Monday at school
It was chemistry period already. Hurain had climbed up on the stool to pick out the books to keep on Evaan's desk.
He arrived there to see if she needs any help. He was dressed in a dark grey shirt tucked in black pants. A silver watch in his hand and his hair left messy today.
He wasn't even surprised to see her climbed on stool because she was really short to reach his locker
He rolled his tongue on his inner cheek to keep a straight face his hands in the pocket of his pants he cleared his throat before speaking.
"Need help Miss Fatima?"
He said in the same cold and stern voice.
She turned around to look at him and shook her head not letting her gaze linger on him like last time.
She picked up the books and was about to step down when he outstretched his hand just in case she needs help.
She looked at him then at his hand.
Blink. Blink again. Blink blink.
Then she stepped down the stool holding the locker for support instead of his hand and walked ahead towards the class.
He sighed softly but then he was forced to question himself why does he even want to help her? Because she is his student and his sister's best friend. He convinced himself before going to the class.
He started the lesson like usual his hands moving on the whiteboard as he explained Hartley and Barkley method to measure the osmotic pressure.
Hurain fixed her eyes on the whiteboard instead of him because she could feel the gazes of her friends on her trying to see if she is actually crushing on him. Which she wasn't.
He turned around and saw how the whole class is concentrating on him and zoya Ayesha and Sidra have more interest in Hurain's face.
He spoke in a loud and sharp voice.
"Ayesha Sidra and zoya stand up"
The girls flinched but snapped out of their transe anyways
They stood up and looked down not saying anything and Hurain facepalmed herself and shook her head.
"What's so interesting on her face that you all are staring?"
He sternly mocked them his ice cold glare staring into their souls.
The girls mumbled apologies before he motioned them to sit down with another warning glare.
He left the classroom after bell rung and Hurain left as well to bring the things for math period
Zoya sat there running her palms on her scalp to smooth if there's any unruly hair before hashim arrives.
He arrived in the class a moment later dressed in a beige shirt tucked in brown pants the colours complimenting his skin tone and his beard clean shaven today with his hair put back messily
The class stood up to greet him
"Gggoooodddd mmmooorrrnnniinnnggg ssssiiirrrr"
He shook his head and chuckle before speaking.
"Class it's past noon"
The class shamelessly corrected themselves while smiling. The atmosphere in his period was always light hearted
"Gggoooodddd aaafffttteeerrrnnnooonnn ssssiiiirrrr"
"Good afternoon sit down"
He said with a gesture of his hand.
Zoya looked at him for a moment but when she saw him already looking at her, her eyes averted down herself
As he started teaching Hurain leaned closer to her before whispering.
"I told you he looks at you in that way"
She whispered in a teasing manner
Zoya glared at her to quite down before they returned to their lecture
Miss Mahira a teacher from the cultural department entered the class and motioned the students to keep seated before she looked at hashim.
"Sir may I take a minute I have something to share with the class?"
She asked in a professional manner hashim nodded putting his pen down and gesturing her to go ahead
"Class this time school is hosting a function on 15th August like every year but it's on a bigger scale this time. I am here to tell you all that if anyone is interested in singing or dancing or any sort of speech then please contact me after school and you can participate in more than one thing so I expect you all to active participate"
As she paused the students exchange silent glances and she spoke again.
"And Hurain you will be hosting the function in English"
Her eyes snapped up at her before widening because she was always pushed in speeches but hosting was a bigger task
She was about to say something when she stopped her
"It wasn't a question it was a command"
She sighed and looked down as Miss Mahira left the classroom.
Hashim looked at his watch and only five minutes were left so he didn't go back to teaching
"Class don't make noise you can discuss things if you want to silently only five minutes are left"
The class perked up and the discussion started almost immediately
He made his way towards the bench where zoya was sitting with Hurain.
The girls stood up when he approached and he gestured them to sit to sit down
"Zoya I hope you are planning to participate in singing"
He said in his usual deep voice not showing much emotions because he was in teacher's mode right now
She widened her eyes before speaking
"Sir how can I.. my voice isn't tha-
He sensed the hesitation in her voice and cut her off in between his words reassuring and confident
"No don't even say that. Your voice is good I heard it the other day when we were playing"
Hurain Ayesha and Sidra pretend to be not listening but their faces beamed as their friend got complimented by her crush.
Zoya's face started turning pinkish as she looked down and mumbled softly
"Thank you sir"
He smiled before speaking again
"So I hope to see you participating alright"
He said and gently patted her head before leaving.
Zoya's hand subconsciously went where he touched her hair and she smiled patting the same place as her friends looked at her with wide yet teasing grins.
After school the four girls reached the cultural department to miss Mahira
"Mam may I coming?"
