Very Halal of You, Professor
wind
Male Lead: Professor James Arthur
Role: Professor of Literature / University Lecturer
The Vibe: Soulful, grounded, and intensely observant. Known on campus for his sharp intellect, casual yet sharp style (think black coats and textured curls), and structured teaching, he keeps a strict line between his professional life and his personal privacy
Female Lead: Hala Al Turk
Role: University Student (Final Years)
The Vibe: Vibrant, expressive, and effortlessly stylish. While the public outside only sees her elegant, flowing black burkha and perfectly pinned hijab, her inner circle knows her love for high-fashion aesthetics, pastel color palettes, and trendy Gen-Z styling.
hala(fl)
(muttering to herself) Okay, literally where are my keys? If I’m late to this lecture, Professor Ahmed is going to actually end me.
Hala is frantically pacing around her bedroom. She’s wearing a cute, pleated pastel skirt and a cropped cardigan—totally vibing, but she’s only halfway ready.
hala(fl)
Ah, found them! Under the couch. Mashallah, great hiding spot, Hala
She grabs her oversized black burkha from the rack, slipping it on over her outfit. Within seconds, the colorful clothes are completely hidden. She adjusts her hijab in the mirror, making sure it’s pinned perfectly.
She grabs her tote bag, opens her front door, and steps out onto the apartment building's open-air corridor. It’s a massive complex with a huge central courtyard, and her unit is on the fourth floor. The morning air is crisp, but the second she steps outside, she feels a sudden, aggressive gust of wind sweep through the open spac
hala(fl)
(gasping) Oh my god!
The wind catches the hem of her burkha, lifting it up like a curtain. Because she’s holding her bulky tote bag, she can't catch the fabric fast enough. For a split second, the dark material flies up, exposing a flash of her bright pastel skirt, her white sneakers, and her ankles.
hala(fl)
(frantically pinning the fabric down) Stop, stop, stop!
She instantly scrambles to smooth the burkha back down, her face flushing a deep, burning crimson under her hijab. Mortified, she instinctively looks across the massive courtyard to see if anyone saw her.
James is standing on his balcony. His apartment is on the opposite side of the complex, a couple of floors up and pretty far away—far enough that people on this side usually just look like moving shapes. He’s nursing a black coffee, leaning against the railing, and staring aimlessly across the gap to wake his brain up.
james(ml)
(thinking) Man, I need to buy groceries today. The fridge is literally empty.
His eyes lazily drift over to the opposite building. He notices a figure in a black burkha stepping out of a door. He doesn't know her—they've never spoken a word to each other since he moved in. She’s just the quiet girl from the far building.
Just as he looks, a massive gust of wind hits. From across the courtyard, he sees the dark fabric of her burkha violently whip upward, revealing a sudden, bright pop of color underneath.
james(ml)
(thinking) Code red. Lower the eyes. IMMEDIATELY.
The exact moment he realizes what happened, he sees her head snap up, her eyes locking onto his distant figure in absolute panic
james(ml)
(snapping his head down, staring intently at his coffee) Astaghfirullah. Astaghfirullah. I wasn’t looking. I didn’t see anything.
His ears turn bright red. Even though he’s all the way across the complex and it’s way too far to shout an apology without yelling to the whole neighborhood, he feels incredibly guilty. He glues his eyes strictly to the floorboards of his balcony, refusing to look back up
hala(fl)
(internal screaming) I want the earth to swallow me whole right now. Literally rip me open and take me.
She’s still holding her burkha down tightly against her legs, her heart hammering against her ribs. She looks across the courtyard at the distant guy on the balcony. He’s way too far to talk to, but she can clearly see his silhouette.
hala(fl)
(thinking) Wait... did he just...
She watches him. The absolute second their eyes met from across the distance, he didn't stare or smirk. He literally jerked his head down so fast he probably got whiplash. Now, he’s standing completely frozen, staring at his shoes like they hold the secrets to the universe.
hala(fl)
(letting out a shaky breath) Okay. Wow. He actually lowered his gaze. Mashallah, very halal of him.
