nd‑new sedan beneath the shade of a sprawling neem tree. The glossy black paint gleamed even

rds. A condolence for missed tests had already turned into a celebration: she'd sat every final, and now she

ched the foyer just as her father opened the door to reveal Jamal in neatly pressed civi

, straight‑spined but relaxed. "I b

el's face. He called ou

am off duty in cadet fatigues, Aisha video‑calling in from her parents' place j

," he explained. "Sh

nspecting engine lines with a profession

llent

he trunk, smiling. "It fe

gh to keep up with a futu

ing from her mother, Alia's parents retreated inside to finish lun

hem alone b

breeze ruffling his hair. "Come for a quick

ing until she was settled before closing it with gentle

dets jogged in cadence. Jamal kept one hand on the wheel, the other resting on th

trunk big enough for her textbook crates. "Practical," he said, glancing sidewa

ucked those

each for the latch, Jamal circled to open her door. She stepped out, but he didn't rel

on sun gilding his lashes. She could feel

h anticipation, "our first official date as

t a breathless whisper. "I've neve

sing, "Since you became mine, I in

d a palm to his chest, feelin

to it," he s

his arms. She hurried up the path, pausing at the door to wave. Jamal linger

-

th Aisha away, her mother gladly joined the ritual of outfit selection: rejecting bold gowns, debating heels vs. flats

d a sheer gloss, and surveyed herself: a girl reborn from fatigue and f

from downstairs. "Your y

kissed her mother's cheek, hugged he

g a single white rose. When he saw her, his breath visibly caught. He walke

e, minha

dust. Slipping into the passenger seat, she glanced up just as he closed th

music filled the cabin-velvet saxophone notes that matched her racing p

d?" she asked, voice b

to drive. "Everything we'

e barracks road, carrying them toward