They asked in unison and she nodded with a warm smile.
"So what will you all participating in and Hurain even if you are hosting you can still participate"
They all nodded with smiles and zoya spoke up.
"ma'am I will sing and Ayesha and Sidra are here for the speech in urdu and hindi "
Mahira nodded and wrote down their names before looking up at Hurain
"Hurain you will be giving speech in English"
She commanded and before she could say anything she had written down her name already.
They all walked out from there zoya was the happiest among them right now still beaming from her earlier interaction with hashim and the other girls were blabbering their own things no one making any sense exactly.
"I will sing "ae mere pyare vatan""
Zoya said excitedly and everyone else nodded agreeing on her choice
"Yrr the English speech department is given to evaan sir. I don't know if I can do it or not"
Hurain said nervously and looked down her pace slower than usual.
"Nothing will happen you are so nervous around him without any reason"
Ayesha said trying to reassure her friend
Hurain sighed before speaking
"I know yrr it's just something happens whenever I look into his eyes"
She regretted the words as soon as they escaped her mouth because her friends immediately had knowing smiles on their faces.
" I meant it as a teacher I meant it as a teacher don't you guys dare to think anything else "
She said with wide panicked eyes and before her friends could say anything she left from there as fast as she could
After she left Sidra couldn't stop the words dying to leave her lips
" Why do you all have to fall for older men? "
As she said that with pure confusion Ayesha and zoya laughed before patting her back
"she haven't fallen yet and you will know once you find someone "
They said jokingly.
Hurain reached home still freaking out about the speech. She entered the kitchen her expressions exhausted as she greeted her mother with a smile.
"Asalamualaikum ammi"
Her mother Nazia smiled back at her warmly and spoke
"Walaikum assalam beta"
"Bhai or Abba ni aye abi tak?"
She asked looking around for Muzammil and her father Mustafa
"No bacha they will be late today. You go get fresh then have lunch"
Her mother replied to which she just shook her head
"Ammi I am not hungry I will be hosting the independence day function this year and giving a speech as well so I will leave"
She scurried off to her room throwing her bag on her bed getting fresh and changed in a plane oversized tshirt and shalwar with random dupatta and tying her hair up before she got ready for her Salah.
***********************************
Meanwhile as zoya reached her home she threw herself on her mother Shabana beaming with happiness.
"Asalamualaikum mumma"
She said in a loud cheerful voice her mother patted her shoulder laughing and replied back to her greeting
"Walaikum assalam aj bari khush lagrahi ho mashaallah?"
{You are looking really happy today mashaallah?}
" Yes mumma I am happy indeed. Please serve lunch today I will come after changing and praying salah"
She ran upstairs towards her room and changed into a red tshirt and lowers
************************************
Meanwhile hashim and evaan made their way towards the exit of school talking about random stuff and discussing the upcoming function and planning to meet in evening at the gym which was their regular routine since Evaan came back from Delhi.
************************************
Muzammil standing in the restaurant of their family restaurant leaned on the wall dressed the chef coat his sleeve rolled up his phone in his hand as he finally sent the follow request to Ayesha after contemplating for 3 days and she accepted instantly so he smiled and put his phone back returning to his work
************************************
After an hour or two Hurain finally came up with a speech
"Good morning respected director sir, principal ma'am, vice principal ma'am, respected teacher, and my dear friends"
"I am Hurain Fatima the head girl and I am pleased to give a speech in front of you all on the auspicious occasion of independence day"
" Today, as we gather to celebrate our nation's 78th Independence Day, let us reflect on the incredible journey that led to this day. The freedom we enjoy today is the result of the determination and sacrifice of countless men and women who laid down their lives for our nation. Their stories of courage continue to inspire us and remind us of the true value of freedom.
The path to independence was long and marked by years of struggle against British rule. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, with his principles of non-violence, united millions in the fight for justice. His famous Salt March not only defied oppressive laws but also symbolized the strength of peaceful protest. Similarly, Subhas Chandra Bose, with his clarion call of 'Give me blood, and I will give you freedom,' inspired many to join the struggle.We must also remember the sacrifices of young revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. Their courage in the face of death is a powerful reminder of the cost of freedom.
Now it's our duty to be a responsible citizen and keep growing not only individually but along with the society and not let anyone fool us on the name of religion caste or any type of racism"
"once again happy independence day"
" Jai hind Jai Bharat thank you "
When she was satisfied with the speech she set the paper down and started studying the syllabus.
***********************************
At sun had set already zoys was sitting at the couch in their living room beside Evaan who was watching TV
She was writing the lyrics from her phone and cutting them again and again.
Evaan looked at her and frowned before speaking in a teasing yet serious manner.
