BY THE WILL OF ALLAH

Chapter 2 : Echoes of Whisper

When Huda returned home, she was lost in her own world, so much so that she didn’t even hear her mother calling her name.

Without a word, she went straight to her room, shutting the door behind her, but her thoughts refused to stay locked away.

She kept thinking about him—the boy she had met twice in a single day. The unfamiliar feeling stirring inside her unsettled her, something she had never experienced before.

It wasn’t just confusion; it was something deeper, something she couldn’t quite name.

Her mind was a tangled mess, an endless loop of thoughts she couldn’t escape. She had already rejected him, hadn’t she? Then why did his words still echo in her heart? Why couldn’t she just let go?

Huda took a deep breath, willing herself to push away the thoughts swirling in her mind. She had let them consume her long enough.

It was time for Zuhur prayer, and she knew there was no better way to find peace than to turn to Allah.

She stood, performed wudu, and laid out her prayer mat. As she bowed in sujood, she silently begged for clarity, for strength—to silence the whispers in her heart that she didn’t understand.

After finishing her salah, she sat still for a moment, breathing deeply. The unease within her had softened, like a storm that had momentarily calmed.

Prayer always brought her peace, a reminder that Allah was watching over her.

But despite this, the thoughts weren’t completely gone. They still lingered, like faint echoes refusing to disappear.

Wanting to distract herself, she decided to spend time with Mama—maybe the warmth of her mother’s presence would help push the troubling thoughts aside.

Stepping into the kitchen, she found Mama preparing lunch, her hands expertly moving as the comforting aroma of spices filled the air.

Mama glanced up and gave her a knowing look. "You finally decided to come out of your room?" she asked, her voice gentle yet questioning.

Huda hesitated before responding. "I was just… tired, Mama."

Mama raised an eyebrow. "Tired?" She turned off the stove and faced Huda fully. "Then why didn’t you answer me when I called you earlier? You walked in like a ghost and disappeared into your room without a word."

Huda lowered her gaze, guilt creeping in. "I didn’t mean to ignore you... I just had a lot on my mind."

Mama studied her for a moment before sighing. "Huda, beta, I know when something is troubling you. You don’t have to carry everything alone."

Huda forced a small smile. "It’s nothing, Mama. Just university stuff."

Mama didn’t look convinced, but she let it go, instead motioning toward the food.

"Then help me set the table. Maybe a good meal will help clear your thoughts."

Huda nodded, grateful for the distraction. Maybe, just maybe, she could push these thoughts away—at least for now.

Her entire day passed in the same haze, thoughts coming and going, but never truly leaving her.

The next morning, she followed her usual routine—getting ready, heading to university, and finding Noor waiting for her as always. Together, they attended their classes, just like any other day.

But today, something was different.

As Huda sat in class, her eyes unconsciously landed on someone. Him.

She blinked, momentarily surprised. Why is he here? Had she just noticed him today, after their encounter? Or had he always been in her class, and she simply never paid attention before?

The day continued, filled with lectures after lectures, but a strange awareness settled within her. She found herself noticing him—his presence, his movements—even though she didn’t understand why.

But when the next class began, his seat was empty.

For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, a flicker of disappointment crossed her heart.

For the next few days, Huda tried to ignore the fact that she had noticed Izaan’s absence. It shouldn’t matter. It doesn’t matter, she told herself.

And yet, every time she walked into class, she found her eyes instinctively scanning the room.

Each time, she caught herself and quickly looked away, heart tightening in frustration. Why am I even thinking about this?

Noor, ever perceptive, didn’t miss the slight change in Huda’s demeanor.

"You seem distracted these days," Noor said casually one afternoon as they packed their books.

Huda paused for half a second before shaking her head. "Just tired."

Noor narrowed her eyes playfully. "Huda Sufiyan, the girl who runs on discipline and routine, suddenly ‘tired’? Suspicious."

Huda sighed. "It’s nothing, Noor. Drop it."

But Noor smirked. "I will. For now."

Huda rolled her eyes and changed the subject, trying to shake off the lingering feeling that something inside her had started to shift—something she wasn’t ready to admit.

Then, one morning, as she entered the classroom and took her usual seat, her breath hitched for a second.

Izaan was back.

Sitting where he always did, casually flipping through his notes, as if he hadn’t been absent at all.

For the briefest moment, their eyes met.

Huda immediately turned away, gripping her pen tighter than necessary.

It doesn’t matter, she reminded herself again.

But deep down, she knew she was lying.