CHAPTER 2 - Lab Partner
483 Words
“Looks like both our lives are suffering today.”
The words slipped out before Hana could stop herself.
Several nearby students laughed quietly.
For the first time since class started, Danish finally looked directly at her.
His expression stayed calm, but there was something faintly amused in his eyes.
“At least you’re self-aware,” he replied.
Hana almost gasped.
The audacity.
Before she could respond, Danish packed his things neatly into his bag.
Everything about him looked organized.
Even his notes looked expensive.
Meanwhile Hana’s notebook already looked emotionally unstable.
A girl suddenly slid into the empty seat behind her.
“You’re brave.”
Hana blinked.
“What?”
“Talking back to Danish.”
The girl smiled warmly.
“I’m Mira.”
“Hana.”
Mira leaned closer slightly.
“He’s one of the top students in engineering. Very scary during group projects.”
Hana glanced toward Danish who was currently discussing something with the lecturer.
Honestly?
He did look intimidating.
Tall.
Quiet.
Sharp-eyed.
The type who probably corrected people’s grammar for fun.
“He’s not scary,” Hana muttered.
Mira laughed softly.
“He made one senior cry during presentation week last semester.”
“…Astaghfirullah.”
That made Mira laugh harder.
Later that evening, Hana finally returned to the female hostel after almost getting lost around campus twice.
Her roommate Alya was lying dramatically across the bed scrolling through her phone.
“You survived.”
“Barely.”
Alya immediately sat up.
“So? How’s engineering life?”
Hana dropped onto the chair tiredly.
“Why are there so many men?”
“That’s your biggest concern?”
“Yes.”
Alya laughed loudly.
Then suddenly narrowed her eyes.
“Wait. Did you meet Danish Rayyan?”
Hana paused.
“…Unfortunately.”
Alya sat upright so quickly she nearly fell.
“Ya Allah.”
“What now?”
“You got partnered with engineering faculty’s golden boy?”
“He’s not golden anything.”
“He’s smart, terrifying, and emotionally unavailable.”
Hana opened her instant noodles slowly.
“That explains the face.”
At nearly midnight, Hana sat alone at her desk staring at circuit diagrams with deep regret.
Nothing made sense.
Engineering students were genuinely insane people.
Her phone vibrated suddenly.
Unknown Number.
Danish:
Tomorrow. Engineering lab. 8AM sharp. Don’t be late.
Hana frowned immediately.
No greeting.
No salam.
Nothing.
Just straight instructions.
Annoying.
Hana:
Waalaikumsalam to you too.
Three dots appeared.
Then disappeared.
Then appeared again.
Finally—
Danish:
You reply fast for someone who still confuses voltage and current.
Hana sat upright immediately.
How did he even know that?
Was he secretly observing her confusion during class?
Hana:
And you judge people too much for someone who permanently looks disappointed.
Several seconds passed.
Then finally—
Danish:
Sleep early, Hana. You looked tired today.
Her fingers paused above the screen.
That unexpectedly sounded…
gentle.
- Writer
