Zuhra's House
At the dining table, silence blanketed the space like someone had turned on the sound of stillness. The only sounds were the occasional clink of a spoon against a plate, and a soft tap from a teacup. Everyone was eating their breakfast quietly, each lost in their own thoughts.
Zuhra sat beside her mother, holding a teacup in her hand, though she wasn't drinking anything. Her head was lowered, and her eyes were still swollen — clear signs that the tears from the night before hadn't fully dried. Amir and Ruhan kept glancing at her, full of sympathy, but no one said a word.
Suddenly, her father set his cutlery down and looked at Zuhra, his voice sharp and commanding:
"Zuhra, from today on, I don't want to hear that you attended any music event, wedding, or even stepped outside for casual outings. Only school. And not alone — from now on, John and Usman will escort you to and from school."
Zuhra lifted her head in shock but lowered it again slowly. Her mother gave her a look that clearly said, "Don't talk back now." Amir quietly placed his spoon down, staring deeply at his father, while little Ruhan scooted closer to Zuhra and gently touched her hand under the table.
A few moments later, there was a knock on the door. The housemaid opened it, and in walked John and Usman — two soldiers dressed in white civilian uniforms, berets in hand. Zuhra's father pointed at them sternly:
"There they are. If you're leaving for school — or anywhere — it will be with them. No excuses. They know exactly who I am."
Zuhra didn't reply, but her heart shattered. She knew that from today, her life was going to change — the life she loved, full of music and freedom, was now being caged under strict rules and constant surveillance.
Her mother gently held her hand under the table, rubbing it softly as if to say, "Be strong. You know your father."
---
Munir's House
At the breakfast table, Kamal couldn't eat. One glance at him and it was obvious his mind was somewhere else. He kept stirring his spoon in the plate like he was waiting for something — or someone. His heart was pounding with excitement to get to school — not for lectures, but because of the storm spinning in his chest: Zuhra.
Still, Kamal hadn't touched his food. He kept checking the time, getting impatient and nudging Munir.
Kamal: "Munir, please hurry up. Let's go. We'll be late."
Munir looked up at him in surprise.
Munir: "Now this is shocking. You? Begging to go to school early? Usually, I have to drag you out of bed. Something's definitely up."
Their father, sipping coffee nearby, looked up with a pleased smile.
Daddy: "That's the spirit, Kamal. That's how a young man begins to understand life. May God guide you, son."
Kamal lowered his head with a shy smile, saying nothing. The only thing on his mind was how he could see Zuhra again.
Munir quickly sipped his juice and stood up.
Munir: "Mommy, Daddy — we're off. See you later!"
Mommy: "Take care. Come back safe, boys."
They stepped out of the house, Kamal walking slightly ahead, his heart racing like he was headed for the most important moment of his life. Not for a test — but for Zuhra.
Munir followed behind, smiling faintly as he watched Kamal's eager steps.
(Munir, thinking to himself):
"If this love changes Kamal for the better, then honestly, Zuhra, you have my blessing."
---
At school, Kamal couldn't hide his anxiety. His eyes scanned everywhere, searching for Zuhra — but he held back from asking anyone. Munir watched him in amusement.
Students had begun gathering around the school yard. Some were revising for their tests, others chatting and laughing. Kamal and Munir were from the business department, while Zuhra belonged to the medical department — so they didn't share classes. Kamal wasn't sure where to even look for her.
When they reached the exam hall, Kamal silently cursed himself:
(Kamal, thinking):
"Will I even see her today? Or is she stuck in some medical lecture?"
Munir sat by the door going through his notes, while Kamal kept looking around like someone searching for sunlight in a cloudy sky.
Just then, a military car pulled up at the school gate. Zuhra stepped out slowly, dressed in a soft pink long dress, with a black headband and school documents in hand. She didn't have a test today — she had come to do a lab research project assigned by her professor.
John and Usman, the soldiers sent by her father, followed her closely, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes. Zuhra walked calmly, but her eyes showed fatigue and emotional emptiness.
The moment Kamal spotted her from afar, his heart skipped a beat. He stood quickly, pretending to stretch or walk casually in her direction.
As he got closer to the corridor she would pass through, their eyes met. She paused for a moment.
Then — without a word — Zuhra turned her face away quickly and continued walking, calm and composed.
The soldiers walked behind her like silent guards from a darker world…