"Likh ni parahi ho tum gaogi kese?"
{You aren't able to write how will you sing?}
She rolled her eyes at him before speaking
"Haan ap apni English speech department dekhiye ye hashim sir ka department h wo dekh lenge"
{You watch your English speech department and hashim sir will look after this}
He smirked playfully before taking out his phone
"Thik h fir me hashim ko bol deta hu tumhe disqualify krde. Meri baat nahi thukra sakta wo"
{Fine then I will tell hashim to disqualify you. He won't say no to me}
Her eyes widened before she took the phone from and ran towards the door in full speed and he ran after her to catch her
"Ap unhe call karenge or me krne dungi?"
{You will call him and I will let you?}
She laughed as she ran with him chasing after her.
"phone dedo Mera wrna sach me disqualify karwa dunga"
{Give my phone back or I will really make him disqualify you}
He laughed with her.
The door opened and Ashraf entered after his tiring shift at hospital his doctor coat on his one hand and the sleeves of his dark blue shirt rolled up with his expressions exhausted
"aslamual-aaaaaa
His greetings got cut off as zoya couldn't stop herself on time and collided into him with Evaan behind her
She started laughing like a mad man and Evaan covered his mouth with his fist to control his own laugh as he pulled back zoya
Ashraf stood up rubbing the back of his head while glaring at his younger siblings but before the scene turned more chaotic Shabana their mother came out of the kitchen holding chapati roller in her hand with a tight lipped smile on her face.
"Shor machana band kroge tum teeno ya me karwa dun?"
{Are you three gonna stop this or should I discipline you instead?}
She said in annoyed manner and within seconds everyone was in their own room with zoya still laughing Evaan trying to not laugh and Ashraf grumbling in frustration.
************************************
At night before dinner Hurain was standing in front of her family with the papers in which she wrote speech in her hands.
Mustafa her father was sitting on the sofa with the calm expressions nazia her mother beside him looking at her daughter with an encouraging smile and Muzammil on the other sofa with their orange cat Romeo on his lap looking at Hurain for her to go on with her speech which she prepared.
She cleared her throat before starting in a confident manner and her words sharp and meaningful
"Good morning respected director sir, principal ma'am, vice principal ma'am, respected teacher, and my dear friends"
"I am Hurain Fatima the head girl and I am pleased to give a speech in front of you all on the auspicious occasion of independence day"
" Today, as we gather to celebrate our nation's 78th Independence Day, let us reflect on the incredible journey that led to this day. The freedom we enjoy today is the result of the determination and sacrifice of countless men and women who laid down their lives for our nation. Their stories of courage continue to inspire us and remind us of the true value of freedom.
The path to independence was long and marked by years of struggle against British rule. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, with his principles of non-violence, united millions in the fight for justice. His famous Salt March not only defied oppressive laws but also symbolized the strength of peaceful protest. Similarly, Subhas Chandra Bose, with his clarion call of 'Give me blood, and I will give you freedom,' inspired many to join the struggle.We must also remember the sacrifices of young revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. Their courage in the face of death is a powerful reminder of the cost of freedom.
Now it's our duty to be a responsible citizen and keep growing not only individually but along with the society and not let anyone fool us on the name of religion caste or any type of racism"
"once again happy independence day"
" Jai hind Jai Bharat thank you "
After completing she looked at them watching their reactions closely
Her mother smiled warmly before speaking
"beta it's very good you just need to go a little slow"
Her father agreed and nodded her head
" Yes it looks like you have just memorized it"
She bit her lip nodding as she took everyone's opinion.
Muzammil agreed with their parents but stayed quite because of the presence of his father around.
************************************
That night she couldn't sleep properly. Her all time was spent re reading the speech as she had to give it in front of evaan tomorrow as he was the in-charge of English speeches
She was anxious and she herself didn't know why because she is giving speeches since she was in 6th class and everytime she is being told that she needs to go slow yet she is chosen everytime.
After sometime she had realised that no one will understand that she is anxious about stage performances that's why she can't give speech in the way they want her to.
But this time she wanted to fix her image in front of Evaan which she ruined on the first day and hence she wanted to be perfect
She kept drinking one after another cup of chai all night and it was already fajir
She prayed her salah showered and got ready for school earlier than usual and started going on her speech again but even when she had her breakfast with her family no one noticed her nervousness because she was always like this when anything was related to her studies.
She just hoped that everything will be fine once he finalize her speech and then she can breath in peace
(A/n
: I know right now the story looks focused on just one person but it's multiple couple story and all the characters are developing right now so everyone will get their individual scenes.
Also if you read the story and like the context or have any suggestions to make it better than please mention in comments and vote if you like the story
Lots of love)
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