilege, and he rarely questioned his own opinions. He also held strong prejudices against Muslims. His friends knew it, although not all of them agreed with him. The group settled at their usual table. Eric opened his book, but his attention soon shifted towards the unfamiliar girl sitting near the window. Jack followed his gaze. "Someone new?" "Looks like it," Sophie replied. Eric said nothing. A little later, Hania got up to find a reference book. She was searching through the shelves when Eric's voice interrupted her. "Do you come here to study, or to make a statement?" Hania turned around, unsure whether he was speaking to her. "Are you talking to me?" Eric glanced at her hijab. "Who else? Is all that really necessary at a university?" For a moment, Hania simply looked at him. She had expected questions from people who were unfamiliar with her beliefs, but she had not expected such open rudeness. Still, she kept her voice calm. "It's necessary for me." Eric gave a short, mocking laugh. "You people make everything complicated." Hania held the book she had just picked up. "I don't think my clothing makes anyone else's life complicated." Jack, listening from the nearby table, raised his eyebrows. Eric folded his arms. "So, what are you studying?" "My research project." "On what?" "The relationship between religion and society." His expression changed. "Religion? Are you planning to teach people about our beliefs now?" "No," Hania replied. "I'm studying how different beliefs influence society. Research isn't the same as disrespect." Eric looked unimpressed. "I have no interest in your research." "You don't have to be interested. It's my assignment." For a moment, Eric had no immediate response. Hania turned to return to her seat, but he spoke again. "At least you understand that religion shouldn't be brought into every conversation." She stopped and looked back at him. "I didn't bring it into this conversation. You asked me about my project." The words were simple, but they left Eric momentarily silent. Sophie lowered her eyes, hiding a slight smile. Emma exchanged a glance with Jack. Hania returned to her table without saying anything more. Jack leaned towards Eric. "That was unnecessary." Eric picked up his book. "I was just asking a question." Leo looked at him seriously. "There's a difference between asking a question and insulting someone." Eric gave him an annoyed look. "Don't start, Leo." Jack chuckled. "Looks like you've made a memorable first impression." "Can you all stop talking?" Eric muttered. The group returned to their books, but the conversation had left an uncomfortable silence behind. Hania tried to focus on her assignment. She wrote notes, checked references, and highlighted important passages. Yet a small part of her mind kept returning to the strange encounter. She had done nothing to invite his hostility. Perhaps he has never had the chance to understand people who are different from him, she thought. Then she took a quiet breath and reminded herself that she had come to London for a purpose. She would not let one unpleasant conversation distract her from it. A few hours passed. As the library closing time approached, Hania saved her work, arranged her books, and placed her laptop inside her bag. Across the room, Eric noticed her getting ready to leave. This time, he did not say anything. Chris glanced at him. "You're unusually quiet." Eric turned a page. "What's that supposed to mean?" "Nothing. You just seemed very interested in our new student earlier." "I wasn't." Emma smiled. "Nobody said you were." Sophie closed her notebook. "Whatever the reason, just leave her alone. She hasn't done anything to you." Eric shrugged. "I have no interest in her." But his friends were no longer convinced. Hania walked out of the library and crossed the university courtyard. The cold air touched her face as she adjusted her bag on her shoulder. She looked towards the university building and quietly prayed: "O Allah, make this journey easy for me. Help me succeed in the purpose for which I came here, and grant me patience whenever I face difficulties." She had travelled a long way to pursue her education. She knew there would be challenges, but she trusted that patience and determination would help her move forward. Inside the library, Eric was still sitting with his friends. He opened his book again, but his attention kept drifting towards the door through which Hania had left. He could not understand why a simple conversation had stayed in his mind. He had met many students from different backgrounds, yet he had never bothered to understand their perspectives. He was comfortable with his assumptions, and he had never felt the need to question them. But Hania's calm response had challenged him in a way he had not expected. He pushed the thought aside. "Let's go," he said, closing his book. His friends gathered their belongings. Neither Eric nor Hania knew that this first uncomfortable meeting was only the beginning. Their paths would cross again, and soon they would have to face something far more difficult than a disagreement in a library. For Hania, the university was a new beginning. For Eric, it was the beginning of questions he had never wanted to ask. And between them stood a wall of prejudice, misunderstanding, and unanswered questions.