The Silence That Spoke To Him

The black car pulled into the university parking lot, tires crunched over gravel. Hijab pushed open the door without waiting for Bilal and stepped out, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

The morning was bright, but she felt the familiar weight of annoyance settle in as soon as she heard the car door slam behind him.

Bilal joined her on the walkway, hands in his pockets, sunglasses still on despite the shade.

"You don't seem thrilled to be here," he said, glancing around at the students passing by.

"I'm here to study, not to be entertained." she replied, already walking ahead.

He followed, though his stride was slower, more amused than respectful. "Still pretending I'm a burden?"

"No," she said without looking at him. "You are one!"

The words slipped out sharper than intended. For a split second, she caught herself, her lips pressing into a firm line. I shouldn't have said that—not to a guest, she thought grimly.

His thumb brushed over the face of his watch in a slow circle, the faint trace of a smile dissolving. "Careful," he said, voice smooth but edged. "You're not the only one who knows how to make things unpleasant."

Her expression didn't falter. A flicker of irritation crossed her eyes, but she pushed it down, forcing her tone back to polite neutrality.

She adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder and finally spoke.

"I have a class," she said, cool but composed. "Don't wait for me—I'll come back after it's over, and then we'll head home. You can explore the university till then."

Without another glance, she turned and walked toward the academic block, her strides calm and measured.

Bilal watched her go, then rolled his shoulders and made his way toward the heart of the campus.

The courtyard near the café buzzed with chatter.

As Bilal passed, a few girls glanced his way, some whispering, others giggling behind their hands.

He noticed. Of course, he did.

Sliding effortlessly into a group, he nodded at one girl, smiled at another. Within moments, their laughter rose around him.

He brushed a girl's wrist handing her a pen, let his voice drop low as he leaned in. When one girl laughed, his gaze lingered on her mouth a moment too long.

It wasn't desperate. It was calculated.

In the class, Maira sat gracefully at her desk; her delicate fingers curled around a pen as she laughed softly at something one of the girls beside her had said. 

But the moment Hijab stepped into the room, Maira's attention shifted completely. Her almond-shaped eyes lit up as she turned fully toward her best friend, her laughter fading into a curious smile.

"You're late again," Maira said softly, though there was a teasing lilt in her voice. "What's the excuse this time?"

Hijab sauntered in, her expression as playful as ever. "Oh, nothing special," she replied with a shrug. "I had to bring a boy with me."

Maira's smile faltered slightly. She blinked at her friend, her delicate features sharpening with surprise. "A boy?" she echoed in a whisper. "Hijab, what do you mean by that? Where is he now?"

Hijab shrugged, flipping open her notebook. "I don't know. Maybe the café? Or the courtyard? Who cares?"

Maira stared at her, wide-eyed. "Don't tell me you actually brought someone with you… but you're not even keeping him company?"

Hijab shot her a mischievous glance, twirling her pen between her fingers. "What? He's not a kid, Maira. He can handle himself."

Maira's brows knit as she shook her head, her soft voice laced with disbelief. "Hijab… you're impossible sometimes. Do I dare ask who he is?" 

Hijab leaned back in her chair, twirling her pen idly. "Bilal. Shan Uncle's son," she said, her tone so casual it was as if she couldn't be bothered to explain further.

But as she flipped her notebook open, a flicker of unease settled in her chest. He had come along as a guest — uninvited, perhaps, but still her responsibility. Her father hadn't raised her to be careless with hospitality.

She stared at the half-blank page for a moment, then quietly closed her notebook and stood.

"I'll be back," she murmured to Maira, her voice more thoughtful than usual.

As she stepped out into the hallway, a question lingered at the edge of her thoughts — one she didn't quite have the courage to answer.

Why did it bother her so much that he was out there alone?