Shards of Time

Tekiyah and Aslam had shared the same classroom since the first day of school, yet the first term passed like a silent film,scenes of proximity but no real connection. The hum of chatter, the scraping of chairs, the faint scent of chalk dust filled the air, but their worlds remained apart. Even though they lived just streets away, it felt as if miles separated their hearts.

Tekiyah would sometimes catch a glimpse of Aslam,his dark eyes calm and steady behind thick lashes, the way his hands rested on his desk, fingers tapping lightly to a rhythm only he could hear. She wondered what thoughts swirled beneath his quiet exterior. Was he as lonely as she felt?

The school corridors were always noisy, but when Aslam was near, everything seemed to soften. The buzz of voices faded into a dull murmur, replaced by the thudding of her own heart and the quickening beat of nervous anticipation. Yet she kept her distance, afraid that a single word might shatter the fragile bubble of safety she had wrapped around herself.

Then, as the second term began, the world shifted. It wasn't thunderous or sudden, just a small nod from Aslam as she entered the classroom. That brief gesture sent a warmth blooming in her chest, a mixture of hope and fear that made her fingers tingle. She hesitated before returning a shy smile, feeling exposed, vulnerable, and alive all at once.

Days passed, and their greetings grew,soft hellos in the morning, casual questions whispered between classes. Tekiyah found herself replaying each interaction over and over, memorizing the sound of his voice, the way his eyes flickered with curiosity when she spoke. Her mind danced with possibility, but shadows of doubt lingered. am I just imagining this?

During lunch time,gathered around the dusty school benches, Tekiyah couldn't help but share her thoughts with her closest friends. Her voice dropped to a secretive whisper as she gisted them about the boy who had caught her attention in class.