The sheer awkwardness in the air is palpable, even across a fifty-foot drop, but the immediate respect he showed makes her burning cheeks relax just a little bit. She adjusts her tote bag, keeping a tight grip on her hem just in case the wind tries her again.
james(ml)
We’ve literally never spoken, and now the first time she actually notices me is because the wind did her dirty. Great first impression, James. Phenomenal.
James throws his phone face down on the mattress and sighs, walking over to his window. He looks across the wide, empty gap between their buildings.
james(ml)
(smiling faintly to himself) Pastel colors. Huh. Who would've thought?
.
James is standing in the small, overgrown garden patch outside his ground-floor patio. He’s holding a rusted pair of shears, staring blankly at a dying rose bush and some aggressive weeds that are taking over the dirt.
james(ml)
Yeah, I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. Should’ve stuck to apartment complexes with zero greenery.
He sighs, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. He’s just about to give up and head inside when an elderly woman walking down the path stops. She’s wearing a warm smile and a traditional hijab. It’s Hala’s mom.
...
Assalamu Alaikum, young man. You look like you’re having a full-on war with those weeds.
james(ml)
(blinking, quickly putting the shears down) Wa Alaikum Assalam. Oh, yeah, definitely losing the war too. I just moved in last week, and the landlord said I’m responsible for this patch, but I’m clueless.
...
(laughing softly) Don’t worry, it’s easy. You’re cutting the roots wrong. Here, let me show you.
She steps into the little garden patch, completely taking charge. For the next minute, she efficiently trims the dead weight while James stands by, taking notes.
james(ml)
Wow, thank you. You’re a lifesaver, seriously.
...
It’s nothing! Neighbors help neighbors. By the way, my name is Farida. I live in the opposite building. You must be cooking dinner alone in that empty apartment, huh?
james(ml)
Uh, yeah. I was actually just going to order takeout or make ramen
...
(tsking, waving her hand) Absolutely not. No takeout under my watch. You are coming to our place for dinner tonight.
james(ml)
Oh, no, please, I couldn't trouble you. I don't want to intrude—
...
(interrupting, full maternal authority) I am not asking, young man, I am telling you. You are coming. 8:00 PM sharp. Apartment 4B. Don't be late!
Hala is setting the dining table, laying out plates of rice and chicken curry. She’s completely changed out of her university clothes, now wearing a simple, comfortable lounge dress and a loose jersey hijab draped over her hair.
hala(fl)
Ammi, who even is this guy? You literally just met him by the trash cans or something?
...
(from the kitchen) No, he was struggling with his garden. He’s new, he’s polite, and he’s eating alone. Have some compassion, Hala. Open the door, the bell just rang.
Hala walks over to the front door and swings it open, a polite smile ready on her face. The smile instantly freezes. Standing there, in a sharp black jacket and smelling incredibly good, is the guy from the balcony.
hala(fl)
(thinking) Shut up. No way. The floor-staring balcony guy is our dinner guest?!
james(ml)
(staring at her, his eyes widening in recognition as he notices her face clearly for the first time) Oh.
hala(fl)
(quickly recovering, clearing her throat) Assalamu Alaikum. Welcome.
james(ml)
(looking down instantly, keeping his gaze completely respectful) Wa Alaikum Assalam. Thank you for having me.
James walks into the cozy apartment, feeling his heart race. He cannot believe the girl from the wind incident is the daughter of the woman who practically kidnapped him for dinner. He sits down at the table, keeping his eyes firmly on his plate as Farida pours him some water
...
Eat, eat, James! Don't be shy. So, tell us, what brought you to this side of the city? You live all by yourself?
james(ml)
Yeah, I live alone. It's a bit quiet, but I'm adjusting. I actually moved here for a transfer work assignment. I’m lecturing at the university nearby
hala(fl)
(choking on her water) Wait, you're a professor?
james(ml)
(faintly smiling, looking up at her face briefly) Yeah
Hala watches him as he reaches for the bread. As his sleeve slides up, she catches sight of intricate, dark ink wrapping all the way down his forearm and extending up toward his chest under his shirt.
hala(fl)
(blurting it out before she can stop herself) Wait... if you're Muslim, why do you have tattoos?
