Episode 3: The Shadow Outside

Episode 3: The Shadow Outside

Areeba's hands trembled as she pulled the curtain aside.

The street outside was empty.

There was no one.

She blinked twice, wondering if fear had played tricks on her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she locked the window and sat on her prayer mat.

"Ya Allah, if this is a test, guide me to the truth and protect me from every evil."

Her heart felt lighter after the dua.

The next morning, she arrived at the university earlier than usual. She couldn't stop thinking about the message.

"You were not supposed to find the second note."

Who knew she had opened the letter?

As she walked through the corridor, Eman rushed towards her.

"There you are! I've been calling you."

"My phone was on silent."

"You look tired. Didn't you sleep?"

Areeba forced a smile.

"I'm okay."

Eman wasn't convinced, but she didn't ask any more questions.

During the first lecture, Professor Haris announced a semester project.

"You'll work in pairs. I'll assign the partners."

The classroom buzzed with excitement.

"Areeba Khan..."

She looked up.

"...your partner will be Zayan Mirza."

For a moment, both of them were surprised.

After class, Zayan approached her with a respectful smile.

"Assalamu Alaikum."

"Wa Alaikum Assalam."

"I hope we can work well together."

"In Shaa Allah," Areeba replied.

Just then, a folded paper slipped from between the pages of her notebook and landed on the floor.

Before she could pick it up, Zayan reached for it.

His expression changed the moment he saw the old yellow paper.

He looked at Areeba, then quietly said,

"Where did you get this letter?"

Areeba's heartbeat quickened.

"You... know about it?"

Before Zayan could answer, someone called his name from the hallway.

He immediately handed the paper back.

"We shouldn't talk here," he whispered.

"Meet me in the old library after Zuhr."

Then he walked away.

Areeba stood frozen.

For the first time...

Someone else knew about the mysterious letter.

As the class ended, Areeba remained seated for a few moments. Her thoughts were racing. Why had Zayan reacted that way after seeing the letter? Did he know who had written it?

Eman gently tapped her shoulder.

"Come on! The cafeteria's samosas are famous. If we're late, they'll all be gone."

Areeba smiled despite the storm inside her heart.

"You really think about food all the time."

"And you think too much," Eman laughed. "That's why Allah sent me to be your friend."

The two girls walked across the green university lawn. Students were chatting under the trees, some preparing for presentations while others were busy taking photos. It was a normal university day for everyone...

Except for Areeba.

As they reached the cafeteria, Areeba noticed Zayan sitting alone in a corner with a notebook open in front of him. He wasn't eating. Instead, he seemed lost in thought.

For a brief moment, their eyes met.

Zayan immediately looked away and closed his notebook.

Areeba found it strange.

"Do you know him?" she asked Eman.

"Only what everyone knows," Eman replied. "He's one of the brightest students in the department. He's quiet, keeps to himself, and never gets involved in unnecessary conversations."

Areeba nodded but couldn't stop thinking about his words.

"We shouldn't talk here."

What was so dangerous about the letter?

Who was listening?

As Zuhr prayer time approached, the Adhan from the university mosque echoed across the campus. Students slowly made their way toward the prayer area.

Areeba felt a sense of peace wash over her.

Whatever mystery lay ahead, she reminded herself that no secret was greater than Allah's knowledge.

Clutching the letter safely inside her notebook, she took a deep breath.

In less than an hour, she would finally meet Zayan in the old library—and perhaps, for the first time, discover why her name had been written on a letter years before she had ever stepped into this university.

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