Chapter 1 – Noor

Noor's POV:

"What's wrong with you? Can't you climb down the stairs sanely?"

"Assalamualaikum Mom! I said aloud while rushing down the stairs. "I'm sure late!"

"Waalaikumassalam! No matter how late you are for college, first, come here and have your breakfast!" Mom ordered.

"Mom, please, I have no appetite!" I showed her puppy dog eyes.

"You've always been one to skip breakfast, what should I do with you?" Mom gave me a concerned look. "At least have some fresh juice." Mom pointed the butter knife at the juice-filled pitcher. She was preparing a buttered toast for me.

"Juice, eh! Can I take one day leave from juice?" I gave my mom a pouty look. She shook her head in dismissal.

"Please!" I clasped my hands, batted my eyelashes.

"Oh, dear! You are a college student now — but I see, still, you act like a little child. When will you grow up?" She lectured me as she handed me buttered toast.

"Umm..." I took a minimal bite. "Why don't you ask my brother to stop buying dolls for me," I complained while chewing.

Her face split in a huge grin but she quickly turned towards the kitchen. "I will see him as well." I heard her saying with a smiling voice. I put the half-eaten toast on the plate.

She came back with a kettle and saw me standing. "Finish it, kid!" She spoke as her eyes rested on toast.

"Oh my sweet moon, I will take some lunch from the cafeteria." I kissed my Mom's forehead. She gestured me back to show me that she is not at all pleased with my habit of skipping breakfast.

"Well! Can I have some biryani for lunch made by the beautiful hands of my mother? It's been so long that I am craving for it." I put my demand forward, buttering her up.

She smiled and nodded.

"OK, I'm going. Allah Hafiz, Mother!"

After rewarding her smile with a grin, I made my way to the door.

"Allah Hafiz my dear, may Allah's blessings be upon you." Mom replied with a mix of emotions like she is happy and sad both, happy to say me bye or sad that I denied having breakfast.

I threw a flying kiss to her with 28 teeth smile.

I knew this would make her smile as she is the sweetest in every way.

I adjusted my Hijab (headscarf) and began to head out.

At the corner of the road, I look University point (OmniBus). As it stopped by my side. I safely boarded on and it started its journey to my University, where my friend surely waiting for me.

At The University:

"Assalam o Alaikum!"

I greeted my best friend while she hugged me tightly.

"Hey! what happened?" I inquired her just because she was looking super emotional today.

"Come on! you are choking me, I need air." I protested for my right to breathe. She pulled away and her really tight grip just gone.

"Rudaba! Tell me now, what is Happy with you?"

I felt she slightly blushed in reply.

"Oh my! Is that proposal accepted by your parents?" I asked her but she was shying away from me as if I am her groom.

"Noor!" Finally, she spoke with a voice full of emotions, "You are correct. My parents gave their consent to Ahsan's proposal!"

"Oh Wow! That's great news. Finally, you and Ahsan will be tied in a wedding knot!"

I said with my heart filled with happiness in favor of my friend and her future.

"Yes, Noor...Thank you. You are so pure and innocent, I wouldn't be able to stay on the right path without you."

I hugged her in happiness for her big day.

"Now time for a treat!" I yelled in a funny way as I pulled away.

"Yes, sure @ your service madam."

She bowed her head like a maid to a princess, we both Chuckled.