...
Hala! That is incredibly rude! Astaghfirullah, mind your manners!
james(ml)
(quickly raising his hand, giving a gentle, sad smile) No, no, it’s okay, Auntie. Really. It’s a fair question.
james(ml)
I’m actually a revert Muslim. I accepted Islam about two years ago. I got all of these tattoos long before I found my faith.
James takes a slow breath, the air in the room shifting from awkward to heavy. He can see the shock and realization dawning on Hala’s face.
james(ml)
My family... well, they didn't really take the news well when I reverted. They didn't understand it. It caused a lot of friction, which is the main reason I took the university transfer and moved out here. I wanted a fresh start. That’s why I stay alone.
He gives a small, melancholic shrug, trying to downplay the loneliness, but his voice carries a heavy weight.
...
(her expression softening completely, her eyes shining with maternal sympathy) Oh, my dear... I am so sorry. You are never alone here. You are part of the Ummah now, and you are always welcome in this house.
hala(fl)
(looking at James, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and deep sadness) I... I’m so sorry, James. I shouldn't have asked like that. That’s really beautiful, though. Mashallah.
james(ml)
(looking up, meeting her eyes for a brief, genuine second) Thank you, Hala. It means a lot, seriously.
The initial awkwardness of the balcony incident completely fades away, replaced by a quiet, profound understanding between them as they finish their dinner
skirt
James’s phone buzzed aggressively against the wooden dining table, cutting through the warm, quiet atmosphere of the apartment. He checked the screen. It was a WhatsApp call from his childhood friend, Ethan.
james(ml)
(setting his fork down) Sorry, Auntie. Let me just take this real quick.
...
Go ahead, son, take your time
He stepped toward the hallway, pressing the phone to his ear. The background noise on the other end was already deafening—thumping bass and muffled shouting.
...
Yo, James! Where you at, bro? The whole crew is at the lounge downtown. We’re staying out all night, literally till sunrise. You have to come through, no excuses
james(ml)
Man, I’m actually having dinner with my neighbors right now. I don’t know if—
...
Pull up after! Come on, it’s your first weekend in the city. Don't be a hermit. See you in twenty?
james(ml)
(sighs, smiling faintly) Fine. Give me thirty. I’ll see you there.
He hung up and walked back to the table, feeling a bit guilty for cutting the evening short.
james(ml)
I’m really sorry, but a close friend of mine just called. They’re hosting a gathering down the street and they’re staying out late. I should probably head out and show my face. Thank you so much for the dinner, truly. It felt like home.
...
Oh, don't worry about it at all! Go enjoy yourself with your friends. Just remember, you’re always welcome back here for a home-cooked meal.
hala(fl)
(standing up to see him out)
The second the front door clicked shut, Hala let out a massive, dramatic sigh of relief. She loved her mom, but hosting her incredibly attractive, intensely respectful literature professor for two hours was a masterclass in psychological torture.
hala(fl)
(fanning herself) Oh my god, Ammi, it is literally boiling tonight. This summer heat is actually disrespectful.
...
(yawns, heading toward her bedroom) It really is. I’m going to sleep, beta. Clean up the counter and lock the main door, okay?
hala(fl)
I will. Goodnight!
Hala watched her mom close her door. She looked out the kitchen window, checking the distant balcony across the courtyard. James’s apartment was completely pitch black.
hala(fl)
(thinking) Thank god he’s going to be out all night at that party. No neighbors,
Cranking up the AC, Hala rushed to her room to get out of her heavy clothes. Stripping off her loose lounge dress, she threw on a tiny, white-and-pink pleated cheerleader-style skirt and a fitted tank top. She pulled her hair into a messy claw clip, completely free of her hijab.
hala(fl)
(connecting her phone to her Bluetooth speaker) Time to completely unbig my back.
