Love Bounded Us

Chapter One "Arghh! I'll be late for my flight. Khalid, help me pack and take my bags to the car!" "On it!" he shouted from the hallway. Ayeesha rushed around her room, folding clothes with shaky hands. Open boxes covered the floor beside half-zipped suitcases. Shoes, scarves, books, and skincare products were scattered everywhere. Today was the day she would finally leave Nigeria to study abroad. She paused and looked around her room. The pink curtains, framed family pictures, and soft rug beside her bed suddenly felt precious. She was really leaving home. Quickly, she changed into fresh clothes and adjusted her scarf neatly in front of the mirror. "Ya Allah, make this easy for me," she whispered. She grabbed her phone and slowly walked toward her father's parlor. As she reached the door, she paused quietly. The familiar scent of her father's expensive perfume filled the room. Her eyes wandered around until they landed on him. He sat calmly on one of the cushions facing the television. A newspaper rested neatly in his hands while he read silently, unaware of her presence. For a moment, she simply stood there admiring him. "Good morning, Dad," she finally announced. He immediately looked up. "Ah, Ayeesha! How long have you been standing there? Pardon me, I didn't notice you." He folded the newspaper neatly and placed it beside him. "Are you done packing already?" "Yes, Daddy," she replied softly. He studied her face carefully before patting the empty space beside him. "Come sit." She sat beside him quietly, trying hard not to cry. Her father noticed immediately. "Ayeesha," he called gently. She quickly looked down. "Listen to me carefully, my dear," he began calmly. "You are going to a country very different from Nigeria. You'll see many things you are not used to." She listened quietly. "Children your age live alone, work jobs, attend parties, and make decisions for themselves without their parents." He paused briefly before continuing. "You will experience many surprising things, but the most important thing is that you never forget why you are going there. We want to see you become a successful doctor one day." A small emotional smile appeared on her face. "And be careful with the kind of friends you keep," he added seriously. "Bad friends can influence someone without them even realizing it." She nodded slowly. "I understand, Daddy." "Good. And never forget Allah wherever you go." Before she could respond, a loud car horn interrupted them from outside. "That must be Ahmad," her father said. They walked toward the entrance together. Her mother stood near the doorway surrounded by neatly packed bags and boxes. "Mama, why did you pack all these things?" she asked helplessly. "What if you need them?" her mother replied immediately. Ayeesha laughed softly through her tears. Her mother walked closer and adjusted her scarf carefully. "Take care of yourself, okay?" she whispered emotionally. "And don't skip your meals." "I won't, Mom." "And wear warm clothes whenever it is cold." "I will." "And call me every single day." "I promise." Her mother pulled her into a tight hug immediately. Suddenly, her younger sister Suhailat ran toward her dramatically. "Aunty UK! Don't forget me when you become rich!" Everyone burst into laughter. "Kai, Suhailat," Khalid muttered. "Money is the only thing inside your brain." "Exactly," she replied proudly. A few moments later, Ahmad entered the house. "Assalamu alaikum!" he greeted loudly. "Wa alaikum salam," everyone replied. "Are we ready?" Ahmad asked. "Yes," Ayeesha answered softly. After saying their final goodbyes, Ayeesha entered the car beside Ahmad. She waved at her family through the window as the car slowly drove away. The journey to the airport felt painfully silent. Her parents' words replayed repeatedly inside her mind. Be a good girl. Focus on your studies. Pray regularly. Do not let others influence you. Ayeesha quietly stared outside the window as tears rolled gently down her cheeks. "Ayeesha," Ahmad suddenly called. "You've been quiet since we left. Are you okay?" "Ah, yes. I'm fine," she replied quickly while wiping her face. He glanced at her briefly before smiling knowingly. "Are you crying?" "No! Definitely not." Ahmad chuckled softly. "You know, my first day was exactly like this too. I felt lonely and scared." "Really?" "Mhm. But thankfully, you have me there now. At least you won't feel completely alone." A small smile appeared on her lips. "Thank you." Not long after, they arrived at the airport. Everything suddenly felt real again. People hurried around with luggage while announcements echoed through the building. Ahmad helped her carry the bags while calling his driver to retrieve the car from the parking lot. After completing all the necessary procedures, they boarded the plane and took their seats. Ayeesha sat quietly beside the window staring outside while the flight attendants gave their safety instructions. Her heart beat faster. Would she survive there alone? Would she fit in? Would she make friends? Soon, the plane lifted into the sky. Ayeesha looked down at the disappearing city beneath them. Goodbye, Nigeria. After several exhausting hours, they finally landed in the United Kingdom. The cold breeze hit her immediately the moment they stepped outside the airport. "Ya Allah," she whispered while hugging herself tightly. Ahmad laughed softly. "This is only the beginning." Everything looked different. The roads. The buildings. The lights. The people. Even the air felt unfamiliar. Some people walked around wearing shorts despite the cold weather while others carried coffee cups and rushed past them quickly. They took a taxi straight to Ahmad's apartment. The ride through the city amazed her even more. Tall buildings stood proudly beside beautiful streets filled with lights and moving cars. "This place is huge," she whispered. "You'll get used to it," Ahmad replied. When they finally arrived, Ahmad carried the bags inside while she followed quietly behind him. "You'll stay here tonight," he explained calmly. "Tomorrow we will go to your university." "Okay." That night, Ayeesha barely slept. She spent hours video-calling her family while her mother repeatedly reminded her to eat properly and pray. The next morning, they left early for her university. As the taxi approached the school gates, Ayeesha's eyes widened with amazement. The campus was beautiful. Large buildings surrounded the school grounds while students walked around laughing happily together. Some sat beneath trees reading books while others played around carelessly. Everything felt different from home. Ahmad helped her remove the luggage in front of the female dormitory. "If you need anything at all, call me immediately, okay?" he said seriously. "I will," she replied with a grateful smile. After saying goodbye, she watched him leave before finally turning toward the building. Her nervousness returned immediately. Taking a deep breath, she walked inside. The dorm lobby was warm and quiet. She approached the receptionist politely, collected her room key, and asked for directions. After walking through several hallways and checking room numbers one by one, she finally stopped in front of a door. Room 304. She stood there silently for a few seconds, her fingers tightening slightly around the key. A deep breath escaped her lips. Then she whispered softly to herself, "This is it. A new life finally."