Prologue

Isha woke up abruptly from sleep and Jumped down from her bed almost kicking the standing fan beside her bed.

"Ouch!  This is ridiculous. " she gasped. "what's wrong with me today?  How did I slept so long like this? "

She looked at the clock hanging on the wall and she screamed. It was 7:58am. She was very late for school today and she knows the lecturer very well. She knows he'll never allow her to enter the lecture hall at this time no matter what.

"what must i do now?  I know he must take attendance and he might even write a test and that's the worst part of it."

She ran into the toilet and took her bath quickly. She came out wore her cloth and took her bag.

When she went out, she found her mother in the same place that she leaves  her last night. She was deeply asleep. Her face was swollen because she cried so much last day. Isha looked at her mother sympathetically. "I shouldn't wake her up at this time. Maybe she couldn't sleep last night. "

Isha ran out of the house and headed directly to the road. She stood there transfixed. There is no vehicle on the road. "oh my goodness!  Something is definitely wrong today. Everything is bad." She spoke to herself, her eyes filled with tears.

She started sobbing uncontrollably. "Isha are you okay?  Why are you crying like this?  Is something wrong." A familiar voice interrupted her.

He's here again!  Why always me?  He can't stay away from me why?   She thought still covering her face.

"you have to stop this nonsense. You know no matter how much you or your parents hurt me, I will never ever leave you. OK? " said saleem loudly.

She stood up abruptly. "What are you saying saleem?  Can't you have pity on me and my family? Why are you pestering me? " she spoke loudly and broke into tears again.

Saleem kept quiet even though the sound of her crying was hurting him badly.

   "Now let's leave this matter aside. We can talk about it later. I just came here to take you to school. Okay?  Now let's go. I have packed my car there so that nobody will sees us together." he said pointing at the car while trying to hold her hands.

   "Stop this nonsense! "She shouted, kicking him away. " I've warned you several times to stop touching me but you refused. "

He shrugged. "Okay, no problem. " he said and walked to his car.

Isha stood there unmove. She was thinking deeply whether to follow him or not. She looked at the road again but still there is no vehicle. She shrugged and followed him. He opened the door for her and walked to the driver's side.

He drove slowly 'coz he feels so weak. He never think of departing with isha no matter what she or even her parents will do to him. He have been dating her since she was a little girl. Now he's ready to die for her.

Isha was silent. She kept her face on her lap still sobbing. Her life was so miserable. She was very sure that her father will never allow her to get married to saleem. Never. Not even in a dream. And she feels saleem as part of her life.

They stopped at the school surrounding and she came out quickly and walked to the lecture hall without uttering any word. Saleem stared at her until she was out of sight.

   "Sir please, i'm so sorry. Allow me to write this test please. It's not my fault. My mother was sick that's why i came late. I promised i won't be late again. Do me a favor please sir. " isha bowed in front of Mr Hamid crying like a baby.

   "I said you should get out from here. " Mr Hamid yelled at her.

   Isha went out meekly. Saleem , seeing her crying, rushed to her and asked her what had happened and she told him everything. He was just watching her with sympathy as she spoke.

What can i do now?  How may i help her? He thought.

  He walked to the lecture hall and asked to speak with Mr Hamid but he told him that he don't have time for him. If he's serious he can wait until the students finished their test. He begged him but to no avail.

He went back to isha and looked at her sorrowfully. "I think you should just leave him and if they finished the test, you can go and meet him in the office." said saleem reasonably.

"no please," isha interrupted. "I know him very well. He won't listen to me. You can go i know Allah is with me. " she said with a light smile that made saleem happy. He never expect her to react that way so he smiled back.

"As you wish." is all that he said and walked to his car.

Her eyes followed him with admiration. How i wish I could be able to get married to this wonderful person if only i could spend my whole life with him. I love you saleem. I really love you. I'm sorry for the way I react. I'm sorry for hurting you. You are my whole life saleem I don't know how i will cope with this life without you but dad doesn't wants us to be together. She thought.

Some few minutes later, Mr Hamid came out from the class and went to the office. Isha didn't attempt to follow him.

"Sister, you can go and meet him in the office I know he can listen to you." Amal, her best friend told her while holding her shoulders.

"No Amal " exclaimed isha sadly "I don't need furter embarrassment."

"But you know once you missed his test you will not pass his exam and that means you must repeat it next year." Amal reminded her.

"I know but have you forget what happened to shahid, fadal and maryam?" Asked isha.

"No but you should try your luck please. He might listen to you." Amal stated.

"I don't think i can....... "

"Please isha. "

"But Amal.... "

"Shit!" said Amal while putting her finger on isha's mouth. "I will accompany you after the lecture."

Right in front of Mr Hamid stood isha and Amal feeling sorry for themselves because Mr Hamid was busy writing even though he knows they came to see him. Amal looked at isha frustrated. Isha was already weeping tears. Amal signaled  her to stop crying and wipe her tears.

"Sir please! Listen to us . " said Amal at last.

Mr Hamid raised his eyes and removed his glass. He just stared at them angrily.

"Sir, I missed your test today and..... "

"So what do you want me to do? "

"Please sir my mother was sick so I have no choice than to wait and give her the medicine on time before coming to school." She lied.

Mr Hamid looked at her very well. Isha was astonished by the way he's looking at her.

"Please sir. God will protect you and give you whatever you desired. "

Mr Hamid shook his after thinking for some time.

"Okay, come to my office tomorrow at exactly 10oclock."  he said while putting his glass back to his eyes.

Isha was so happy. She feel like hugging him and tell him how much she's appreciated. Isha and Amal looked at each other and smiled.

"Thank You so much sir. I really appreciated it." isha responded.

She hold Amal's hand and they went out.

"I have told You isha, you should always try something before making conclusions." Amal told her while they are walking towards the school entrance.

"Hmmm!  I was surprised. I never think he will listen to us but see what happened as if in a dream. "Isha replied excitedly.

They part each taking a napep to her house.