A high-energy, upbeat pop track started thumping through her airpods. Standing in front of her open balcony glass doors to catch the cool indoor breeze, she started dancing. She was completely in her element, hyping herself up in the mirror, doing transitions, and jumping around without a single care in the world. She felt like a typical Western college girl, totally untethered.
The party was a total bust. After less than an hour of dealing with a crowded, sweaty club and screaming over the bass, James had completely checked out mentally. All he could think about was the quiet peace of his new apartment. He slipped away early, taking a quiet cab ride back.
james(ml)
Man, there is nothing like peace and quiet.
His apartment was dark and cool. Feeling a bit restless despite the late hour, he decided to brew a hot cup of black coffee to wind down. While the machine hummed, his mind drifted back to the dinner. He couldn't stop thinking about how expressive Hala's eyes were when she apologized for the tattoo question
Wrapping his hand around the warm mug, he slid open his balcony door and stepped out into the night air. The courtyard was mostly dead, bathed in the dim glow of the compound's yellow security lights. He leaned his forearms against the railing, taking a slow sip.
Suddenly, a rhythmic movement across the courtyard caught his attention. He looked over at building 4B.
james(ml)
(choking slightly on his coffee, his eyes widening in pure shock) What in the world...
The curtains in Hala's apartment were wide open. Illuminated perfectly by her bright bedroom lights, she was dancing. But she wasn't wearing her burkha, or her lounge dress, or her hijab. She was in a tiny, high-waisted cheerleader skirt that left her long, bare legs completely exposed. Her movements were fluid, energetic, and completely unbothered.
james(ml)
(thinking) Lower your gaze, James. Turn around. Walk away.
His brain screamed at him to look down, but his body was entirely frozen. The sight of her—so uninhibited, so completely different from the covered, quiet girl he saw on the walkway—had his heart hammering violently against his ribs. His eyes involuntarily traced the line of her bare legs as she spun around
Hala hit the final chorus of the song, doing a dramatic spin and facing the glass doors. As she laughed to herself, her eyes instinctively flicked across the courtyard toward the opposite building.
Her breath instantly caught in her throat. Her entire body turned to ice.
hala(fl)
(thinking) No. No, no, no.
Standing on the opposite balcony, framed perfectly by the moonlight, was James. He was holding a coffee mug, completely frozen, his eyes locked dead on her. Even from this distance, she could tell exactly where his eyes were resting—directly on her exposed, bare legs
hala(fl)
(gasping, a wave of absolute horror crashing over her) Oh my god!
A violent shockwave of adrenaline hit her system. In a frantic, clumsy blur, she practically threw herself to the side, ripping herself out of his line of sight and slamming her back against the solid wall of her bedroom.
hala(fl)
(clutching her chest, her breathing shallow and ragged) He was supposed to be at a party! He was supposed to be gone all night! Oh my god, he saw me. Professor James saw my entire legs. I am actually deceased. Someone bury me.
Her heart was beating so hard she could hear it echoing in her ears. She pressed her hands against her burning cheeks, her mind completely racing with the absolute disaster that was her life.
The second she vanished from the window, James snapped out of his trance. He staggered backward, nearly knocking over a patio chair, his face burning a furious, bright red.
james(ml)
(breathing heavily, slamming his hand against his forehead) Astaghfirullah. Astaghfirullahalayhim. What did I just do?
He rushed inside his apartment, sliding the glass door shut and pulling the heavy curtains completely closed. He set his shaking coffee mug down on the counter, his chest heaving as if he had just run a marathon.
james(ml)
(thinking) I didn't look away. I literally stood there and stared. What is wrong with me?
The image of her in that pastel skirt, her hair wild and free, dancing without a care, was completely burned into his retinas. His heart was racing at a dangerous speed, a toxic mix of guilt, adrenaline, and a sudden, undeniable spark of intense attraction twisting in his gut.
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play
