A FORBIDDEN CONNECTION

As orientation week wrapped up, Naina and Rayan, along with their two new friends, Elena and Yusuf, found themselves grouped together for academics. More foreign students joined their batch, most of them Muslim. While Elena, with her vibrant and outgoing personality, quickly befriended everyone, Naina struggled to open up. Making new friends was never easy for her, and for the first few months, Elena was the only real friend she had.

But as the days passed, things slowly changed. Naina started talking to more people, though the one she spoke to the most was Rayan. His kindness, patience, and gentle nature made her feel at ease. He had a way of brightening her days, always carrying himself with a calm and composed demeanor. On the other hand, Yusuf intimidated her. There was something about him that made her nervous—perhaps the way he spoke or the serious aura he carried.

Despite this, the four of them grew close. But no matter how many people surrounded them, it was always Naina and Rayan together. She found herself drawn to him in ways she never expected. The soft melody of his voice, the way he always found something nice to say about her, his effortless composure, and most of all, his deep faith—it all made her heart race in a way she couldn't ignore.

Then came the birthday party of one of their group members—their first official outing. Everyone was dressed up, the excitement palpable. Laughter filled the air as they clicked pictures to capture the memories. In the midst of it all, Naina casually placed her hand on Rayan's shoulder for a photo. The instant awkwardness in his posture didn't go unnoticed. He tensed slightly, shifting uncomfortably. A pang of sadness hit her—did her touch make him uncomfortable?

The night took a playful turn when they started a game of Truth or Dare. When Naina's turn came, someone mischievously asked, "If you had to date someone from this group, who would it be?"

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as all eyes turned to her. Hesitating for a moment, she finally muttered, "Rayan."

The reaction was instant. Gasps, laughter, teasing—Rayan himself looked utterly shocked. The group erupted into cheers and playful taunts, making Naina's heart pound. She tried to laugh it off, but she knew deep down that it wasn't just a game.

The next day, during clinicals, she found herself beside Rayan as they chatted casually. But then, out of nowhere, he said something that shattered her world.

"There's this Muslim girl name Safiya from Dubai .I fell for her the moment I saw her. If I pursue her more, she'll fall for me too—I just know it."

Naina felt the breath leave her lungs. It was as if a knife had been driven straight into her heart, slicing through all the unspoken feelings she had been nurturing. She forced a smile, nodding as if nothing was wrong.

But inside, she was breaking into a thousand pieces.