Falila sighed and said, “The only advice I can give you now is that you must focus seriously on your studies. Make sure that for every course, you get nothing less than a B. There’s a big benefit in that, and when the time comes, I’ll explain.”

Nabila said, “Alright, I understand. May Allah help us. Honestly I feel dizzy; I think I’ll just go home.”

Falila replied, “I’m sorry besty, it’s normal to feel faint after such a shocking experience. Go sit in the cool area and rest. Let me go buy our handouts. I’ll come back and walk you to the gate so you can take a taxi home, okay?”

“Okay,” Nabila answered, then walked away to sit in the cool area.

After a short while, she heard someone greet her. She almost didn’t respond, but finally she said softly, “Wa’alaikumussalam.”

Jabir stood before her, his face bright. He said, “If you had handed over the leadership of your heart to me, today Falila would’ve received strict punishment for leaving you alone in this state.”

Nabila lifted her head and said, “Jabir, please, I beg you, don’t start bothering me with unnecessary talk.”

Jabir straightened up and said playfully, “My dear, how can you just call me ‘Jabir’? So casually?”

She shot him a hard look. “And what exactly do you want me to call you if not Jabir?”

Just then, a student rushed over. “Class rep, come quickly, they’re calling you.”

Without answering Nabila’s question, Jabir followed him to the H.O.D’s office.

When they entered, the H.O.D told the other student to leave. Then he turned to Jabir and said:

“If you want to graduate peacefully, I better never see you with any girl again. I’ve noticed you’re a useless boy with no upbringing. All you do is follow girls like a stray puppy. Leave my office! And let this be the last time I ever see you with a girl.”

Jabir tried to speak. “Sir—”

But the H.O.D cut him off. “Don’t say a word. OUT!”

Jabir walked out quietly, lost in thought. As he stepped outside, he bumped into Falila rushing to class.

He asked, “Why are you alone? Where’s your friend?”

Falila replied, “I just walked her to the gate. She went home. She’s really not feeling well.”

“Oh, poor thing,” Jabir said. “Even I barely managed to stay. Honestly, I should just go home too.”

Falila teased, “Hmm, Jabir the lover boy. Just hearing that Nabila has a headache and you’re already affected.”

Jabir sighed. “It’s not that. The H.O.D just threatened me. He said if he sees me with any girl again, he’ll fail me repeatedly and chase me out of the school. You know how serious that is for a class rep.”

Falila was speechless, staring at him with sympathy.

Jabir continued, “I’ve decided to step down as class rep. Let someone else take it. Girls only notice me because I’m class rep anyway. But no matter what, I won’t stop caring about Nabila. For her, I’m ready to risk being expelled.”

He added, “I’m going home now too. You go to class. Tomorrow, if Nabila doesn’t come, talk to Aisha so we can visit her at home.”

Falila said, “At least stay for this lecture since we’re already here.”

But Jabir refused. He went to his car and drove home.

When he entered the sitting room, his mother was watching the news. Surprised by his early return, she asked, “Jabir, is everything okay? You’re home much earlier than usual.”

He said, “I’m fine, Mummy. I just have a headache.”

“Oh, my dear, sorry,” she said. “It’s probably stress. Go inside and rest.”

Jabir agreed and began to walk to his room when his mother called, “Oh! Your father said I should greet you. He tried calling you earlier but couldn’t reach you.”

Jabir asked, “When is Daddy coming back, Mummy?”

“Soon, insha Allah. He left Dubai and is now in China,” she replied.